Milos is a great destination for anyone who loves the outdoors and wants to explore some really unique beaches and spectacular landscapes. It is one of the more off the beaten track islands in the Cyclades group as it is not nearly as well known as Mykonos, Santorini, Ios or even Paros. The island is volcanic which has led to the creation of many interesting rock formations and landforms with striking colours.
Where to Stay on Milos
The most convenient place to stay on Milos is probably the main port town of Adamantas, which is very lively with a good choice of restaurants. It is situated in the bay of Adamas which is a fantastic natural harbour which is very sheltered. Most of the buses leave from Adamantas to go to other parts of the Island. Another option for anyone planning to hire a vehicle is staying in the actual capital of the island, Plaka, which is up on the hill or in the peaceful seaside village of Pollonia.
How long to stay on Milos
As I mention in my guide on how to plan an idyllic holiday in the Greek Islands you are best to book at least three nights on Milos, which will leave you with at least two and a half days to explore. If you like a more active style of holiday it is entirely possible to explore two different villages or beaches in one day but if you’re looking for a more relaxed pace of life you can set out to explore one beach or settlement per day and make the most of a long lunch in the hottest part of the day. There is some really great Greek cuisine to be found don’t be afraid to savour traditional dishes like greek salads and gyros!
How to Get Around Milos
It is possible to get to many places on Milos by bus, which is an easy and affordable way to get around but the network is not as extensive as on some other islands. You may want to consider renting quad bikes, scooters or a buggie instead so that you are not reliant on buses. Just be forewarned that while people with UK (or other EU drivers licences) won’t have any trouble hiring a vehicle, if you have a NZ driver’s licence you will need an international drivers licence as well as your kiwi licence. This can only be obtained from the AA in New Zealand and is usually valid for a year.
Where to go on Milos
In terms of settlements it’s worth exploring the capital Plaka, the fishing town of Pollonia and at least one of the traditional fishing villages like Klýma, Madrákia, Mýtakas or Fyropótamos. These village have traditional Syrmata, ie. little colourful boat houses cut into the rock face.
There are so many beautiful beaches on Milos that it would take you a month to see all 70+, preferably with the help of an off-road vehicle. The best bet though is to choose a few different ones that give you a variety of experiences and scenery to take in.
Sarakiniko is set among strange limestone formations that almost make it resemble the moon. There is only a tiny bit of sand at the mouth of the bay but there is plenty of space to lay your towels out on the flatter bits of the rock face. The water is really lovely as the waves just gently buffet you and you can choose to swim out to the big rock across from the mouth of the bay. There is also a shipwreck to see, just to the right of the bay.
Tsigrado is a really unique beach on Milos which is not for the faint hearted. You have to use a series of ladders and ropes to climb into and out of the bay that it sits in, so take decent footwear and preferably a bag that won’t bother you as you climb in and out such as a sturdy backpack. Once you get down to the bay you can admire the volcanic rock and swim through some short sea caves.
Firiplaka is another beautiful beach just around the corner from Tsigrado. It’s quite shallow which makes it popular with families. It’s an organised beach so you can hire loungers & umbrellas as well as order drinks at the Beach Bar.
For anyone looking for a more adventurous excursion you can organise a day trip on a sailing boat to Kleftiko where the boats drop anchor so that you can swim amongst the incredible coves, inlets and and sea caves of this unique area.
Need more information to help you plan your holiday in the Cyclades? Check out my full guide here.