Guide to Milos, Greece: 10 Best Things to Do in Milos
Milos is a Greek island in the cyclades known for the famous Sarakiniko Beach. Spend a couple of days in Milos finding unique beaches and exploring fishing villages. While Milos looks like a larger island, the entire west half of the island is not developed. You can explore that part of the island by 4-wheeler, but the landscape of Milos is dry so the main attractions on the west side would be secluded beaches. There is much more to see and do on the east half of Milos, so focus your time in Milos on this area. Milos offers a great destination on your Greek island adventure to explore an island with dramatic rock features. This guide to Milos, Greece shares the 10 best things to do in Milos, how many days you should spend in Milos, where you should stay in Milos, and more tips to help you plan the perfect visit to Milos.
Guide to Milos: Contents
10 Best Things to Do in Milos
1. Sarakiniko Beach
Sarakiniko Beach is known for its moon-like white landscape. This beach is located on the north side of Milos and can be reached by car and then a short walk. We visited during a rainy day, so we got to see Sarakiniko in a very different light than it usually is, with the storm clouds above the lunar landscape. Locals said that seeing Sarakiniko like this is very rare, as it is normally sunny and clear in Milos. Spend time walking around the white rock, swim in the clear water, and relax with views of this incredible place.
2. Plaka
Plaka is the capital of Milos, a vibrant village on top of a large rock. No cars are allowed in the village so you have to park in one of the parking lots below the village and walk up the hill. Plaka is a great place to get lunch or dinner, with a number of delicious restaurants. One of the best things to do in Milos is to watch the sunset in Plaka.
Looking to explore another Greek Island? Check out this guide about the island of Corfu: 12 Best Things to Do in Corfu for an Unforgettable Getaway
3. Pollonia
Pollonia is a relaxed village with a beach, harbor, and a variety of restaurants. Pollonia is a popular spot for dinner but can also be visited earlier in the day for lunch and relaxing at the beach. Visiting Pollonia is one of the best things to do in Milos if you are looking for a quiet village that still has plenty to do.
4. Fyriplaka Beach
This unique beach is lined with colorful rock that resembles a dramatic desert landscape. The turquoise water against the pastel-colored rocks is a must-see. There are spots to park along the road not far from the beach. The first part of the beach has chairs and umbrellas for rent as well as a small store with food and drinks. If you continue walking you will get to a more secluded part of the beach which is also the most beautiful. If you plan on relaxing on this beach make sure to continue walking to the more quiet part of the beach, it’s worth it!
Tip: This beach is rocky, so make sure you are prepared by wearing shoes like these walking sandals.
5. Tsigardo Beach
Tsigardo Beach is known as the beach that you get to by climbing down a ladder. If you are not up for the ladder challenge you can still get a nice view of the beach from the cliffs above. Tsigardo Beach is one of the best things to do in Milos if you are looking for a secluded cove with clear water. However, keep in mind that there are boat tours that come here so it can get busy especially for such a small cove.
6. Ancient Theatre of Milos
An archaeological site you have to see in Milos is the Ancient Theatre of Milos. To reach the theatre you can park in the town of Trypiti and make your way down the path to the theatre. Along the way you will come across a replica of the Statue of Aphrodite, also known as Venus of Milos. The ancient roman theatre is thought to be built during the Hellenistic Period out of marble. From the theatre you can see great views of the fishing village of Klima below.
7. Firopotamos
Firopotamos is a small fishing village on the north side of Milos. There are no restaurants or shops in the village, but it is worth a quick stop to walk around. There is a beach in the village if you are looking to spend time on the beach, just remember to bring anything you need as there are no services.
Kefalonia needs to be the next Greek island you visit: 12 Best Things to do in Kefalonia: The Complete Guide
8. Papafragas Caves
Papafargas Caves is a quick stop between Pollonia and Sarakiniko. You can find a free parking lot located right next to this natural wonder. Carefully walk on the rock and explore the cliffs and caves. You can also find a small, sandy beach in the cave.
9. Kleftiko
Kleftiko bay is one of the most popular places to visit in Milos, with clear water and volcanic rock formations. As Kleftiko is located on the southwest side of Milos, the only way to reach it is by boat. You can find half day and full day tours to Kleftiko. If you would like time to explore more of Milos after the boat tour, book this half-day boat tour to Kleftiko with time to swim in Gerontas Bay and Kleftiko bay.
If you prefer to spend the day on the boat, consider booking this small-group full-day cruise with lunch. This sailing excursion takes you to Cape Vani, Kalogries Beach, Gerontas Beach, Kleftiko and Sykia.
10. Agia Kiriaki Beach
This scenic pebble beach is located on the south side of Milos. It is a perfect beach for a relaxing afternoon, with clear turquoise water. The parking lot is located right next to the beach making it easy to reach.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Milos?
The best time to visit Milos is right outside of the high season, in May or September. During these months you should still have nice weather but there will be less people and lower prices.
How Do You Get to Milos?
The best way to get to Milos is by ferry. There are multiple ferry companies that operate to and from Milos. You can find the ferry schedules and book a ferry on Ferryhopper. It is common for the ferries to be behind schedule, so keep that in mind when making your plans for the day you arrive.
The fastest ferry from Athens to Milos is 3.5 hours from Piraeus Port with SeaJets. If you are visiting Milos in the beginning or end of your trip it may make sense to fly there from Athens Airport so you don’t have to get from the airport to the port, but flights are usually more expensive. The airport in Milos is very small and only has flights to Athens.
How Many Days Should You Spend in Milos?
Milos is a small island so you can quickly reach top destinations on the island. The west half of the island is only accessible by a 4-wheeler. If you were to stick with the east half of the island where there is more to do and see, you only need two days in Milos. If you want to spend more time relaxing on Milos you can, but don’t expect white sand beaches here as the landscape is more rugged. Milos is a great island to explore for a couple of days on your Greek island adventure.
Read More: How to Travel While Working Full Time
Where Should You Stay in Milos?
The best place to stay in Milos is in the northeast village of Pollonia. This seaside village has a range of accommodation options, a variety of restaurants, and a nice beach. Although it may seem out of the way it is only 15 minutes from Sarakiniko Beach. We had a wonderful stay at this Airbnb in Pollonia which has a large balcony with great sea views.
Another popular place to stay in Milos is the port city of Adamas. You may be able to find cheaper accommodations in Adamas but it is not as nice to stay there. It only makes sense to stay in Adamas if you don’t plan on renting a car since it will be easier to take busses from there.
How Do You Get Around Milos?
The best way to get around Milos is to rent a car. There are buses available on the island but they are not very reliable. We rented a car with Melian Cars and had a great experience. The pickup and return were very quick and easy as they transported us from the port to their nearby office and then to the airport as we were leaving. They also provided a great introduction to the island by sharing a map with their recommendations.
It is important to note that rental cars in Milos and other Greek islands are usually manual. If the rental doesn’t specifically say “automatic” then you should assume the car is stick shift. Many people decide to rent 4-wheelers instead of a car on Milos, which is fine if you get good weather. When we were on Milos there was some rain, so being in a 4-wheeler wouldn’t have been fun. The benefit of a 4-wheeler is that it can get you closer to beaches and is needed if you want to explore the west half of Milos. Also, the 4-wheelers are usually automatic, so if you don’t know how to drive manual this will be a good alternative.
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links for products and services I recommend. At no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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