Things to do in Milos: A Complete Travel Guide to White Cliffs, Ancient Ruins, Hidden Beaches, Local Villages, and Natural Wonders in the Heart of Greek Cyclades
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The island of Milos can be called the most amazing place in Greece. The landscape of the island is impressive: a coastline riddled with colorful rocks, picturesque beaches, including for those who like to swim alone, fishing villages with brightly colored houses at the water’s edge and boat garages.
Today I will tell you about visiting this island, how to get to it, what you can see here, about excursions and other useful information for tourists who want to visit the island of Milos
Milos - Aphrodite's island with an active volcano: worth a trip
If tourists want the romance of the Greek islands – white houses on the hillside, blue sea, bright sunsets – they will certainly think of Santorini. Travel agencies are more likely to recommend Crete, Corfu and peninsular Halkidiki. We asked advice from the Greeks themselves, and they say with one voice that the most fabulous of the well accessible and not tourist-centered places in Greece is the island of Milos in the Cyclades.
Among the islands of the Aegean Sea and spoiled Greeks with excellent beaches and antique finds, there are pearls, about which even Hellenes speak with breath. Milos is one of them. And even if you’ve never heard of it, you’ve probably come across its cultural heritage – it’s where the statue of Venus, which is considered the pride of the Louvre in Paris, was found.
Culture-culture, but Milos will find the key to the absolutely indifferent to antiquity personalities. After all, in addition to the historical heritage (perhaps one of the richest in Greece), it can offer visitors one of the most famous sunsets in Aegean, an active volcano, caves, sea cliffs, clean sea with plenty of beautiful beaches and the charm of traditional Cycladic architecture.
All in all, the island turns out to have an incredibly long history, the same volcanic origin as Santorini, the nicest settlements and, most importantly, spectacular and diverse beaches.
One of the most amazing beaches on Milos is Sarakiniko beach
Climate and weather on the island of Milos - best time to visit the island
Milos has a typical Mediterranean climate with sunny and hot summers and mild and rainy winters.
As on the other islands of the Cyclades archipelago, the summer is inseparable from the seasonal north wind Melthemi, which blows from mid-July to mid-August and is pleasantly refreshing even on the hottest days.
The ideal time to visit the island is between April and September. As a rule, as early as May, the air temperature often reaches 27-30 C and the sea temperature 18-19 C. The peak months of July and August are the months of July and August. In the peak months of July and August, air temperatures can reach 25-35 C and water temperatures can reach 25 C.
It is not uncommon to find days even in early November that allow you to enjoy beach vacations.
How to get to Milos and where the island is located
The island is located in the Aegean Sea, its origin is volcanic, the natural large bay in the center of the island is the mouth of an extinct volcano. A large part of the island is mountainous, the highest point is Mount Elias (748 meters).
Since there is an airport on the island, you have a choice:
- by airplane – the most convenient way to get there is via Athens or Heraklion;
- by ferry – from Athens there are regular flights from three seaports (in summer time up to 5 flights a day, travel time from 3 to 5 hours, cost 50-60 Euros).
In summer time you can easily get here from other Greek islands (for example, from Santorini 2 flights a day, travel time 2 hours, cost 50-55 Euros).
In general, if we talk about the total cost of travel to the island, the most economical options are obtained if you combine a flight to Athens with a ferry. From Athens Airport to the seaport of Piraeus there is a direct bus X96 (round the clock, with an interval of 20 minutes during the day, 40 minutes at night) or use the subway, but in this case you will need to make a change at the station Monastiraki.
A few words about ferries. We went there on a big ferry with room for cars, and it took us four and a half hours. But it was four hours of absolute relaxation in comfortable chairs, on an almost empty ship, the movement of which you almost do not feel.
On the way back we had something like a speedboat – a small, fast-moving vessel filled with people under the strain, which rocked terribly, and our suitcases were piled on the open stern, and they could easily go to the fish for food. Moreover, this “fast ship” was late, and in the end the difference with the liner was only about half an hour.
Ferries to Milos Island
How to get around the island
To get around the island, you can rent cars or, even more conveniently, quad bikes.
Maritime transportation is also very developed here, so from everywhere you will be called for boat trips and excursions, reinforcing their invitation by the fact that some places simply can not be reached by land. And this is really true!
An excellent solution to this issue will be a sailing yacht, you can build the route of your trip, focusing solely on your own desires and preferences.
All villages of the island are connected by buses, the center of all routes is Adamas.
Tip: If you are traveling around the island on your own, it is better not to turn off on suspicious roads – mining is in full swing here, instead of the beach you risk to find yourself in some quarry.
About cabs: In general, I can’t say anything bad about Greek cab drivers, but sometimes there are Greeks, as if with Turkish roots. On the phone, the female dispatcher told us that a cab to Adamas would cost 15 euros.
We got in the car to a cheerful guy with bad English, and on the way word for word we found out that “in general it costs 20 euros, but you are great guys, so I’ll charge you only 18”. In general, the trip was tense, especially since we flatly refused to pay the extra 3 euros.
Places on Milos island worth visiting with a sea excursion (for those already in Milos)
You know, Milos is just an incredible island that I definitely recommend visiting to everyone planning a trip to Greece! If going to the island for the first time, from my own experience I’ll say – it’s best to start getting acquainted with Milos through excursions, because some of the coolest places, like the pirate caves of Kleftiko, are accessible only from the sea.
For the first trip, I usually recommend group tours (costing 40-80 euros) – this way you can save money and meet cool people, but if you want more freedom in choosing routes and personal space – there are private tours from 150 euros per boat.
So what places in Milos are worth visiting on excursions?
- Sarakiniko – an incredible white “lunar” beach with turquoise water. A fantastic place for photos and jumping into the sea. You can get here during a geological tour lasting 3 hours (77 euros per person). In addition to Sarakiniko Beach, there will also be a study of a volcano that erupted, just so you know, 90,000 years ago, sounds interesting, right?
- Kleftiko Caves – an old pirate hideout with crystal-clear water and white caves. Can only be reached by sea, ideal for kayaking and snorkeling.
You can get here, for example, during the “Mermaids in Kleftiko” tour for 130 euros per person (100 euros for children 6 years and younger). From the tour name, you might think we’re talking about mythical creatures “Mermaids,” but in reality it’s a type of swimming with a monofin (attached to both legs and imitates the movement form of these creatures).
If you want something more familiar – a morning catamaran cruise south to Kleftiko for 130 euros in off-season (April, May, October) and 155 euros in season (June-September). The price includes: comfortable catamaran, visiting several bays and caves, lunch on board (meat or vegetarian option) and diving equipment.
- Tsigrado and Gerakas beaches – cozy bays with transparent water. To Tsigrado you need to descend by rope ladders – a real adventure! You can get here during a kayaking trip (60 euros per person).
- Agia Kyriaki Bay – a wonderful sandy beach with traditional taverns. The perfect place to eat fresh fish and admire the sunset. By the way, here you can rent a boat for 210 euros (up to 5 people per boat). Just imagine: independent exploration of southern beaches, without a driver’s license (a full boat operation briefing will be conducted before departure). But I’ll say right away, you’ll have to pay for fuel (at the start there will be a full tank, and after returning you need to pay for the amount you used).
If piloting a boat yourself is scary, then you can go on a cruise of Milos’ southern beaches with a visit to Agia Kyriaki (66 euros per adult and 33 euros per child aged 3 to 10). Visiting the best bays in the south of the island, with lunch at a local tavern included in the price (by the way, you can choose departure in the first or second half of the day).
- Sykia Cave – a unique cave with a natural pool and a “window” in the ceiling. Accessible only by sea, a wonderful place for swimming and photography. During an adventure cruise you can explore the Kleftiko and Sykia caves (160 euros per person) and swim in a natural pool. A nice bonus is lunch which is included in the price.
All these places offer something special: from active recreation to peaceful nature contemplation, from gastronomic pleasures to incredible photo locations. I think every travel lover will find something for themselves here.
Milos sights: what there is to see
Milos is one of the first islands in the Cyclades archipelago to be inhabited by man. This is evidenced by numerous finds of worked stone, as well as Neolithic ruins near the village of Filakopi.
The first city on Milos appeared in the early Cycladic era – in the III millennium BC, that is, long before the blossoming of the famous Minoan civilization. The Minoans, however, did not neglect Milos either. They were followed by the Mycenaeans, Dorians, Romans, Byzantines, Franks, Venetians, Turks, and only in 1832 the island returned to Greek rule.
The current capital of the island, Plaka, is considered one of the most pleasant settlements in the Cyclades. Due to the fact that Plaka is located 200 meters above sea level, it offers a picturesque panorama of the sunset.
The castle of the Franks, the Church of Our Lady of Thalassitra and the archaeological museum with numerous exhibits are worth seeing here.
To the south of Plaka you can visit the ruins of the ancient city of Milos. There are still traces of the city fortification, the foundations of the temple and the remains of the ancient theater. It was here in 1820 that a Greek peasant discovered the famous statue of Venus, which, thanks to the diligence of the French, now adorns the Louvre.
Not far from ancient Milos are the famous early Christian catacombs of the 3rd century AD. – necropolis, where several thousand people found their final resting place.
At the southern tip of the island is Kleftiko, a breathtakingly beautiful area with huge white rocks, islets and a sea pirate cave.
Not far from Milos there are several islets, less developed in terms of tourism, where you can make short excursions for lovers of secluded rest. The most significant of these is Kimolos.
Adamas - the picturesque port of Milos
So, Milos. If you find it on maps, you can clearly see the shape of a horseshoe with a large inner harbor. It is there, inside the horseshoe, that liners from the big land come. There is the port of the island and the main town – Adamas (Adamantas).
Mostly, tourists settle there, although there are other villages on the island, in which tourist life will have its own peculiarities. We chose to live in Aggelos Studios apartments – for those who will be by car all the time, it is a great option, but for us it was a bit stressful on a hot day to walk several times to stores, buses, cafes for 20 minutes one way.
Adamas stretches along the harbor for several kilometers, but it feels like it’s poorly designed for pedestrians. The sidewalks are narrow, and where there are sidewalks, they are often clogged with mopeds and parked cars. In other cities of the island the situation is similar, but they are much less touristy, so there are fewer cars. The roads, by the way, are narrow, one lane in each direction, the highway is not built here. Trees in the residential part of Milos are not very many, but white houses are framed by bright shrubs.
In Adamas there are two beaches at different ends of the city stretching along the coast, but we have been only on the one closest to us and the one farthest from the port. It’s a narrow strip of land sandwiched between the road and the bay, with a gentle entrance to the water (even too gentle). I would call it an earthen or grassy beach, something similar to beaches on lakes.
On the beach there are sunbeds belonging to cafes – you can use them, the bill (if I’m not mistaken, three euros) will not be brought immediately, and you have to pay at the exit. Unfortunately, this particular beach I have not photographed, so take my word for it.
May be useful: hotels and apartments in Adamas
Sarakiniko Beach
But there are a number of beaches on Milos that cannot be missed. The main one is Sarakiniko. It really is an ethereal place, just a miracle. It is also the most photographed place on the island, which is also quite understandable. White rocks like pure chalk drop into the blue water, as if in a pool. The bottom is visible in the smallest detail, even scary.
Almost the entire coastline is quite bizarre, riddled with natural caves. Over time, in some caves, the ceiling breaks through, and you get such wells or ponds. As such, there is a beach here, but it is tiny, located in a shallow “lip”, and the water there is murky.
They say that if you swim there, you come out on land all white. So it is better to find more or less acceptable descent into the water on the rocks – it is quite possible. Or jump straight from the rocks – this is for the desperate, but there are quite a few of them here.
The scenery on Sarakiniko beach is mesmerizing, it is unlikely to be seen anywhere else like this
There is also no greenery at all on Sarakiniko. Shade can only be found in the caves, but it seems that people only go there to change clothes or to take a dump. Meanwhile, this whole island was popular with pirates.
There are many small islands with secluded coves around, making it easy to evade pursuit. Sarakiniko is full of natural caves and easy to create artificial ones. Here near the shore the remains of some ship can be seen from the water – it may be a decoration, but it is very appropriate.
After swimming in the cleanest water, from Sarakiniko we took a bus to Adamas, and there we took a flight to Polonia. Since the island is small, it doesn’t take much time to transfer.
While waiting for the transfer at the main station of Adamas you can go to one of the many cafes, taverns, souvlaki. But I would especially recommend the takeaway souvlaki right at the stop – quick, tasty and only 3 euros for a full meal!
It may be useful: see excursions with a visit to Sarakiniko beach at this link
And this is what the water entry at the beach looks like, which is also unusual
For those already in Milos and eager to see even more than its unsurpassed nature, I recommend taking a mini-cruise by speedboat or yacht to neighboring islands (also, this option is suitable for those who are not in Milos for the first time and want to see something new).
Mini-cruises, in my opinion, are not just a way to see local landscapes, it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in the magical world of Milos and its neighboring islands, remote beaches and mysterious caves. Personally for me, such trips are the best way to fully enjoy the beauty of the Aegean Sea and learn about its hidden treasures.
Therefore, I want to share our list of tours to the neighboring islands of Milos – Poliegos and Kimolos, which we marked for ourselves as ones we would like to visit personally:
Cruises to Poliegos:
- Full-day cruise: by catamaran to Poliegos from Milos: 230 euros per person, 10 hours of real pleasure! The price includes a luxurious Greek lunch, unlimited drinks and diving near the “Blue Lagoon.” The captain knows secret bays where there are almost no tourists.
- Cruise from Adamas to Poliegos and Milos beaches: 239 euros for adults (175 euros for children aged 3-13). Similar route to the previous one, but with longer stops for swimming. They provide snorkeling masks, a delicious lunch and an open bar on board (wine, water, beer, coffee and other soft drinks). The feature is visiting the famous “Silver Beach.”
Tours to Kimolos:
- Fishing tour (our favorite! I think we’ll definitely go on this tour during our next visit to Milos): The price is the same all year – 120 euros per person, and duration 7 hours. All fishing equipment is included in the price, so you can catch your own lunch! The guide teaches traditional Greek fishing methods, and then grills the tourists’ catch. A very interesting and unusual tour, with the freshest fish that could possibly be.
- Private tour of Kimolos and Poliegos islands: 1450 euros per boat for a group of up to 2 people (725 euros per person) for 4-8 hours. During this private tour, travelers will visit both Kimolos and Poliegos. The advantage over regular group trips is that you can choose the bays for stops yourself. The guide will tell local legends and show the most beautiful caves. In addition, tourists will be able to see the volcanic seabed while snorkeling and SUP paddling.
Papafragas Caves
From the bus to Polonia we got off at Papafragas. In fact, this beach, if you can call it that, is similar to Sarakiniko: the same white, but with a patina of sand and grass, rocks, caves, stunning color water. But it is the ponds that are of special interest here.
These are long “lips” going deep into the land, which used to be caves. In the depths of them is a small beach, which, by the way, is not easy to get to. And from there, vacationers walk along the shallow waters of the “lip” to the open sea.
There is one cave there, in which the ceiling collapsed in parts. If you swim to it by sea, you have to go through a series of arches and wells, which gives some flavor of the discoverer of such a swim.
And in general, of course, it’s incredible how the cave holes in these straight sheer cliffs came to be? Who needed to come down here on a rope to make this hole in the wall?
It may be useful: see tours with a visit to Papafragas Cave at this link
Why is Papafragas caves in the title and not the beach? Because you literally have to walk through a cave to get to the water
Polonia
You can also walk from Papafragas to Polonia, but why do it when there is a bus. Near these rocks there are ancient, Neolithic ruins of Filakopi, but they are closed, as we realized. Still, the fact that civilization flourished here 2-2,5 thousand years ago stirs the mind.
Polonia itself is named after the temple of Apollo that was located here. Now it is a small provincial village with beaches and yachts. The biggest and most famous local beach is right in the center, in the bay.
It is sandy and the bottom is very gentle, such a family cozy beach with changing cabins. Everyone is surprised at first that very close to the shore, it seems, there are boats and yachts on the pier, but in fact it turns out that there is enough space for everyone.
And if you cross the cape to the north, you will see beautiful sunsets. In general, the sunsets on Milos are unprecedentedly beautiful, and the ones we saw here in Polonia claim to be the best in my life.
We were not the only ones who came to admire them, someone thoughtfully took a bottle of Greek wine. By the way, if in the bay was completely windless and quiet, then here, just a couple of hundred meters away, the waves were whipping. And the shore from this side is rocky, while the bay is sandy. That’s how versatile Milos is.
Views of Polonia, quite a cozy and quiet town
Paliochori Beach
On some websites the most beautiful beach is called Paliohori beach. There is a bus there, it takes about half an hour to get there. We go down to this miracle beach and see a narrow strip of small pebbles, sometimes bumping into a concrete wall, and blue water covered with brown foaming film. We have never experienced such disappointment. People – on fingers to count, no one even asked us for money for sun beds.
Paliohori is praised for its colorful rocks, and in fact in several places the rocks have an interesting green or red cast. There are also nice pebbles, like scattered beads.
The beach is interesting because some volcanic springs come to the surface there (maybe they caused that film on the water), so the local cafe cooks “volcanic food” by burying the dish in the sand.
If you walk the whole first beach to the left, after a small pass you will discover the second, more closed beach. There are no umbrellas or cafes there anymore. And at the very pass in front of the second beach nudists settled down.
In general, it seemed to us that there are catastrophically many of them here! They met us in different places, and sometimes lay a couple of meters from the equipped beach in full view of everyone. I do not want to fall into moralizing, but I believe that for nude recreation should be separate beaches.
The scenery at Paliochori beach, in some places the sunbeds are completely under the rocks
If you just want to relax and see Milos from all sides, then the best solution would be cruises around the island. Such tours are quite similar to those visiting neighboring islands, only here more attention will be focused on Milos itself and its coast. Although during such tours, visits to Poliegos and Kimolos are not excluded. Among various options of similar cruises, I can highlight the following:
- Private tour from Agia Kyriaki: Fixed price all year – 210 euros per boat (up to 5 people) for 4-8 hours. The coolest thing is that you can steer yourself, without a license! The team will explain everything and recommend the best bays. Ideal for those who love freedom and privacy – stop where and when you want.
- Cruise from Adamas around Milos to Sykia Cave and to neighboring Poliegos: 200 euros per person, duration 9.5 hours. The price, in addition to the tour and guide, includes breakfast and lunch, snorkeling equipment and photos from the trip. You’ll visit the unique cave-pool Sykia, swim to several bays for snorkeling. The guide tells exciting stories about pirates – the atmosphere should be just incredible!
P.S. A little life hack from me – don’t forget to take a waterproof phone case or camera. Believe me, you’ll want to take photos constantly!
Ancient city on Milos
First of all, Milos is known as the island where the statue of Venus of Milos was found. On the road from Plaka to the catacombs there is a signpost with the specific location of the find.
This road goes through the ancient city (or rather the place where it was located) with the theater, the catacombs and to the coastal village of Klima, I highly recommend paying attention to it. We went down and up on foot, partly on a countryside footpath.
We left Plaka at Studio Halaras, and back up the paved road on the outskirts of Tripiti. You can take a bus to the Catacombs stop, or you can take a cab – it’s the closest walk from the parking lot to the catacombs themselves.
Just off the road is an ancient theater from Roman times on an even older foundation. It is in pretty good condition, they say that they even give performances there until now. The walls of the ancient city can also be found there, but we must have passed them by.
A walking trail through the old ancient city, or rather the place where it was. By the way, the views are gorgeous
Catacombs of Milos
The early Christian catacombs, however, are in much better condition. Because of them, the island was even declared sacred, because it is one of the earliest surviving Christian sites of this kind.
This is the end of the first century AD – the first people buried here could have seen the apostles or Christ himself (especially, according to some reports, the Apostle Paul stayed on Milos).
Catacombs are a cemetery and a church at the same time. It was forbidden to profess Christianity at that time, so the believers gathered secretly. In addition, until now the altar is a place sanctified by holy relics, and here, in the cemetery, the relics were enough for that.
In total, according to some estimates, about 2,000 people are buried here! The aisles diverge in different directions, bifurcate. People were buried in niches and in the floor, often several people in one niche, one after another. Some inscriptions on the walls have been preserved. The catacombs were explored in 1843, but before that they were visited by plunderers.
Now the catacombs are partially open to visitors. In small groups they are let inside with a guide who speaks English and a little French. We went there twice, the first time we got there on a weekend and at the end of our vacation on Milos, we visited them again.
From the catacombs you can walk down to the old village of Climate on the coast. It’s usually highly recommended because of the sirmata, which are these boat garages by the water with brightly colored gates and a rest room upstairs.
You may find it useful: see excursions with a visit to the catacombs of Milos at this link
The mesmerizing catacombs of Milos, the last photo shows the catacombs’ opening schedule
Milos island is a true paradise for those who value nature, history and incredible landscapes. If you haven’t been here yet, Milos definitely has several stunning surprises that will enchant you. I’ve identified three main reasons, in my opinion, why this island should be added to your vacation destinations list. They combine everything that makes Milos unique – from its unsurpassed beaches to historical treasures.
- Beautiful beaches: Milos has unique beaches, such as Sarakiniko with its white volcanic cliffs and turquoise water. This place is perfect for photos and jumping into the sea. By the way, to visit most of the popular beaches on the island, I recommend going on an excursion to the southern beaches of Milos, which costs 66 euros (33 euros for children aged 3-10), lasts 4 hours and includes cold drinks and snacks on board in the price.
- Fishing: Local waters are rich in various fish, and local fishermen will gladly share their fishing secrets. This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy fresh fish. And the best way to see traditional fishing, try catching fish yourself and immediately taste the prepared catch is a fishing excursion with a visit to Poliegos and Kimolos (for 120 euros in any season, duration 7 hours and includes all necessary fishing gear and a guide in the price).
- “Mermaid” experience (swimming): Becoming a mermaid with PADI is a unique way to combine swimming, water jumps and choreography in one exciting activity. Here tourists will be fitted with a monofin and taught to move like a real mythical creature, which will add new colors to this, let’s say, workout. This activity will not only help you stay in shape, but also bring a sea of pleasure, new impressions and sensations. I recommend a small tour with the opportunity to “become a mermaid,” which costs 130 euros in any season, lasts 4 hours and includes all necessary equipment and guide services.
Honestly speaking, these excursions are not just entertainment, they’re a way to fall in love with Milos forever. Each of them is special in its own way and leaves unique impressions. So don’t hesitate – book and enjoy!
Milos (Plaka) is the current capital of the island
After our walk to the catacombs, we returned to Plaka. Everything seems so simple about it, but there are simply no other words but “inspiring”, “cozy”, “elegant”, “spiritualized”. If I were an artist, I would come here for inspiration.
Narrow pedestrian streets flowing into staircases, balconies and courtyards winding through turns and dead ends. White houses with contrasting blue and green windows and doors. And brightly colored flowers on this background, cats, cafes on the streets and handmade shops. What is there to say, see for yourself.
Plaka is the modern capital of the island, the most picturesque settlement. It is located at an altitude of 200 meters on a hill, you can get here only on foot (transport will have to leave at the foot of the hill). Here you should definitely see the Church of Our Lady of Thalassitra (Sea), the castle of the Franks (Crusaders), Archaeological and Ethnographic Museums.
By the way, the ground is mostly covered with asphalt, which is so unusually painted to look like paving stones – to keep the atmosphere. It is slippery in places, be careful. What happens there when streams run down these stairs in the rain, it’s scary to imagine. But how many of those rainy days a year is nothing at all.
The ruins of the old fortress overhang over Plaka, and on the very top of the mountain stands a new church (which looks, however, quite like the old churches of the island). It is very worth climbing up to this church, it is quite manageable, although you should be careful. First of all, it is the highest part of the island and offers a view of the whole of Milos.
Secondly, the sunsets. Those who have been to Santorini assure that the sunsets on Milos are not worse. However, as on Santorini, there is almost no chance that you will meet the sunset alone. Although you’re still likely to find places to sit down and drink Greek drinks and take a billion photos without the crowds in the background.
If you can’t climb to the top of the mountain, you can still enjoy the sunset, for example, at the Utopia Cafe. True, there will be more people there.
It may be useful: see all available hotels and apartments in Plaka here.
The cozy streets of Plaka, the current capital of Milos
Hotels in Milos: where to stay on the island if you are traveling on your own
Most of the hotels are located in Plaka, Adamas, Pollonia. These are the three largest villages on the island. There are a variety of accommodation options ranging from small apartments and family hotels to romantic suites and luxury villas.
If you prefer privacy, choose accommodation in Plathiena, where you will find a nice beach, Sarakiniko, where you will find a beach surrounded by white cliffs, Paleochori, where you will find a nice sandy beach.
You can find all available hotels and apartments on the island of Milos by clicking here.