Milos, Greece quickly became one of our favorite places in the world. Working in the travel industry, I always heard that Milos is where Greeks actually go on vacation. Not Santorini, not Mykonos: Milos. So when we started planning our honeymoon for peak summer season, we knew we didn’t want to fight the cruise ship crowds and expensive prices of Santorini. We wanted a place that still felt like a secret, even in July.

Milos delivered exactly that. Five days on this Cycladic island gave us white lunar landscapes, quiet fishing villages, and some of the best food we had in Greece. Here’s everything you need to plan your own trip to this magical place.

Why We Love Milos, Greece

Milos feels untouched. Sure, there are other tourists, but you still hear Greek being spoken, you can find a quiet swim spot to yourself and the prices are reasonable.

Nothing is that far away on the island (20-30 minute drive max) so you can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. Since it was our honeymoon, we strategically built in a few days where we had zero plans. This allowed us to go back to our favorite spots, and even stumble across some places that weren’t even on our radar! We’re already dreaming of going back.

Getting To & Around Milos

Getting to Milos

We flew into Naxos first, then took a high-speed Sea Jets ferry over to Milos before flying back out to Athens at the end of the trip. One piece of honest advice: skip the high-speed ferry if you can help it. Everyone on our boat got seasick, myself included, and even though it’s high-speed, it still takes 4 hours to get there. (Which is a long time to be stuck on a boat feeling nauseous). If you’re island-hopping, we’d recommend flying between islands instead, or booking a slower, larger ferry if a boat ride is part of the experience you want.

Getting Around Milos

Rent a car! The owner at Calma Suites where we stayed helped us set ours up through a local rental company, and it ended up being very affordable. They even dropped it off at our accomodation so it was so simple! Our recommendation is to reach out to your hotel or Airbnb host first before booking through a big chain, as the locals seem to have connections with better rates.

We also saw plenty of other travelers getting around on four-wheelers (ATVs) instead, which looked like a fun option too if you don’t mind being a little more exposed to the elements. We did this during our 3-days in Naxos and loved it, but having more storage space in the car was welcomed during our extended stay in Milos. Either way, plan on renting something to get around. Milos’s best spots are spread out, and you won’t get to them on foot!

Where to Stay in Milos, Greece

We built our entire trip around this stay, and it was worth it. (I’m not kidding, we literally pushed our honeymoon back a year so we could stay here).

Calma Suites is secluded and romantic in a way that felt exactly right for a honeymoon: a private pool, an outdoor shower, and a large interior, all with an excellent view over the city and water. It’s the kind of place where you don’t need to leave the property to have a good day.

One thing to know: Calma Suites books up roughly a year in advance. We actually planned to take our honeymoon the summer right after our wedding, but pushed it back because we’d missed our window to book this stay and didn’t want to settle for somewhere else. If a specific property is part of your Milos vision, start looking well before you think you need to. Nightly rates run $250 to $500, depending on the season but we felt it was worth the splurge!

Milos Greece Attractions & Top Things to Do

Milos is a small island, so you can cover a lot, even in a short amount of time. We were blown away by the beaches, crystal clear water and colorful fishing villages!

Sarakiniko Beach

This was our favorite spot in Milos, Greece, hands down. We came back three separate times in five days. Sarakiniko is a stretch of white volcanic cliffs that drop into water so clear it looks fake, with locals and travelers cliff jumping the whole day. It feels genuinely otherworldly, like you’ve landed on the moon!

Our recommendation would be to make more time for this place, as you’ll want to hike to explore the rock formations, swim and even cliff jump. There is a small parking lot, which fills up quickly, so you’ll see cars lining the road. It takes about 5-10 minutes to actually walk down to the cliffs but it’s worth it! Be sure to pack a blanket to sit on, towels and even some food, since (separate from the food truck), there are not a lot of places to eat nearby.

• Cost: Free
• Estimated Time Needed: 2-3 hours

Mandrakia

Mandrakia is a small, quiet fishing village that absolutely needs to be on your Milos list! Good for a calm swim away from the bigger beaches. The village itself is small, so you really don’t need a lot of time to see it all. We recommend getting lunch at Medusa for the freshest seafood! (Seriously, behind the restaurant they have octopi and squid hanging to dry).

We also noticed some people staying in the small fishing houses, so this could be a fun option if you’re looking for a spot right on the water!

• Cost: Free
• Estimated Time Needed: 1-2 hours

Klima

Another fishing village, known for its colorful boathouses built right into the cliffside. We stopped here to swim and just take in the views. It’s one of the most photographed spots on the island for good reason. Wear sandals or be prepared to take off your shoes, as the waves are crashing up on the walkway and even into some of the shops!

• Cost: Free
• Estimated Time Needed: 1-2 hours

Algomandra Beach

This beach is unique because it’s a sandy cove lined with white rock cliffs. It’s quieter than Sarakiniko but just as beautiful. Since there is sand, you can lay out a blanket more comfortably. The highlight is the calm, crystal clear blue water!

• Cost: Free
• Estimated Time Needed: 1-2 hours

Milos Boat Tour

This full-day catamaran tour hits several swim spots around Milos and the neighboring islet of Poliegos, and it includes lunch. At $239 per person, it isn’t cheap, but it really is an all-day event, not a quick loop around the bay so we found it to be extremely worth it!

The highlight is docking at Kleftiko which are beautiful rock formations that can only be accessed by boat.

• Cost: $239
• More Information: Milos Boat Tour*
• Estimated Time Needed: 8 hours

Plaka

Plaka is a small village that sits high on a hill in Milos. It’s what you’d expect a white-washed Greek village to look like! We found all of our souvenirs here, as there are so many cute little shops. We also caught one of the best sunsets of the trip from the Church of Panagia Korfiatissa. We recommend arriving early to beat the crowds and get a spot along the wall to watch the sun dip into the Agean!

Ancient Theater of Milos

A well-preserved ancient theater said to be built during the Hellenistic period in the 3rd century BCE. The theater has awesome views of the sea and is worth the short stop if you’re en route to Klima!

• Cost: Free
• Estimated Time Needed: 30 minutes

Venus de Milo Discovery Site

The Venus de Milo (yes, the famous statue now in the Louvre) was found right here on Milos. There’s a replica marking the site. It’s located near the Ancient theater so makes for a quick stop.

• Cost: Free
• Estimated Time Needed: 30 minutes

Milos Catacombs

The catacombs is a paid experience, and comes with a short guided tour. This was used as a hidden Christian brurial site in 1st Century AD when Christianity was still outlawed by the Romans. There are multiple corridors with almost 290 carved wall tombs, and an estimated 2,000 floor graves. Tickets do not need to be bought in advance and can be purchased onsite.

• Cost: €10
• Estimated Time Needed: 30 minutes

Where to Eat & Drink in Milos, Greece

Milos, Greece has some incredibly fresh food. The prices are generally reasonable across the island and the hospitality is unbeatable.

• Kyra: Located below Plaka, we found this to be a perfect spot to eat before making the journey on foot up the hill to the village. They have expansive outdoor seating and delicious pizza.
• Kivotos ton Gefseon Bakery: We stopped here to try some traditional Greek baked goods and enjoyed a cool drink on there shaded patio.
• Medusa: As mentioned above, Medusa (located in Mandrakia), has some of the freshed seafood we’ve ever eaten! There are no reservations and it’s a popular spot, so we recommend showing up right when it opens for lunch to get a table. If you arrive and there is a wait, put your name on the list, then take a lap around the village.
• Emborios Taverna: One of the coolest dining experiences we’ve had anywhere. The waves literally wash up into the restaurant while you eat. They have Yai Yais (Greek Grandmothers) cooking in the kitchen, so you already know the food is going to be good.
• OH HAMOS Tavern: Not our top pick, but the atmosphere is really lovely and the Greek food is solid. Worth it if you’re in the area and want a relaxed meal. Be aware that they also don’t take reservations so you will need to wait. The bonus is that they have a beach bar across the street so you can enjoy some views while you wait.
• Makris: Upscale, and the most expensive meal we had on the island. The food was delicious and beautifully presented. Book a sunset reservation if you can. The view alone makes it worth the splurge, especially if you’re celebrating!

Our 3-Day Milos, Greece Itinerary

We had 5 days and loved every slow-paced minute of it, but if you’re tighter on time, 3 days is enough to hit everything that makes Milos, Greece worth the trip.

Day 1: Sarakiniko

Settle into your stay, then head straight for Sarakiniko Beach to explore the lunar landscape and do some cliff jumping or swimmiong. It’s the single most iconic spot on the island so should be a top priority. Afterwards, head over to Mandrakia for lunch at Medusa. End your day shopping in Plaka and catch the sunset over the water.

Day 2: Boat Day

Spend the full day on the Milos boat tour*. It’s an all-day event with lunch included, and it’s the easiest way to see swim spots and coastline you can’t reach by car. Return sun-kissed and tired from swimming all day!

Day 3: Fishing Villages

Start the morning at Klima to see the colorful boathouses. Don’t be afraid to take a dip while there. In the afternoon, visit the Ancient Theater of Milos and the Venus de Milo discovery site, then close things out with the Milos Catacombs. Book dinner at Makris for sunset to end the trip on a high note (reserve ahead).

What We’d Do Differently

Fly instead of ferry. We took the high-speed Sea Jets ferry from Naxos to Milos, and everyone got seasick (myself included). If we did this trip again, we’d fly between islands instead, or book a slower, larger ferry if we wanted the boat experience without the rough ride. We thought it could have been a fluke (bad weather, or bigger waves) but this seems to be a common experience after some research.

Spend a day at Sarakiniko: We loved this other-worldly beach so much, we went back 3x during our 5 day stay. We wish we had carved out more dedicated time to stay there, rather than making it a quick stop. Bring a blanket and cooler, and make a day of it!

Fly Sky Express: We booked our 1-way flight from Milos to Athens for the end of our trip on Sky Express. We had 2 carry-on bags (which we were forced to check) and 1-checked bag. All of which were left behind because the flight would have been too heavy and Milos has a small runway! Luckily for us, we only had 1 night at an airport hotel in Athens before flying home the next morning. Our bags did make it back to us about 3 days later. Others at the airport were just starting their trip, which made it really challenging to determine where they should have their luggage sent. If we were to do it again, we would recommend Olympic Air instead. To be safe, always keep an Air Tag in your luggage so you can track where it is!

Practical Tips & When to Visit

When to Visit

Milos, Greece gets hot in the Summer, but since it’s an island, cooler in the evenings. Like many Summer destinations, late Spring or early Fall may be a more comfortable season to visit but we truly loved our time there in the Summer. It never felt over crowded and we were always near water to cool off if we got too hot!

Tips

• Book early, especially for peak season: Popular stays like Calma Suites fill up a year in advance.
• Fly, don’t take the ferry: The high-speed ferries can get rough, and seasickness will wreck the start of your trip.
• Rent a car or ATV the moment you land: There’s no version of a good Milos trip without your own wheels.

Packing Tips

• Sturdy sandals or water shoes (the terrain of the beaches at Sarakiniko, Klima and Mandrakia are rocky)
• Reef-safe sunscreen (I’m not joking when I say we went through 15 bottles during our 2-week trip).
• Beach towels or blankets. A lot of spots are off the beaten path, so don’t expect sun beds.

Who is Milos for?

• Adventurer: Cliff jumping at Sarakiniko, boat days, renting an ATV to road trip around. This is an active island if you want it to be.
• Beach Lovers: The water is crystal clear and the perfect way to stay cool!
• History Buffs: The Ancient Theater, the Venus de Milo site, and the Catacombs give you a real dose of history between beach days.
• Couples: We found Milos to be incredibly romantic. From catching sunsets, to relaxing on the beach, it’s quieter than the other islands so makes for a perfect getaway for couples.

Milos is one of those places where the second we got home, we were already talking about wanting to go back! It holds a special place in our hearts because we spent our honeymoon there and it was worth the wait!

All of the recommendations in our destination guides are places we have personally stayed, dined or explored so you can get an authentic perspective. We will always be transparent if we haven’t personally done something or experienced it firsthand!

Please note: Prices listed in this post are approximate and subject to change. Always check official websites before booking.

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