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All those pictures of Greece have finally just made up your mind and because you are such a beach bum you’ve decided on the island of Milos. You couldn’t have made a better choice! With over 70 beaches to pick from, Milos is THE island to be on if you’re looking for mind-blowing water, hidden coves and exclusive beach access. Don’t worry about having to research them all, I have done the work for you and put together a complete guide on the best beaches in Milos. Whether you need something that is family-friendly or whether you’re looking for more off the beaten path, this handy guidebook has it all.
*Note: At the time we went to Milos, we were not really into photography yet so some of our pictures really don’t do the island justice. In hoping to be able to go back soon and take better photos, for the time being we have outsourced some of the photos included below and credited their owners.
Post Contents
How to Get to Milos Island
First things first, where is Milos and how do you get there? Milos is the western most island in the Cyclades and is just a stone’s throw away from Athens. The island does have a small airport running daily flights in the summer months which is a great option if you’re pushed for time. Total flight time from Athens takes about 50 minutes.
You can also opt to take the ferry, which especially in summer months can be the more affordable option. Depending on the type of vessel, total crossing time from Athens can take anywhere between 3 to 8 hours.
Ferries depart from the Piraeus port in Athens and arrive at the Adamas Port in Milos, right in the center of the island. The Piraeus port is located approximately 50 km from Athens. There are multiple ways to reach the port, from taxi to private transfer; we opted for the most budget friendly option (also the lengthiest in travel time) and took the X96 bus that operates every half hour or so directly from the Airport. The total transfer time takes about an hour and a half.
Visiting Milos Island
Milos is a volcanic island that is home to not even 6,000 habitants. The entire western part of the island is uninhabited… meaning there is a ton of room for exploration and getting lost in unspoiled territory. Because of its volcanic nature, Milos boasts some of the most extraordinary coves, grottos and caves. With its many rich minerals, the island is literally a spectrum of colors (which unbelievably glow underwater like fluorescent lights… you’ll get to see this when snorkeling in Kleftiko!). Milos in fact has a profound history of mining and still to this day is home to many working mines (which might be the reason the island is still overlooked by tourists).
Because a good portion of the coast is lined by cliffs, the beaches in Milos have remained fairly secluded and untouched (given their uneasy access). On most days it’s just a handful of people on the beaches… how insane is that? On other islands you have to fight to just have space to lay down your towel- and those beaches are not even close to the sheer beauty you will find on Milos beaches.
Milos is to date the place with the most pristine shores I have ever visited (although Calabria in Southern Italy is a close runner-up). Probably due to the rocky sea-bottom (as opposed to sandy), you can perfectly see into the depths of the water without goggles.
I have compiled a handy guide to the 7 best beaches you can find around the island. Here at the top you can see the map of the beaches with categories I’ve associated so that you can quickly consult which ones are of particular interest to you.
Best Beaches in Milos Map
SECLUSION & PRIVACY – Kleftiko, Triades, Tsigrado
SCENERY & VIEWS – Tsigrado, Sarakiniko, Kleftiko
KID-FRIENDLY & COMFORT – Firiplaka, Paleochori, Firopotamos
WATER & SNORKELING – Kleftiko, Tsigrado, Firiplaka
7 Best Beaches in Milos
1. Kleftiko Milos
So although Kleftiko doesn’t fall under a strict ‘beach‘ category per se, it is the perfect sea excursion to add to your beach-hopping Milos itinerary. If there is one place you cannot miss while on the island, it is definitely Kleftiko beach.
Found on the southwestern part of the island, the area is a series of hidden sea coves and caves accessible only via boat (we did a boat tour, more on that in the following section). I was absolutely mesmerized by the area surrounding the Kleftiko caves as I had never seen such crystal and limpid waters. The underwater scenery is truly spectacular making the entire snorkeling experience absolutely mind-blowing. As you swim through the various coves and inlets it will feel like you’re swimming through some sort of submerged starry sky -all the mineral deposits of the surrounding rock flicker and reflect the most beautiful spectrum of colors.
The remoteness of the area coupled with the beautiful white sea-stacks surging into the sky make it feel as if you’ve been catapulted into one of the scenes of Treasure Island. The area is in-fact known as Bandit’s Lair and was historically used as a pirate’s hideaway. Our captain even showed us the docking posts that pirates would carve into the rock to moor their ships. It was just fascinating to hear of the history behind Kleftiko Beach and the surrounding areas.
Milos Boat Tour
So because Kleftiko is only accessed via sea, booking a Milos boat tour is your best option. I know I know…a tour, seriously? That is so touristy! And I have to say I would generally agree as we normally like to rent our own boat. However, after having done some research, it was the clear that the island was too big to navigate with a small rented boat (big boats are super expensive to rent and you need a nautical license). We also wanted to make the best of our time and didn’t want to have to worry about circumnavigating the areas with rougher waters. As a result, we figured it would be best to leave the task to an expert.
After some research we decided to go with the Oneiro Tour. I was very hesitant as the tour cost about 100 euro per person and I’m customarily not a big fan of group tours. Well…Oh. My. God. It was the best tour of my life, EVER. This tour was definitely hands down the most memorable part of our time in Milos.
The sailboat accommodated a max of twelve people (which I originally thought was way too many but it was actually quite perfect). We had more than enough space to sun-tan while we sailed about and sipped at our beers or wine (all provided by the tour). The captain was absolutely amazing and attended to all our needs, even becoming our own personal photographer throughout the day. He explained all the history and geology behind all the places we passed along the way which made the experience all the more captivating.
I LOOOOOVED that it was one of those tours that took its time and was not rushed. We had time to snorkel, explore the caves, swim, take pictures, and just relax and take it all in. We made three stops in Sykia, Kleftiko, and Kalamos. All three of these places were only accessible via boat and were just little pieces of heaven waiting to be discovered.
On board we had drinks and snacks available at all times. We had a great big lunch and towards the end of the day had so much fun listening to the captain’s jokes while drinking up on the ouzo. Traditional greek music accompanied us on the entire trip (9AM to 7PM) and the magical sunset at the end of the day was just heaven.
If you’re still on the fence about it, check out their hundreds of stellar reviews here.
2. Tsigrado Beach
Off to Tsigrado, my favorite runner up – perhaps THE best beach in Milos! Even getting to the beach is an experience in this case as it is accessible only via rope and ladder. The descent not only makes for a memorable moment but also acts as a sort of ‘barrier to entry‘ – not many people are comfortable with climbing so the spot doesn’t get nearly as many visitors as other neighboring beaches. Having said that, the climb is not anything insurmountable (I do however advise against bringing small children and anyone who is not confident with footing or heights). I guarantee the sweat is worth the view!
Bear in mind that the beach is quite small so even a dozen people can make it feel “crowded”. Try heading there early to experience more seclusion and peace. Also, because the beach is nestled into the surrounding cliffs, direct sunlight only hits in the morning as the encompassing cliffs cast a shade early in the afternoon. To really get a chance to marvel at the astonishing acquamarine colors of the water, you really need to go when direct sunlight is hitting the shore. As the shade creeps in you can head over to Fyriplaka, the beach right next door for an amazing sunset hour.
The beach has a series of beautiful little grottos and coves just around the rocks. It is a snorkeler’s haven and it’s just such a venture to explore all the remarkable caves. Make sure if you have an underwater dome port or action camera/go-pro to bring it on your swim- this is the perfect area for photography.
Keep in mind that the sand of this beach was put here and is not naturally occurring. The captain on our Milos boat tour told us that each year the tide washes more and more sand away. So sadly this beach will not exist anymore in a couple of years. Don’t regret it, go now before you can’t anymore!
3. Firiplaka Beach
Adjacent to Tsigrado, you will find fyriplaka beach, the largest sand beach on the island (which also probably makes it the most family-friendly beach in all of Milos). If you are interested in an ‘easy beach day‘ without having to sacrifice stunning sea-views, this is the best beach for you. A long beautiful open stretch of soft caramel sand skirts the most limpid jaded-blue waters at this beach.
Because the landscape here is so open, the only real way to find shade is to bring your own portable beach umbrella/tent. Having said that, Firiplaka is well equipped with straw-umbrellas, lounge-chairs, and cabana beds, so if you don’t want to stress about lugging an umbrella around get here early to reserve them. If you also don’t want to have to worry about bringing a packed lunch, there are a couple of kiosks and the super fun Firiplaka Beach Bar to get food from.
Parking can get difficult later in the day. A good alternative is to park at Tsigrado and then head down by foot.
This beach is also great if you want to take a break from rocky-bottomed water. In being all sand and mostly shallow waters, this is a great kid-friendly beach. If you don’t have children, this beach is still a great option for young crowds. The Firiplaka Beach bar plays music and has a very cool and laidback vibe. Grab a nice chilled Mythos beer and just soak some rays – relax and recharge!
4. Paliochori Beach
Paliochori Beach, or sometimes Paleochori, is also a fantastic choice for families and also on the southern coast. The beach is super accessible (you can drive right up) and is equipped with numerous facilities (restaurants, bars, water sport rentals). Volcanic activity has left its traces here painting the surrounding rocks with the most beautiful reds and yellows. At times you can catch a sulfur whiff in the breeze and if you’re keen on trying something different, here you can try some “volcanic food“ (it gets cooked underground)! The sand can get a little pebbly and coarse in certain areas but that is all made up by astounding scenery and waters.
5. Triades Beach
If you’re looking to literally fall off the map, this is THE beach for you. Triades Beach is actually a group of three beaches located on the far western coast of the island accessible only via a very narrow and windy dirt road ( I recommend via 4×4). Almost no one ventures into the western side of the island as it is virtually uninhabited but it is such a treat to literally have a beach all to yourself. If you like secluded places and are up for roaming the unpaved roads for a half-hour quad ride, this is your spot!
Note: this is a nude-friendly spot so be prepared to possibly see some nakedness. Also there are no facilities for miles so come equipped with whatever you might need.
6. Sarakiniko Beach
Perhaps the most instagrammable beach in Greece, the landscape of Sarakiniko on the northern part of the island is truly exceptional. I normally steer away from popular and overly crowded tourist spots, but this out-of-this-world gem definitely deserves a visit. The rock conformations that make up the area unveil a scenery that is more similar to what you might expect on the moon. The volcanic rock at Sarakiniko beach has been sculpted in time by wind and water leaving behind spectacular slabs and strips of what appears to be the milkiest of stones. The undulations created make it so that the ground waves in and out to form tunnels boulders and valleys- it is such a wild 3 dimensional experience!
At this beach there is absolutely no sand so be prepared to lay down on the hard surface. But that shouldn’t minimally discourage you, Sarakiniko is the best place for cliff diving in Milos! Get your adrenaline rush and have fun jumping and tumbling off of the various edges. This is also a place I highly recommend wearing water shoes – I basically never took mine off while in Milos and used them as a city shoe as well.
Sarankiniko is also REMARKABLE for photography. The sharp contrast between the deep blues of the sea and the pearly whites of the rock make it such a dramatic scene to capture. (Unfortunately we were total amateurs and too excited about climbing around and exploring that our pics literally suck as you can see).
If you’re more keen on exploring the surroundings, the beach has several abandoned mine tunnels in the area and just a little farther you can reach the site of the 2003 shipwreck.
In being the most popular beach in Milos, flocks of crowds visit this beach every day so make sure to arrive earlier in the morning (before 9 am) or a little before sunset to really enjoy it. Getting to the beach is super simple as there are multiple signs indicating it – you can’t miss it!
7. Firopotamos Beach
We remain in the north for this last beach and move to Firopotamos, a beach at the foot of a small fishing village. There are several fishermen houses right on the sand with the lower floors acting as boat garages. Because of this, the feel of this beach is much more local and intimate. The colored houses make for such a picturesque-like mood!
The water here also doesn’t disappoint and like all Milos water just takes your breath away. We loved ending our days at Firopotamos Beach by heading over to the nearby town of Mandrakia for a scrumptious dinner at Medousa Restaurant (more on that in last section!).
What to do in Milos (other than beach-hopping)
Explore the Unbeaten Path in Milos by ATV
One of the funnest things to do in Milos is exploring and uncovering the island with your quad. Virtually half of the island is uninhabited and thus most roads are unpaved and quite narrow and steep- this makes off-roading all the more fun!
We rented a two-seater quad at the popular Milos ATV rental spot Moto Christos for 35 euro a day (high season). Most of the time Pietro did all the driving, especially when we were wandering more off the beaten path. There are certain roads that necessitate a certain driving expertise or a stomach for heights. We ventured to the highest point on the island Profitis Ilias on the western side of the island (which had an absolutely breathtaking view) but beware that there are no guard-rails present on most narrow roads to prevent you from literally falling off the side of the cliffs.
Honestly it was such a dream to be the only ones zipping and skidding around the island, wind in our hair uncovering the many unvisited gems of the island. I mean where else can you do that?? Just make sure you always calculate your gas accordingly – head over to our post Tips to Island Hopping Around Greece for more advice!
Explore the Villages of Milos Island
There are several little villages around Milos Island, each one more charming then the next. Plaka, Tripiti, Klima, Mandrakia… these are the few smaller villages that we visited.
If you really like the old little fishermen town vibe you will definitely want to head to Klima and Mandrakia – these are both traditional fishing villages. Klima is known for its picturesque and brightly colored boathouses (sirmata) right on the sand – we got a chance to view it from the water as we passed the village on our boat tour around the island.
Mandrakia, although not right up on the sand is equally, if not more scenic. I absolutely loved wandering around Mandrakia making friends with as many cats as possible (this village also is home to the best restaurant in Milos in my opinion – more on that later).
If you’re looking for more of those typical Greek whitewashed vibes then Plaka for sure is the village to head to. Nestled at the top of hill, the village offers stunning views of the Aegean Sea down below. As you wander around the town you will be accompanied by soft greek music and you will spot too many brightly colored doors and bougainvilleas to count. Just a few minutes walk from Plaka, you can reach Tripiti a very quiet and tiny village. Don’t let its small size fool you, the town is bursting with history!
How Many Days in Milos
So exactly how many days are necessary for exploring the island at a nice pace? Honestly, I could have easily spent 2 weeks in Milos, however we were only there for a total of 6 days. In those 6 days we visited about 10 beaches. Lounging around all day on the beach is not our style so we usually divided our day between two beaches and some off-the-road exploration in between. For making the most of your vacation and getting the chance to see at least a handful of the best beaches in Milos, I do not recommend anything under 4 days.
Where to Stay in Milos, Greece
Most people suggest staying in Pollonia as it is the best served area after Adamas and isn’t as chaotic as the port village. However Pollonia during high season can still get quite crowded and expensive. We preferred staying in a more remote area, right on the sea, and close to all the sites. After some research, we decided to base ourselves in Pachaina (Pachena), halfway between Adamas and Pollonia and right next-door to Papafragas Beach and Caves.
Our room at Vesleme had this beautiful terrace overlooking the sea where we would have breakfast each morning. We would wake up every day to the sound of the waves- it was so peaceful and quiet, exactly what we wanted to recharge. Our room had a nice size fridge and a little camp stove so we could actually cook ourselves breakfast- just perfect! There are so many accommodations to choose from, I highly recommend checking out the more outlandish areas both for budget and scenery.
Best Restaurant in Milos
In our entire Greek vacation our favorite restaurant was by far Medusa in Milos. Located in the fisherman town of Mandrakia, we loved it so much we went back three times in our 6 days in Milos. Not only is the surrounding scenery there just beautiful but the food is to die for.
Located on a terrace overlooking the sea, Medousa is just one of those restaurants that screams for sunset aperitifs and cocktails. All of the dishes on the menu are exquisite- I highly recommend the smoked fish appetizers, the grilled octopus and the chocolate pie ( I know, chocolate pie doesn’t exactly scream Greek, but trust the waiter on this one)! The staff was always super friendly and we never had to wait to get served even if the restaurant was always packed.
**If you’re a cat person, the restaurant is home to many passing kittens (which I adore)- I couldn’t wait to come back to pet my new feline friends the next day.
Best Beaches in Milos Recap
So, there it is ladies. Hopefully this post on the best beaches in Milos and will help build your ultimate dream itinerary. Milos definitely stole my heart and I know for sure that I will be back! If you’ve been to other Milos Island beaches that you think should make this list I would love to see your suggestions in the comments!
Don’t forget to follow along on my adventures at @ladolcefitvita…
Happy Beach Hopping!
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Sarah says
Ahh, Milos looks incredible! Especially the boat trip around the island. My husband and I were in Greece last year but didn’t make it to Milos. We are dying to do another trip just to see Milos! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Linda Faison says
Hi Sarah! Thanks for stopping by… yes, Milos is to die for and I highly recommend a tour- I’m usually not really into to tours but this one is really fantastic. I think Milos has a more relaxed and chill vibe with respect to other islands that are more crowded and visited- it’s just paradise 🙂
JM says
Hi! How did you get around the island to explore? I am very interested in traveling somewhere less crowded but wonder how difficult it is to get around and explore. Did you have to rent ATVs for your whole stay, and was that expensive? Or were there easy bus/taxi options available? Thanks!
Linda Faison says
Hey! Yes Milos is still not one of the more known islands although I’m sure that will change in the next decade- it is just stunning! We did rent ATVs the entire time there- it was about 30 euro per day with gas included. The island is on a large part uninhabited and roads are rather small so to get to those parts it is really only accessible via ATV. Plus public transportation didn’t really seem that present and efficient and with taxis you aren’t as free to move as you please (remember service to call the taxi is not great!). I definitely would suggest an ATV for saving time, flexibility, and honestly I think cost-wise it’s probably more convenient than taxis. Hope this helps! xoxo
Selena Taylor says
Thanks for the love! 🙂 xx
Selena @finduslost
Annie says
Great post. We will be on a cruise in May and 3 of the 5 ports will be in Greece; Santorini, Crete and Kefalonia. Do you have any insights on those cities?
Linda Faison says
Thanks! Yes I sure do… so for Santorini if you only have time for a day-trip you definitely want to go to Ammoudi Bay.There you can dine on delicious seafood, and have fun cliff diving. Also, instead of waiting around crowded Oia to watch the sunset, head over to Santo Wines- they have a fantastic panoramic terrace and it’s not crowded! As for Crete, it really depends on which port you’re arriving in, Crete is rather large- make sure you make friends with the goats… they are everywhere on Crete :D. Hope this was helpful, happy a safe and fun trip!!!!
Claudia says
I love you ♡