The Ultimate Guide for What To Do in Milos, Greece
I can officially say that the Cycladic island of Milos is one of my favourite places in Europe. With its quaint, white-washed villages, sun-drenched beaches, bluer than blue waters and one of the most unique beaches in the world, it’s certainly an island to consider spending some time on. Whether you’re looking to relax and unwind, explore, eat delicious, local food or even take a sailing tour Milos is the place for you. Keep reading for what to do in Milos, Greece and all the magical beaches.
The island is easily accessed from Athens and the other Cyclades Islands by both ferry and plane. The best way to experience the Greek Islands (especially Milos and Paros) is by renting a car, scooter or ATV, which can be done quickly and cheaply in any of the major towns. I opted for a motorcycle as I was travelling solo and I couldn’t have had more fun winding around the narrow roads with the wind in my hair.
On the island of Milos, my days looked the same. The typical routine was, wake up and watch the sunrise, workout, breakfast, explore the different towns and beaches, rest, dinner, watch the sunset and relax. In this travel guide, I’ll take you through all the best things to do and see on the island as well as the best beaches and towns that I found while exploring.
Best time to go: May-October, prepare for crowds in July and August. I went late-June and it was perfect. Getting around: Scooter, Car, ATV. Currency: Euro, credit cards accepted and ATMs located throughout the islands.
WHERE TO STAY
There are three main places to stay in Milos; Adamas, the main port town, Plaka, a quaint, traditional village or Pollonia, a sleepy fishing village. I would recommend staying in the north part of the island, close to many of the islands best beaches and restaurants and shops. I chose the village of Triovassalos, a two-minute drive from Plaka. This village had everything I needed; a supermarket, bakery, restaurants and motorcycle rental while being quiet and extremely local.
I stayed at Anastasia’s Rooms (click here to book), a beautiful family-run homestay. They rent spacious ‘studio’ rooms equipped with a kitchenette allowing you to make meals and snacks as you wish. Anastasia and her husband made me feel so welcome, and the property was just dreamy with bougainvillaea covered walls, stone floors and a gorgeous, spacious patio, giving me enough space to work out every morning.
Other hotels in Milos include:
For accommodation, I always choose Airbnb or booking.com. If you haven’t experienced the joys of Airbnb yet, you’re definitely missing out. Sign up and get $25 off your first booking today.
Moraitis Studios – Beautifully and minimally decorated studios with all the mod-cons. Located right by Papafragas beach.
Salt – this lavish property owns sea houses, suites and rooms all around Milos including Tsigrado and Sarakiniko beaches. Book early- this one sells out fast!
Halara Studios – these Cycladic-style studios are simply heavenly. Located on a hill in Plaka, boasting the best sea views around.
Milos hotel – a beautifully adorned hotel offering exquisite breakfasts. Located right by the port in Adamas.
Artemis Deluxe Rooms – stunning property made from all-natural materials that include a private pool and beach bar. Located 50m from Paliochori Beach on the South of the island.
Heading to Paros as well as Milos? Check out my Complete Guide for Things to Do in Paros, Greece.
WHERE TO EAT
There are many restaurants on Milos specialising in fresh, local food. You’ll find many mouth-watering Greek salads, meze, cheeses and fish dishes on the menus. In general, food standards are high and it was very easy being plant-based on Milos and in Greece. My favourite vegan dishes were greek salad without feta, fava puree, grilled vegetables and veggie souvlaki (made with fries instead of meat). These were my favourite restaurants I visited in Milos:
Medusa – located just by Mandrakia beach this restaurant isn’t just famous for its mouth-watering food. The views are simply breathtaking. Simple, delicious food with the crystal clear Aegean sea around you.
O! Hamos – this family-run taverna had some of the best food I had in Milos. Try their spiced chickpea stew- it blew me away!
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
RENT A VEHICLE AND EXPLORE
While there are buses on Milos they aren’t exactly regular. It’s always better to have your own transport for the flexibility it gives to explore on your own terms. Drive to the North Coast and South Coast beaches, drive to and explore the villages and everything in between.
WATCH THE SUNSET OR SUNRISE
There are so many places to catch the epic Greek sunsets on this island. I would recommend exploring and finding some great places on your own. My favourite sports were Klima, the Venetian Castle in Plaka and Sarakiniko beach for sunset and Sarakiniko beach and Pollonia for sunrise.
EXPLORE KLEFTIKO CAVES BY BOAT
These caves are located on the South-Western tip of Milos and are only accessible by boat. Take a charter boat tour for a day or rent your own and explore the caves while swimming in some of the clearest, bluest water on earth. Full day sailing tours or ‘snorkelling safaris’ provide you with snorkelling gear and the time to explore the rocky crevasses and unique caves. Lunch is also provided.
VISIT THE MILOS CATACOMBES
These catacombs date back to the 1st Century A.D and they are a fabulous insight into the history of the island.
VISIT KLIMA VILLAGE
Klima is one of the prettiest villages in Milos. It’s famous for its colourful fishermen’s houses that flank the clear Aegean Sea. Read Your Complete Guide to Klima and plan the ultimate evening.
WHICH BEACHES TO VISIT
There’s no doubt that Milos has some of the most stunning and dramatic beaches in the Cyclades. Most of the days were spent exploring beaches which I would highly recommend. With just a towel and a picnic, you’re sorted for the day.
SARAKINIKO BEACH
Sarakiniko is one of the most unique beaches in the world. Originally formed by volcanic lava that has been ‘bleached’ by the sun and sea over time, transforming it to a chalky white colour. Many compare the rock formations to the moon and you can see the resemblance. There is a small sandy beach as well as numerous cliffs of different heights (perfect for jumping) and a swimming hole.
FIROPOTAMOS BEACH
This is one of my favourite beaches on Milos. This pebble beach is small but pristine and surrounded by high cliffs and white-washed houses with moored paddle boats. The beach also has a lovely church, making it look like an idyllic postcard from Greece. There is also a food truck selling basic meals in case you didn’t bring anything with you.
PAPAFRAGAS BEACH
This small beach is snuggly framed by two juts of volcanic cliff. It’s ideal for exploring, cliff jumping and relaxing on the sun-baked rock. Make sure to walk around and explore the entire area- it’s full of tiny, interesting crevasses of rock framed by crystal blue waters below. Another out-of-this-world moonlike experience.
TSIGRADO BEACH
Tsigrado beach is another tiny golden-sand beach surrounded by sheer cliffs on all sides. Access here is down through the cliff- via a wooden ladder and a rope to hold onto for support. It’s well worth the effort to get down for a swim in the azure.
FYRIPLAKA BEACH
A long stretch of golden sand surrounded by orangey-red rocky cliffs. This beach is perfect for a stroll followed by a cooling dip in the turquoise water.
Many beaches in Milos don’t have food options around them so it’s a great idea to bring a picnic or snacks. The beaches named with food options are Sarakiniko and Fitopotamos. The supermarkets on Milos stock everything you might need, from dips and crackers to olives and fruit. Some even stock some delicious raw, vegan bars and cookies.
WHERE TO WORKOUT
In your hotel room/outdoor patio – Most rooms/suites/studios on Milos tend to be quite spacious, allowing enough space for a workout indoors. In general, properties also typically have outdoor patios and areas for workouts outside. If you visit in the summer, it’s wise to workout first thing in the morning or after 8 pm to avoid the baking Greek sun.
At the beach– Why not take your workout to the beach and sweat while enjoying the cool breeze? Sarakiniko was my favourite beach for a workout. The rough, uneven surfaces and different rock heights provide an excellent place for box jumps, elevated pushups and step ups. The jagged rock is hard on your palms though so bring a towel to protect your hands.
The Venetian Castle– located on a steep hill in Plaka, this is a great place if you fancy some hill sprints. Part path and part stairs this excursion proved to be a challenging cardio workout while looking at some of the best views in Milos.
While I stayed on Milos for only 2 days and 3 nights my days were pretty hectic. It really does warrant a little more time- I would recommend 4 full days as the ideal amount of time.
Are you planning a trip to Milos? Already been? Let me know your comments and questions below!
Related posts you might like:
The Complete Guide for Things to Do in Paros, Greece
Your Complete Guide to Klima, Milos | The Most Colourful Village in Milos
The Perfect 1 Day or Less in Athens, Greece
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