This island is so diverse that you will definitely need time to see everything it has to offer. Mystic beaches that make you feel you are on another planet, quaint fishing harbors, stunning views and excellent food - dive into the colorful world of Milos!
1. The volcanic beaches
It is the fascinating coastline Milos is best known for, with the numerous rock formations associated with bears, rabbit, bacon, human palm, nose and whatever your imagination figures out. The volcanic eruptions in the past have left their mark on most of the island beaches, creating landscapes you would rarely see elsewhere. And at Paleochori beach you can even taste volcanic food cooked right on the sand!
Sarakiniko
It is so easy to understand why they call Sarakiniko the moon beach оf Milos. The surrealistic white rocks and the blue water make it one of a kind, just be there early or out of season before the crowds come.
Papafragas
Papafragas consists of a series of high vertical cliffs in which the sea has cut tiny narrow canals. The best time to visit and swim is in windless days.
Firiplaka
Firiplaka is another beach which bespeaks of the volcanic past of Milos with its colors and shapes. It is close to one of the craters.
2. The idyllic fishing villages
You`ve probably seem them on photos - small harbors with rows of fishermen`s huts, partially carved in rocks right in front of the sea and painted in various colors. These huts are used as boat garages and called syrmata. The most attractive of these hamlets are Klima, Mandrakia and Firopotamos but you can see syrmata in many other places of Milos.
Klima
This is the most colorful village of Milos with the traditional fishermen`s houses called ”syrmata”, colored in bright blue, red, green and yellow. Many of these houses have been renovated and turned into luxury holiday homes.
Mandrakia
Not as popular as Klima but not less picturesque. Mandrakia is a small village on the north coast of Milos, with the traditional boat garages and fresh seafood tavern.
Firopotamos
The beach of Firopotamos is located in one of the so-called syrmata villages of Milos, with traditional fishermen`s houses right at the seafront. The beach is pebbled but it is wind-sheltered and the sea is very blue and transparent.
3. Plaka and its Kastro
Plaka is worth to see not only because if its typical Cycladic architecture but also for the great sea views you can admire from the church of Panagia Korfiatissa and the highest area of the village, called Kastro.
Plaka
Plaka, the main village of Milos, offers traditional architecture, labyrinth-like alleys, cosy tavernas and beautiful views.
Kastro
Kastro occupies the highest area of Plaka and it used to be a fortified settlement. Now there are only ruins of the fortress but the place has the best sunset view on the island.
4. Boat adventure to Kleftiko and the southwest coast
Not exactly a beach but an incredible place to swim. Kleftiko is a group of white volcanic rocks with a network of caves accessible by sea. The most popular boat cruise in Milos is namely to Kleftiko and the coast around it where the lava has created natural masterpieces. Another interesting sight nearby is the Sykia Cave with its collapsed roof and the beach inside.
Kleftiko
The peculiar rock formations are the most recognizable place of Milos, along with Sarakino beach. The best option is to visit Kleftiko by boat. There is a hiking trail which also leads to it but it is on the territory of the viper reserve.
Sykia Cave
This cave is usually part of the boat cruise to Kleftiko. The crew uses an inflatable boat to get you in because the cave entrance is small.
5. The abandoned mines and the land of colors
Milos is engaged in the extraction and export of minerals and there are both active and inactive quarries. The abandoned mining facilities are tourist attractions which will strike you with the colors around them. These are Thiorichia, a former sulfur mine just behind Paliorema beach, and the manganese mine at Cape Vani.
Thiorichia
The visit to Paliorema beach would be your strangest beach experience because it is on the territory of the abandoned Thiorichia mine. Entering inside the premises and the tunnels is not safe but the walk around them is spectacular enough.
Cape Vani
Since Cape Vani is located in one of the remotest and difficult to reach areas of Milos, it is better to visit it by boat and it is on the route of the organized boat cruises from Adamas to Kleftiko. Thus you can see one of the local sights - a rock called "the bacon".
6. The Catacombs of Milos
The Catacombs of Milos are early Christian tombs near the village of Trypiti. They are subterranean and only a small part of them is open to visitors but you can see some of the chambers from a boat if you pass near Klima - they look like plenty of holes in a white cliff.
The Catacombs of Milos
Access to the Catacombs is easy and there is parking space in close proximity to the entrance. The gallery for visitors is carved into the soft volcanic rock.
7. One-day trip to Kimolos island
The small island of Kimolos is a popular destination for one-day trips from Milos. There is a local ferry which connects the port of Pollonia with nearby Kimolos - you can go early in the morning and come back in the late afternoon. Would be best if you can stay for a few days because despite its small size, the island is very picturesque and has enough beaches and delicious food.
Kimolos
Kimolos island is not very known to holidaymakers but it has one of the most beautiful and authentic fortified settlements of the Cyclades.
Prassa
Prassa, also known as Agios Georgios, is a fascinating beach with blue water, sand and small white pebbles around shore.
Chorio Kimolou
When in Kimolos, mind you dont` miss Chorio Kimolou. The charming main village of the island has well preserved ruins of a fortified settlement and typical Cycladic architecture.
8. The church of Agios Konstantinos
You can easily miss this small church because Its entrance is not very visible. Agios Konstantinos is carved in a seafront rock and sometimes it gets flooded by the waves.
9. The shipwreck of Sarakiniko
This shipwreck is at a stone`s throw from the north shore of Milos and the white rocks of Sarakiniko. The ship Africa crashed in 2003 and since then it has been slowly sinking, as now just a small part of it is visible on the surface. The short walk to the shipwreck is worth also for the quaint volcanic shapes around.
Sarakiniko Shipwreck
In calm weather the shipwreck is a great snorkeling spot but in windy days swimming there is not recommended because of the sharp rocks.
10. The wild half of Milos
The west half of Milos is not populated and there are no villages except one small hamlet with a taverna - Embourio. The roads in this area of the island are dirt, covered with gravel or red soil. Some lead to large empty beaches or isolated coves, others to small churches or quarries. West Milos is part of Natura 2000 and includes a viper reserve as well but it doesn`t mean you will see snakes crawling freely around.
Embourios
The only inhabited settlement of west Milos actually consists of a few houses, a small pebbly beach and a taverna which is surprisingly popular among locals and tourists.
Agios Ioannis Monastery
A nice white monastery in the middle of nowhere - this is what comes to your mind when you see Agios Ioannis Monastery. It is near the homonimous beach of the island.
11. The view from Profitis Ilias church
This small church is located up above Klima and you can see drop by to see it when around. Nearby are also the Catacombs and the Ancient Theater of Milos.
Profitis Ilias Chapel
Profitis Ilias is a small white chapel located on a hill near Trypiti village. It has a spectacular panoramic view of Klima and the colorful north coast of Milos.