Red clay, white sand, black sediment, multicolored pebbles, who knew there were so many different types of beach environments. Thanks to its volcanic history, you will find all of these colorful landscapes on one tiny island: Milos. A timeless Cycladic gem, this island has over 80 beaches on its coastline that are sure to take your breath away. From climbing down a tiny ladder to access one beach to walking on the moon; today, I am sharing my guide to navigating the many beaches in Milos.
My best advice for beach hopping is to have your hotel secure an ATV for you so you can get started when you land in Milos. The ATV companies will deliver and pick up from the hotel for you making the whole process completely seamless. I prefer to be in the open air with the wind in my hair when I’m on island time. In addition, many beaches can be very steep and are easier to access and park with a smaller mode of transportation.
The Best Beaches in Milos Greece
I will walk you through our beach hopping experiences in Milos with all of the places we stopped to relax, swim, eat, and admire!
1. Papafragas
You literally climb down the side of a cliff to get down to this beautiful spot. It is a small cove with a long, rectangular shaped caved-in lagoon perfect for swimming.
2. Kapros Beach
Right past Papafragas, this small beach is less crowded and great for a quick dip. It is easily accessible, located right off the main road, but don’t let that fool you. It is more like a swimming pool surrounded by white rock and has a great spot for some cliff jumping!
3. Mandrakia – my favorite beach in Milos
Mandrakia was our favorite Milos beach for being in the water since the whole area was mostly shallow. It had a lot of pebbles so you’ll need shoes, but once in the water it is sandy. It was fine to lay on with a towel, but wear your shoes to walk. The water was calm and we swam for at least an hour. The cutest fishing village – boat garages included!
Leisurely tip: Make sure to grab lunch or dinner at the town’s fabulous restaurant, Medusa.
4. Firopotomas
Like Mandrakia, this Milos beach is tucked away in a small fishing village and even looks like it has a couple airbnb’s along the beach. The water looks like a massive swimming pool with its still aqua waters. We enjoyed swimming here, but use caution driving down the steep road – again, helpful to be on an ATV.
5. Sarakiniko
The moon beach. If you’ve seen photos of Milos beaches, you have surely seen this and likely been inspired to visit simply for a walk on the moon. Sarakiniko is everything you’ve heard about and more! I do recommend going early and on a day cruise ships are not at port.
6. Fyriplaka Beach
This beach is one of the most popular for its long stretch of white sand and huge rocks forming its coastline along the turquoise blue waters. It is what they call an “organized beach” meaning there are chairs and a bar/hut. We swam and soaked up the sun for a while here since the water stays shallow for many feet out. Located next door to Tsigrado, it is easy to hop between these two beaches.
This was easily one of my favorite beaches in Milos to spend a whole day!
7. Tsigrado Beach
I loved this beach! It is secluded and definitely the most unique other than Sarakiniko. You climb through a crevice in a cliff, then down a ladder to access this beach (both pictured below). Don’t worry, there’s a rope for you to hold onto if that makes you feel better. That’s the only way down unless you are on a boat. We had a nice swim and admired this must see spot, then headed on.
8. Paliochori
Paliochori was the most “organized” beach of Milos that we saw if that is what you are looking for. We had lunch here at one of several restaurants, Aqua Loca beach bar. I had a surprisingly delicious turkey sandwich on a soft baguette and a refreshing glass of wine (obviously!). Not what I expected at all from scanning the menu. It was getting late, so we made the trek back to the hotel without a swim here. We got a little lost on our way back, but got to see some really amazing landscapes on this remote side of the island.
Sailing with Milos Adventures
There is an entire portion of the island not accessible by vehicle. We chose to spend a half day visiting those Milos beaches and caves with Milos Adventures on a catamaran cruise and it was truly one of the best days!
9. Kleftiko
You will have the opportunity to explore Kleftiko which is considered an old pirate hideout! This is the most beautiful place, perfect for swimming, cliff jumping, snorkeling, and exploring the caves. The Aegean Sea here is crystal clear and the white volcanic cliffs making up the coastline are striking.
Best Boat Tours in Milos:
- Catamaran Cruise to Kleftiko
- Half Day Speed Boat Cruise
- Half Day Sunset Cruise with Lunch
- Private Sail to Kleftiko
Milos Beach Hopping Itinerary
Finally, it is important to note that we split our beach excursion into three days. When we arrived in Milos, our taxi driver advised us NOT to go to Sarakiniko that day due to a cruise ship making port so we adjusted plans into an additional half day. Check their cruise schedule before you go. Here is the breakdown of our Milos beach hopping adventure in three days:
- Day 1 – Papafragas, Kapros, Mandrakia, Firopotamos
- Day 2 – Sarakiniko (so we could go early), Firiplaka, Tsigrado, Paliochori
- Day 3 – Half Day Catamaran cruise with Milos Adventures to the secret Milos Beaches.
What to Pack for Beach Hopping in Milos
You will want to have a few things on hand before venturing out for a day of beach bliss. I recommend the following in addition to your suit and sandals:
- Long sleeve shirt so you don’t roast while driving around on your ATV. (I love Free Fly and prefer the men’s shirt)
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Water bottles from a local market
- Grab towels from the hotel (especially for the ATV seat because it can get hot!)
- Snacks or a picnic lunch. It could be a while before finding something suitable to eat as many beaches are tucked away in caves and cliffs, away from main towns with dining options.
However you decide to beach hop, you will be blown away by the majestic scenes of Milos! Which beach sounds like your style? Would you rather hop from one to another or pick one to lounge at all day? Let me know below.
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