Milos is one of the most beautiful islands in Greece and is becoming more and more popular with international travellers. Not yet as overrun as Santorini or Mykonos, Milos has plenty to explore with more than 70 beaches, a handful of charming fishing villages dotted around the island and the famous Kleftiko caves. Where to stay in Milos is something that I spent a lot of time thinking about before my trip, and after visiting Milos I think the best places to stay in Milos are Pollonia, Plaka or Adamas. My personal preference is Pollonia, where we stayed, but there are advantages to each village.
Because Milos is not yet as over-developed as Santorini, it can be difficult to choose where to stay in Milos for first time travellers. I’ve spent 5 days on Milos & visited each of the Milos’ major villages; Adamas, Pollonia and Plaka, and have a few opinions on which is the right village for different types of travellers. I hope this is helpful – please feel free to ask questions in the comments!
Pollonia
Best place to stay in Milos for a traditional village, best restaurants and beach access
Pollonia is a charming fishing village on the northeast tip of Milos, and is home to some of the best restaurants on the island. The village lines the harbour, which is dotted with fishing boats and also has plenty of room for swimming from a sandy beach. We stayed in Pollonia during our trip and I loved it – it isn’t as big as Plaka, so there is less to explore, but the main strip of restaurants and cafes gave us plenty of options each night, and the beach was a lovely spot to hang out during the day between other excursions around the island.
Adamas
Best place to stay in Milos for convenience to ferry, public transport, tours and amenities
Adamas is Milos’ port town, which means it is the most convenient to reach by ferry, but also the busiest and most touristy, as it is where the cruise ships dock. Adamas wouldn’t be my first choice for staying in Milos; I’d prefer to stay in the more remote but more picturesque Pollonia. However, if you’re unable to hire a car on the island (if you don’t have an International Drivers Permit), Adamas is the most convenient for using the local bus system. From most other destinations, you’ll need to connect in Adamas to go somewhere else.
Plaka
Best place to stay in Milos for a traditional Cycladic village experience
Plaka is Milos’ largest village and capital. It’s tucked away, up in the hills, and has some ocean views from its highest points. Its rabbit warren of white washed streets are very romantic but also tend to bake in the sizzling summer sun. Plaka has lots of cafes, bars and restaurants, and has a beautiful, traditional Cycladic style. It’s not within walking distance to the beach, so you’ll want a hire car for getting to the beach or around the island.
When we stayed on Milos, we spent an afternoon exploring the village and stopped for a delicious, sweet afternoon snack at Palaois Bakery.
Where to stay in Milos?
I think as long as you’re on Milos it is hard to go wrong, but I would recommend staying in Pollonia when you stay on Milos. It is right on the water with a lovely swimming beach, restaurants lining the harbour and a lovely peaceful atmosphere. When we stayed in Pollonia, we stayed at an apartment at Villa MaryElen, which I highly recommend!
Getting around Milos
Car hire is nearly essential on Milos. There are buses, but you’ll be more limited in what you can see. You’ll need an International Drivers Permit to hire a car on Milos. The western half of the island is only accessible to 4WDs, but even on the eastern half there is more than you could see in a week!
Islands near Milos
Other Greek islands near Milos include Paros and Sifnos, which are some of my other favourite islands in the Cyclades!
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