About
Milos is of volcanic origin and belongs with Santorini and other islands to the South Aegean Volcanic Arc. When arriving by boat you will notice the sunken caldera where the port of Adamas is located. Today there is still volcanic activity on the island in the form of hot springs and gas’s bubbling out of the ground close to some beaches. Due to the volcanic activity many minerals can be found on the island and are still mined today.
Milos was one of the most surprising islands for us on our Cycladic Islands-tour. We loved the stunning landscape, the wild west part of the island which can only be explored with a 4WD, as well as the whitewashed south where you would expect C3PO to come around the corner at any moment.
Arrival
Ferries from Athens and most of the other islands will drop you off in Adamas which is also the liveliest village on the island. Milos has a small airport which is serviced a couple times of times a day from Athens which might be a good option if you don’t have much time or Poseidon is treating you badly.
Getting around
The island has uncountable rental car stations, we have never seen so many. But of course, if you want to save some money, book in advance through Rentalcars.com or Meinbilligermietwagen.de (the earlier the better) Cancellations can be done, often up to 36 hours before arrival in case you change your plans. You will reach most areas on the island with a normal car or scooter but if you want to explore the west of the island, a 4WD is a must. We were fine with our little Italian “limousine”.
Sleep
We stayed in Anemos Studios, well located in a calm side street in Adamas. The studio had a small kitchen, terrace and a renovated bathroom. Another option is Melagrana (also in Adamas), it has beautiful well organised rooms with little terraces and a kitchen.
A beautiful experience are the old fishermen’s houses in Klima. The mixture between a boat house and living quarters called “Syrmata” offer the sound of the sea to fall asleep and are available on Airbnb. Enter “Klima” in the search field of Airbnb to find these houses. You can get USD 25 off your first Airbnb booking here.
Eat
When you eat in O!Chamos you might think you are in a photo shoot from “Elle Decoration”, everything here is made with love. All dishes are served in clay pottery and the tasteful, homemade whole-grain bread served in a cotton bag are a welcome relief in the land of white bread. Order the aubergine salad, warm chickpea salad or try one of the best saganakis (fried cheese) on the Greek islands.
Mikros Apoplous is supposed to be one of the best fish restaurants on the island. Choose your fish from the display and let them grill it. This place is on the pricey side but the marvellous view over the bay lets us forget that the fish was a little dry; maybe the chef had a bad day. Try it if you are a seafood lover.
We cannot remember ever seeing real gyros being grilled over charcoal. Flisvos Taverna, where time has stood still, still offers this authentic experience. The location directly at the port of Adamas offers perfect views of the catwalk of tourists.
Also located at the port, Yankos offers good and very generous pasta dishes and pizza. It may not be the best Italian but a welcome change to Greek cuisine. The setting is nice, and the cocktails are fairly priced.
Probably the best place to observe the sunset and eat fresh fish is Astakas in Klima. It is a more elegant and pricey choice, but the setting is wonderful, and the service was very polite. Light a candle in the little church and visit the Syrmata before. One of those houses is transformed into a little souvenir shop should you need some things to bring to the one who is watering your plants at home.
Best Coffee
Opsidianos Art Café in Pollonia
Explore
A trip to Sarakiniko is a must. We did not really know what to expect but when we arrived there, the scenery was breath-taking. The white volcanic rock which was formed over thousands of years by the forces of nature to a moon-shaped landscape is one of the most photographed beaches in Greece. Beach? Yes, you can swim here and there is even a ship wreck to snorkel to if the sea is calm. A white natural bridge over the deep blue Mediterranean Sea is the perfect spot for an Instagram shot; the place often requires some queueing.
Get lost in Plaka. This little sleepy village offers a choice of beautiful cafes, bars and restaurants. The views down to Adamas and the Aegean Sea from the hilltop castle and the little surrounding churches are amazing. It’s good to come late in the afternoon when the heat goes down. Spectacular Aegean sunsets will guarantee beautiful pictures.
Jump on a boat and sail to the Kleftiko rocks. Depending on your resistance to sea sickness start in Adamas or Kipos beach in the south. Different cruises are available for full or half days. Find the suitable trip while wandering along the quay the night before and chat with the captains, this way you can be sure that the weather conditions allow the boat to leave the next day. Some offer food, some stop for snorkelling and some sail around the whole island.
Drive up to Pollonia and board the ferry to Kimolos, this deserted island offers empty beaches and tranquillity, even in high season. Be sure to catch the last ferry back if you don’t want to sleep with the goats.
Beaches
Milos has an abundance of beautiful beaches, 70 they say, spread around the island in more or less accessible coves. The southern beaches have the advantage of being protected from the “Meltemia”, the dry and strong northern winds that can make a stay at the beach on the northern shore unpleasant.
Paliochiori beach in the south is large and has colourful cliffs to protect you from the winds, as well as tavernas to drench your thirst and a naturist area on each end to rid you of your tan lines.
Fyriplaka beach, also in the south has a sunbed area and some free space as well. Crystal clear waters make it popular, but as the beach is not very large, come early if you fancy a sunbed. This beach also has a beach bar.
Provatas beach’s shallow waters make it a great choice for families. It has a small hotel with a large terrace where friendly staff serve you food and coffee. Both sunbeds and free spots are on offer.
Did you know
Of the 5’000 inhabitants of Milos, the majority are working in mining and not in tourism, as you might assume.
Milos offers more than 70 beaches and many of them are not reachable by wheels. A boat taxi to a beach is always a wonderful experience and does not cost much. Former fisher boats shuttle you to the popular places.
Watch our Milos Videos here
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