Why Mykonos is still the global north star for LGBTQIA+ luxury
And how to unlock the island’s most elusive guest list, without the €100 sun-bed tax.
Considered by many as the "gay capital of the Aegean", Mykonos is a compact yet picturesque island, taking roughly just 2 hours to drive around its beautiful shoreline.
With a permanent population of around 12,500 people, the island experiences a massive influx of tourists, with a large LGBTQIA+ contingent, in the summer months – all flocking to enjoy its over 25 beaches, the delights of the main town Chora, and of course its luxurious hospitality offering.
Having evolved from a quiet Aegean island into a premier global queer haven, spurred by celebrity, and a long history of Greek tolerance – the island has long-embraced LGBTQIA+ tourism, quickly becoming the European destination for queer nightlife, luxury and, as of 2024, same-sex weddings.
This community appetite for the island really began in 1961, when Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (Jackie Kennedy at that time) visited and fell in love with the island. Her presence brought the international jet set, including Grace Kelly and Sophia Loren – and, being a gay icon, the community followed her lead in the 70s, seeking the same freedom and lack of judgment she found there.
Naturally, the queer pilgrimage to Mykonos centres on the sand. The island’s coastline is anchored by two distinct pillars of gay sun-worship: Super Paradise and Elia. The former is a high-octane, often nude-friendly playground, home to the legendary Jackie O’ Beach Club where drag sets bleed into world-class sunset parties. For a shift in tempo, there is Elia. Located 10km from Chora, it is the island’s expansive, crystal-clear sanctuary – offering a more relaxed, clothing-optional vibrance for those who prefer their cocktails and nudity with a side of serenity.
Elsewhere, the community is invited to engage in campery and hijinks, with bars like Lola offering a tastefully curated camp setting for a sophisticated, yet theatrical drink. Its owner welcomes the breadth of the community with open arms and a comprehensive drinks menu – side note for all the 0% girlies out there, you must try the Banana Colada!
Mykonos’s reputation as the world’s most expensive queer playground isn't just hyperbole, it’s a reality measured in €100 sun loungers and magnums of rosé. It’s often a landscape built for deep pockets and high-octane luxury. Whilst there are more economical ways to enjoy the delights of the island, the real flex is getting to enjoy it as the A-list do, and we’ve found a backdoor option for you to do just that.
Enter Uber One’s Member Days. In a move that feels more like a cultural takeover than a loyalty program, Uber One has commandeered one of the island's most elusive spots for a window in September. Usually a guarded territory, the membership platform is taking over Soho Roc House, transforming it into the Members’ House – an invitation-only sanctuary for a select group of UK Uber One members.
This isn't your standard points-and-perks affair; it’s a full-scale heist of the Mykonian high life. We’re talking a complimentary escape valued at over £5,000, featuring the kind of itinerary usually reserved for the Out of Office replies of the creative elite: private catamarans slicing through the Cyclades, sunrise yoga rituals, and sommelier-led sessions as the sun dips into the Aegean.
The barrier to entry? It’s surprisingly democratic. Access is being unlocked for those who’ve maximised their membership across rides and late-night takeaways over the last year, alongside a limited-release ballot for those new members who sign up between 11th and 24th May*. In a landscape defined by who you know, it turns out it might actually be your grocery habit that’s your ticket to the inner circle.
*You can read more about the competition and find all the Ts & Cs on Uber’s Blog.
