Milos Island was the second Cyclades island I visited after Mykonos. It’s natural beauty is well known throughout all of Greece with its stunning caldera formations and sandy beaches. Milos is known for its laid back vibe compared to neighboring Santorini and Mykonos, but offers unspoiled natural beauty in its beaches and natural phenomenons.
Milos is also known as one of the premier culinary destinations which I can totally attest to. I didn’t really know this before visiting the island but was left blown away by the food I had there. They have numerous special cheeses locally sourced, delicious slow cooked lamb and goat meats, and some of the best restaurants I visited in the Cyclades.
Milos is a quiet island, none of the rowdy nightlife that makes Ios and Mykonos famous. Mostly I saw families and couples. So really, it depends what you’re looking for on a Greek island adventure. If you’re looking to spend a few chill days among some incredible scenery, I definitely recommend Milos.
Santorini was one of the islands I visited on my month long trip island hopping through the Cyclades. If you’re also planning a multi-island trip through the Cyclades, make sure to read my itinerary and guide to planning your own Greek island hopping trip!
How to get to Milos
Milos is well connected by the Greek ferry system. There are numerous ferry companies in the Cyclades that service all the islands. Milos, being one of the larger islands, sees many daily ferries.
There is also an airport in Milos that has regular flights from Athens Airport.
When to best visit Milos?
Milos is located in the southwest of the Cyclades in the south Aegean. The climate in the cycladic islands are pretty much all the same. It enjoys a mild and pleasant climate all year round.
In the summer months, temperatures are highest around 30 degrees or so during the day and dropping to 24 or so at night. The days are normally sunny for months on end. I spent all of July and August traveling around the Cyclades and it was only cloudy or rained one day. Every day is paradise in the summer months.
The shoulder seasons from Sep to Nov and Apr to June and also quite pleasant but you will see some days of cloud and rain, albeit still not that bad. However, I have heard that November can be particularly bad with the rain/clouds.
The winter months or off season is usually colder but temperatures never really drop below 10 degrees. These months between Nov to Mar are the slowest months and tourism usually grinds to a halt.
When is the best time to visit Milos?
So what is the best time to Visit Milos? It really depends on what you’re after. If you want non stop hot sun, then you will need to visit in the summer. These are the best months to swim in the ocean as the water temperatures will be a pleasant 24 to 25 degrees. However, this is also when all of Greece and the rest of Europe also choose to visit Greece so the crowds will be at their peak.
Prices will be the highest between June and Sep (particularly July and August). I visited the Cyclades during Coronavirus times so even during the peak months it was not overwhelming but there were still a good amount of people. I can only imagine what Milos and other islands would be like during a typical summer.
If I were to return to the Cyclades, I would come during the shoulder months, particularly May or October. These months, while not as hot as summer months, will still be very pleasant in the 20-25c range. I’m not crazy about the beaches in the Cyclades as I don’t really find them to be that beautiful so I can deal with not swimming in the ocean. However, the prices for accommodation will be 30% lower, and the crowds will be at least 50% lower.
Getting around Milos
Milos, like pretty much every other island in the Cyclades is really meant for a DIY type of adventure. While there are cabs you can take, they are not cheap and not easy if you’re looking to explore multiple places. If you’re staying in the Chora and just want a cab ride to the nearest beach, then that will suffice but otherwise it’s best to have your own transportation.
In Milos, the best way to get around is by scooter or ATV in my opinion. Cars are also an option but I always prefer a good scooter as it’s more interesting.
Rent an ATV or Scooter
Renting an ATV can be done pretty much anywhere on the island. There are countless shops in the Chora that have scooter/ATV rentals so there’s no need to book before hand. Prices are mostly set but there is always some negotiation room but do not expect to get huge discounts because the shops work with each other to form a minimum price.
ATVs can be rented for around €30-40 depending on the motor size. Gas is not included in the price but they do not take much. Scooters can be had for around €20 for a 125cc engine.
You will need an EU Drivers license or international drivers license to rent a scooter or ATV
Greece is famously strict about adhering to the drivers license rule. If you have an American drivers license, they will not rent you anything unless you have an international license to go along with it. I did not find anyone that would skirt these rules, even with the shadiest looking of places. Thankfully, living in Europe and having the right US drivers license, I was able to convert mine into a EU license quite easily.
Where to stay in Milos
There are no shortage of places to stay in Milos for all budgets. Whether you’re looking for the utmost in luxury, cute Airbnbs in the old town, or beach villas, everything is available here.
If you’re a solo traveler, then I’d recommend you stay in the old town (same with every other island in the Cyclades) as these towns usually have the most going on and all within walking distance. Furthermore, it’s in the old towns that they have the most picturesque streets to admire!
In Milos, the old historic town is called Plaka. Other islands it’s called Chora and I’m not sure how the reasoning works. Nevertheless, if you’re a solo traveler or if you’re more people that just want to stay where the action is, then the area around Plaka is definitely your spot.
The prices on Milos vary drastically depending on the time of year. June to Sep are the high seasons so expect to pay the most, especially in July and Aug. The shoulder seasons from Apr to Jun and Sep to Nov are usually significantly cheaper. The winter months will be basement prices assuming the hotel/apartment is even open.
I stayed in a beautiful apartment in Mandrakia bay which was well located near to the village and restaurant. It was a bit secluded from the rest and I would rather stay in the Plaka in the future as I was a solo traveler.
Mid Range:
Seashell apartments – Mandrakia Bay
Visit the town of Plaka on the hill
If there’s one town you must visit in Milos, it is the Plaka. This is the main “old town” similar to the Chora in Mykonos. It’s a ten minute drive from the port town of Adamantas (Which isn’t really worth seeing in my opinion) and is absolutely beautiful.
It’s a traditional Cycladic village full of all the beautiful charm you’d expect like whitewashed houses, brightly painted windows and doors, white stroked stone streets, and beautiful flowers abound. The windy narrow streets are easy to get lost in with one beautiful photo spot after another.
Seeing the Plaka after having just been in Mykonos was a nice contrast. Milos Plaka is not as big as the Chora in Mykonos but it oozes every bit of charm that Mykonos has, if not more. Because it is so much smaller, less frequented, and on the top of a hill, I actually liked it even more!
Sunset at Utopia Cafe
If you’re after a good sunset bar with drinks, look no further than Utopia Cafe. It’s located in the Plaka on a terrace that has unobstructed views of the ocean. The sun also sets directly in front of the bar descending into the ocean. Plaka’s altitude makes the views even more stunning as you can see down into the ocean. It’s kind of like Santorini.
It gets busy here as everyone else is looking for the same views so make sure to come early. I came around 6:30pm and it was already mostly full. Thankfully someone left (who leaves right before the sunset) and I was able to get their spot right in front of the ocean.
Visit Sarakiniko Beach
Without a doubt, Milos most famous attraction is the “Moon Beach” at Sarakiniko Beach. It’s landscape is the main photo used for so many Milos advertisements. For good reason too!
It’s not really a beach but rather a long stretch of white sandstone landscapes that remind me more of the places I saw in the American southwest, but a white version of it that’s also located next to beautiful Mediterranean waters.
There is a beach here as well that is very popular with tourists offering a small sandy patch for you to lay out on. The rocks themselves are flat and also comfortable to lay on so there’s no shortage of space here. There is also a cliff jump here for those that are brave enough. It wasn’t realy that high though so everyone can try it.
The Sarakiniko beach is located near Adamas and is easily accessible by car, scooter, or ATV. There is also a public bus that comes here as well.
It’s a very popular attraction so expect some crowds here, especially at the beach. However, just simply walk further into the park and it’s easy to be left alone admiring the beautiful otherworldly landscapes!
Visit the Ancient Theater of Milos
The Ancient Theater of Milos is a must visit. While not as grand as the one in Athens, it is very well preserved and offers stunning views of the sea.
It’s a little bit of a drive down windy roads to get to the entrance of this theater but is totally worth it in the end. There are very few tourists that come here and I was the only person here at one point. The theater dates back to the 3rd century BC during Roman times. It was destroyed but rebuilt out of marble.
Another fun fact about this site is it was the original place of the statue of Aphrodite. It’s probably one of the most famous statues in the world and currently resides in the Louvre in Paris. Had no idea it came from Milos!
Polonia Town
Pollonia is located in the North/West part of Milos, in front of the Island of Kimolos, 10 – 15 km from Adamas or Plaka. Pollonia is a small fisherman village built around a pretty, restful tree-lined beach of fine sand, closed by a peer with many restaurants. Pollonia today is very fashionable, close to all beaches of the Northern side and to the nearby islands: Kimolos, Ag. Ghiorgos, Poliegos, and of course, Glaronissia, the impressive small island coming up from the sea with hexagon shaped stones. In addition, boat excursions depart from here.
Visit the numerous beaches in Milos
Milos is known for its collection of fantastic beaches. They are much more stunningly clear and sandy beaches in Milos compared to other islands in the Cyclades. I visited a bunch of them and here are my favorite ones. Note that in the summer months, most of these places get pretty packed and even during Coronavirus times, the beaches were still busy so I ended up not sitting on the beach for many of them.
Mytakas Beach
Mytakas Beach is located next to the Sarakiniko beach. It’s without a doubt my favorite beach that I visited during my time in Milos mainly because it’s a sandy beach with hardly a soul. In fact, I was the only person here when I arrived. I stayed for a few hours and saw only a handful of other people.
I think most people gravitate towards the more well known beaches in the south of the island but this was definitely my spot.
Tsigrado Beach
Another one of the famous beaches in Milos is the Tsigrado Beach. It’s located right next to the Fyriplaka beach and can only be accessed by a ladder and rope down some rocks. It’s a bit of an obstacle course but the water is amazing.
Sadly, it was packed to the bone in July. There was even a queue to use the rope and ladder so I decided to skip it. Howver, the water is very beautiful here and offers some great photo opportunities!
Fyriplaka Beach
This is one of the most famous beaches in Milos. Fyriplaka is a long stretch of sandy beach with a very stunning rocky facade in the background. It reminds me of the red rocky landscapes in Nevada but with clear turquoise waters of the Aegean. The contrast is quite beautiful. It was busier than I was hoping but there is still plenty of space to enjoy.
Where to eat in Milos?
As I mentioned before, Milos is known for its culinary scene. It grows much olives like they do in Zakynthos, Kefalonia, and Crete so they produce the finest Greek olive oil. They also raise sheep and goat here so you can expect to have the freshest foods.
Of all the Cycladic islands I visited, I still think I had my best meals in Milos! Perhaps it’s just the restaurants I was lucky enough to find but really I just went by the recommendations of my Airbnb host.
Medousa Restaurant
Medousa is located in Mandrakia Beach which is in itself worth a visit for the cute fishing town located by the sea. Medoussa specializes in seafood and has a stunning seaside view. You can even see the Octopus hanging drying in the sun.
The food itself is absolutely fantastic. The greek salad with local Milos cheese is divine. The grilled prawns are absolutely to die for, and the smoked eel is perhaps one of the best dishes I’ve had in a long time. I came here twice because well, it was just that good.
Ergina Restaraunt
Ergina is located in the old town next to the town of Plaka. It’s rated the best restaurant on the island so I had to make a visit. Since it is located on the top of a hill, it also affords you stunning views of the sea and the terrain of Milos.
It’s not a fancy place but the food is absolutely delicious. I had a Greek salad with local cheese and the baked goat dish which is their specialty.
O Hamos Restaurant
Saving the best for last, O Hamos restaurant is a famous local taverna that serves only meat dishes. It’s located right on a beach with fabulous views. This place was the busiest restaurant I saw during my entire visit to the Cyclades. I went to eat around 9pm and there was a long line waiting. So I had to wait of course!
The food did not disappoint. Their famous oven roasted lamb was absolutely mind blowing and one of the most delicious things I had in Greece. Do not miss this restaurant if you come to Milos!
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