MILOS, GREECE: A TRAVEL GUIDE TO PARADISE IN THE AEGEAN SEA

A relatively off-the-beaten-path island a few years ago, Milos has quickly become a popular alternative to Mykonos and Santorini. It’s the most southwestern island in the Cyclades, home to white-washed towns, colorful fishing villages and one of the most spectacular beaches in all of Greece. Below is my complete guide to Milos that includes the best beaches, fishing villages, day trips, travel tips, photo locations, boat companies, restaurants, hotels, Airbnbs, Google Map pins and more to help plan your time on the island.

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If there were beaches on the moon, I’m certain they’d look like Sarakiniko.

WHEN TO VISIT MILOS

• JUNE, JULY & AUGUST (high season) – This is high season in the Greek islands when both crowds and temperatures peak, even on little Milos. Hotel selection can be sparse and expensive this time of the year if you don’t book early.
• MAY, JUNE, SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER (shoulder season) – The month of September offers the best balance of warm weather, hotel selection and hotel prices, and it’ll be slightly less busy than the summer months. The island is not fully open in April, May and late October, and weather can be hit and miss during these three months, usually too cold to swim.
• NOVEMBER TO APRIL (low season) – Avoid visiting this time of the year. The weather is cold, and most shops and restaurants close for the off-season.

The Venetian Castle is an amazing place to watch the sunset.

Mother of God Korfiatissa Church.

HOW MANY DAYS ON MILOS?

FIVE DAYS. Milos is a small island, but there’s a lot of coast to see. Five days is the ideal amount of time to see the prettiest beaches, eat at the best restaurants, explore the coast by boat and even take a day trip over to Polyaigos.

Firopotamos.

Crystalline waters surround the island.

MILOS TIPS

• CURRENCY – The official currency of Greece is the Euro. Almost everywhere on the island takes credit card, but it’s always useful to have cash handy for smaller purchases.
• WATER SHOES – There are many rocky beaches on Milos. Pack a pair of water shoes to make beach walks more comfortable.
• DINNER RESERVATIONS – If you plan to visit in high season, make dinner reservations in advance. The island is small, as are the restaurants, and they fill up during the summer months.

The picturesque streets of little Plaka.

EXPLORE MILOS

FIROPOTAMOS

This quaint fishing village on the north coast of Milos has it all – a stunning bay, colorful boathouses and some of the best chill out vibes on the island. You can walk pretty far out into the bay thanks to the calm, shallow water, but like most beaches in Greece, Firopotamos is rocky. Also, make sure to explore the entire bay when you visit. From the main beach, swim out to the little rocky island to your left for cliff jumping and epic views. Also, drive past the beach to the end of the village where the road ends. Here you’ll find a cute viewpoint for photos, a small church and a more cool cliff jumping spots.

FYRIPLAKA BEACH

Popular beach located on the south coast of Milos. Fyriplaka’s soaring red cliffs serve up a sweeping backdrop, especially from the parking lot at the top of the cliffs. There are sunbeds and umbrellas available for rent, as well as a small snack shack.

KLEFTIKO

This crystal blue bay is an oasis of white cliffs and stacked rock formations that give way to natural sea caves and soaring archways. Pack a swimsuit and visit midday when the water sparkles intense shades of blue, perfect for swimming, floating and kayaking. Kleftiko is best accessed by boat, so you’ll have to join a group tour, book a private tour or rent your own boat. To visit by private boat, Salty Rides runs both half-day and full-day tours – the boats are new, the crew is awesome and they take guests to all the best spots. Alternatively, there are a handful of companies on Milos that will rent out small private boats that you can drive yourself (no license required) – standard price for half-day rental is 150 euros, plus fuel.

KLIMA

Colorful fishing village on the west coast of Milos. It’s not my favorite village, but worth a quick stop if you have the time.

MANDRAKIA

Mandrakia is another fishing village, but this one is a must-visit (my favorite on Milos). The boat houses are bright, colorful and there are a handful of pretty incredible viewpoints. Mandrakia is also home to Medusa, one of the more popular restaurants on Milos.

CHURCH OF PANAGIA KORFIATISSA

Beautiful church that sits in the middle of Plaka’s Old Town. Visit the viewpoint in front of the church for gnarly views at sunset.

PALEOCHORI BEACH

Colorful cliffs spill into the sand at Paleochori, a south coast beach famous for its orange, yellow and white rocks. The turquoise water is pretty dreamy, and there are plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas available to rent. If you’re hungry, Sirocco is located in Paleochori – a seafood restaurant famous for cooking its fish under the beach’s piping hot sand.

PAPAFRAGAS

The oddly shaped Papafragas is part sea cave, part beach. It sits on the north coast of Milos surrounded by grottoes, rocky islets and funky rock formations. If conditions are right, Papafragas can be beautiful, but when I visited, the waves were rough and the water a dull shade of grey.

PLAKA

The island’s Old Town is charming, but small. There is one main pedestrian boulevard lined with a few bars, restaurants and boutiques, plus a few other lanes with shops and a couple cafes. Plaka is pretty quiet during the day, but comes to life in the evening when tourists spill into town for sunset, drinks and dinner.

KIMILOS & POLYAIGOS

From Milos, it’s possible to visit neighboring islands Kimolos and Polyaigos. There is a ferry service that runs between Pollonia and Kimolos, or it’s possible to visit both islands by daytrip. I booked our visit with Salty Rides because I wanted a private tour – more flexibility and freedom. They run both half-day and full-day tours that include both islands with stops for swimming at the prettiest blue bays, sea caves and secluded beaches. Best to visit midday when the water color is at its bluest.

SARAKINIKO BEACH

Perhaps the most iconic beach on Milos, Sarakiniko is a dazzling moonscape of volcanic white rock riddled with shallow bays, gnarly swimming holes and epic ledges that have become famous for cliff jumping. The beach is quietest in the morning, but the water color is prettiest from 11 AM to 3 PM. Beach vibes are also better midday. There is a small food truck stationed in the main parking lot.

TSIGRADO BEACH

Tsigrado is hit and miss, depending on the weather. Visit on a sunny day with minimal winds, and it’s a recipe for paradise. The little cove is reachable by boat (it’s on the way to Kleftiko if you rent a boat from Agia Kiriaki Beach), or by climbing down a series of ropes and ladders from the parking lot. On a good day, the water is calm and sparkles the prettiest shades of deep turquoise. Swim along the rocks that line the bay, and you’ll find tiny sea caves to swim through. Tsigrado is located next to Fyriplaka, so you can visit both of them on the same day.

PLAKA CASTLE

A popular spot to watch the sunset in Plaka. Plaka Castle is pretty quiet during the day, but dozens of people show up at Golden Hour to climb the rooftop for sunset.

Madrakia.

MILOS HOTELS

ARTEMIS SEASIDE RESORT

Secluded south coast stay in Paleochori. The resort’s Cycladic architecture is lovely, and excudes all the feels of the Greek Islands. The Artemis rooms and suites are minimal, and outfitted with whites, neutrals and the occasional pops of blue. There is a lovely pool surrounded by sun beds facing the sea, as well as easy access to the beach.

CAVE SUITES MILOS

Cave Suites Milos is a new luxury boutique hotel on the island. All suites open up to balconies with plunge pools and views of the sea. The design is simple, but spacious with hints of Boho luxury. Location on the north coast is ideally situated halfway between Plaka and Pollonia.

CIVITAS MILOS

Another new luxury hotel on Milos, Civitas Milos is an adults-only property that consists of six plunge pool suites. The design embraces a white and neutral color palette – wood throughout, rounded furniture pieces and exposed stone walls.

COSTA MARE MILOS

This newly built bohemian villa sits in the quiet village of Pollonia. The three bedrooms can hold up to six guests with additional facilities including a large living space, kitchen, private pool, Pergola-shaded lounge area and barbecue. Costa Mare Milos has been meticulously designed with plush bedding, textured blankets, gorgeous ceramic vases, exposed stone walls and beautiful sculpted art pieces. An amazing stay for families or groups.

DOMES WHITE COAST

This stunning Adults-Only boutique property boasts an array of suites, all with private sea-facing plunge pools that sparkle against the matte white Cycladic architecture. The rooms at Domes White Coast are minimalist, but elegant designed with a white and grey color palette.

DOT MILOS

Dot Milos sits in Adamas, an ideal location for quick access to the airport, Plaka and waterfront restaurants. It’s a new two-bedroom luxury villa that can accommodate up to four guest. The space is an aesthetic mix of neutrals. Matte whites, warm tans, browns and blacks envelop every accent piece – rattan lampshades, ceramic vases, stools, rugs artwork, etc. A beautiful space to stay.

EIGHT FINITY RETREAT

This is one of the best Airbnb finds on the island – an absolute gem perched at the edge of town in Plaka. Eight Finity Retreat is two separate apartments (we stayed in the lower one) that are spacious, modern and loaded with minimalist design cues (lots of whites and rounded edges). Both apartment terraces are completely epic boasting unobstructed views of the sunset.

LEUKI VILLA

Leuki Villa is a lovely one-bedroom villa that opens up to a spacious private terrace and pool. The smooth design and use of white and grey is simple, but elegant. The villa is one deep room built into the rocks, and might be a bit dark for some due to lack of windows.

MELIAN BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Melian Boutique Hotel is a reasonably price sea-facing hotel option in Pollonia with 15 bright white suites that are nothing fancy, but very clean, spacious and comfortable.

MILOS COVE

Five-star boutique hotel that sits on a private beach on the island’s east coast. On a map it might seem a bit far from the main sights on the island, but everything is still within a 30-minute drive. Milos Cove is an elevated stay offering a dazzling collection of elegant suites and villas with plunge pools.

NOMA MILOS

Luxurious wellness stays are popping up all over the Greek islands, and Noma Milos is one of the newest offerings on Milos. The aesthetic is simple, but this property feels particularly opulent thanks to its mix of creams and browns, high ceilings, rattan shades and beautiful flooring. This is a lovely stay on the island’s remote south coast.

SUNSET NEST

Beautiful apartment located in Plaka that sleeps three, but is better suited for two. A sunny staircase leads to a rooftop terrace that overlooks the little streets of Old Town. Sunset Nest is bright, modern, clean and bursting with character. My only complaint is the restroom – the shower sits over the toilet. If you can get past that, then everything else about Sunset Nest is lovely.

TANIA MILOS

A seaside boutique property, Tania Milos is located in Pollonia, right on the water. One of the best reviewed midrange options on the island.

THAVMA MILOS

Thavma Milos offers an incredibly special stay in an authentic boathouse in Firopotamos. The space has been completely remodeled into a two-level luxury space that sits right over the water in the little village. The interior is simple, but very clean and new. A rare find.

VOLCANO LUXURY SUITES MILOS

This boutique hotel is a neighbor to Artemis Seaside Resort down in Paleochori. This collection of suites are sea-facing Cycladic retreats. Lots of whites and neutrals at Volcano Luxury Suites, like almost all the properties on Milos.

WHITE PEBBLE SUITES

A lovely little boutique hotel located near Pollonia. The White Pebble Suites design is ultra aesthetic – curved matte white buildings surround a sparkling turquoise pool, accented by wood, marble and cement. Suites are on the smaller side, but still make for a very comfortable stay.

On calm days, this area at Sarakiniko Beach is popular for cliff jumping.

There are so many cool spots to swim, float and sunbathe – it’s easy to spend an entire day at this rocky beach.

GREECE GOOGLE MAP PINS

Every summer I visit the Greek Islands, and now I’m sharing more than 400 of my Google map pins across 12 islands with you guys here. The map is savable to your Google account, and easy to use for trip planning and navigation once on the ground in Greece.

Map pins include:

• must-visit destinations, churches, historic sites, viewpoints
• hotels, villas and Airbnbs
• bars, cafes, gelato shops, restaurants
• beaches, cliff jumping locations, secret coves, sea caves
• boat rental companies, ferry ports
• photos from several of these locations

Islands included in the map: Corfu, Crete, Ios, Kastellorizo, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros + Antiparos, Paxos + Antipaxos, Santorini

My 400 Google Map pins from the Greek islands are available here.

MILOS RESTAURANTS

AGGELIKI ICE CREAM SHOP

Gelato shops are far and few between on Milos, which makes Aggeliki a must-visit while on the island. The shop is located on the Adamantas waterfront, across from the port. Aggeliki serves up a variety of desert items, but the two dozen ice cream flavors are the highlight of any visit.

GYROS OF MILOS

Cheap, delicious and fresh, this gyro and souvlaki joint is located on the Adamantas waterfront.

HANABI SEASIDE SUSHI

The sushi isn’t the best, and it’s definitely overpriced. But if you are in desperate need of a change in cuisine, Hanabi Seaside Sushi will definitely do the job. And the location on the Pollonia waterfront is lovely.

KOKKINO MILOS

This charming little cafe sits in the heart of Plaka, and serves up a delicious selection of crepes, scrambles, waffles and fresh smoothies.

MEDUSA

Medusa is a popular seafood restaurant located in Mandrakia. The outdoor seating overlooks beautiful views of the ocean – a great spot for lunch or an early dinner.

UTOPIA CAFE

Sunset bar located in Plaka – popular early evening spot for drinks.

VERINA COCKTAIL BAR

My favorite spot to hang out at night on Milos. About a dozen small tables make up this tiny cocktail bar located on the main pedestrian boulevard in Plaka.

YIALOS

Yialos is always the busiest restaurant on the Pollonia waterfront, and for good reason. It’s definitely the best seafood on the island. Highlights are the fresh scallops, Greek salad and grilled whole white fish with potatoes and tomatoes.

The views over Mandrakia.

The little Pollonia waterfront is my favorite part of Milos for food.

GET AROUND MILOS

Milos is a small island, but everything is pretty spread out. You’ll maximize your time if you have a set of wheels. Rental agencies can be found all over Adamantas – cars, ATVs, scooters and e-bikes. I rented our car with Budget Car Rentals, and they were great. Almost all rental agencies will ask for an International Driver’s License, so best to be safe and get one before arriving in Greece. If you live in the USA, you can easily pick one up at AAA.

Private plunge pool with a view.

Sarakaniko Beach.

GET TO MILOS

Milos is connected to other destinations in Greece by both land and sea. All flights to Milos connect through Athens, but the ferries connect Milos directly to other islands including Ios, Paros, Santorini, Mykonos, etc. I used Ferryhopper to look up all ferry schedules and to book all my ferry tickets.

Boat day over to Polyaigos.