Beach-hopping through Milos, Greece is one of my favorite memories. I’ll never forget the magic of stepping on Sarakiniko, navigating the island on our ATV, climbing down ladders to reach the beaches, and of course the jaw dropping sunsets – the kind where everyone claps as the sun dips below the horizon.
I visited Milos as a couple with my husband, and since then I’ve also planned trips for clients heading to the island. So this guide blends firsthand experience with real itineraries I design for travelers exploring Greece. As a luxury travel advisor, I regularly curate stays, experiences, and island-hopping routes throughout the Cyclades, and Milos is one I love.
Milos is truly one of a kind and an absolute bucket-list destination in the Cyclades. I’m so excited to share my complete travel guide to Milos, Greece with you, filled with everything you need to plan the perfect trip.
Milos is one of the Cycladic islands located in the Aegean Sea positioned between mainland Greece and Crete. It is a part of the Aegean Volcanic Arc formed by the subduction of the African plate under the Aegean. Milos originated from volcanic activity giving it a very distinctive and captivating geology. The landscape is characteristic of its unique creation with varying types of rock and minerals found throughout the island providing fantastic, unmatched scenery.
If you’re trying to decide where to stay or what to prioritize, this Milos Travel Guide is designed to simplify that decision. And if you need hands on help to make it easier, I’m here for you!
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How to Get to Milos, Greece
The best way to reach Milos is via ferry or flight into their small airport. It is a short 40 minute flight from Athens or a three and a half hour ferry from Piraeus (Athens). You can also catch a ferry from some of the other nearby islands like Sifnos, Paros, or Santorini.
Personally, we traveled to Milos from Sifnos via SeaJets ferry so it was about forty minutes on the high speed ferry, Then, we flew out of Milos to Athens when our trip (sadly) came to an end. Both were easy experiences, but I like to avoid the ferries as much as possible. I definitely get motion sickness, but they are also notoriously late and flying is way nicer.
It is super easy to purchase ferry tickets in advance. We used SeaJets or you can try Ferry Hopper or Direct Ferries.
Best Time of Year to Visit Milos
April through September is the best time of year to visit Milos and the Greek Islands. The summer season of June – August are the peak tourism months with the warmest days. I always like to visit in September when the water is warmest, the temperature is in the 80s and most kids are back in school so it is less crowded.
The winter in Milos can be cold and windy and many places close down for the season. You can still visit and enjoy, but many of the best restaurants might be closed and the beaches will not be warm.
How Many Days to Spend in Milos
I recommend that you spend at least 3 or 4 days on Milos. You can definitely see some highlights in 2 days if you are island hopping, but with over 80 beaches, you’ll wish you had more time.
There is a whole portion of the island that is only accessible by boat and you should not miss a day trip sailing to Kleftiko. It was the highlight of our time in Milos.
4 days in Milos will allow you to spend a day or two beach hopping, a day sailing, and another exploring Plaka or visiting the winery. We spent 3 nights the first time and I wished we had another day.
I always recommend skipping the island hopping trend in Greece and picking 2-3 island to see for a 10 day trip to Greece. You really do not want to be getting on and off the ferries and packing/unpacking when you could be sitting on the beach on Milos.
The Best Way to Get Around Milos
ATVs are by far the best way to get around Milos. We always LOVE cruising around at our own pace with the open air it offers. It is ideal for accessing dirt roads and hidden gems!
You can rent a car in the Greek Isles, it is just a bit more expensive and sometimes harder to park than an ATV. Of course, when we traveled to the Greek Islands with our baby, we had to get a car and it is fine too!
I do recommend that you have your own vehicle, but you can definitely get a taxi too. We used them to get to and from our hotel, Then, our hotel arranged the ATV to be dropped off and picked up for us from the property. This was ideal because we needed the bigger car to transfer our luggage!
Our Favorite Things to Do in Milos
Milos is a stunning island destination with plenty of outdoor activities to keep you busy! You will want to do some leisurely beach hopping, lots of eating, stop at a winery, and of course catch that sunset I mentioned already. Here are some of my favorite things to do in Milos:
Catch a Milos Sunset from Plaka
Don’t miss sunset from Plaka! We got a table at Utopia and split a bottle of rosé as the sun dropped below the horizon. You can watch from anywhere in Plaka as it’s the highest point on the island. There are plenty of restaurants and public viewing points to watch the Milos sun dip into the dark sea.
Beach Hop in Milos
Milos has over 100 different beaches. Yes, they are really all different – from Sarakiniko the famous moon beach, to Tsigrado which is only accessible by ladder, to Mandrakia the old fishing village, and Firiplaka with the red clay cliffs! Read more about these fabulous Milos beaches in my guide to beach hopping in Milos.
Sailing to Kleftiko
This was the HIGHLIGHT of our trip to Milos. We had the absolute best day exploring the side of the island that is only accessible by boat! There are so many reasons to visit Greece and this experience is one them!
The sailing catamaran cruise with Milos Adventures will take you to the parts of the island that can not be accessed from land. You’ll get to spend time at Kleftiko and legend has it the caves were a pirate hideout once upon a time!
They provided water, beer/wine, plenty of snacks and fresh seafood, too! We booked the half day tour starting at Adamas and ending at Provotas. After the trip ends, they shuttle you back to Adamas, which I note because this was not clear when booking. This was truly the best day and we enjoyed meeting other people who were on the cruise with us.
If you need more ideas, I have a whole post with my 6 favorite boat tours in Milos!
Stroll Around Plaka
Stroll through the pedestrian streets in Plaka. It is like a huge maze, filled with beautiful floral scenery, leading to quaint shops and restaurants.
Relax at the Pool
Relax at the infinity pool at your Milos Breeze hotel. Enjoy snacks and cocktails while you look out over Pollonia and the Aegean Sea.
Visit Milos Cave Winery
Kostantakis Cave Winery – We did not have the chance to make this happen on our last visit to Milos, but the winery looked really fun! It is family run and inside a cave so perfect for a break from the sun.
My 4 Favorite Beaches in Milos
The reason most people visit Milos is for the amazing beaches. There are over 80 beaches on Milos and they are all so different! I wrote a whole post about Milos beaches here, but these are my top 4 that you should not miss!
1. Sarakiniko Beach
Sarakiniko is hands down the most famous beach in Milos—and for good reason. If you’ve seen photos of Milos beaches, chances are this striking white landscape inspired you to visit. With its smooth, lunar-like rock formations and surreal beauty, it feels like you’ve stepped onto another planet.
Be sure to visit early in the morning to beat the crowds and enjoy the magic of this iconic spot. We were there by 9am! If you’re visiting Milos during cruise ship season, check the schedule and plan your visit on a day when ships aren’t in port—it makes all the difference.
2. Tsigrado Beach
Tsigrado Beach was one of my absolute favorites—it’s as secluded and unique as they come! To get to this hidden gem, we had to climb through a small crevice in a cliff, then descend a ladder to reach the beach below. There are also a lot of boat tours that can take you here as well if that sounds intimidating!
3. Fyriplaka Beach
Fyriplaka Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Milos—for good reason! As an “organized beach,” Fyriplaka offers a little extra convenience with sunbeds, umbrellas, and a beach bar for snacks and drinks. The shallow, calm water extends far out, making it ideal for a leisurely swim or just floating around without a care in the world. We spent a long time enjoy this beach.
4. Firopotomas Beach
Firopotomas is the the cutest beach lined with traditional boat garages. It’s a quiet little paradise where the aqua-blue waters are so still and clear, they look like a natural swimming pool. We loved spending time here—there’s nothing quite like floating in the calm, glassy water while surrounded by the picturesque Cycladic scenery.
Where to Eat in Milos Greece
Due to its island location, Milos is a prime destination for fresh seafood prepared with a grecian flare to it. Think shrimp saganaki, fresh crudo, sun dried fish, lots of real feta cheese, and locally grown vegetables. I did not feel like I gained a single pound vacationing here because the food is so fresh and naturally pretty healthy (if you avoid all the pita bread).
We are all about food when we travel so read along for where we ate and where I plan to eat next time!
Medusa
Medusa is hands down one of my favorite restaurants on Earth. We had the greek salad topped with a huge block of feta (which was what I came for after seeing it on social media), sun dried mackerel (we saw them catch and dry the fish earlier that day when we swam at the beach), swordfish souvlaki, and finished it off with a little baklava.
The sunset here was beautiful so you must sit along the cliff. Also included is the opportunity to dine with the neighborhood cats.
Rifaki
Rifaki had the best view of the fishing village along the water in Pollonia. It was SO picturesque with boats of all sizes dotting the coastline. The white wine here was one of my favorites from Moraitis Winery in Paros.
We had the chicken souvlaki and fries and it was exactly what I wanted – best traditional greek food. We also had feta phyllo (which is feta wrapped in phyllo dough with honey drizzled over), mussels, and for dessert, their traditional dessert – yogurt with crumbled biscuit over it. It tastes like a graham cracker or nilla wafer. Highly recommend this place!
Enalion
We had lunch at Enalion Restaurant on our first day. We both ordered pasta and should have split one. The portions were huge! It was a nice open air spot, but not my favorite food-wise. I got the shrimp pasta and it was okay.
Armenaki Greece
Armenaki – We had to wait a while, but this restaurant was great! I did not write down what we had, but I’m sure it was some type of fresh fish!
Aqua Loca Beach Bar
Aqua Loca beach bar – we ended up here during our Milos beach hopping and were starving so picked this spot. It was unexpectedly very good! I had the turkey sandwich on a soft baguette and of course, greek wine.
O!Hamas and Avli
Since this trip, I have come across some other amazing restaurants in Milos, Greece. My top choices next time will be O!Hamas! Tavern near Adamas and Avli Milos in Plaka. The shrimp saganaki at Avli looks heavenly. O!Hamas! is family run using ingredients from their own farm and is located along the beach so you can have waterside drinks if there is a wait.
Where to Stay in Milos Greece
Wondering where to stay in Milos, Greece? I’ve got you covered with the BEST hotel on the island situated in the charming fishing village of Pollonia. Be sure to read my full guide that breaks down each area on Milos.
Milos Breeze Hotel
Milos Breeze Hotel is where we stayed and it was absolutely perfect for us. It is located on the Northeast side of the island in a town called Pollonia which surrounds a charming fishing bay. I loved the hotel’s minimalist design, the infinity pool, and in-room balconies with plush lounge seating that overlooks the Aegean Sea. One of my personal favorite touches was the window in the shower so I could keep my eye on the ocean at all times!
The staff was incredibly friendly and told us everything we needed to know about the island at check-in. They actually sat us down and drew on a map for us. They were so helpful prior to arrival in arranging transportation from the port/airport and securing an ATV delivered and picked up from the hotel for us.
And don’t skip breakfast – this Milos hotel knows what they are doing! It is a complimentary, buffet-style meal with cereals, real greek yogurt, fruit, bacon, pastries and more! I suggest trying the greek yogurt here. It is completely different from the stuff we call “greek” yogurt in America. And the freshest fruit really tops it off. Grab a bowl and sit outside for the best views over the infinity pool and into the sea.
What to Pack for Milos Greece
Milos, Greece is warm during the summer like here in the US. The warmest months are July, August and September topping out with average temperatures in the 80s. The coldest and rainiest months are winter – January, February, March. We have always visited Greece in September and it is perfect weather in my opinion and slightly less crowded!
With this in mind, you will want to pack items for Milos to stay comfortable in the warm weather. Flowy dresses are ideal for dinners and shopping along the pedestrian streets.
You’ll need plenty of swim suits and coverups for enjoying the beach, sailing, or dining at seaside tavernas. I lived in flowy dresses, jean shorts, and swimsuits while I was in milos.
For shoes, you’ll need a pair of sandals for the beach and a comfortable sneaker for exploring.
Above all, make a plan to protect yourself from the sun with SPF, sun hats, and sunglasses.
In September and October, a light sweater is a must for breezy evenings in Milos.
Packing list for Milos:
- Sundresses, skirts, loose fitting outfits
- swimsuits
- coverups
- exercise set
- loungwear/pajamas
- Sandals
- Sneakers for exploring
- light sweater for cooler nights
- beach tote
- SPF
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
- non drowsy dramamine for the ferries!!
Our Milos Travel Tips
- Have the hotel arrange an ATV for your stay. This is the best way to get around and island hop at your leisure. The company will drop off and pick up from the hotel for your convenience.
- The hotel will also arrange a taxi from the port or airport to the property. Make sure you organize transportation in advance because the port is quite busy and a little hectic on arrival.
- Secure your spot early for sunset in Plaka – the best restaurants fill fast and early.
- You must see Milos from the water! Make sure you book some type of boating activity.
- Pack hotel towels for beach hopping and for the ATV seat – it gets very hot while you’re playing on the beach.
- Sarakiniko is one of the most popular places to visit in Milos. I recommend you go early/late to avoid crowds and make sure the cruise ships aren’t in town the day you go. Our taxi driver told us they all come to Sarakiniko so we altered our plans to visit a different day.
Will you plan a vacation to Milos Greece? Let me know what you are most excited for below!
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