The Ultimate Guide to Milos, Greece
Milos is a truly unique place. For such a small island it is extremely diverse with a myriad of landscapes to soak in. Every turn you take, it feels like you’ve entered a brand new country. When I look at all the places I’ve been to in Greece, I consider Milos the adventure Island. Whether you’re climbing through a slot canyon and traversing down multiple ladders to get to a secluded beach or taking a raft boat off the back of a catamaran to explore old Pirate hideouts, you’re in for a good time!
Sarakiniko Beach
Why Reason to Visit Milos, Greece
- Although Milos is starting to come into the spotlight more and more, it’s still relatively undiscovered compared to islands like Santorini and Mykonos. With far fewer crowds, it’s a great place to go to get a sense of Greece without feeling like herded cattle having to push your way through crowds of cruise ship patrons.
- Milos has some of the most unique beaches on any island I’ve visited in Greece. Known primarily for its mineral mining, you can experience a vast array of beaches constructed of or surrounded by minerals like obsidian, pumice, bentonite, and perlite just to name a few. These beaches are unlike any others I’ve seen before. More adventurous than most, the majority of them take a bit more work to get to, involving a hike or climb, but the effort is worth the reward. For the thrill-seekers, less inclined to just lay on a beach, there is plenty of cliff jumping and caving to keep you entertained.
- Forget the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney. Come to Milos to see where real-life Pirates once docked their ships to hide out from their life of crime! On the southwest side of the island, you will find enchanting sea caves that were once inhabited by Pirates. As a surprise to none, you can really only access these parts of the island by boat. This makes for a great day trip filled with adventure, discovery, and amazing views that you will never forget.
Mandrakia Fishing Village
Best Time to Visit Milos Greece
As with all Islands in the Cyclades, May – October boasts the best weather for the types of activities we go to the islands to have. The warm weather and limited rain make it perfect for swimming, open-air dining, and boating. August is the hottest month with temperatures averaging around 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius). It’s good to note that as the summer months die down, restaurants and hotels begin to start closing their doors in late September/early October so make sure to check the areas you want to visit prior.
Papafragas Caves
How to Get to Milos Greece
You can get there by boat or plane. The airport only has flights in and out of Athens so if you’re coming from one of the islands the best way to get to Milos is by boat. Alternatively, if you are coming from Athens flying may be the best option. There are some pros and cons to each option for transportation but don’t let the cons deter you because a visit to this island is 1000% worth it!
Air Travel – This is a very small airport and I can’t say it is the most well-run operation but it gets you from A to B the quickest saving extra precious time for enjoying Greece.
- The planes from Milos to Athens are very small and it’s not uncommon for the airport to not load your bag onto the plane due to weight issues or they just run out of time as they run a very lean staff. If possible I would recommend carrying your luggage on to avoid this issue. If you are not able to carry on, make sure to pack essentials in your carry-on just in case this happens to you. In our group 3 out of 6 of us had missing luggage when we got to Athens and one entire flight was missing theirs.
- Don’t plan on having a meal before your flight here. They do have a small cafe for drinks and snacks but that’s about it. Note, if you get drinks you will need to finish them before you get on the plane because the only cafe is on the other side of security.
Ferry Travel – You can get a ferry from the majority of the well-known islands and from Athens. If you’re coming from an island that doesn’t have a route to Milos you can easily take one to an island that does and change boats there. BE WARNED!! Some of the ferries can be rough! Our ferry from Sifnos to Milos was super easy and smooth sailing but this was not the case from Santorini to Sifnos due to rough waters and wind that day. I highly recommend opting for the bigger slower ferries if they are an option on your route. For more on that story, read my guide to navigating the ferries in Greece.
Private Boat Charter – one of the least common but probably the most fun option would be to charter a private boat. Although this may be the most expensive, it would make for a truly unique experience that packs fun and adventure right into your travels making sure you are using every bit of time soaking up everything Greece has to offer. This can be just a one-day tour or you can book multiday tours that include multiple different islands and sights.
Klima Fishing Village
How Many Days to Spend in Milos Greece
During our trip we went all-in on the full island hopping experience and squeezed three islands into just one short week and somehow still managed to find plenty of time for relaxing. We chose 3 islands with very different vibes to give us a nice well-rounded experience. Santorini for the bougie bucket list experience, Sifnos for a culinary delight, and Milos for an action-packed adventure! We spent 2 days and 2 nights in Milos but I would highly recommend you take more time there if you are able to. You could easily spend an entire week on this island alone. Check out my Milos Itineraries to help get a sense of how long you might want to stay for.
Beach at Artimus Deluxe Hotel
Where To Stay in Milos
Milos is a relatively small island and there are a ton of amazing places to stay. You can stay in Plaka, the main city on the island, or take advantage of some of the amazing waterfront lodging options. Personally, I would recommend finding somewhere right on the water and taking full advantage of the opportunity.
We stayed at the Artimus Deluxe Hotel and it was a true oasis that I would go back to in a heartbeat! Right on the water with a beautiful beach and pool, you honestly don’t even need to leave the hotel. I highly recommend you do though 🙂
I found using booking.com for finding lodging in Greece to be a great resource! They not only have hotels but they also have bnbs giving you the ability to search all options in one platform.
Sarakiniko Beach
Getting Around
Even though this is a pretty small island, I would still recommend renting a car or an ATV so you can get around to all of the amazing and unique areas that this island has to offer. Personally, I was glad we had a car. It allowed us to have breaks from the sun in-between places and we were able to keep our belongings in it that we didn’t want to carry with us to any particular spot. The ATVs sure looked fun though! I don’t think you will regret either option. If you do go the ATV route, make sure you have a towel or something you can lay down because the seats are sure to be hot from sitting in the sun.
Learn from my mistakes and reserve a car in advance. We booked our car the night before we got to the island which I would NOT recommend for the following reason:
- When we went to pick up our car, we ran into multiple other travelers who had visited just about every rental place in town and could not find any sort of vehicle to rent. This would have changed our experience dramatically as we wouldn’t have been able to visit half of the places we were able to.
- Since we were late in booking, the only car left was an SUV. The streets throughout the island can get extremely narrow so having a bigger car was not ideal. We made it work but would have preferred something much smaller.
Papafragas Caves Beach
Sustainability In Milos
Reducing your waste is more important than ever on islands including Milos. Whether an island has a landfill or not there are many associated side effects of garbage that are amplified on islands. 1. You are close to the ocean and the likelihood of trash blowing away into the water is much higher. 2. Most likely any recycling and many times garbage, must be diverted back to the mainland to be properly recycled and disposed of. Be conscious of what you are purchasing. If potable water is available to you, opt to refill your bottle instead of buying plastic ones.
Use resources wisely. As with any island, most items that cannot be grown, raised, caught, or made on the island have to be shipped in from the mainland via boat or plane. This includes potable water. Make sure to use drinking water wisely.
See my post for tips on ways to lower your waste while traveling.
What to do
Visit the iconic fishing villages
Klima – This picture-perfect village is the quintessential fishing village in Milos. Where the color of every boat matches the color of its house the bright and cheery setting will have you swooning. There is one restaurant here and a few shops to explore. It also conveniently faces west making for a great spot for sunset.
Mandrakia – a smaller version of Klima with a more stereotypical Grecian color palette this adorable fishing village is a great spot to photograph. Right next door you will find Medusa restaurant which is a great spot to enjoy a meal and a small beach you can walk down to for a nice spot to relax and swim.
Pollonia – the largest and most commercialized of the finishing villages, here you will find plenty of seaside restaurants and a large beach to relax on. We didn’t make it here on our trip since it was so short but would have spent some time here had we had another day on the island.
Visit Some Really UniqueBeaches
Sarakiniko Beach
Sarakiniko Beach – I didn’t know you could drive to the moon until I went to Sarakiniko Beach! Not quite your typical beach but rather lunar-like rock formations shaped by the wind and the waves and painted grey by falling ash from past volcanic activity on the island. This is a must-do if you are visiting Milos. Perfect for cliff jumping and having an out-of-this-world experience. This is one of the top-visited sites on Milos so go early or late if you want to avoid the crowds. I also recommend wearing shoes with some grip on them to make sure you don’t slip on the hike down. Once you get there go to the left for the iconic rocks you are looking for.
Tisgardo Beach
Tisgrado Beach – If you’re looking for a side of adventure along with your trip to the beach, Tisgrado is the beach for you. To get to this secret beach, you must either arrive by boat or hike down a narrow slot canyon traversing 2 wooden ladders before being rewarded with a relaxing beach surrounded by cliffs. Busses from Adamas start showing up around 11:30 and the last bust leaves at 6:40, so plan your visit accordingly. It’s also good to note that due to the high cliffs surrounding it the sun sets quickly here and you will start to lose sunlight about an hour or so before sunset.
Papfragas Caves Beach
Papafragas Caves Beach – Down a not-so-well-marked trail you will stumble upon a spectacular sight. With caves and tunnels surrounding perfect blue waters, you’ll feel like you just discovered nature’s very own jungle gym. Once you make your way down, you will find a small beach with easy access to the water. There are plenty of places for cliff jumping or you can swim around to explore the various nooks and crannies carved out by the wind and sea. Just do so at your own risk and make sure it’s safe before doing so.
Kleftiko Beach
Sail Around the Island
You can either charter your own private boat or join a tour. Personally, would highly recommend chartering your own boat if you can. It was such an enjoyable experience and we got to customize it to our liking, However on the flip side, if you’re trying to meet more travelers booking a boat tour is a great way to do that!
Must-see highlights:
Sykia Cave – In this roofless cavern you will find not only a beautiful site to see but it’s also a great place for snorkeling. The fallen rocks from when the cave’s ceiling collapsed have created a great haven for sea life. If you’re lucky you may even see an octopus. I, unfortunately, didn’t but it wasn’t without trying.
Kleftiko Beach – chances are if you’ve googled Milos you have seen pictures of this beach or rather, rock formation. This iconic Milos landmark is a must-see on any trip to Milos. Not only is it beautiful to look at, but it’s also packed full of history. A place where long ago, Pirates would hide out.
Pirate Caves – among the rocks of Klefitko Beach, you can take a raft boat into a cavernous maze finding hidden nooks and crannies. All unique and all once used by the Pirates in this area. Get ready for an adventure! This is one not to be missed!
Pro Tip: if you get seasick as I do, make sure not to drink too much the night before because it will only amplify your seasickness. However, if you do get into this situation (as I did) a plunge into the sea really helps! You can also pop into a pharmacy before your boat trip and get travelgum. This helped me a ton! Don’t be alarmed when your tongue goes numb though, that’s part of the deal.
Pirate Caves near Kleftiko Beach
Where to Eat and Drink
Since we only had 2 days and one full day was out on a boat, we didn’t get to too many places to eat. However, the ones we did get to were great!
Medusa in Mandrakia Fishing Village – We stopped by here for a wonderful seafood lunch with beautiful unobstructed views of the Aegean Sea. This restaurant does not take reservations so plan to get there early or be prepared to potentially wait in line.
Nostos – Waterfront dining with an upscale vibe. This is a perfect spot for a nice night out surrounded by the action of Adamas. With fresh seafood and friendly service, what more could you ask for?
Sirocco Volcanic All Day Restaurant – Have you ever eaten food cooked by volcanic heat buried beneath a sandy beach? I didn’t think so. Come for the unique culinary experience, and stay for the great service!
Medusa at Mandrakia Fishing Village
Astakas Cafe Restaurant – The only restaurant in Klima fishing village, this place faces directly west, making it a lovely spot for a sunset dinner or a great place to enjoy the quaint town of Klima.
Flisvos – In the heart of Adamas, this local favorite is perfect for traditional fare. Recommended by the boat captains themselves you can’t go wrong with this place to grab a souvlaki after a day of fun out on the water.
Aqua Loca Beach Bar Milos – Who doesn’t love a refreshing drink and tasty snacks after a long day of fun? If you are staying in Paliochori Beach or find yourself nearby, this little beach bar is a great spot to escape to for a break from the action and some time to refuel. Pull up a beanbag chair and order yourself a drink or 2 and maybe some french fries to accompany them. Don’t expect fast service, but go for the ambiance and beach vibes.
