This Tiny Greek Island has 5 Beaches You Have to See to Believe

With more than 70 unique beaches, this underrated island wows visitors with one of the most dramatic coastlines in all the Greek Islands.

With dozens of fabulous islands to choose from, it’s possible you’ve never even heard of tiny Milos.

And that’s a crying shame.

With more than 70 beaches – each more unique than the last – the Greek Island of Milos is home to perhaps the most dramatic coastline in all of the Greek Islands.

From the lunar landscape of Sarakiniko to the soaring white cliffs at Kleftiko, the sandy shores (and not so sandy shores!) of Milos are a true work of art.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to book through these links, I receive a small commission, which I will undoubtedly blow on more flights (it’s a vicious cycle).  All of this internet voodoo takes place at no additional cost to you. 

I’ve already written at length about all the best things to do on Milos. So today, let’s focus specifically on the best beaches Milos has to offer!

Read More: 5 Best Things to Do on Marvelous Milos Greece (2024)

But first…

What’s so special about Milos?

Located in the southernmost part of the Cyclades island group, Milos, Greece enjoys an enviable position in the Aegean Sea.

Milos’ dramatic beauty stems from its volcanic heritage. Volcanic activity carved the island’s otherwordly rock formations, steep cliffs, and dramatic caves. So you could say it’s a bit of an open-air geology museum.

The volcanic soil on Milos is also rich in minerals like iron, barite, and sulfur. For that reason, the mining industry was the island’s primary source of wealth for thousands of years.

But in recent years, the mining industry is slowly giving way to tourism. Yet Milos still feels like an authentic Greek island mostly untouched by tourism. Which means there’s simply no better time to visit.

And that’s why Milos makes my list of The 7 Best Greek Islands to Visit This Summer (2024)

So let’s jump straight to all those incredible beaches…

The 5 Most Incredible Beaches on Milos

The stunning beaches of Milos are as diverse as they are beautiful. From sandy coves to soaring cliffs to lunar landscapes, there’s something perfect for every beach lover.

Most beaches in Milos are what the Europeans call “unorganized” which means there are no facilities like lounge chairs, restrooms, or cafes. So be sure to bring your own snacks, drinks, and anything else you need for a day in the Greek sun.

Also, several of these can only be reached by boat, so do not leave Milos without booking at least one boat trip when you visit.

Here are my top picks: 5 Best Milos Boat Tours for a Perfect Day at Sea

Now, let’s dive in…

1. Sarakiniko Beach

If you only have time to visit one beach on Milos, make it this one.

As the island’s most iconic beach, Sarakiniko should be the first stop on your Milos itinerary. With lunar-like white rock formations carved by the sparkling Aegean Sea, the whole landscape is truly out of this world.

If you’re up for a bit of adventure, there are even a few good cliff-jumping spots at Sarakiniko.

For the less adventurous like me, there is a small sandy beach area. But most visitors just grab a spot on one of the smooth boulders anywhere along the sea.

2. The Caves of Kleftiko

Not technically a beach (though there are a few you can swim to from a boat tour) the Kleftiko Caves are a must-see.

To truly appreciate the dramatic beauty of the Milos coastline, a boat trip out to the sea caves of Kleftiko is the perfect day at sea.

Stark white cliffs meet emerald-green translucent waters and the combination is truly magical. Don’t miss the chance to jump off the boat and take a swim through a variety of fascinating caves. Or just float in the refreshing sea and enjoy the natural volcanic beauty all around you.

Note: Technically, it is possible to drive to Kleftiko. However, the roads are not paved and most rental companies strictly prohibit taking your car or scooter there.

3. Papafragas Beach

This bottle-green cove is another unique beauty on Milos and it completely took my breath away the first time I saw it.

A cave leads to a small sandy beach that leads to this brilliant natural pool sandwiched between soaring cliffs. A hole in the rock forms a natural arch where the waters of Papafragas flow into the sea.

From the road, you’d never even know it was there. But when you pull into the small parking lot and look down, it’s a real stunner.

4. Tsigrado Beach

This remote beach is only accessible by boat or via a steep double-ladder situation that is not for everyone (to put it mildly). In fact, on our Kleftiko boat trip, the captain mentioned that a visitor was recently injured there when someone above them slipped on the dodgy ladder.

But if you’re apprehensive about the ladder but can’t resist the silky white sands and clear, tranquil waters, don’t worry. Several boat trips make a quick stop here.

5. Gerakas Beach

Gerakas Beach, often referred to as “Ammoudaraki,” is located on the western part of Milos, an island in the Cyclades group in Greece.

This beach is not in the commonly visited areas of the island, which adds to its allure due to its more secluded and pristine nature.

What makes Gerakas Beach special is its dramatic and scenic landscape. The beach is accessible only by boat (or via a challenging hike), which tends to deter large crowds, preserving its tranquil and unspoiled environment.

The surrounding cliffs offer stunning views and create a dramatic backdrop to the crystal-clear waters and pebbled shore.

A stop at this lovely beach is included in most of the Milos Boat Tours I linked to above.

3 More Great Things to See in Milos

But Milos is more than just terrific beaches! Whether you have just a few days or an entire week, here are a few more must-see things to do on the island:

Like a seaside box of crayons, the syrmata are traditional boathouses each painted in a different primary color. They have a garage on the first floor (to protect the boats from damaging winter winds) and a small home for the fisherman above.

Many of the houses have been completely renovated and turned into vacation rentals. So, if you’re looking for some serious charm for your stay on Milos, book one of these! My favorites are the Blue Sea House, the Milos Apartments Kardapis, or the Vasealis & Seafis Sirma Klima.

All three have incredible sunset views and are just steps from the sea.

2. Visit Fyropotamos Beach

Yes, another awesome beach!

Like Klima, Fyropotamos is home to traditional, colorful boathouses. But here they surround a stunning crystalline bay perfect for swimming. The beach itself is a mix of sand and pebbles but you’ll find a few trees for shade.

Don’t miss a walk along the bay to visit the chapel of Agios Nikolaos and the ancient ruins marking the entrance to the bay.

3. Stroll the seaside town of Pollonia

Built around a lovely, calm inlet, Pollonia is the 2nd most popular area for tourism. The fishing village is a sleepier alternative to staying in Adamas and can be another good home base while visiting the island (the Heliotropio Studios is my top hotel pick in town).

Now that we’ve talked about all the incredible beaches and other fun things to do, let’s cover some logistics.

Like how to get to Milos, where to stay, and whether you need a car to get around!

How to Get to Milos

There are two ways to get to Milos – a flight or ferry from Athens or a ferry from a neighboring island.

Flights to Milos from Athens

Olympic Airlines operates 3 to 4 flights per day from Athens to Milos during the peak summer months.

The flight time is just 40 minutes and flights are often well under EUR 100 one-way when booked far enough in advance.

Ferries to Milos from Athens

Ferries to Milos from Athens depart from the Piraeus port.  

The ferry takes as little as 2h 30m on the Seajet high-speed ferry with just one stop in Sifnos. Or it can take as long as 7 hours on the Dionisios slower car ferry (which makes 3 stops along the way). There are also a few other options in between.

The price difference is negligible between the two, so in this case I would opt for the fast ferry.

But before you depart Athens…

If this is your first trip to Greece, be sure to stop over for at least a few days to see the sights. If time is short, here’s a foolproof one-day itinerary: 24 Hours in Athens

Ferry connections to Milos from other islands

If you’re island-hopping around the Cyclades, there are plenty of ferry connections to Milos from Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Ios, and Mykonos.

Tip: The best site for booking ferries in Greece is FerryHopper.com.

Do I need a rental car on Milos?

Milos has a good local bus system that will get you to most of the best beaches to visit on the island.

If you do opt for the bus to get around Milos, I recommend staying in Adamas town where you’ll have access to the most frequent bus connections to the beaches.

That said, it’s much more convenient to have your own wheels. A rental car will only set you back about EUR 30 per day (slightly more if you need an automatic) and it’s well worth it to be able to explore Milos on your own schedule and hit every single one of the island’s incredible beaches.

Your hotel can often help you with booking a car on the island or you can book in advance online. In the summer season, it’s definitely best to reserve in advance.

For booking rental cars online, DiscoverCars.com is my go-to.

Driving on Milos

Driving to all those Milos beaches is fairly straightforward. The northern coast and southern coast (where you’ll do most of your driving to reach the beaches) have good roads and traffic is sparse.

Of course, you’ll want to watch out for goats here and there. But that’s just part of the island’s charm.

Don’t forget to confirm with your rental company where you’re allowed to take the car, quad, or scooter. Parts of Milos island (like popular Kleftiko) are off-limits due to poor roads.

Not to worry, any place you can’t reach by car is well-served by boat trips.

Now let’s talk about where to stay!

Best places to stay on Milos

Since Milos is a more recent entrant to the tourism scene, there are fewer hotels around the island. So it pays to book well in advance, especially if you visit in July or August.

Hotels are primarily centered in the main port town of Adamas and the seaside town of Pollonia. But you’ll find a handful located near the popular beach areas.

I prefer staying in Adamas for the convenience of being close to town for restaurants and shops and the port for arrival and departure. And it’s easy to drive out to the other parts of the island during the day.

Here are my 3 favorite hotels on Milos:

1. Best Hotel for Romance

Cave Suites Milos – If you’re seeking the “Santorini hotel experience” on Milos, this is the hotel for you. Each spacious suite here comes complete with a private pool. Located close Sarakiniko, this gorgeous property is a 5-star option in a sea of lovely 3-star hotels.

Or, for a more affordable Santorini-style option, try the adults-only Volcano Luxury Suites Milos.

2. Best Apartment-Style Hotel

White Rock Milos Suites – This Adamas hotel offers 1, 2, and 3-bedroom well-appointed suites so it’s perfect if you’re traveling with the whole family (or you just like more space!).

3. Best Budget-Friendly Hotel

Hotel Ippocampos Studios -This hotel is a great budget option close to Adamas. It’s also where we chose to stay on our last visit and our room was bright and spacious. It also had a balcony with a lovely sunset view over Adamas and the walk to town was less than 15 minutes.

So don’t wait…plan your trip to the Greek Island of Milos now!

As the legacy of mining on Milos gives way to a future of tourism, now’s the time to visit. While Milos still feels relatively undiscovered,

With the island’s laid-back vibe and all those incredible beaches, Milos won’t be a secret for long.

Looking for more fabulous Greek Islands to visit? Start here:

5 Reasons to Fall in Love with Paros Greece (Hint: Antiparos is one)

7 Reasons Naxos is the Best Greek Island (for Pretty Much Everything)

Greek Island Showdown: Naxos or Paros – Which one is BEST for You?

Things to Do in Crete Greece: The Ideal Itinerary for 5 Perfect Days

Sparkling Symi is the Best Greek Island You’ve Never Heard Of

viera from the Greek Island of Corfu