When deciding which islands to visit in Greece, Milos, with its clear blue waters, pristine beaches, and laidback vibe, should be high on the list. Here are the best beaches, towns, and restaurants to explore on the island.
Over the last few years more people have started to discover the appeal of Milos. Part of the Cyclades group of islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Ios, Paros, Naxos etc.), Milos is small, relaxed, and has incredible beaches along its coast.
We stayed in Milos for four nights and hired a car so we could visit different beaches around the island. My number one tip for Milos is to hire a car (or ATV) to make the most out of your time. We hired from RAC Milos.
A ferry from Athens takes around three to four hours and docks in the port town of Adamantas (Adamas). You can choose to stay in Adamas, or, with a car you can base yourself in any town and easily drive around the island.
We stayed just outside of Adamas at the luxury hotel Civitas Milos. It was beautiful, but a very big splurge. If you’re trying to stick to a budget, there are plenty of other great accommodation options on the island.
A must-visit town in Milos is the capital, Plaka. With its narrow stone laneways and whitewashed buildings on a hill overlooking the ocean, it’s Milos’ most picturesque town. It has some great shops and restaurants, and if you hike up to Plaka Castle in the evening, you’ll have the prime spot for sunset.
I also enjoyed visiting the tiny fishing village of Klima, with its colourful buildings along the water’s edge. It’s located at the bottom of a steep hill and the roads to get there are some of the narrowest in Milos, so be prepared for the drive, but it’s a picturesque spot.
The best beaches to visit in Milos
We started every day in Milos by going to the beach – a different one (or two) each morning. If you go early, you can get a parking spot and avoid the peak crowds.
Below is a list of some of the beaches we loved.
Sarakiniko Beach
Probably the most famous beach in Milos because of its unique landscape that looks like the surface of the moon. People visit Sarakiniko to swim, cliff jump, or just explore.
Read my full guide to planning your visit to Sarakiniko Beach here.
Firopotamos Beach
A small beach but one of my favourites. Its u-shaped coastline was great for swimming, and it’s surrounded by gorgeous buildings and ruins.
Tsigrado Beach
I can’t resist a hard-to-get-to location, so climbing down two rickety ladders and through a narrow rock opening to get to Tsigrado Beach added to its appeal. It’s a tiny beach with caves to explore and worth a visit.
Firiplaka Beach
Firiplaka is one of the bigger, partly organised beaches and its soft sand and warm water made it perfect for swimming.
There are some beaches on the western part of the island that are only accessible by boat, so you’ll need to book a tour to see them.
Where to eat in Milos?
There were some amazing restaurants in Milos, especially if you’re a seafood fan. Here are the ones not to miss:
In Adamas
Mikros Apoplous
Located on the waterfront with a view of little sailboats dotted along the seaside, Mikros has a great vibe. Our party tried everything from the Greek moussaka to the linguine with shrimps, ceviche with fresh sea bass, and creamy chicken fillet (we were starving that day!). One friend ordered the Peruvian seafood ceviche and said it was the best ceviche he’s ever eaten, which was a big call from someone who has eaten a lot of seafood in their life. Everything on the menu was delicious.
O! Hamos!
This is probably the most recommended restaurant in Milos, and it lived up to the hype. They don’t take reservations, so put your name on a list and then sit at the beach bar across the road and have a drink while you wait. O! Hamos! has a lot of charm. The handwritten menus detail the family-run restaurant’s local history, and you’re sitting under a canopy of leaves which creates a great atmosphere.
The menu is more meat based than seafood and I’d recommend ordering a few different dishes to share. We got ‘goat cooked in the saucepan with wine and tomato’, ‘barbequed juicy pork loin chops’, ‘fried meatballs’ with fresh vegetables’, and ’fresh green salad’. For dessert, we tried the Milos traditional jam (white pumpkin with honey, cinnamon, and almonds) and the choc orange cake.
Also try Nostos and Zygos in Adamas.
For drinks, visit Aragosta, Mostra, Akri, or Plori.
In Plaka
This restaurant has a beautiful courtyard donned with fairy lights that provides a magical backdrop for dinner once the sun sets. The food was amazing, and it the whole experience was a picture-perfect late-night European summer dinner that leaves you feeling content and relaxed.
Also try Archontoula for dinner in Plaka, or cocktails at Mosaic, Utopia, or Verina.
In Katifora
Between Adamas and Plaka, we found this incredible bakery and went here a few times during our trip. Mouratos serves incredible sweet and savoury pastries, cakes, sweets, ice-cream, pies, and biscuits. Their bacon and egg roll was a stand-out. You’ll need a car to get here as it’s a bit out of the way of the bigger towns but it’s the perfect place to pick up a few things on the way to the beach.
In Kilma
Astakas
Kilma is a tiny village which doesn’t take long to look around, so it was good to spend some time at Astakas restaurant before the drive back across the island. It has lots of outdoor seating near the water and great food and drinks.
In Mandrakia
Medusa is famous for its fresh seafood, including octopus that can be seen hanging out to dry against the gorgeous seaside backdrop. It doesn’t take reservations, so you’ll likely have to wait in line. Try to get there when it opens at noon and spend some time exploring Mandrakia as it’s a cute photo spot.
In Paliochori, Pollonia, and Trypiti
While we didn’t get a chance to visit these towns, locals recommended the following. In Paliochori, dine at Sirocco or Aqua Loca. In Pollonia, try Enalion or Yialos. And in Trypiti, book Okto.
If your ideal trip involves exploring small towns, ocean swimming, and eating delicious Greek food, you’ll love Milos. The pace is slow here so plan to soak it in and visit as many beaches as you can.