Sarakiniko Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us LostI can confidently say Milos, Greece is one of my favorite destinations to date. Between the unforgettable beaches (if you haven’t seen photos of the ‘moonscapes’ of Sarakiniko Beach, check them out ASAP), delicious fresh seafood, and quaint and uncrowded downtowns, it’s truly a slice of paradise. Milos has a port that connects directly from Athens so it’s the perfect jumping off point to spend a summer Greek Island hopping.Β We took a ferry directly from Athens to Milos, with a few stops on the way. It took just under 5 hours for us to arrive at Milos’ port and then hail a taxi for a short drive to our hotel.

The best way to experience the Greek Islands (especially Milos and Santorini) is by ATV or motorcycle. We opted for ATVs this time around, and ours was already at the hotel waiting for us when we arrived. That’s about all you need for the island to be yours to explore! Our first priority was heading straight to the beach, then off to grab a Greek dinner downtown.

Unlike most places, you don’t need to have a schedule upon arrival to Milos. I’d recommend having a few places in mind that you want to hit – beaches, towns, and restaurants. Typically our routine here was: sleep in, head to a beach, grab lunch, explore another beach, and then make our way home to get ready for dinner in town. This Milos Travel Guide starts with some of our favorite spots around the island, then breaks down the beaches we loved. The only thing I found tough about Milos, Greece (besides the spotty WiFi!) was not knowing which beaches would have lunch nearby – so I made sure to include this so you can plan your day accordingly.

PRESET COLLECTION USED IN THIS BLOG POST: GREEK ISLANDS COLLECTION

5+ DAYS

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BEST TIME TO VISIT – MAY THROUGH OCTOBER, LESS WIND & WARMER WATER LATER IN THE SUMMER
WEATHER – MILD, RAINY WINTERS & WARM, SUNNY SUMMERS
GETTING AROUND – MOTORCYCLE, ATV OR RENTAL CAR
CURRENCY – EUROS, MOST PLACES TAKE CREDIT CARDS
LANGUAGES – GREEK, MOST PEOPLE SPEAK ENGLISH
NEARBY AIRPORT – MILOS AIRPORT (MLO)
Kleftiko Caves, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Sarakiniko Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Sarakiniko Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Paliochori Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Sarakiniko Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Rooftop sunset, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost

Where to Stay

Asterias Boutique Hotel in Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost

Our hotel near Sarakiniko Beach: Asterias Boutique Hotel.

We stayed at Asterias Boutique Hotel, a family-run boutique hotel located between Sarakiniko beach and Papafragas beach – which turned out to be two of my favorite beaches on the island! Each night we’d take our ATV for a 15 minute drive into the seaside town of Pollonia to grab dinner. Note that Milos doesn’t have many hotels, so book months in advance as they fill up quickly. We originally had our eye on Melian Boutique Hotel in Pollonia, but it was fully booked during our visit in September.

Hotels in Milos

Asterias Boutique Hotel – $ – we loved this family-run boutique hotel. It was affordable, comfortable, and in a perfect location for exploring the best beaches in Milos. Where I stayed.
Milia Gi Suites – $$ – a new boutique hotel located nearby the town center of Pollonia, a short walk to the beach. The rooms are spacious, some with private jacuzzis.
Volcano Luxury Suites Milos – Β $$$$ – beautiful whitewashed rooms with ocean views and jacuzzis, situated between two large stretches of beach in the south.
Miland Suites – $$$$ – luxury villas located on a hilltop, close by to the main port town of Adamantas. Great if you want a quiet location, a short drive from local restaurants.
Milos Breeze Boutique Hotel – $$$$ – a mix of traditional architecture and modern design, this hotel has an infinity pool overlooking the ocean. Located in Pollonia.
Melian Boutique Hotel & Spa – $$$$ – one of the few luxury boutique hotels on the island – snap it up if it’s available during your trip! Where I’d want to stay next time & where I’d want to splurge.

View Additional Hotels and Homes in Milos

Houses in Milos

I recommend staying on the North side of the island, which has the highest concentration of nearby beaches and isn’t far from shops or restaurants in Plaka or Pollonia. Note that Plaka is a much bigger town than Pollonia! My top picks in terms of amenities, view, and location:

Venia’s Guesthouse – $ – a comfortable apartment-style building with a sea-view patio in the quaint town of Pollonia.
Seaview House Mandrakia – $ – a cozy one-bedroom with lounge chairs and a balcony that is steps from the ocean.
Sirma Klima – $$ – the most traditional beach house stay on popular Klima beach.
Blue Mare – $$ – a Greek beachfront home on one of my favorite beaches on the island.
Apollon by Akropolon – $$ – one of the top-rated Airbnb’s in downtown Pollonia.
Captain Zeppos – $$ – the perfect set of whitewashed suites with a pool, steps from the beach in Pollonia.
Aigeis-Milos Suites – $$$ – a traditional Cycladic-style space with a brick fireplace and sea views. On the south side of Milos, but between two beautiful beaches.
Manolis and Filio Home by the Sea – $$$$ – Cycladic house in a traditional fishing village right in front of the sea, where you can swim and enjoy sunsets from the balcony.

If I went back to Milos, I would split my time between a hotel and house on two different parts of the island. There is truly so much to discover, and having two points to explore from will give you a whole new perspective on the island! Plus, I love the homemade Greek breakfasts on the patio in the morning, which come with a family-run hotel like Asterias Boutique.

Where to Eat

Sushi in Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost

Hanabi Sushi restaurant in downtown Pollonia.

Medusa – this was easily our favorite meal on the island. It’s located adjacent to Mandrakia beach, and serves up fresh fish right on the water. Be prepared for a short wait (it’s popular for a reason!), and don’t miss the octopus.

Jordan’s Meating Place – for melt-in-your-mouth chicken souvlaki (chicken skewers)! This restaurant is basic, but they don’t mess around.

Astakas Klima – for an evening out, this waterfront restaurant is the perfect place to watch the sunset. You’ll want to come early to explore the quaint town of Klima, a little fishing village. Reservations recommended.

Ergina – recommended to us by a local, this Greek restaurant serves up amazing homemade pasta and lots of other Greek specialties. Perfect for a date night – make reservations.

Hanabi Sushi – this sushi spot is on the pricier side, but we loved their rolls and location in downtown Pollonia. Perfect for a lazy afternoon lunch or a nice dinner.

Avli-Milos – authentic Greek food in the heart of downtown Plaka. You can’t go wrong at this restaurant, with tables all along the side streets!

Fatses – in terms of Greek food, this spot doesn’t quite hit the mark for the tastiest (or most traditional). However, in terms of atmosphere it can’t be beat. The patio takes over a main square in downtown Plaka, with string lights in the trees, candles, and live music. My tip: go early for a drink and appetizer, then make your way into town for round 2.

Palaios Pastry – a MUST for dessert! Everything is homemade and the entire shop smells delicious. Don’t miss the orange cake with olive oil, it melts in your mouth.

What to Do

Kleftiko Caves, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost

Views from our boat on our day trip to Kleftiko caves.

Try food cooked in the sand –Β  Paliochori Beach is known for its red rock and sand that gets so hot…you can cook food on it! Don’t miss this unique beach. We ordered our food delivered to our lounge chair.

Watch the sunset – we loved finding different spots around the island to catch the sunset. I included a list at the bottom of this post with photos of some of our favorites. I highly recommend exploring on your own though, you never know what views you’ll find.

Visit the Catacombs of Milos – these preserved catacombs date back from the 1st – 5th century and are located nearby the fishing village of Klima. We didn’t get a chance to visit during our trip, but I’d love to see them if we return.

Get lost on an ATV – there may be plenty on your list to explore, but spend at least one afternoon getting lost on the island. We stumbled on a deserted pebble beach with no one around whilst exploring the coastline.

Go on a boat trip to Kleftiko Caves – this incredible part of Milos is only accessible by boat. We rented our own boat for a half day through this site. There’s also plenty of charter boat tours to choose from, but I recommend booking in advance as they do fill up. This full day boat trip on a yacht is my pick if you don’t want to captain your own boat.

Beaches to Visit in Milos

Sarakiniko Beach

A unique beach made of lava that’s been bleached by the sun and sea. There is a sandy beach, cliff jumping spots, and a swimming hole open to the ocean.
Food options nearby: only a local food truck at the entrance of the beach, so it’s not guaranteed.

 

Sarakiniko Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Sarakiniko Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Sarakiniko Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Sarakiniko Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost

Tsigrado Beach

This small beach is only accessible via a steep set of two ladders, but opens out to turquoise blue water that’s perfect to wade in.
Food options nearby: there is nothing on Tsigrado Beach, but you’ll find drinks and snacks across the way at Firaplaka. It’s within walking distance.

Tsigrado Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Tsigrado Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost

Firiplaka Beach

A long stretch of sand with beach snacks for food and drinks. The rocks are a beautiful red color – not to be missed!
Food options nearby: yes, there are food and drink options on the beach.

Firiplaka Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Firiplaka Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Firiplaka Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Firiplaka Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost

Papafragas Beach

This beach is actually made up of two ‘fingers’ of water that carved the rock out from the ocean, so be sure to check out both. Looking at a map, the left one features calm water and is easy to access just off the road. The right one is completely protected by walls and white-washed caves.
Food options nearby: none. The closest place to grab lunch is downtown Pollonia.

Papafragas Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Papafragas Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Papafragas Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Papafragas Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost

Firapotomos Beach

A pristine stretch of beach protected by the nearby cliffs. Known for its white-washed houses, and nearby cliff jumping spots.
Food options nearby: Yes, there are food and drink options on the beach and nearby.

Firopotamos Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Firopotamos Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Firopotamos Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost

Paliochori Beach

Restaurants on this beach will cook your food on the sand! There are lounge chairs here, and it’s also the best beach to go to if it’s windy on the island.
Food options nearby: Yes, there are restaurants and you can even order food straight to your lounge chair.

Paliochori Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Paliochori Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Paliochori Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Paliochori Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost

Kleftiko Caves

Not necessarily a beach, but rather a series of caves and lagoons off the coast of Milos. A must-visit for the perfect blue water and unique coastline! We hired our own boat through this website (it took us about 20 minutes to get to Kleftiko from the nearest beach). If you’d prefer not to seek it out yourself, I highly recommend booking a tour in advance as they fill up. Here is a boat tour to Kleftiko that I’d recommend.
Food options nearby: No, once you get there you can only drop anchor and there’s nowhere to dock. If you go with a boat company, many provide meals.

Kleftiko caves in Milos, Greece via @finduslost
Boat day visiting Kleftiko in Milos Greece via @finduslost

Where To Watch The Sunset in Milos

Klima VillageΒ – this traditional fishing village features multicolored houses along the rocks, steps from the water. Few inhabitants still live here, but if you’re visiting around sunset, you might catch them going for an evening swim! I recommend catching the sunset first and then making your way to dinner nearby.

Klima town, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Klima town, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Klima town, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Klima town, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost

Venetian Castle – one of the highest points on the island, this castle dates back to the 13th century and is still preserved. It offers panaromic views of the island, and is easily one of the best spots to catch the sunset – if you don’t mind climbing stairs! Try to arrive at least 20 minutes before sunset to snag a good spot, then head down the hill to Plaka for a Greek dinner in town.

Venetian castle, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Venetian castle, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost

Sarakiniko Beach – we visited this beach so many times during our stay, and each time it was a different experience. It is fairly empty at sunrise, and you’ll likely only see a handful of other people around. The water is a perfect turquoise mid-day, and at sunset the sky tends to turn into a pink-purple haze. It’s a surreal experience – I highly recommend watching the sunset from here at least once during your visit.

Sarakiniko Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Sarakiniko Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Sarakiniko Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
Sarakiniko Beach, Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost

From the road – you could search all around the island, but sometimes the best spots are just off the road during a drive home at sunset. We captured this moment after the sun went down over Plaka, during a late trip home from the beach. Milos is just stunning!

Sunset in Milos Greece, Travel Guide via Find Us Lost

My top 3 favorite Milos photo spots

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Anywhere on Sarakiniko Beach – InstagramΒ |Β Google Maps

The white-washed buildings and blue water at Firapotomos –  InstagramΒ |Β Google Maps

Venetian Castle at sunset –  InstagramΒ |Β Google Maps

The Complete Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
The Complete Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost
The Complete Milos Greece Travel Guide via Find Us Lost

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