Milos, Greece: My New Favorite Island for a Summer Holiday

Have you been to Milos, Greece?

Milos, oh Milos. Where do I begin? Of course, most people fall in love with the Greek islands when they first visit. No matter which one you choose, the islands manage to cast a spell on you like the song of the Sirens Odysseus heard so long ago.

However, there is something about Milos island that sets it apart from the other Cycladic islands. As soon as my husband and I stepped off the ferry, we were entranced by the island’s rugged beauty and laid-back lifestyle. There are no ‘tourists’ in Milos like you’ll encounter in Santorini and Mykonos. Milos is about enjoying the sun and sea and letting Mother Nature restore you. Right away, we knew it was a place to truly unwind and forget about life’s problems, if only for a few days.

Now that we are back from one of the most idyllic vacations we have ever taken, I can’t wait to share my tips with you in this Milos, Greece Travel guide. So, are you ready to learn more?

Milos, Greece: The Ultimate Travel Guide

Where is Milos?

First thing’s first. Where is Milos?

Milos is an island that is part of the Cyclades, a group of 220 Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. The island was formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago. It is approximately 117 hundred miles (188 km) south of Athens.

How do you get to Milos?

There are two ways to get to Milos, by boat or plane.

During the high season, ferries leave from Piraeus, the main port in Athens, multiple times a day. Seajets is one of the main ferry companies in Greece and offers both conventional and high-speed ferry routes. The Seajets high-speed ferry takes approximately 2.5 hours and the minimum cost pp is $56. (It costs more if you bring your car on the ferry.) The other companies that travel to Milos are Aegean Speed Lines and Zante Ferries.

You can also fly to Milos. Bear in mind that the airport in Milos is tiny, but a flight to the island gets you there in 40 min versus a minimum of 2.5 – 4 hours on the ferry. Flights are run by Olympic Air (part of Aegean Airlines) and Sky Express. During the high season, there are multiple flights per day. The airport in Milos is located a few km from Adamas, where the port is. Tickets start at around $65 (56 Euros) one way.

The Climate in Milos

Like most of the Greek islands, during the summer months, the weather is hot in Milos. The upside is there is very little humidity so it’s dry heat. That said, I won’t sugarcoat this. It gets very, very hot, starting from 9 am in the morning until about 6:30 pm in the evening. Because Milos has a very arid climate, there are not a lot of trees, so shade is hard to come by. Make sure to bring plenty of sunblock and sun hats to protect yourself from the sun.

(My go-to sunblock is Supergoop, and I always bring a long-sleeved rash guard to protect me from the sun’s harsh rays.)

If you really hate the heat, I recommend traveling to Milos (or any of the Greek islands) during the shoulder seasons, April/May and September/October. The weather will be more bearable, and there will be far fewer crowds.

The Different Towns in Milos, Greece

Compared to other Greek islands, Milos is on the smaller side. However, the island has a few different towns worth visiting. Below is a quick breakdown:

Adamas – Your typical port town. This is where you’ll get to disembark if you take the ferry. While Adamas is a bit touristy, it’s also the island’s central hub and has all of the amenities you need – supermarkets, restaurants, bars, shops, pharmacies, and a gas station.

Klima – A tiny fishing town on the edge of the Aegean with colorful buildings. It’s an excellent place for taking photos, and make sure to visit it during sunset.

Plaka – The island’s capital, Plaka has a magical setting up in the hills. It’s more like the typical, picturesque island town you’ve probably seen in a million photos. Aside from Klima, Plaka is one of the best places on the island to see the sunset.

Pollonia – A small, charming, seaside town opposite the island from Adamas and Plaka, with the main drag of bustling restaurants and shops. We stayed at the Melian Boutique Hotel & Spa, a 9-minute walk from the center of Pollonia. This was our favorite town in Milos (and our favorite hotel in Greece).

Where to stay in Milos 

Melian Boutique Hotel in Pollonia – We are biased because this is where we stayed but the setting is unbeatable and the hospitality was among the best I’ve ever experienced at a hotel. Plus, enjoy epic sunset views every night from your private balcony.

Artemis Deluxe Rooms in Paliochori – Located on the opposite end of the island from most other towns, this hotel offers chic, white decor and an infinity pool.

Milos Cove Hotel, Komia – a 5-star luxury hotel with modern and minimalist suites and villas, a pool and access to a private beach. This hotel is removed from everything else on the island.

Salt Hotel in Pollonia – Right next door to the Melian Hotel, these simple rooms offer incredible sea views.

Santa Maria Suites in Adamas – This centrally located hotel, just outside of Adamas, is ideal for getting around the island. Rooms come with private balconies and a pool.

Asterias Boutique hotel near Pollonia – If you’re looking for no-frills, more affordable accommodations, I recommend Asterias. It is simple, clean, and near one of the popular, unorganized beaches, Papafragas. It’s also about a 10-minute walk from Pollonia.

How to get around Milos Island:

If there is one piece of valuable advice I can share in this Milos travel guide, it’s to book your transport on the island because that is the best way to get around. The only other options for traveling around the island are the public bus system, which is slow at best, or taxis, which are expensive and complicated to come by.

If you rent your transport, you have three options: a motorbike, an ATV or a car. We rented an ATV, and it was fantastic! An ATV allowed us to explore more off-road and find parking more easily. There’s also something freeing about the wind whipping through your hair as you cruise the seaside roads. The only downside is that there’s no shade or AC with an ATV, and it gets pretty hot during the day.

We rented our ATV through our hotel but there are many local companies on the island through which you can book your vehicle rental, including Pollonia Motors in Pollonia and Nikos Cars & Moto ATV or Auto Moto Adamas, both in Adamas.

The beaches in Milos:

There are two kinds of beaches in Greece: organized and unorganized. Organized beaches have amenities such as lounge chairs, umbrellas, restrooms, and food. Unorganized beaches don’t have anything, so you literally have to bring everything you want for the day, including water, food, towels, umbrellas, etc.

Milos is known for its exceptional beaches, so below is a quick breakdown categorized by organized and unorganized.

Unorganized Beaches on Milos Island:

Sarakiniko – Arguably one of the most famous beaches in the Cycladic islands, Sarakiniko was formed from greyish-white volcanic rock that people compare to a moonscape. (It was my favorite beach and my initial inspiration for booking a trip to Milos.)

Papafragas – This beach is actually a couple of tiny coves formed from fingers of land that protrude into the sea. It’s a bit of a climb down rocky terrain to get to the small beach so I suggest wearing sneakers or water shoes with rubber soles rather than flip flops.

Tsigrado – This beach is tiny and very hard to get to but well worth it. Reaching this secluded oasis takes a bit of maneuvering, including navigating two, rickety, wooden ladders and a rope. Many people make it down in flip flops but I recommend wearing sneakers or water shoes for an easier descent.

Firopotamos – This beach is easy to get to but we didn’t stay long because it was so crowded. (In pre-Covid days we probably would have braved the crowds.) While there are some colorful homes built right along the beachfront, it’s not really an organized beach. There was nowhere to buy food or get umbrellas and sun chairs. All of that said, the water is a bright turquoise blue, and the setting is very picturesque.

Milos Island – Organized Beaches:

Firiplaka – This was our favorite organized beach. It’s a beautiful crescent beach with sand. There were plenty of options for lounge chairs, umbrellas, food, and drinks. The only downside is the cafes tend to play loud music, so it’s not the most peaceful of Milos’ beaches.

Paleochori – This is a black pebble beach where you’ll find the well-known Sirocco restaurant, where you can order unique dishes cooked in a volcanic oven.

Karma Beach Bar – Located on a strip of beach near the airport, Karma offers full-service amenities, including lounge chairs and umbrellas, food and drinks, and more.

Pro Travel Tip: Regarding all of the beaches in Greece, one piece of advice I want to share is to bring a pair of water shoes with you that have rubber soles. Many of the beaches in Milos and the other Greek islands are very rocky, so it is challenging (and sometimes painful) to walk on them on bare feet. I got these water shoes from Amazon before our trip and they were a game-changer!

Things to do in Milos:

Visit the Kleftiko Caves During a Boat Tour of the Island – I highly recommend taking a boat tour if you come to Milos because there are some beautiful beaches and sea caves, including Kleftiko and Sykia, that you can only access by boat. We did a full-day tour with Polco Sailing on a sailboat with 8 others and loved the entire experience.

Sunset & Shopping in Plaka – You can see the best sunsets from Plaka. I recommend either watching from the main Church in town, hiking up the hill to the castle overlooking the town, or snag a table at Utopia cafe for sunset drinks. (Pro-Tip: Get to Utopia early to get a prime table.)

Sunset and Dinner in Klima – Another great place to watch the sunset and take spectacular photos is the tiny fishing village of Klima. The town is known for its white-washed buildings with colorful doors. I also recommend eating dinner at Astakas Café. Make a reservation beforehand to ensure you get a table to watch the sun sink into the sea. It is truly breathtaking.

Sarakiniko Beach – If there is one beach you visit in Milos, it should be Sarakinikos. It is truly otherworldly and feels like you’re walking on the moon. I highly recommend sunrise or sunset for spectacular light and fewer crowds. Of course, we also went in the middle of the day for a dip in the sea, which was glorious.

Milos, Greece – Where to Eat:

A Milos travel guide wouldn’t be complete without telling you where to eat! Here’s a brief rundown of some of the best restaurants on the island.

Hanabi Sushi – In Pollonia, we loved it so much we went twice. Book in advance.

Astakas Café – In Klima, for great views of the sunset and traditional Greek food.

Enalion – In Pollonia, a solid lunch spot with traditional Greek food

Medusa – In Adamas, another spot for Greek food. They don’t take reservations so be prepared to wait.

Jordan’s Meeting Place – In Pollonia, a hole-in-the-wall spot with incredible gyros.

Sirocco – In Paleochori, go for lunch and enjoy unique dishes cooked in a volcanic oven.

Avli – In Plaka, a traditional Greek taverna. Everyone goes there to eat after watching the sunset, so try to snag a table ahead of the crowds.

Melian Boutique Hotel and Spa – In Pollonia, for modern Greek food in a spectacular setting. (This is also the hotel where we stayed.)

Are You Ready to Travel to Milos, Greece?

So, what do you think? Has this Milos travel guide gotten you excited to plan a trip to the island? I certainly hope you found all of these travel tips and recommendations helpful. My husband and I had such an incredible trip and we are already planning to come back to Milos next summer.

If you have any questions about things I might have missed about Milos, (or Greece in general) please comment below and I’ll do my best to answer.