THE COMPLETE MILOS, GREECE TRAVEL GUIDE — Navager

One of the most underrated Greek islands located in the sun-soaked Aegean Sea at the south of the Cyclades. Milos is a must if you’re planning a greek island-hopping trip, offering an insane mix of breath-taking beaches, beautiful sunset spots, traditional Greek architecture and historical and cultural attractions with unforgettable charm. Spend your days here soaking up the island’s time-old traditions, laid-back charm, and slow pace of life. This is the only travel guide you will need when you visit Milos Island.

Melos, as it’s referred to in Greece, is awash with stunning natural beauty and has a unique coastline that is lined with coves, cliffs and rocks. Milos’s horseshoe shape creates a home for awesome beaches, rock formations, and sea caves with clear water that’s excellent for snorkelling.

In this Complete Travel Guide to Milos Island, Greece, we have compiled everything you need to know to plan an unforgettable visit to Milos Island – from where to stay and what to do on Milos. How to get around, where to catch the best sunsets and of course, some of the best beaches to tick off your bucket list.

best time to visit MILOS

Greece has great summers and is a popular tourist vacation spot. This means prices are much higher during the months June-September and the beaches will be much busier. The spring and fall months are the perfect time to visit. It’s shoulder season so it’s less crowded, cheaper, and the temperatures are cooler so it’s easier to explore. Due to covid, the travel demand was still there to Milos but less crowded. (Our trip was during Oct 2021)

Be aware that outside of the summer there are fewer ferries running. This means it can be harder to travel between islands.

Getting to MILOS

FERRY

There’s a great ferry connection at Milos. For example, the ferry from Santorini takes approximately 2 hours and costs around 50 euros (one way) during the high summer season (We took the longer one with half the price since it was off-season). There are also larger ferries if you’re travelling by car. You can see all the ferry schedule on this website.

MILOS AIRPORT

Milos is has a small airport with a few flights a day from Athens which takes about 40 mins. However, taking the ferry from Athens might sometimes be faster. The ferry takes around 3-5 hours, and boats leave throughout the day from various ports in Athens.

Getting around MILOS

Milos is the perfect island for exploring by car, motorbike, or ATV. This gives you all the freedom to reach more remote beaches and spots of interest on the island. However, public buses are running between the towns and taxis too. (Note that during the month of Oct we saw no public buses and only a few taxis)

We recommend renting a car at a local car company through rentalcars.com

What’s more, many of the best sightseeing spots and towns are situated very closely, and it is possible to walk between them. Be aware, that Milos is very hilly, so once you walk down to the sea, you’ll have to walk back up again!

Where to stay

PLAKA

Plaka is a small hillside village and the capital of Milos, with the best sunset on the island and stunning views over the Aegean Sea. A must on any Milos travel itinerary.

KLIMA

A cute and quaint fishing village located just below Plaka, Kilma is ideal if you enjoy a slower pace of life.

POLLONIA

A popular fishing village on the North-Eastern side of Milos. Pollonia is a little bit further but quieter. It is the perfect place for families to base themselves while exploring Milos island.

ADAMANTAS

A convenient base for those planning on moving around the Cyclades, Adamantas is where the ferries alight and the airport is only 10 minutes away. Perfectly situated in the middle of the island and only 20 minutes maximum to most of the beaches, it’s easily accessible from other Greek islands including Santorini and Mykonos.
If you’re looking to distance yourself from the busiest spots, have a look for accommodation in Pollonia. We stayed in Pollonia in this stunning Airbnb would highly recommend it.

THINGS TO DO IN MILOS

Below are our top recommendations along with our 4-day itinerary for making the best of Milos:

Day 1: Sarakiniko Beach, PlakaTown & Klima Fishing village

Day 2: Boat Trip to Kleftiko Caves, Beach & Sykia Caves and Plaka Castle Sunset

Day 3: Mandrakia Point and Exploring Beaches: Firopotamos, Fyriplaka, Alogomandra and Tsigrado

Day 4: Pollnia Town, Adamantas (Port) and Sunset at Sarakiniko

DAY 1

1. Sarakiniko Beach

The most popular beach on Milos is the stunning moonlike landscapes of Sarakiniko. It is the most Instagrammed beach in Greece and the most popular beach on Milos – as soon as you get there, it’s easy to see why. With its white volcanic rock formations and azure waters, it’s the perfect spot for kicking back and relaxing, while adrenaline junkies can get their fix by cliff jumping off and exploring the beach’s abandoned tunnels. The whiteness and shapes of the rocks are more like another world than a typical beach. Its exposed position means that over the course of time the winds and waves have shaped the cliffs and rocks into unique shapes, bridges, and archways perfect for diving and exploring. There’s also a shipwreck to take photos of and swim out to.

To make the most of Sarakiniko beach, head down at sunrise to beat the crowds – then again at sunset to watch the moonscapes turn golden. You have to experience this place at both times of the day. Sarakiniko Beach is hands down the best beach in Milos Island, Greece.

2. PLAKA TOWN

Plaka, the beautiful capital of Milos, sits on top of a rock formation overlooking the sea. With pretty views over the Aegean Sea, this beautiful hillside village comes to life at night. Lined with quaint shops and pretty restaurants with live music, it’s a great spot for an evening wander. Watch the sunset from Plaka Castle (Venetian Castle of Milos), the best vantage point on the island. We were in Plaka at least every evening wandering the streets.

The town is covered with traditional Greek stone pathways that lead between white cottages and vibrant blue doors, with pink flowers creeping up the walls. It’s easy to get lost in the maze of streets, as they were made this way to confuse pirates. Enjoy slow evenings here, eating food outside, people watching, and enjoying one of the epic Milos sunsets.

3. Klima Fishing Village

This charming little fishing village is different from the typical blue and white villages you’ll see in Greece. Here, each house that faces the water has a different coloured door, painted by the fisherman to recognize which one was theirs. Nowadays, most houses are not used by fishermen, but as holiday rentals, so you can even stay right on the water here yourself! Coming here for sunset and watching the colours in the water against the colourful houses is truly magical – a photographer’s heaven!

DAY 2

1. KLEFTIKO CAVES & BEACH AND SYKIA CAVES

Once you visit Kleftiko Beach, you won’t ever want to leave! Huge white cliffs and rock formations tower out over the gorgeous clear sea. Because of how these rocks have been formed, there are lots of archways and small pools, which are fantastic for snorkelling. Beautiful coloured fish can be seen everywhere at Kleftiko Beach in Milos. All of this makes Kleftiko Beach the most iconic beach on the whole island.

This popularity means you’ll see many snorkelling and boat tours advertised, which normally leave from other coastal towns on the island. Afterwards, relax on the boat or lie on one of the flat rocks near the sea, jumping off into the cool water. Make sure to spot the wild goats that roam nearby! Located on the southern side of Milos Island, the Kleftiko Caves were once a pirate hideout for over 1,000 years. Only accessible by boat, the impressive rock formations are well worth the trip, and the crystal-clear waters surrounding the sea caves are perfect for a spot of snorkelling.

CAVE OF SYKIA

Another sea cave accessible only by boat, the roof of the Sykia Cave has collapsed to form a hole through which the sky can be seen. If you are booking a trip to see Kleftiko Caves, chances are you will also see the Cave of Sykia. Double-check with your tour operator to make sure. You don’t want to miss out! We were lucky enough to rent a boat from Poseidon Milos Boat rental and visit this during our trip. One of the best things to do while in Milos for sure.

The whole boat trip will take about 6-8 hours (Approx half a day depending on the time you start)

2. Plaka Castle Sunset

This has to be one of the most memorable things to do in Milos! All that’s left of this old Venetian castle is the old walls, and in its place is a beautiful white-domed church that sits high up on the hill above the sea. It’s a short hike to the top, and well worth it for the stunning views. We recommend getting up for sunrise to have this place all to yourself and see the soft dawn colours over the island.

DAY 3

Mandrakia Point

Mandrakia is a colourful fishing village on Milos. Here boats are stored in special garages carved out of rock and closed with a brightly coloured door. The harbour is still used for fishing, so you’ll see plenty of the traditional boats, and it’s a great place to eat seafood! It’s famous across the island for Medusa Restaurant – a fantastic spot where you can stop and have a relaxed lunch or dinner. The restaurant sits right on the water’s edge. It’s the perfect place to enjoy your surroundings and eat traditional Mediterranean food, great salads, and seafood.

2. Explore the island BEACHES

Papafragas, Firopotamos, Fyriplaka, Alogomandra and Tsigrado

The horseshoe shape of Milos, and the white rock that makes it famous, are two reasons why this island has such unique and beautiful beaches. One of the best things to do in Milos is travel between secret coves and sweeping bays, relaxing on the beach, or snorkelling in the crystal clear waters. These are the best beaches on Milos:

Firopotamos Beach

Fyropotamos - or Firopotamos – is one of the most quaint beaches Milos has to offer. Just a tiny fishing village, it can be found less than 3km from the island’s capital, Plaka. This little cove stole our heart as soon as we drove down the hill.

Featuring the white-washed boat houses and buildings that Greece is known for, Fyropotamos is a small, quiet and relaxed spot. It is a great place to stay if you want peace and quiet away from the crowds. You can even stay in the cute waterfront boat houses dotted along the edge of the water. For a few days you can enjoy stunning views over the Aegean Sea each morning you wake up. It will feel like your own private beach at times.

Papafragas Beach and Caves

Located on the north coast of Milos, Papafragas Beach isn’t just one of the best beaches on Milos – it’s also one of the most unique. Comprised of two small coves on the roadside, from above it resembles a huge natural swimming pool; an enormous cave carved out of the cliffside.

To reach the first, you’ll need to climb down a cliff - watch your step, as there is no proper path. It's a VERY small beach, so be sure to arrive early if you want to get a spot. With any more than ten people on the beach, it will feel overcrowded. Make this an early morning trip to avoid disappointment.

Once down there, you can swim through a tunnel that opens up into a cave on the left side. It’s the perfect place to cool off after a tricky climb down – and before the hot and sweaty climb back up again!

Thankfully, the second cove is more accessible, and more spacious, too. The beach here is a more relaxing spot to spend the day. Don’t forget your camera to capture the stunning blue waters. A channel of clear water that runs between a white cliff gorge. Enjoy finding all the secret swimming pools and caves here.

Fyriplaka Beach

A wide horseshoe bay with soft white sand and rocks at the shore. Because of the rocks and exposed position, you get more waves here, making it fun to swim. Fyriplaka is the second most popular beach in Milos Greece after Sarakiniko. The beach is large and lined with sunbeds and straw parasols, offering a welcome chance to shelter from the midday sun. If you’re looking for an easy day at the beach, without worrying about crowds or difficult access, then Fyriplaka Beach is one of the best beaches on Milos for you.

Sunsets at Fyriplaka beach are also worth staying for. You can sit with a cocktail in hand and feet in the sand at the beach bar here. Listening to the soundtrack of Mamma Mia whilst the sky turns golden is not a bad way to spend your evenings on Milos Island.

Tsigrado Beach, Milos

Located on the south side of Milos Island, Tsigrado Beach is accessible only by a ladder through a tiny crack in the cliffside – not one for the faint-hearted, but for the adventurous souls. Milos Island is known for its precarious paths, but it’s precisely the reason why it’s so attractive. Milos is still relatively unspoilt by tourists, and as a result, is underdeveloped in some ways. But being away from the crowds of some of the larger Greek islands, it’s all part of the charm.

Tsigrado is another small beach, so there's a competition for space – but we can promise you, it’s worth it. This place had THE bluest water we saw in all of Greece; a bold statement, but it was truly beautiful.

Most of the beaches on Milos are located closely together, so it’s easy to visit most of them during your visit. Some of the more remote beaches don’t have good roads leading to them. Because of this, be prepared that you may have to drive down dirt tracks or walk quite a bit to the beach.

DAY 5

1. Pollnia Town & Adamantas

Pollonia is a gorgeous holiday village still used for fishing and has plenty of beautiful taverns and streets to explore. Its tree-lined beaches, cobbled streets, and climbing flowers make it incredibly picturesque. Because it’s more popular, it is a bit busier and more expensive than other villages on the island. However, it’s perfect as a base for those who want to have great amenities while still exploring the island easily.

2. SUNSET FROM SARAKINIKO BEACH

we visited this beach so many times during our stay, and each time it was a different experience. It is fairly empty at sunrise, and you’ll likely only see a handful of other people around. The water is a perfect turquoise mid-day, and at sunset, the sky tends to turn into a pink-purple haze. It’s a surreal experience – I highly recommend watching the sunset from here at least once during your visit.

Where to eat

Greek food is delicious with colourful salads, olives, and fresh seafood. There are great restaurants and cafes spread over the entire island, however, most of the options are in Plaka, Trypiti, Pollonia and Adamantas (at the port).

Our favourite restaurants in Milos were:

In Plaka: Avli Milos | Fatses

Mandrakia Point: Medusa

Pollonia: O ! hamos

Tripiti Village: Methismeni Politeia | Bakalikon Galanis

Klima Village: Astakas Café