Milos Travel Guide: the most beautiful places, beaches, hotels, and tips for your trip
- Stephanie Hulshoff
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
Some destinations exceed your expectations, and Milos is absolutely one of them. During our island-hopping holiday through the Greek Cyclades, we visited several beautiful islands, but Milos managed to enchant us from the very first moment. With its rugged coastline, picturesque villages, impressive beaches, and relaxed atmosphere, this island still feels like a well-kept secret. Are you curious about what you can see and do on Milos? I would love to share our favorite spots and tips.
Highlights of Milos
Milos may not be big, but there is surprisingly much to see and do. The island is known for its impressive coastline, colorful fishing villages, and unique beaches. As far as I am concerned, these are the places you absolutely must not miss.
Our first stop was immediately one of the island's most famous landmarks: Sarakiniko Beach. And honestly? It was even more beautiful than expected. The snow-white rocks, shaped by wind and sea, stand out beautifully against the clear blue water, giving the landscape an almost otherworldly quality. A magical place that you really must see. My tip: visit Sarakiniko early in the morning at sunrise or at the end of the day during sunset. It is much quieter then, and the soft light creates a spectacular view.
Less than a ten-minute drive away lies Mandrakia , one of the most photogenic spots on Milos. This small, authentic fishing village consists of a sheltered bay with colorful fishermen's cottages, known as syrmata. Many of these cottages are now available for rent as holiday accommodations, which is naturally a unique experience. In Mandrakia, you will also find Restaurant Medusa , perhaps the most famous fish restaurant on the island. Here you can eat the most delicious fresh fish and seafood. Reservations are not possible, so be prepared for a wait, but believe me: it is absolutely worth it.
If you then drive a little further, you will arrive at Fyriplaka Beach . This beautiful beach is known for its impressive rock formations, clear blue water, and relaxed atmosphere. A wonderful place to swim, sunbathe, or simply enjoy the view for a few hours.
Another place you definitely must visit is Klima. This charming village is situated right by the sea and is known for its colorful fishermen's cottages built literally on the water. There is a wonderful atmosphere here, especially at the end of the day. For dinner with a sea view, restaurant Astakas is highly recommended. As the sun slowly sinks into the sea, you can enjoy fresh fish and Greek specialties here with your feet practically in the sand.
From the charming coastal town of Pollonia, you can easily cross to the nearby island of Kimolos by small boat. Pollonia itself is also worth a visit. You will find nice boutiques, cozy terraces, and good restaurants along the boulevard.
Finally, a visit to Plaka is, of course, a must. This charming village, the capital of Milos, sits atop a hill and consists of a maze of narrow streets, whitewashed houses, cozy restaurants, and small shops. At the foot of the village, there is a spacious parking lot, from where you walk uphill. Once at the top, you are rewarded with a beautiful view of the island. Be sure to walk on to the famous Plaka Castle, one of the most beautiful spots to watch the sunset. Do keep in mind, however, that you certainly won't be the only one there.
Boho Boutique Hotels in Milos
During our stay on Milos, we opted for two small-scale boho boutique hotels, and both were absolutely worth it.
Our first accommodation was the beautiful Solus Milos , a boutique hotel with only eleven rooms. The spacious room was stylishly decorated in a modern boho style and featured a lovely private garden with its own small pool and outdoor kitchen. The location was ideal: quietly situated, yet central on the island. From the hotel, you can reach many of the most famous sights within a few minutes. For instance, Sarakiniko Beach is just a four-minute drive away, Mandrakia ten minutes, Adamas seven minutes, and Plaka about ten minutes. Additionally, the hotel offers a beautiful view of the harbor village of Adamas.
For the second half of our trip, we stayed at Noma Milos , an exclusive boutique hotel with only seven rooms. If you are looking for peace, privacy, and a spectacular view, this is highly recommended. The hotel is situated in a quiet, secluded location and offers breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea. The view from bed is truly fantastic; waking up with the sun slowly rising above the sea is an experience in itself here. You won't find any restaurants or shops in the immediate vicinity of the hotel, but we felt that was actually part of the charm. Moreover, Milos is a relatively small island, meaning you can reach Adamas within about a fifteen-minute drive. Here you will find supermarkets, cozy restaurants, and the lively harbor.
Milos also offers numerous other charming accommodations, from luxury resorts to authentic apartments. However, I can highly recommend both Solus Milos and Noma Milos. Both hotels have their own character, but share the same relaxed atmosphere that suits this special island so well.
The most beautiful beaches of Milos
As true beach lovers, we were naturally curious about the beaches of Milos. And fortunately, the island absolutely does not disappoint in that regard. From lively beach clubs to quiet bays: there is something for everyone.
One of our favorite spots was Plathiena Beach. This beautiful sheltered bay has a relaxed atmosphere, comfortable sunbeds, and a cozy little restaurant where you can get delicious, simple dishes such as fresh sandwiches, salads, and smoothies. A perfect place to spend a relaxing day at the beach.
Aqua Loca Beach Bar on Paleochori Beach is also highly recommended as far as we are concerned. This stylish beach club is situated on a wide bay with crystal-clear water and offers everything for a carefree day by the sea. The service is excellent, the food is delicious, and the large beanbag loungers make it extra comfortable. You can easily hang out here for an entire afternoon.
During our trip, we also took a look at Hitana Beach Bar, on the outskirts of Pollonia. It is an atmospheric location and certainly nice to stop by if you are in the area. Personally, we found it less appealing to lie there all day, but that is, of course, a matter of taste.
One of the most famous spots on Milos is undoubtedly Sarakiniko Beach, also known as Moonrock Beach. The white rock formations and clear blue water make this one of the most special places on the island. Some visitors look for a spot on the rocks or on the small beach, but honestly, we found it too crowded for that. As far as we are concerned, Sarakiniko is primarily a place to admire, take photos, and stroll around. For a relaxing beach day, we would rather choose one of the other bays on the island.
In addition to these well-known beaches, you will find countless small coves and hidden beaches on Milos, often without sunbeds or facilities. That is precisely what makes the island so charming. Hop in the car, bring a towel, and go exploring. Chances are you will find a hidden cove along the way that feels like you have it all to yourself.
The best restaurants and cafes on Milos
On Milos, you will find a delightful mix of authentic Greek tavernas, atmospheric seafood restaurants, and trendy hotspots with sea views. During our stay, we discovered several great spots that I would love to share with you.
One of our favorites was Astakas Restaurant in the picturesque fishing village of Klima . The location alone is worth a visit. Here, you sit literally by the water, with your feet almost in the sand, while overlooking the colorful fishermen's houses and the sea. The menu features delicious fresh fish dishes and traditional Greek specialties. This is a fantastic place to dine, especially at sunset.
At the famous Medusa in Mandrakia Bay, you can also enjoy fantastically delicious fresh fish. You can go here for lunch and dinner. Reservations are not possible, so at this popular restaurant you sometimes have to wait a while before you can be seated.
Barriello Restaurant in Plaka also made a strong impression on us. This atmospheric restaurant is situated in a beautiful location with views of the island and the sea. The food is refined, the atmosphere relaxed, and the hospitality exceptional. The owner enjoys chatting with his guests, which immediately creates a personal and warm atmosphere. As far as we are concerned, it is highly recommended for a special evening out.
For a drink with perhaps the most beautiful view on Milos, you should head to Utopia Café in Plaka . From the terrace, you look out over the white houses of the village, the sea, and the surrounding islands. You can come here for cocktails, wine, and light snacks. Utopia opens around 6:00 PM and is hugely popular, especially at sunset. Reservations are not possible, so make sure you arrive on time.
We also found the Mosaic Bar in Plaka to be a nice discovery. This trendy cocktail bar has a cozy atmosphere and is the perfect place to end the day with a drink as the sun slowly disappears behind the horizon.
Milos is truly a fantastic island; all my expectations of this island were met. It is highly recommended to combine it with other Cyclades islands. The roads here are generally fine for driving, although they were currently working on many roads, but that means it will only get better in the future. And some roads were very narrow—meaning you can basically only drive in one direction—but in Greece you are allowed to drive in both directions, so that was a bit nerve-wracking at times. I do recommend renting a car, quad bike, or scooter so you can explore the island yourself.
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