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

Tiny Milos is one of the best Greek Islands for beaches (like post-card perfect Sarakiniko). Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit.

With dozens of popular islands to choose from, it’s easy for a tiny gem like Milos Greece (also known as Mylos Greece) to get lost in the treasure chest that is the Greek Islands.

But with more than 70 unique beaches, the Greek Island of Milos wows visitors with perhaps the most dramatic coastline in all of the Greek Islands.

From the soaring white cliffs at Kleftiko and the lunar landscape of Sarakiniko to the multicolored, ramshackle boat houses wedged between earth and sea, Milos Island Greece is a true work of art.

In fact, the Venus de Milo was rediscovered right here on Milos in 1820. The famous Greek sculpture (believed to be Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty) has stood in the Louvre ever since.

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. 

Where is Milos Greece?

Located in the southernmost part of the Cyclades island group, Milos, Greece enjoys an enviable position in the Aegean Sea. The island is within easy reach by ferry of Naxos, Paros, and Santorini.

Milos owes its dramatic beauty to its volcanic heritage. Volcanic activity has shaped the island’s incredible rock formations, steep cliffs, and fascinating caves making it a bit of an open-air geology museum.

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

But these days, the mining industry is slowly giving way to tourism. Which means there’s simply no better time to visit.

But first, before I move on to all things Milos island, a few words about traveling to Greece this summer.

Traveling to Greece in 2024

If you’re headed to Greece this summer this one is required reading. From entry requirements to the essentials of island-hopping, here’s every little thing you need to know:

And now, back to our lovely Milos Greek Island paradise!

Is Milos worth visiting?

With so many amazing Greek islands to choose from, picking the right island (or islands) for you can be the hardest part of planning a holiday to Greece.

So what makes Milos the perfect choice?

Of all the Greek islands I have visited, Milos has – by far – the most unique and diverse beaches. And that’s reason enough for most visitors.

But it also has just the right amount of tourist infrastructure. Enough hotels, restaurants, and activities to keep visitors busy for a few days, a week, or more. Yet the island still maintains a laid-back, undiscovered vibe.

So, is Milos Greece worth visiting? 100% yes, this stunning Greek island is absolutely worth visiting.

And that’s why I consider it one of The 7 Best Greek Islands to Visit This Summer (2024)

The bottom line? Milos still feels like an authentic Greek island mostly untouched by tourism.

So now, you might ask…

How many days do you need in Milos?

Since we were island-hopping on our visit, we only planned 3 days on Milos. But I wish we had stayed longer. You could easily spend a week or more exploring the island’s incredible beaches and lovely towns.

But if you’re short on time, or if you want to squeeze multiple islands into your itinerary, you can definitely see the highlights in 2 full days (like we did). Though it won’t leave much time for enjoying all those beautiful empty beaches!

Is Milos Greece a party island?

If you’re headed to the Greek Islands for nightlife, you’ll probably be happier on Mykonos or Paros. Milos isn’t really considered a “party island.”

That said, you will find a few bars and clubs in the main port of Adamas to satisfy any cravings for late-night cocktails or dancing. But around the rest of the island, nightlife is mostly limited to a few lively lounge bars or seaside tavernas.

So if you’re looking for a lively Greek Island Milos probably isn’t the best choice (just one more reason I love it!).

How to Get to Milos Greece – Flight or Ferry?

Once you arrive in Greece Milos is easy to reach. There are two ways to get to Milos:

• A flight or ferry from Athens.
• Or, a ferry from a neighboring island like Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Ios, or Naxos.

Flights to Milos from Athens

Olympic Airlines operates 3 to 4 flights a day from Athens to Milos during the peak summer season. Olympic is 100% owned by Aegean Airlines and you can book your flights on either website (schedules and pricing are the same).

The flight time is a quick 40 minutes and flights are often well under EUR 100 one-way when booked far enough in advance. Tip: With Aegean and Olympic, the earlier you book the cheaper the flights.

Ferries to Milos from Athens

Ferries from Athens to Milos depart from the Piraeus port in Athens. Piraeus is approximately 7 miles from downtown Athens (a 20-minute drive by taxi) and 31 miles from the airport (a 40-minute drive by taxi, cost EUR 50-70).

There are also frequent bus connections from the airport (cost EUR 6, travel time is at least an hour). 

The ferry takes as little as 2h 30m on the Seajet high-speed ferry with just one stop in Sifnos. Or the journey 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. There’s also a brand new ferry route from fabulous Chania, Crete for summer 2024.

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

Do I need a rental car on Milos?

Like most Greek islands, Milos has a good local bus system that will get you to most of the best places to visit on the island.

If you decide to use the bus to get around Milos, I highly recommend staying in Milos town – called Adamas – 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.

Quad bikes and scooters are even cheaper but not as comfortable.

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 on Milos island is fairly straightforward. In the northwestern part of the island through the towns of Plaka and Tripiti, it can be a little challenging (think narrow roads and few directional signs).

But along the northern coast and southern coast (where you’ll do most of your driving to reach the beaches) the roads are good 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 on the island 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.

Best places to stay on Milos

Since Milos is newer to the tourism scene than its long-popular neighbors, there are fewer hotels to choose from. So, as with a car, book well in advance, especially if you plan to visit in July or August.

Hotels are primarily located in the main port town of Adamas, the hilltop capital of Plaka, or the seaside town of Pollonia. But there are also some located close to the popular beach areas.

We stayed in Adamas and enjoyed the convenience of being close to town for restaurants and shops and being close to the port for arrival and departure. Plus, it was easy to drive out to the other parts of the island during the day.

Here are 3 terrific hotel choices on Milos island:

1. Best Hotel for Couples

Cave Suites Milos – Located close to the island’s most unique beach, Sarakiniko, this new hotel is a 5-star option in a sea of lovely 3-star hotels. If you’re seeking the “Santorini hotel experience” on Milos, this is the hotel for you. Spacious suites here each come complete with a private pool.

Or, for a more affordable Santorini-style option, try Volcano Luxury Suites Milos where rooms come with a private hot tub on the terrace. Tip: For either of these hotels, you’ll definitely want to have a car.

2. Best Hotel for Families

White Rock Milos Suites – Located in Adamas town with plenty of shops and restaurants within a short walk. This hotel offers 1, 2, and 3 bedroom well-appointed apartments making it a great option if you’re traveling with the whole family or if you just like a little extra space.

3. Best Hotel for a Tight Budget

Hotel Ippocampos Studios -This hotel is a great budget option close to Adamas. It’s also where we chose to stay on our recent trip since we were traveling for several weeks and needed something affordable (we splurged later on Paros and Santorini!).

Our room was bright and spacious and had a balcony with a lovely sunset view over Adamas. The walk to town was less than 15 minutes.

5 Best Things to Do in Milos Greece

When it comes to the best things to do Milos has a lot of options. Whether you have just a few days or an entire week, here are the hands-down best things to see and do on the island:

The syrmata are traditional boathouses with a garage on the first floor (to protect the boats from strong winter winds) with a small home for the fisherman above. Each one is painted in a different primary color giving the village the quaintness of a seaside box of crayons.

But you can do more than just visit these colorful boathouses, you can actually stay in one!

Many of the houses have been completely renovated and turned into vacation rentals. If you’re looking for some serious charm for your stay on Milos, try one of these:

Blue Sea House

Milos Apartments Kardapis

Vasealis & Seafis Sirma Klima

All three are just steps from the blue waters and have incredible sunset views. There’s also a seaside restaurant nearby and the catacombs of Milos are just 4km away.

To truly appreciate the dramatic beauty of the coastline, a boat trip around the island is an absolute must. And a boat trip out to the sea caves of Kleftiko makes for a terrific afternoon.

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

And now, let’s talk about all those incredible beaches…

3. Visit the Best Beaches in Milos

The beautiful beaches of Milos are as diverse as they are lovely. From soaring cliffs to sandy coves to otherworldly landscapes, there’s something for every kind of beach lover. Most beaches in Milos are without any facilities (unorganized) so be sure to bring your own snacks and drinks.

Here are 4 beaches on Milos that you simply can’t miss:

1. Sarakiniko Beach

The island’s most iconic beach, Sarakiniko is the first stop on any Milos itinerary. With vast white rock formations sliced by the turquoise Aegean Sea, the whole landscape is truly out of this world. For the adventurous, there are even a few good cliff-jumping spots nearby.

For the less adventurous (that’s me), there’s a small beach area but most people just grab a spot on one of the smooth, lunar-like boulders anywhere along the clear, calm waters.

2. Papafragas Beach

This bottle-green cove is another unique beauty on Milos and one of my favorite spots.

A cave leads to a small sandy beach that grants access to this brilliant natural pool sandwiched between giant imposing rocks. A hole in the rock forms a natural arch where the waters of Papafragas connect with the sea.

3. Tsigrado Beach

This remote beach is only accessible by boat or via a steep double-ladder contraption that is not for the faint of heart. In fact, on our boat trip to Kleftiko, our captain mentioned that a visitor was injured there the day before when someone above them slipped on the ladder.

But if you can’t resist the silky white sands and clear, tranquil waters, don’t worry. There are plenty of organized boat trips that allow for a stop here.

4. Fyropotamos 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.

4. Stroll the hilltop capital of Plaka

Constructed in 1800 with the typical white-washed Cycladic architecture, the picturesque village of Plaka is a must. The town’s narrow, paved alleys are lined with traditional tavernas, cafes, and shops.

And since the village is situated on a hill, it offers panoramic views over the Aegean Sea. It’s also a great place to soak up the sunset views.

If there’s time, don’t miss a stop at the Archeological Museum to view the replica of the Venus de Milo.

5. Visit the seaside town of Pollonia

Built around a lovely, calm inlet, Pollonia is the 2nd most popular area for tourism. With plenty of hotels, restaurants, and shops, it’s a great place to stop for lunch by the sea.

The sleepy fishing village is a quieter alternative to staying in Adamas and can be a terrific home base while visiting the island (Heliotropio Studios is a great hotel choice in town).

From Pollonia, you can also take a boat trip over to Kimolos islet where you’ll find more lovely, empty beaches and just one small village.

Hungry? Here’s one restaurant you can’t miss on Milos

And if all that exploring has left you famished, head back to Adamas for this unmissable restaurant.

When both our taxi driver and our hotel recommended the same restaurant (and only that restaurant), we knew we had to give it a try.

And I’m so glad we did, it was the best meal we had during our whole 2-week trip around the Greek Islands.

Located just outside Adamas port on the road to the airport, “Oh! Hamos” is a little Garden of Eden just across the street from the sea.

The restaurant’s quirky name is Greek slang for being crazy and having fun, a name that originated from one too many rakis during a family wedding celebration. And with personalized service and a relaxed seaside environment, you’ll feel like part of the family while you’re there.

Oh! Hamos serves up traditional Greek dishes featuring vegetables and meats produced on their own farm or nearby farms on Milos. They even produce their own homemade cheeses. Portions are hearty and prices are very affordable.

If you only go to one restaurant on Milos, make it this one.

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

As the legacy of mining on Milos island gradually 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 Greece 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

The Meaning of Mykonos: The Island that Inspired a Lifetime of Wanderlust

How to Plan the Perfect Santorini Honeymoon (on a budget!)

How to Make the Most of 24 Hours on the Greek Island of Rhodes

Mykonos Greece, Glorious Greece

How to Visit Saranda & the Albanian Riviera from the Greek Island of Corfu