Milos is the most dramatic and photogenic island in the Cyclades, a volcanic island shaped by ancient eruptions and mining, with a coastline that shelters more than 70 beaches unlike anywhere else in Greece. Chalk white cliffs, sea caves once used by pirates, a lunar landscape of smooth white rock, warm black volcanic sand and colourful fishing villages carved into the rock all sit within a short distance of each other. This is also the island where the famous statue of the Venus de Milo was found, and it has genuine ancient history to go with its extraordinary scenery. Here is what to do when you visit.
The best things to do in Milos at a glance
- Take a boat trip to Kleftiko, the sea caves and white rock formations reachable only by water
- Explore Sarakiniko, the lunar white landscape that is the island’s icon
- Wander Plaka, the hilltop capital, and climb to the Kastro for the sunset
- See the colourful boathouses of Klima, the most photographed fishing village on the island
- Visit the ancient sites, the Roman theatre, the early Christian catacombs and the Venus de Milo discovery site
- Relax on the volcanic beaches of the south coast, from black-sand Paleochori to colourful Firiplaka
- Discover the fishing villages of Pollonia, Mandrakia and Firopotamos
- Take a day trip to Kimolos, the quiet neighbouring island
The main things to do in Milos
Take a boat trip to Kleftiko
If you do one thing on Milos, take a boat trip to Kleftiko. This is the single best experience on the island, and one of the most spectacular in the whole Cyclades. On the remote south west corner of Milos, Kleftiko is a cluster of gleaming white cliffs and sea stacks rising straight out of the cobalt blue water, riddled with caves and swim-through arches. There is no road, so it can only be reached by sea, which is part of what keeps it so pristine.
The name comes from the Saracen pirates who once used this stretch of coast as a strategic hideout, and today the pleasure boats have replaced the marauders. Daily cruises circle Kleftiko and the nearby coves, stopping to let you swim and snorkel through the caves and arches, and on a lucky day you may spot the rare monk seals that live along the coast. The boats leave from the main port at Adamas, and a full day tour is well worth it. Note that the trip occasionally has to be rescheduled when the meltemi wind picks up in July and August, so leave a spare day in your plans if you can. Explore more of the island’s sea caves on the way.
Explore Sarakiniko
Sarakiniko is the icon of Milos and one of the most extraordinary landscapes in Greece. On the north coast, wind and sea have sculpted the soft white volcanic rock into a smooth, undulating moonscape of ridges, craters and arches, so otherworldly that it genuinely looks like the surface of the moon. Named, like Kleftiko, after the Saracen pirates who once frequented this coast, it is now one of the most photographed places in the Cyclades.
You can swim off the white rocks into the deep channel of clear water in the middle, jump from the ledges if you are brave, and wander across the pale landscape. It is a short drive from Adamas and one of the few famous Milos beaches you can drive right up to, so it gets busy at midday. Go early in the morning or in the late afternoon, when the light is best and the crowds thinner, and when the white rock turns an unearthly shade of violet at sunset.
Wander Plaka and climb to the Kastro
Plaka is the capital of Milos, a beautiful hilltop village of whitewashed houses, narrow alleys and small squares, built high above the bay with panoramic views over the Aegean. The lanes hide cafes, tavernas and boutique shops, and it is a lovely place to stroll in the late afternoon before the sunset. Plaka is also home to the Archaeological Museum of Milos, where you can see a replica of the Venus de Milo, the famous statue of the goddess Aphrodite that was found on the island and now stands in the Louvre in Paris.
Above the village is the Kastro, the old district crowned by the remnants of a 13th-century Venetian castle and the church of Panagia Thalassitra. The climb to the top is short, and the sunset views over the Gulf of Milos and the open Aegean are, quite simply, some of the best on the island. For more on the town, see our guide to the villages of Milos, and for the best photo spots, the Milos photography guide.
See the colourful boathouses of Klima
Klima is the most photographed of the island’s fishing villages and one of its most special sights. It is a row of traditional syrmata, the old fishermen’s boathouses built right into the rock at the water’s edge, with living quarters above and boat garages below, their doors painted in bright reds, blues, oranges and greens. Some of these syrmata have been converted into accommodation, so you can even sleep right above the water. Klima sits below Plaka, and it is at its most beautiful at sunset, when the low sun sets the colourful houses aglow and the whole village reflects in the still water of the bay.
Visit the ancient sites
Milos has a rich ancient history to go with its scenery. Near the village of Tripiti, a short distance from Plaka, you can visit the Catacombs, a remarkable network of underground burial chambers cut into the rock by early Christians fleeing Roman persecution, one of the most important early Christian sites in Greece. Nearby is the partially restored Roman Theatre, a beautiful ancient amphitheatre with sea views between its marble seats, still used for performances in summer.
Also near Tripiti is the spot where the Venus de Milo was discovered by a local farmer in 1820, marked as a site you can visit. To understand the island’s mineral and mining history, which has shaped Milos for thousands of years, the Mining Museum in Adamas tells the story well. Together these sites give Milos a cultural depth that many Cyclades islands lack.
Relax on the volcanic beaches
With more than 70 beaches, Milos is a beach lover’s island, and its volcanic geology gives them extraordinary variety and colour. On the south coast, Paleochori has warm black volcanic sand, heated in places by geothermal activity, and colourful mineral-streaked cliffs behind it. Nearby, Firiplaka is a striking beach backed by dramatic coloured cliffs, and Tsigrado is a hidden gem reached down a rope and ladder through a gap in the rocks, popular with more adventurous swimmers.
On the north coast, Firopotamos is a pretty fishing village cove with calm water, and the sheltered Agia Kiriaki on the south coast is good for families. Because the beaches face every direction, the wind on any given day determines which coast is calm, so having a car and flexible plans lets you follow the sheltered water. The full Milos beaches guide covers all of them and how to reach each one.
Discover the fishing villages
Beyond Klima, Milos has a string of beautiful traditional fishing villages, each with the colourful syrmata boathouses lining turquoise bays. Mandrakia is a small hamlet with a well-loved fish taverna right on the water, Firopotamos is a peaceful cove with a tiny church, and Pollonia on the north east coast is a relaxed seaside village of good fish tavernas and the departure point for the boat to Kimolos. These villages feel suspended in time and are lovely for a slow lunch or a sunset dinner by the water. See the full guide to the villages of Milos for more.
Take a day trip to Kimolos
The small island of Kimolos lies just across the water from Milos, a short boat ride from Pollonia, and it makes a wonderful quiet day trip. Named after the Greek word for chalk because of its white rocks, Kimolos has a landscape similar to Milos, with clear waters, bizarre rock formations, natural arches and little white houses. It is far less developed, with one main village, Chorio, and a scatter of quiet beaches. For those who want to escape even the modest crowds of Milos, a day on Kimolos is a lovely addition to a trip.
Explore the volcanic landscape and go sea kayaking
Milos is a geological wonder, and beyond the famous beaches there is much to explore for those who want to get active. The dramatic volcanic and caldera landscapes of the island, with their coloured rocks, hot springs and old sulphur mines, are unlike anywhere else in the Cyclades. Sea kayaking along the coast is a wonderful way to reach hidden coves and caves under your own power, and the geological tours run by local experts bring the island’s extraordinary landscape to life. The natural formation at Papafragas, a narrow sea inlet between towering cliffs on the north coast, is another striking sight worth seeking out.
Taste the local food and wine
Milos has a genuine and growing food scene. Local specialities to look for include pitarakia, small fried cheese pies, the island’s tomato dishes made with the sweet local tomatoes, and grilled octopus fresh from the sea. The island also has excellent wineries where wines are aged in seaside caves, and you can visit for wine tastings or seek out the local cheese making experiences. A long, slow seafood dinner in one of the fishing villages like Pollonia or Mandrakia, watching the sun go down over the water, is one of the great pleasures of the island.
Best things to do in Milos for…
First-time visitors
For a first visit, the essentials are the Kleftiko boat trip, the lunar landscape of Sarakiniko, a wander through Plaka and up to the Kastro for the sunset, the colourful houses of Klima, and a couple of the south coast volcanic beaches. Three to four days lets you fit these in without rushing.
Couples
Milos is one of the most romantic islands in the Cyclades, with an understated, refined feel and no mega beach clubs or cruise crowds. Watch the sunset from the Kastro above Plaka or over the colourful houses of Klima, take a private boat trip to the hidden coves, dine on fresh seafood in Pollonia, and go wine tasting at a cave winery. The island rewards slow, unhurried days.
Families
Milos suits families who love the outdoors. The calm water at Firopotamos and the sheltered Agia Kiriaki are good for younger children, the boat trip to Kleftiko is an adventure older children love, and the moonscape of Sarakiniko with its jumping ledges is a hit with all ages. Check the Milos weather page before travelling.
Adventure travellers
For the more active, Milos has plenty to offer: sea kayaking along the coast, cliff jumping at Sarakiniko and Firopotamos, the rope-and-ladder scramble down to Tsigrado beach, and exploring the sea caves and volcanic landscapes by boat and on foot. Renting a car or quad is essential to reach the more remote spots.
History lovers
The Catacombs, the Roman Theatre, the Venus de Milo discovery site and the Archaeological Museum in Plaka give Milos a genuine historical depth. Spend a day around Tripiti and Plaka taking in the ancient sites, and visit the Mining Museum in Adamas to understand the island’s long mineral story.
Planning your visit
The things to do on Milos are spread right around the island, from the north coast moonscape to the south coast volcanic beaches and the remote west coast reachable only by boat, so how you get around matters. The main port and boat trip departure point is Adamas, with the capital Plaka up the hill and the fishing village of Pollonia on the far north east coast. A bus links the main villages and some beaches, but a rented car or quad is the most practical way to explore, and a boat trip is essential for the west coast. Because the beaches are so spread out and face every direction, a car lets you follow the sheltered water on windy days. See our guides to getting around Milos, the bus timetable and taxi and car hire for full details.
To decide where to base yourself for the things you most want to do, read our guide on where to stay in Milos. To plan your arrival, see how to get to Milos and the main ferry page. To see how everything on the island fits together, use the Milos map, and for the wider region, the Greek islands map shows how Milos connects to the rest of the Cyclades.
