Solymar

Solymar sits directly on the sand at Kalo Livadi, one of the longer, calmer beaches on Mykonos's southeast coast. Unlike the notoriously loud beach clubs of Paradise or Super Paradise, Kalo Livadi draws a crowd that wants full beach-club facilities without the wall-to-wall chaos, and Solymar is the venue that defines the experience there. It operates daily from 9am to 11pm, giving you a full day in the sun followed by a proper dinner and drinks after dark.

The setup goes beyond a sunbed and a cocktail menu. On the same footprint you'll find a restaurant serving food throughout the day, a boutique stocking beach and resort wear, DJ sets that run from the afternoon into the evening, and massage services if you want to make a full day of it. Reservations are recommended — the venue takes bookings by phone, and walk-ins for sunbed arrangements are harder to land once the morning rush has settled.

With a rating of 4.0 across more than 1,300 Google reviews, Solymar holds its ground as one of the consistently well-regarded beach club operations on the island. That volume of reviews reflects a large and returning clientele rather than a place running on novelty.

What to Expect

Kalo Livadi is a sandy bay that curves gently along the southeastern side of Mykonos. The water here tends to be clear and relatively calm by Mykonian standards — the beach faces south-southeast, which means it catches afternoon sun well and is reasonably sheltered from the north winds (meltemi) that punish the northern and western shores in July and August.

Solymar occupies a prime stretch of that sand. The aesthetic is deliberately in tune with its setting: natural materials, a design that doesn't compete with the landscape, and a layout that keeps the restaurant, bar, and sunbed areas distinct without feeling segmented. You can move between a lounger, the bar, and a table for a full meal without the transition feeling awkward.

The restaurant operates across the full day — breakfast through to late evening — which is more flexible than many beach clubs that shut down food service by late afternoon. The menu draws on fresh ingredients and leans toward Mediterranean and Greek-influenced dishes, though the specific menu changes seasonally and no current menu is confirmed here.

The boutique on site sells clothing and accessories suited to beach and resort use, which is practical if you arrived underprepared or want to buy something that feels like Mykonos rather than a souvenir shop.

DJ sets give the venue an afternoon and evening energy that rises steadily without tipping into the full festival mode that some visitors find exhausting. The music programming is resident-led, meaning the playlist has a consistent character rather than a rotating cast of different styles.

Massage services are bookable on site. If you plan to use them, ask about availability when you make your sunbed or table reservation — slots fill up in peak season.

How to Get There

Kalo Livadi is roughly 12 kilometers from Mykonos Town (Chora) by road. The drive takes around 20 minutes depending on traffic, which can slow considerably in July and August on the single-lane roads across the island's interior.

By car or scooter, follow the main road south from Mykonos Town toward Ano Mera, then turn south toward Kalo Livadi. Parking is available in the area around the beach, though spaces fill quickly on peak summer days. Arriving before 10am gives you the best chance of an easy park.

Taxis from Mykonos Town are available but can be difficult to secure in peak hours — book return transport in advance or arrange with your accommodation. The island's KTEL bus service runs a route to Kalo Livadi in summer, departing from the Old Port bus station in Mykonos Town; check current timetables locally as schedules change each season.

There is no direct boat access to Kalo Livadi, though water taxis operating from the Old Port or Platis Gialos may serve nearby beaches in high season — confirm availability on arrival.

Best Time to Visit

Solymar is a seasonal operation, open during the main Mykonian summer. The island's peak runs from late June through late August. If your priority is atmosphere and a full DJ programme, that's the window — but it's also when temperatures reach 30–35°C and sunbeds require advance booking.

Early July and early September offer a reasonable middle ground: warm water, full services, and slightly less congestion. September in particular can be excellent — the meltemi winds have usually eased, the sea is at its warmest, and the island shifts to a more relaxed pace.

For the beach itself, morning arrivals — before 11am — let you settle in before the midday heat and before sunbed areas fill completely. The venue stays open until 11pm, so a late afternoon arrival is also viable if you're coming mainly for dinner and the evening atmosphere.

Kalo Livadi's south-facing orientation means it gets direct sun from mid-morning through late afternoon, making it one of the better choices if you want full-day light without chasing shadows.

Tips for Visiting

• Call ahead to reserve. The reservation line is +30 2289 071745 (available 10am–10pm). For sunbeds specifically, the mobile line +30 697 232 2486 operates 10am–8pm. Don't rely on walk-in availability in July and August.
• Arrive early for the best sunbed positions. The venue opens at 9am; arriving by 9:30am gives you first pick of the layout before the crowd builds.
• Plan for a full day. With breakfast, a beach session, lunch, massage, and dinner all available on site, there's no reason to leave mid-afternoon and return — build your day around staying.
• Book massage slots when you arrive. Therapist time is limited and tends to fill up by late morning on busy days.
• Check the boutique before you buy beachwear in Mykonos Town. The on-site selection is curated for the venue's aesthetic and may be more practical than what you'll find in Chora's tourist shops.
• Dress appropriately for the restaurant. Kalo Livadi is not a wild party beach. Solymar's evening dining has a smart-casual feel — cover-ups are fine, but beach attire alone may feel out of place at a dinner table after dark.
• Sort return transport before sunset. Taxis from Kalo Livadi become scarce in the evening. Arrange a pick-up in advance or confirm that your rental scooter or car is available for the return.
• Bring cash as a backup. Card payment is standard at Mykonian beach clubs, but ATMs in the Kalo Livadi area are limited — carry some euros if you want flexibility.

What to Order

The research bundle does not include a confirmed current menu, so specific dishes are not listed here. What the venue emphasizes is freshness and a connection to Mykonian and Mediterranean food culture. In practical terms, that points toward seafood, grilled proteins, salads, and mezze-style sharing dishes — the staples of a well-run Greek beach restaurant.

The bar is active throughout the day. Expect a full cocktail list alongside Greek wines, local spirits, and standard soft drinks. For an island context, look for wines from the Cyclades — the assyrtiko grape, grown nearby on Santorini and increasingly on Mykonos itself, pairs well with seafood and holds up in the heat.

If you're visiting for an evening meal rather than a full beach day, consider calling ahead to confirm that the kitchen is serving at the time you plan to arrive. The venue closes at 11pm, and last orders typically fall 30–45 minutes before close.

Activities and Facilities

Solymar functions as a multi-service beach club rather than a standalone bar or restaurant. The confirmed facilities on site include:

• Sunbed and parasol hire on the sand at Kalo Livadi
• Full restaurant service from morning through late evening
• Bar service running concurrently with the restaurant
• Resident DJ programme in the afternoon and evening
• Massage and body treatment services
• Boutique selling clothing and accessories

The beach at Kalo Livadi itself is suitable for swimming across most of the season. The seabed is predominantly sand, the gradient is gentle, and the water is generally clear. There are no confirmed water sports or equipment hire operations run by Solymar specifically, though other operators sometimes work the broader Kalo Livadi beach area — confirm on arrival.

Events and private hire are available through the venue. Solymar lists weddings and private events as services, making it one of the options on Mykonos for groups wanting a dedicated beach venue. Contact the venue directly for event enquiries.