Milos is one of the best Greek islands to visit in the Cyclades. Milos is the most southwestern island in the Cyclades, close to Folegandros and Sifnos. I spent 5 days on Milos on my first visit, and it’s quickly become my favourite Greek island! Milos is enormous, with more than 70 gorgeous beaches, beautiful, traditional villages and awe-inspiring sights like Klima fishing village, Mandrakia harbour, Kleftiko Caves and Sarakiniko Beach. In this Milos Travel Guide, I’ve included the best things to do in Milos, the best villages in Milos, the best beaches and the best restaurants.
Milos is large and popular, yet not suffering from over-tourism, making it a popular alternative to overcrowded Santorini and Mykonos.
How long to spend in Milos?
I recommend having at least 4 nights in Milos. We spent 5 days in Milos, and I was happy with how much time we had to explore the island, but you could easily spend a week here and not see everything on the eastern half of the island. The western half of the island requires a 4WD to explore, so if this is your plan, book for longer!
The Best Things to Do in Milos
Mandrakia Fishing Village
Mandrakia is a picturesque fishing village, loved for it’s idyllic harbor fringed with bright blue boat garages, and Medousa, a restaurant perched at the edge of the cliff, overlooking the crashing waves of the Aegean. Come just before sunset, to admire Mandrakia in all its glory, and then watch the sun go down with a crisp Greek white wine in hand at Medousa.
Klima
Klima is a traditional fishing village, consisting of a string of brightly coloured fishing shacks, called syrmata, hugging the cliffs. There’s just one string of syrmata, and a restaurant on the water, but it is one of the prettiest and most unique spots in Milos.
Kleftiko Caves
Once a hide out for pirates, today the Kleftiko caves are a very popular natural tourist attraction. You can see the caves by taking a half day or full day boat from Milos, which I highly recommend. We were on a small boat tour, there were 8 guests, and we spent the day cruising along the coastline, stopping occasionally for a swim, until we reached the caves. The water is incredibly clear and calm, and the caves are a staggering sight. Easily one of the best things you can do in Milos.
Papafragas
Craggy Papafragas Beach is unusually popular with Instagrammers who make the trek down to the beach below. It’s worth a stop, even, if like us, you prefer to take in the view from the top, rather than risk the path down to the secluded beach (there are signs asking people basically not to do this. Didn’t want to be that tourist). It’s a striking spot and is easily accessible by car, but you’ll find much better beaches all over the island.
Villages in Milos
Pollonia
Pollonia is the loveliest village on Milos, set on a small harbour. We stayed here, and I would stay here again if we returned. It’s the perfect balance of a sleepy village with the islands best collection of tavernas, bars and cafes and other conveniences. It’s like a smaller, quieter version of Naoussa in Paros.
If you’re going to stay here, you should definitely hire a car (bring an International Drivers Permit). There is a bus service, but you’ll have to transit through Adamas to get nearly anywhere.
Plaka
Plaka is the largest village in Milos, and the capital. It is a rabbit warren of charming paved streets and white-washed Cycladic architecture, and a number of excellent bars, bakeries and restaurants. I really enjoyed visiting for the day, but am glad we stayed on the water in Pollonia. Plaka is inland, so you’ll be relying on the bus or need to hire a car to get to the beach from here.
Adamas (Adamantas)
Milos’ port town Adamas is not the prettiest on the island, but it is the most convenient if you’re planning on travelling around Milos by bus. It’s teeming with cruise ship passengers, so it’s a trade off of convenience vs peace and quiet. Not a bad spot by any means, but I’d prefer to stay in Pollonia.
The Best Beaches in Milos
Milos has more than 70 beaches, which is more than any other island in the Cyclades. Not are there only dozens of beaches, but they’re remarkably beautiful – and considered some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Greece. The best beaches in Milos are Sarakiniko, Plathiena and Agia Kiriaki.
Read more: The Best Beaches in Milos
Sarakiniko
Sarakiniko looks more like the moon than a beach in Milos, yet it’s one of the most photographed landscapes in the Aegean. Milos’ punishing winds have pummeled the bone-white volcanic cliffs into dramatic formations, creating an unbelievable setting. It gets very busy, and since the northerly wind is typically blowing in Milos, it’s rarely a good spot to swim – but if you have a rare day of southerly winds, make a beeline for Sarakiniko. Regardless of the wind, it’s one of the most beautiful natural landscapes to visit, with or without a swim.
Plathiena
Plathiena is a secluded beach on northern Milos that’s perfect for escaping the crowds. You’ll need a car to get there, and there’s no beach club, but you’ll be rewarded with the beach almost to yourself. This beach feels particularly ancient to me – perhaps because it is so untouched compared to the others, with bars and beach clubs.
Agia Kiriaki
Last but certainly not least, Agia Kiriaki is my favourite beach on Milos. It’s 12km south of Plaka, the capital, and yet stays quieter than many of the other beaches listed. The beach has gorgeous white sand and typically crystal-clear water.
Restaurants in Milos
Enallion, Pollonia
Enallion is my favourite restaurant on Milos. In the heart of Pollonia’s waterfront village, the setting is romantic but relaxed. Enallion’s menu is sourced mostly from the restaurant owner’s own farms, and is known for it’s locally caught seafood.
Palaios Bakery, Plaka
Palaios is a traditional Greek bakery in the heart of Plaka, Milos’ capital. This is the spot if you’d like to try Greek specialties, particularly for pastries unique to Milos, like watermelon pie. There’s a sleepy courtyard behind the cafe, making it the perfect spot to while away an afternoon with a sweet treat.
Medusa, Mandrakia
Medusa has one of the best restaurant locations on Milos. Perched on the edge of the cliffs at Mandrakia, the outdoor and patio dining offers sweeping panoramic views of the Aegean. We only stopped for a glass of wine, but the food comes highly recommended. This is the first place I’d go for lunch if I ever returned!
Astakas, Klima
The other best restaurant location on Milos? Astakas, right on the water in Klima, Milos’ colourful fishing village. When we had lunch here, I half expected the food to be lacklustre, since it’s the only restaurant in Klima and has a spectacular view, but I was delighted to be proven wrong. The food here is fresh, generous and so delicious.
Aliki, Pollonia
Aliki is more casual than many of the other waterfront restaurants in Pollonia, but I really enjoyed our dinner here. The service is warm, there’s normally less of a wait for a table, as it’s at the end of a long line of restaurants, and it’s very affordable.
Thalassopetra Tavern, Aghia Kiriaki
A quintessential Greek taverna, overlooking the ocean. It was busy with Greek families and European holidaymakers when we visited, and has a lively atmosphere with simple but fresh food.
Gialos, Pollonia
One of the most popular restaurants in Pollonia, Gialos is a little more refined than the surrounding casual tavernas on the waterfront. It was highly recommended by our apartment host, and we had a lovely meal here.
Cafe Opsidianos, Pollonia
Cafe Opsidianos is tucked away from the heart of Pollonia, but is worth the short walk from the centre of town. The simple cafe has one of the most idyllic views over the water, and feels totally secluded from the hustle and bustle. We stopped here for breakfast several times – breakfast isn’t my favourite meal in Greek cuisine, but I can’t think of a better place to start the day.