Kimolos Day Trip Guide: Best Beaches, Food & Local Spots

Kimolos is a welcome escape from the beautiful but often crowded beaches of Milos. Think of Kimolos as Milos’ quieter neighbor: everything here moves a little slower. The vibe of the people, restaurants and towns reflects that. The beauty of the beaches here is underrated. Some feel relatively untouched, while others have that relaxed, boating vibe where local fishermen still pull up with their catches of the day. 

Beyond being a retreat from Milos’ energy, it’s an incredibly easy ferry ride from Pollonia. Getting from Milos to Kimolos is straightforward, and with day-of ferry tickets, it takes very little planning to actually make the journey there. For info on logistics and catching the ferry, don’t miss my Getting From Milos to Kimolos guide for tips on making the trip over.  

Here’s what to actually do once you’re there, and why you might want to stay longer than a day if you can.

Kimolos: Day Trip or Overnight?

You can absolutely get a feel for Kimolos in a day. Hit a couple beaches, have a leisurely lunch, explore the local villages, and enjoy the general atmosphere. If you have the time to visit Kimolos for a day trip, I highly recommend doing so.

With a ferry running directly between Milos and Kimolos, it’s an easy journey to make for a half day or full day trip. It’s worth noting that you can’t pre-book ferry tickets to visit Kimolos. Instead, you’ll buy them the day of from the ticket office in Pollonia town. At about €3 per person, and vehicles starting at €9, it’s an inexpensive sail, but there are some quirks to the ferry, so check out my Milos to Kimolos local ferry guide before you set off.

That said, my biggest regret on my multi-week Greek Islands trip this summer was not staying overnight on Kimolos. I had been looking into a 2-night stay but was having trouble finding a place late in the season, so I planned it out as a day trip instead. My mistake – I would definitely return and stay at least three nights here!

Hotel Tip: Many hotels and Airbnbs list a 3-night minimum stay, but in person I was told this is often more flexible than stated online. It’s worth asking the property directly when making a booking. 

Why I Recommend Staying 2-3 Nights

Three nights, or even two, is enough time to explore the island in more of its entirety, work through more of the local restaurants, catch a film at the pop-up open-air cinema (Cine Kalisperitis), and actually settle into one of the boutique hotels or waterfront Airbnbs rather than just passing through.

Part of what makes staying worth it is just how quiet Kimolos still is. When we arrived at Karras Beach at 11am, there were only three other people there. That alone is enough to make the trip since you just won’t have that kind of experience if you’re visiting Milos in the summer. 

Another part of the case for staying overnight is Kimolos’ Chora, a small, windy and genuinely charming village, with picture-perfect narrow streets. It’s pretty shuttered mid-day, and it only really comes alive once the evening sets in. Since the last ferry from Milos runs between 5-6:30pm, it’s not quite late enough to experience the village or grab dinner on the island. 

Staying overnight also gives you the option to experience Cine Kalisperitis, the island’s open-air cinema. This outdoor experience has been gaining a ton of attention on social media recently, and I wish I’d been able to catch a screening here during my visit. The cinema is set up in a new spot around the island for each screening, from Aliki and Mavrospilia beaches to church courtyards and even inside the medieval castle — there’s no fixed venue, just lanterns, torches and candles lighting whichever spot is chosen that week. Screenings run roughly once or twice a week from June through September, and it came highly recommended to me by a local. 

Taking A Boat To Nearby Polyaigos

And lastly, if you do stay longer, it’s also worth booking a boat tour out to nearby Polyaigos, another island off the coast of Milos and Kimolos, for some of the clearest water and most dramatic cliffs you’ll experience in the Cyclades. Some options to visit by boat:

• Combine Kleftiko (Milos) with Polyaigos: You can book a boat trip that visits both Kleftiko (Milos’ famous sea caves) and Polyaigos together. These are full day boat trips departing from Adamas port on Milos. Here’s a sailboat tour, and a similar catamaran tour. I highly recommend booking in advance as these do sell out.
• Combine Kimolos with Polyaigos: Alternatively, you can also depart from Pollonia port on Milos to visit Polyaigos and Kimolos together in a day. This private cruise for up to 10 people is the most customizable option, and will allow you to explore both islands within the same day.

Beaches to Visit on Kimolos

Goupa, Elephant Beach and Karras Beach all sit within about a 10 minute walk of each other, so plan to visit all three rather than picking just one if you have the time.

• Goupa – this is one of the most visited beaches on Kimolos. Picture whitewashed rocks, charming boat houses, and a tiny village right alongside the water. If you only have time for one beach, this is where I’d start.
• Elephant Beach – this unique spot gets its name from the elephant-shaped rock protruding out of the landscape. It’s right next door to Goupa, with great spots to jump straight into the turquoise water.
• Karras Beach – more of a swimming area than a beach, Karras is just around the corner from the other two, connected by a small walking path that goes past fishermen’s houses on the water. Here you’ll find a natural pool for lounging and spots to swim from, with white rocks and a picturesque landscape around it.
• Prassa Beach – this is the best sandy beach pick on Kimolos, located on the northeast side of the island. It has a larger and smaller swimming inlet and is fairly protected from the wind, so it’s a good pick if the meltemi winds are acting up. 

If you only have time for one beach, start at Goupa. From here you’ll have easy access to make your way down the coastline to Elephant Beach and Karras if you decide to spread out your time. 

Where to Eat on Kimolos

Prasonisi specializes in seafood and fresh, local produce. Our meal here was one of the best we had during our multi-week Greek Islands trip. Every dish was so delicious, fresh and beautifully presented. Whatever you do, don’t skip the ceviche of the day!

Here are a few other spots that were recommended to us, though we didn’t get to try them ourselves: 

• Kali Kardia is a 100-year-old family restaurant serving up classic Greek dishes.
• Meltemi Restaurant has a gorgeous view and specializes in local Kimolian food with a modern twist.
• Kalamitsi Tavern sits right on the beach, and the catch of the day comes right from the sea out front.
• Bohoris, a traditional taverna in Chora open for lunch and dinner.
• To Kyma, a waterfront restaurant right in the port of Kimolos.

Where to Stay on Kimolos (If You Stay Overnight)

Hotels on Kimolos

The Windmill Kimolos – $$ – this unique property is actually a restored 19th-century windmill near Psathi port, with whitewashed walls and sea view terraces from their handful of rooms. It’s centrally located, so it’s easy to walk from here to Chora. 

Espera Suites – $$$ – this boutique hotel is a true gem, beautifully designed and curated by the owner as a peaceful retreat just past one of Kimolos’ sandy, family-friendly beaches, Paralia Kalamitsi. From here you can enjoy sea views and Milos in the distance. 

Airbnbs on Kimolos

If I didn’t stay in one of these hotels, I would absolutely book an Airbnb on Kimolos since they offer a unique vantage point. There are no large hotels here and properties are not on the beach, unless you go this route. Here are my top picks: 

Thalassa Beach House – $ – A breezy, private beach house located steps from the water.

Apanemo Beach House – $$ – A popular converted fisherman’s house right on the sea, with picture-perfect views. Pictured above.

Misemos Elephant House – $$ – Location, location, location. This highly-rated Airbnb (pictured above) is just steps from the water in Goupa Kara fishing village. This similar Airbnb is also next door.

Lostromos Cave at Karras – $$$ – This one is perfect in every way: private but directly adjacent to Goupa and Karras (both steps away), beautifully remodeled, and especially dreamy at sunset. Pictured below – I’d book this one for its location in a heartbeat.

A Sample Kimolos Day Trip Itinerary

If you’re catching the midmorning ferry from Pollonia and heading back on the last sailing, here’s roughly how I recommend spending your seven hours on the island. This itinerary involves some driving, so you’ll want to bring your car over or rent a car or scooter at the port:

• 10am – Arrive at Psathi and grab a coffee at the port before heading out.
• 10:15-10:45am – Make a quick stop in Chora, just a few minutes from the port. Shops and cafes are typically open through early afternoon before the siesta closure, so this is a good window to catch it.
• 11:00am-1:00pm – Head to the Goupa, Elephant Beach and Karras cluster, close to the port. Have a swim and wander between all three beaches.
• 1:15-1:30pm – Drive across to Prassa, on the northeast side of the island. It’s a bit of a haul from Goupa, so build in the time.
• 1:30-2:30pm – Have a delicious lunch at Prasonisi, right on Prassa Beach.
• 2:30-4:00pm – Take a dip and cool off at Prassa itself, since you’re already there. Or if you need a break from the sun, head to Espera Suites to have a fresh lemonade and see a different side of the island.
• 4:00-4:45pm – Drive back to Psathi and purchase ferry tickets. 
• 5:15pm – Depart Kimolos.

Pairing Kimolos With Other Islands

Kimolos pairs most easily with Milos, but it’s also a convenient add-on if you’re based on Paros or Sifnos. And if you fall for Kimolos’ low-key, authentic feel, you might love these additional Cycladic island pairings: 

• Paros paired with Antiparos is the ideal choice for people who want to balance a great food and nightlife scene and popular beaches with a more low-key, untouched side of the Greek Islands.

• Naxos paired with Koufonisia (and sleepy Iraklia) is one of the most underrated options in the Greek Islands. Naxos wins in terms of variety with mountain landscapes, sandy beaches and walkable towns, while Koufonisia’s beaches have some of the most beautiful, calm turquoise water in the Cyclades.

Final Thoughts

Kimolos proves that you don’t have to go far from Milos to find something completely different: quieter beaches, an almost untouched Chora, and a slower pace that Milos has lost in recent years. A day trip is absolutely worth it, but if you can swing even one extra night, take it. I’ll be planning a multi-night trip next time.