Milos travel guide

when to visit milos

The best time to visit Milos is between May and October. July and August are the busiest months. When the main tourist season ends, the island gets much quieter, and many hotels, restaurants, beach bars, and tours close for the winter.

We went to Milos in the first two weeks of September and found it was the perfect time. The weather was warm enough for swimming and long days at the beach, but the island never felt crowded. Most places were still open, so we enjoyed Milos without the busy summer crowds. If I planned another trip, I would choose September again.

HOW LONG TO STAY in milos

I recommend staying at least four or five nights in Milos. We stayed for five nights, which gave us enough time to explore villages and beaches, take a catamaran cruise, and still have some slower days to relax.

If you only have two or three nights, you can still see some highlights. However, I think Milos is best enjoyed at a slower pace.

HOW TO GET TO MILOS

You can get to Milos by ferry or plane. If you’re visiting other Cycladic islands, the ferry is usually the easiest choice. But if you’re in a hurry, flying from Athens is the fastest way.

FERRY

If you’re including Milos in your island-hopping plans, the ferry is probably your best bet. Ferries run regularly between Milos, Athens (Piraeus), and other islands like Santorini, Paros, and Sifnos.

We took the ferry from Athens to Milos and then continued on to Santorini, which fit easily into our trip. The ride to Milos was calm, but on the way back, strong winds made the crossing rough and many ferries were canceled the next day. If you’re on a tight schedule, try to leave some flexibility in your plans in case of weather delays.

It’s a good idea to book your ferry tickets ahead of time if you’re visiting in the summer, especially if you want to leave at a certain time.

PLANE

If you don’t have much time, you can fly from Athens to Milos in about 40 minutes. The airport is only a few minutes from Adamas, so getting to your hotel is quick and easy.

Flying is the quickest way to get there, but if you want to visit more than one Greek island, I’d still go with the ferry. It’s convenient and arriving by sea is a great experience.

HOW TO GET AROUND MILOS

Milos has public transportation, but I think renting a car is the best way to see the island. Many beaches and small villages are spread out, so having your own car lets you explore whenever you want.

RENTAL CAR

If I could give one tip for Milos, it’s to rent a car. We got ours the morning after we arrived and paid about €30 per day in September, but prices are higher in the summer. Our hotel set up the rental, but if you’re coming in July or August, it’s best to book ahead.

Having a car made it easy to visit quieter beaches, stop at scenic viewpoints, and change our plans during the day without worrying about bus times. Many of our favorite spots, like Tourlos Beach, Mandrakia, and Plaka, were much easier to get to by car.

BUS

If you’d rather not rent a car, Milos has a public bus network that links many main villages and popular beaches. It’s a budget-friendly choice, but the routes are limited, so you’ll need to plan your day around the bus times.

TAXI

You can get taxis on Milos, but there aren’t many, so it’s better to arrange one in advance instead of expecting to find one on the spot. If you need a taxi for your arrival or departure, it’s a good idea to book it through your hotel ahead of time.

Our hotel arranged for a driver to meet us at the ferry port, and it turned out to be one of our best choices. The driver was waiting when we arrived, and about 15 minutes later we were checking into our hotel. The ride cost about €40, and after a long day of travel, not having to carry our bags through Adamas or find another way to the hotel was definitely worth it.

ATV

ATVs are also a popular way to get around Milos, especially for couples or solo travelers. Just remember that many roads to the island’s more hidden beaches are narrow, unpaved, or bumpy. If you go with this option, make sure you’re comfortable riding on these kinds of roads before you start.

WHERE TO STAY IN MILOS

When you’re choosing where to stay in Milos, consider if you’d rather be close to the port and restaurants or prefer a quieter spot by the water. We stayed five nights at Santa Maria Village, just outside Adamas, and really liked having a peaceful place to return to that was still near town.

Adamas was a great choice for our first visit, but if we go back to Milos, I think we’d pick Pollonia. We enjoyed its calm seaside vibe and liked walking along the waterfront to restaurants in the evenings.

ADAMAS

Best for: First-time visitors and convenience

Adamas is the most convenient area to stay in Milos. The ferry arrives here, and you’ll have restaurants, shops, boat tours, and other essentials nearby. It’s a particularly good choice if you want an easy, central base for your first visit.

Santa Maria Village (where we stayed) • Civitas Milos • Solus Suites Milos

POLLONIA

Best for: Waterfront restaurants and a quieter stay

Pollonia is a lovely choice if you want a more relaxed atmosphere while still having restaurants within walking distance. We really enjoyed the waterfront here and came back several times during our trip, including for dinner on our last night.

Salt Suites • Kalea Suites • Melian Boutique Hotel & Spa

WHAT TO DO IN MILOS

We stayed in Milos for five nights, which let us explore the island at a relaxed pace. Here are the experiences I recommend making time for, whether you’re there for a few days or almost a week.

EXPLORE THE VILLAGES

Exploring the villages was one of my favorite things about Milos. Each village has its own charm, from colorful fishing harbors to lively waterfront towns. Since they’re close together, you can easily visit a few in one day.

KLIMA

Klima is just a short drive from Plaka and is known for its colorful fishermen’s houses right by the water. It’s one of the most photographed places on the island. You don’t need to spend much time here, but it’s definitely worth a visit. When we went, the sea was rough so we couldn’t walk along the shore, but the views made it worth it.

PLAKA

If you only have time for one village in Milos, choose Plaka. Its narrow whitewashed streets, small shops, and hilltop location make it one of the prettiest spots on the island. Before you go, walk up to the Church of Panagia Korfiatissa for panoramic views over Milos. This is one of the best viewpoints, especially at sunset.

MANDRAKIA

Mandrakia may be one of the smallest villages in Milos, but it was also one of the most memorable. The peaceful harbor, whitewashed boat garages, and waterfront setting make it feel like a postcard. We loved it so much that we came back another evening for dinner at Medusa, and it ended up being one of our favorite places to slow down and enjoy the scenery.

POLLONIA

Pollonia has a relaxed seaside atmosphere that immediately made us slow down. We loved strolling along the waterfront before lunch and enjoyed it so much that we returned for dinner on our last night. With its waterfront restaurants, small beach, and laid-back atmosphere, it’s one of the best places on the island to spend an afternoon or evening.

ADAMAS

As Milos’ main port town, Adamas is where most visitors begin and end their trip. It’s home to many of the island’s restaurants, shops, bakeries, and boat tours, making it a convenient place to wander between activities. Even if you’re staying elsewhere on the island, you’ll likely spend some time here.

TRYPITI

Just outside Plaka, Trypiti is a quiet village known for its traditional whitewashed houses and sweeping views over the bay. It’s also home to the Ancient Theatre of Milos and the Catacombs of Milos, making it a great stop if you’re interested in the island’s history. We enjoyed walking through the peaceful streets before continuing to nearby Klima.

SPEND A DAY AT THE BEACH

Milos is famous for its beaches, but no two feel the same. Rather than trying to visit as many as possible, I’d recommend choosing a few that match the kind of day you’re looking for.

TOURLOS BEACH

Tourlos was our favorite beach in Milos. We liked it so much that we went back for a second day. The water was clear, the atmosphere was peaceful, and it never felt crowded.

What makes Tourlos feel so special is that you almost have to know it’s there. The beach is accessed through Deep Blue Beach Bar, where a staircase leads down to the water, giving it the feel of a hidden gem. If you’re looking for a quieter beach away from the crowds, this is the one I’d recommend.

PALIOCHORI

Paliochori is one of the more developed beaches in Milos, with sunbeds, beach bars, and restaurants right on the sand. We hoped to love it, but it was a bit busier and louder than we wanted. We preferred nearby Tourlos, but if you like a lively beach with lots of amenities, Paliochori is a good option.

PAPikinou BEACH

Papikinou Beach was one of our more relaxed beach days in Milos. We rented sunbeds for the afternoon and stayed until it was time for dinner at O! Hamos! Tavern, which is right across the road. It was such an easy way to spend an afternoon and evening without having to go anywhere else.

SARAKINIKO

Sarakiniko is unlike any other place we visited in Greece. The smooth white volcanic rock looks almost like the moon, making it one of the island’s most famous sights. We went in the morning and explored for about an hour before it got crowded. If you can, go early or at sunset for the best experience.

FYROPOTAMOS

Framed by colorful fishermen’s houses and calm turquoise water, Fyropotamos is one of the prettiest beaches on the island. We didn’t spend the whole day here because the wind created large waves, but it was still well worth the stop. I’d recommend combining it with nearby Klima or Plaka while exploring this side of the island.

KLEFTIKO

Kleftiko isn’t a traditional beach, but it was one of the most unforgettable places we visited in Milos. Surrounded by towering white rock formations, sea caves, and impossibly clear turquoise water, it’s one of the island’s most iconic natural attractions. The best way to experience Kleftiko is by boat, where you can swim, explore the sea caves, and admire the dramatic coastline from the water. If you’re planning just one excursion during your trip, I’d make sure Kleftiko is part of it.

SEE MILOS FROM THE WATER

Milos is beautiful from land, but some of its best scenery is only visible from the water. Whether you take a catamaran cruise, a private sailing tour, or rent your own boat, getting out on the water is one of the best ways to see the island’s dramatic coastline, hidden coves, and sea caves.

SUNSET CATAMARAN CRUISE

A sunset catamaran cruise was a highlight of our trip to Milos. We spent the afternoon swimming in clear water, relaxing on the boat, and enjoying views of the coastline from the sea. Sailing back as the sun set was the perfect way to end the day and gave us a new perspective on Milos.

There are many boat tours to choose from, including half-day and full-day trips. We picked a sunset catamaran cruise, but if you like to explore on your own, renting a small boat is also popular. No matter what you choose, I highly recommend spending at least one day on the water.

THE CATS OF MILOS

Like many Greek islands, you’ll spot cats all over Milos. They wander through the villages, nap in the shade, and sometimes even join you at dinner. After we finished eating, a little kitten came over to our table and tried to help itself to our leftovers.

The locals take care of many of the cats and make sure they are fed, so you don’t need to feed them yourself. We enjoyed seeing them everywhere during our trip, and I couldn’t resist snapping lots of photos.

WHERE TO EAT IN MILOS

The food in Milos really surprised us in the best way. During our five nights there, we enjoyed meals at laid-back beach tavernas and unforgettable waterfront spots. These are the places I recommend you try.

If you eat gluten-free, check out my Gluten-Free Milos Guide. I share what I ordered, tips for eating gluten-free, and more detailed reviews of each restaurant there.

Psaravolada • Located near Agia Kiriaki Beach, it was where we celebrated our first wedding anniversary, and it couldn’t have been a more beautiful setting. Perched above the coastline, it’s the perfect place for a special dinner with incredible sea views.

Rifaki • In Pollonia quickly became one of our favorite restaurants on the island. We enjoyed it so much that we returned for dinner on our final night. Sitting right on the waterfront, it’s the perfect place to slow down after a day of exploring.

O! Hamos! Tavern • Just outside Adamas, it was one of the restaurants I was most excited to try before our trip, and it completely lived up to the hype. We spent the afternoon at the beach before walking across the road for dinner, making it one of our favorite evenings in Milos.

Medusa • Overlooks the picturesque fishing harbor in Mandrakia and is one of the island’s most well-known restaurants. We came here for dinner after exploring the village and loved the relaxed waterfront setting. If you’re already planning to visit Mandrakia, it’s an easy stop to add to your itinerary.

Petrinos • Located along the waterfront in Adamas, it was our first meal after arriving in Milos and the perfect introduction to the island. It’s a relaxing place to enjoy lunch while watching the boats come and go.

Gyros of Milos • In Adamas was exactly what we needed after our catamaran cruise. It’s a great choice for a quick, casual, and affordable meal before heading back to your hotel.