Mykonos has long been known for it’s relaxing beaches and beautiful sunsets, but there is a new reputation staking its claim among the Mediterranean islands- most decadent.

Every year the island gives way to a perpetual party spanning nearly three months in length and drawing top name trance and house DJs the world over. (Some even say this destination is poised on the verge of overtaking Ibiza.) Summers in the Cyclades Islands of Greece are laden with bronzed European vacationers packing the beaches by day, and the clubs by night. Paradise Beach lies at the Southern end of the island-  far enough away from the honeymooners and vacationers for the 24 hour shifts of pounding rhythms and alcohol-fueled frenzy to continue uninterrupted.

The beach during the day looks like a cross between a bikini model shoot and a Muscle and Fitness magazine, but I have yet to witness anyone complain about it. The beaches themselves are the source of the party- with the bars positioned twenty steps from the water. This meager distance is littered with sunbathers sprawled out on lawn chairs and sand alike; sunglasses on head, and drinks in hand. Each bar provides their own respective sound system to compete with the one next door, and top house anthems can be heard blasting on repeat at full volume to the crowds dancing around the speakers.

Just past the bars is the entrance to the campgrounds, with your choice of flat land to pitch a tent on or the option to rent a cabin (an overpriced tin box with a mattress stuffed inside). The sorry state of the sleeping quarters would be more of an issue if anyone was actually capable of sleeping here. (For those with a little extra cash, there’s a variety of more glamorous sleeping options a short ride into town.)

It took far too long to learn that this is only Paradise Beach during the day… At sunset it gives way to two gigantic nightclubs, each drawing some of the most massive names in electronic music. A single Saturday night in 2009 bore witness to live sets by house-music legends John Digweed and Eric Morillo until 8 A.M. The larger and more well known of the two clubs, Cavo Paradiso, is a multi-layered expanse with a massive exterior (and a pool) that makes it’s way to the very edge of the island, blocked only by a low gate at the cliffs descent to the sea below. Needless to say, the atmosphere is incredible as a floor packed full of  fans from every country begin to dance only harder once the sun rises over the cliffs and into the club inside.

Mykonos is an unforgettable place as much for the beautiful scenery as for the frenzied parties, and what few hours a day you do manage to sleep will seem even more refreshing as you wake up with the sun high in the sky and the waves crashing on the shore.

(Image via CavoParadiso.com)