Last Updated: December 20, 2023
Milos has some of the most remarkable beaches in Greece, caves, colourful fishing villages and exciting history. The vibe of the island is much more relaxed compared to famous Santorini and when it comes to accommodation and dining options, the locals focus more on quality rather than quantity.
You can reach the island either by ferry or by plane, however, note that there are not frequent flight connections from Athens to Milos, so most of the people choose to get there by ferry
WHERE TO STAY IN MILOS
Milos was the second-largest island after Paros during our Cycladic trip. We spent 3 days in this gorgeous island and we found the cutest accommodation in Mytakas village, not far from the Sarakiniko cliffs. It turned out to be the perfect location for us as it was close to the majority of the attractions we wanted to explore and the view from our room was dreamy.
In Milos it is rare to find big hotel complexes, instead, they focus their efforts on building chic boutique hotels or family-run apartments which blend so beautifully with the island’s nature. Most of the hotels are located in Pollonia or Adamas, where the port is. Studio apartments can be found also in Plaka, however, because the village is quite small the options are limited and they get sold out very fast.
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES IN MILOS
SARAKINIKO BEACH
Milos is best known for its beaches with Sarakiniko being the focus of attention. The landscape here is surreal! The white rock formations created by lava make you feel as if you have landed on a different planet. Sarakiniko is a great location to have a picnic. We spent an entire day here, cliff jumping from the rocks and swimming in the Aegean Sea. The time flies when you’re having so much fun!
TIP: The beach has become very famous over the last years, and it gets very crowded. I would suggest that the sooner you arrive (before 10 am), the better.
KLEFTIKO CAVES
Kleftiko caves were a hideaway for the pirates in the Middle Ages. As our boat was getting closer by the minute, we were awestruck. The way the caves emerge from the sea in different sizes and shapes, take your breath away. It is a little paradise spot where the water is so clear, that it looks like a giant swimming pool. The boat anchors for a few hours allowing you to swim, dive or snorkel.
How to get to Kleftiko Caves
Kleftiko caves are accessible by boat. There are frequent boats which depart from Adamas port or you can join one of the cruises departing from Agios Sostis, located next to Provatas beach. There are several tour packages to choose from, depending on what you want to see and how long you want to spend on the boat. Beverages and light snack are usually included in the package.
TIP: Most of the cruise boats offer gear for snorkeling at no additional cost.
PROVATAS BEACH
We spent the first part of our day on a boat, to explore Kleftiko caves and on our way back, we chose to stay in the area and enjoy a few hours at Provatas beach. The sand here is fine and swimming in the crystal clear water is just the break you need in between sunbathing and reading your favourite book. The facilities include a taverna adjacent to the beach, parking and sunbeds.
FIRIPLAKA BEACH IN MILOS
This location was my second favourite after Sarakiniko. The rock formations on the backdrop, the white sand and the turquoise water are the unique combination which makes the scenery at Firiplaka beach look so striking. The fact that many companies in Greece choose this spot to advertise their products, confirms how exceptionally beautiful this beach is.
TIP: There is a small cantine where you can buy snacks and beverages. The beach gets a bit crowded at the beginning, but if you walk a few meters further down the crowds lessen.
PLAKA
Plaka is the capital of Milos and essentially the heart of the island. It is located on a hill and cars are not allowed to enter due to the narrow streets. This is one of the most picturesque Greek villages I have ever seen. It has Cycladic architecture (which comes at no surprise) with white houses with colourful windows and as you continue your exploration, you come across pretty cafes, family-run tavernas and boutique shops. The village is like a colourful canvas with flowers dominating the balconies and doorsteps.
TIP: For magnificent views, you MUST visit the castle of Plaka.
POLLONIA
Pollonia is a small fishing village, 15 minutes drive from Adamas. It combines the charm of Plaka (almost), with a stretch of beautiful sandy beach and traditional tavernas by the seaside. It is the perfect location if you’re looking to spend a day just relaxing.
TIP: The island of Kimolos is 1 hour away from Pollonia port by ferry. Kimolos is not very known amongst tourists which means that the island has maintained its wild beauty and unspoiled little villages and beaches. If you have enough days in Milos, it is worth spending a few hours in Kimolos to explore the island.
WHERE TO EAT IN MILOS
O! HAMOS! TAVERN – HOMEMADE DISHES
Here we had one of the best dinners during our Cycladic island-hopping. This is the kind of place where you will find homemade dishes made from recipes which were passed along from generation to generation and into the hands of the owners. The taverna has outdoor sitting and it is located right across the Papikinos beach in Adamas. Seriously, do not miss!
ARMENAKI – FISH TAVERN
This Tavern in Pollonia has excellent fish and seafood dishes. It is located next to the sea and not only the food is mouthwatering, but the warm hospitality of the owners will win you over as soon as you sit down.
AGGELIKI ICE CREAM SHOP
We found this place by pure luck while enjoying our evening walk in Adamas and the ice-creams looked too tempting to pass. I am so glad we decided to stop as the ice cream was so delicious, we ended up returning the next day for more! Plenty of flavours to choose from, with Mosaiko being my favourite.
FOURNOS ARTEMIS
In Greece we love our bakeries. It is our go-to place, not only for bread but also pastries, cakes and sometimes even for coffee. Artemis bakery is located in Adamas and it has a great selection of sweet and savoury pastries. MUST try is the famous local pie Karpouzopita (watermelon pie).
