Best Things to Do in Milos: The Ultimate Travel Guide

If you are planning a trip to the Aegean and looking for the best things to do in Milos, then look no further! In this guide, we will discuss all the things this beautiful, volcanic island has to offer.

Milos is mostly known to be a destination for family vacation, but reading this guide you will see that it’s pretty much tailored to everyone. There is culture and history to explore, amazing beaches to sunbathe and swim, restaurants with tasty local dishes and fresh seafood and wild, natural landscapes to walk in. You can spend your days visiting museums, castles and fishing villages, or relaxing in bars.

Let’s talk about it all now!

Best Time to Visit Milos

Most people think that mid-summer is the best time to visit Milos. There is some truth to that. But if you are looking for the best balance between pleasant weather, thin crowds and activities available, then May, June and September are the best time to visit Greece and Milos overall. Temperatures range between 16°C – 29°C, depending on the month and time of day. You can swim, walk around and explore with no issue.

July and August, which are the peak season months, are hotter (23°C – 31°C on average) and more crowded. But the vibes and energy are different. More upbeat one could say. If you are looking for parties, people and a livelier atmosphere, then peak season is for you.

Getting to Milos: Ferries & Flights

The most usual way to get to Milos is by ferry from Piraeus. Ships start departing early in the morning and the route lasts between 2 and a half and 6 hours, depending on the ship. Alternatively, you can go by plane, since Milos has an airport. Most people combine a city break vacation in Athens, where they stay for a couple of days, before they go to Milos. A great option if you’re wondering where to go in Greece for the first time.

Another option is to take a ferry from Sifnos, Santorini, Naxos or Paros. The trip takes around 1 – 2 hours and you can combine all these islands into a nice Aegean Sea adventure! 

Best Ways to Explore Milos

A car or ATV are your best options. Cars are ideal for families and ATVs for couples or groups of friends. Both will give you the flexibility you need to explore the island in your own time and pace and reach hidden beaches and coves, away from the crowds. 

Milos doesn’t see the amount of people other Greek islands do, so moving around in a vehicle is much easier. Cars are ideal for families and make exploring Milos easy, which is why the island is often included among the best Greek islands for families.

Best Areas to Stay in Milos

Milos has plenty of hotels and AirBNBs, but they fill up quickly. Make sure to book well in advance or let Greek Insiders arrange everything for you, including your itinerary! The most obvious places to stay are either Plaka, the capital of Milos, or Adamantas, the harbour town which is actually bigger than Plaka.

Most accommodation is concentrated in the northern part of the island. There are options in the south too, but we recommend you stick to the north and use a car or ATV to explore the rest of Milos.

Narrow street with Bougainvillea flowers in Plaka village (Milos Island, Cyclades, Greece).

Best Restaurants in Milos

Vacation on a Greek island and food go hand in hand. Here is a list of restaurants and cafes you should definitely pay a visit.

Medusa

Located on Mandrakia beach, Medusa specializes in seafood. It offers fresh dishes and it’s extremely popular, so make sure to book a reservation. Otherwise, you will have to be a bit patient.

Astakas Klima

Right on the Klima village waterfront, Astakas is perfect if you want to combine a tasty meal with jaw dropping views and sunsets. You can walk around the quaint town first, dive in the nearby sea to cool down and then have a relaxing lunch in Astakas. Reservations are also recommended here.

Ergina

Perfect for past and Greek specialties. Even more perfect if you are looking for a romantic date night. It’s near the Milos catacombs, so you can pair these two places in a single day.

Hanabi Sushi

Sushi while on vacation in Greece? Sure, why not! Not a traditional Aegean Island experience, but if you find yourself craving some rolls, Hanabi Sushi in Pollonia is the perfect spot.

Avli Milos

With tables by the street in downtown Plaka, Avli is a great place to try local delicacies, while people-watching. A very authentic restaurant, offering a very authentic experience. 

Cafe Palaios

After lunch, comes dinner and Cafe Palaios is the place to go! Homemade sweets, pastries and cakes combined with traditional Greek ingredients such as olive oil. Believe it or not, they go great together! Don’t miss it.

Archontoula

Another great option in Plaka, Archontoula is a higher-end restaurant with the food quality you would expect from one. Famous for its appetizers, filled with herbs and served with watermelon sauce, Archontoula offers a different, more luxurious travel experience in Milos.

Gyros of Milos

On the other hand, Gyros of Milos keeps it traditional. Quick, easy and tasty, gyros are ideal if you are looking for a bite to sate your hunger while exploring or walking around. You can find it in Adamantas port and there is plenty of seating to take a rest as well.

Oh! Hamos! Tavern

A local favourite, Oh! Hamos! Tavern offers traditional Greek dishes and a lively atmosphere. Also in Adamantas, on the waterfront. 

Things to Do in Milos

Explore the Fishing Villages of Milos

Milos has a small population, around 5 thousand people. Most live on Plaka and Adamantas, but there are also plenty of charming, quaint fishing villages dotting the island. Explore them with a car or ATV and discover traditional communities, tasty dishes and amazing beaches. Many of these experiences reflect the wider variety of things to do in Greece.

Some villages you should visit are Klima, Mandrakia, Trypiti, Fyropotamos, Triovasalos and Pollonia.

They are all stunning, colorful and authentic. Klima is famous for the syrmata, traditional fishermen houses built directly on the sea, Mandrakia for its natural harbour and colorful boat houses and Tripiti was the site where Venus de Milo was found! Triovasalos is a bit bigger and livelier, while Pollonia is quiet and ideal for families and couples. It also offers great restaurants and a small sandy beach.

Sunset Views in Plaka, Milos

Plaka is also a small village, with no more than 800 people, but we thought it would be best to mention it in its own entry in this guide.

Walk among Plaka’s narrow streets, take photos of the blue doors and whitewashed buildings and most of all, watch the sunset, from the Panagia Korphiatiisa church or the Plaka castle we mention below. Finish your day with a romantic dinner or have a casual souvlaki, sitting at the restaurant or by continuing your explorations.

Plaka Castle: History & Sunset Views

One of the best things to do in Plaka is visit the Venetian castle. Built in the 13th century on Prophet Elias hill, the Venetian castle offers panoramic views of the islands, surrounding sea and the famous sunset. It’s free to access, but you do have to climb 200 steps to reach. Nothing is explicitly free after all!

The castle is unique in its design, as it used the outer walls of local houses to form a defensive barrier. On the way to the summit, you pass the Panagia Korfiatissa church. Sunset views from Plaka Castle and candlelit dinners by the sea make Milos ideal for a romantic honeymoon in Greece.

The Catacombs of Milos

Located near the Trypiti village, the Catacombs date back to the 1st – 5th century AD. An early Chrisitan burial site, they rank among the most significant in the world, alongside those in Rome! They are carved into soft volcanic rock and stretch for 184 meters. 

They consist of three interconnected tunnels and house hundreds of tombs! The walls feature inscriptions and early Christian symbols. You can take guided tours there that typically last 1 hour and let yourself be drawn in by the quiet and somber atmosphere. The Catacombs are a perfect addition to any trip that focuses on culture and history.

The Sand Museum of Milos

Unless you are Anakin Skywalker, you probably don’t hate sand. You might not be a fan either, but the Sand Museum in Plaka is still worth a visit. It’s a fun little museum, founded by a geologist and you can see sand from all over the world. 

You can even place it under a microscope and it’s an ideal way for kids to introduce them to science and exploration. Visiting the Sand Museum is one of the most unique things to do in Milos. The Sand Museum also works wonderfully for family travel in Greece.

Discover Milos’ Mining History

Milos has a long mining past, spanning over 10,000 years. With a rich geological history, the Mining Museum is filled with obsidian artifacts, mineral samples, tools and much more. It’s a two story building in Adamas and the exhibitions range from the Neolithic era to modern–day bentonite and perlite production history. There are also dedicated screening rooms for documentaries and audio guide systems available in five languages (Greek, English, French. German, Italian.)

If you want to learn more about daily life and the history of Milos, then a stop at the Mining Museum is a must. It’s also one of the most interesting things to do in Adamas.

Explore the Kleftiko Caves by Boat

The Kleftiko Caves are only accessible by boat, which you can rent from the port or Agia Kiriaki. Trips last around 4-5 hours or they can even be full-day excursions and include visits to the white rock formations and swimming at Gerontas beach or Sykia cave.

Most tours also include snorkeling equipment, lunch, drinks and some even access the shallow cave areas, allowing for some cave diving as well.

The Kleftiko caves used to be hideouts for thieves and pirates, but today they are true gems with sparkling blue waters. You can book boats, yachts or catamarans and enjoy a day full of wonder and adventure travel! Certainly, one of the top things to do in Milos.

The Most Beautiful Beaches in Milos

With its relaxed pace, manageable distances, and easy road access, Milos is also a great choice for senior travel in Greece. That includes some of its beaches too! Let’s check some of the most famous and beautiful ones.

Sarakiniko

Do you like lava? Probably not, but what if we told you that there is a whole beach made of it! The lava in Sarakiniko has been bleached by the sun and sea.creating a unique landscape. White rock and sandy beach, along with cliffs and a swimming hole that connects to the sea.

It’s a very popular and iconic beach, offering magical views. Make sure to bring shoes to walk comfortably on the rocky terrain. If you can, stay there at least until sunset. The volcanic rock formations, sea caves, and crystal-clear waters showcase some of the most impressive nature & wildlife in Greece.

Tsigrado

Tsigrado can be an adventure on its own. To reach it, you need to scale down a gorge and climb down steep stairs. But the beauty of the beach is well worth the challenge. It’s small and attracts plenty of people, so it’s best to get there early in the morning. The water is clear and crystal blue and the whole beach looks like a hideout. Bring water and snacks, since there aren’t any bars or restaurants there.

Firiplaka

If you don’t want to trouble yourself getting down a Tsigrado, you can always go to Firiplaka right next to it. Much easier to reach and perfect for families, Firiplaka is also organised with beach chairs and umbrellas. There is also a free section to lay down your own towel.

Papafragas

Papafragas is split in two by a rock formation. The left stretch of water is calmer and easy to access, while the right one is surrounded by walls and whitewashed caves. They are both beautiful and worth a visit.

Paliochori

A traditional beach, organised and with a cafe ready to serve you refreshing drinks and snacks. Paliochori or Paleochori is a colorful beach and stunning blue waters. It’s a great place if you just want a relaxing beach day.

Cyclades Island Hopping from Milos

Milos is a great base for island hopping in Cyclades! 

Sifnos is easy to reach and only an hour away by ferry. The beaches are less crowded, you can explore the town and villages and taste the incredible local food.

Paros is livelier, with sandy beaches, bars and a more vibrant atmosphere. If you are looking for more dining and shopping options, then Paros is a natural pair.

Santorini, perhaps the most iconic island in the Aegean along with Mykonos is very popular for all kinds of vacationers. It’s two hours away from Milos, so it’s ideal for day trips, cruises or you can start your vacation in Santorini and end it in Milos. The opposite is also a great option!

Naxos is also quiet, with long beaches, mountain villages and traditional tavernas. It offers a more local and family-friendly atmosphere. Perfect to chill and relax after an intense day of swimming and exploring.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Milos

As we saw, there are plenty of things to do in Milos! Despite it being a small and somewhat quiet island, you can still find all kinds of adventures and activities to do there.

You can visit museums, ancient sites and castles. Dive in beautiful beaches, watch stunning sunsets and explore charming villages and towns. You can also take boat trips, discover hidden coves and caves and hop around nearby islands like Santorini, Naxos, Paros and Sifnos.

Overall, Milos is perfect for a relaxed vacation. Ideal to recharge your batteries. And if you want to make it even easier and more relaxed, then book your trip to Milos through Greece Insiders and live the vacation of your dreams!