When people think about holiday destinations in Greece, names like Santorini, Mykonos and Corfu usually come to mind.

If you ask me which Greek island stole my heart, my answer will always be Milos.

I first visited Milos after spending time in Athens and Santorini, and after just four days on the island, I already knew it was going to be one of those places I’d never forget.

Milos has everything I look for in a Greek island: beautiful little villages, romantic sunsets, incredible food, crystal-clear water and some of the most unusual beaches I’ve ever seen. The difference is that Milos feels much more relaxed. 

It isn’t the island I would choose if I wanted big parties and nightlife. I came here for something completely different: slow mornings, long lunches, swimming in impossibly blue water, wandering through quiet villages and watching the sunset without feeling like I had to rush anywhere.

And maybe that’s exactly why I loved it so much.

Milos is the kind of place that makes you want to slow down, breathe deeply and stay a little longer.

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✅ Why I Fell in Love With Milos

“Milos is for lovers”

I came across this phrase on a bus while exploring the island, and honestly, it couldn’t have been more fitting.

Milos has a romantic side that’s difficult to explain.

It’s not really a party island. Instead, you’ll find cosy cafés, seaside restaurants, quiet villages and plenty of places where you can simply sit together and watch the world go by.

I remember seeing older couples walking around hand-in-hand, and it made me imagine growing old somewhere like this with someone I loved.

It sounds cheesy, I know… But Milos really does have that kind of atmosphere. It’s more like a quiet, romantic getaway… a place for couples to reconnect and fall in love all over again

If you’re travelling as a couple, especially if you’re looking for somewhere to slow down and spend quality time together, I think Milos is a beautiful choice.

Now, let me guide you through Milos and all of its charms!

 

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✅ How to Get to Milos 

Milos is part of the Cyclades Islands and is easily accessible via two main options:

• By Plane

You can fly from Athens to Milos Airport, which is the quickest option.

There are currently no direct international flights to Milos, so international travellers will generally need to connect through Athens.

If you’re short on time and don’t mind spending more, flying is the easiest option.

• By Ferry

If you’re travelling from Athens, you can take a ferry from Piraeus Port.

Journey times vary depending on the ferry, with high-speed and conventional services taking roughly 3–7 hours, although schedules and journey times vary by season and operator.

I personally took a SeaJets speedboat from Santorini to Milos, and it was about a 3-hour scenic ride over the deep blue Aegean. If you’re looking for an adventure, this is an affordable and fun way to travel.

Milos is also connected by ferry with other Cycladic islands, including Santorini, Paros, Naxos, Sifnos, Serifos, Folegandros and Kimolos, depending on the season.

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✅ Getting Around Milos

Milos has a bus network connecting major towns and popular areas, including Adamas, Plaka, Pollonia, Sarakiniko and several beaches.

However, public transport is less convenient if you want to explore some of the more remote beaches and quieter corners of the island.

So my advice would be:

• If you’re staying around the main towns and planning a few organised tours, the bus can work.
• If you want the freedom to explore more of the island at your own pace, rent a car, ATV or scooter.

Just make sure you check the rental company’s rules before taking a vehicle onto rough or unpaved roads. Some areas of Milos are much more suitable for certain types of vehicles than others.

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✅ Where to Stay in Milos

Milos has some of the most picturesque towns in the Cyclades. One of the things I like about Milos is that the different towns have very different personalities.

You don’t necessarily need to stay in the “main” town to have a good experience.

📍 Adamas

Adamas is the main port town and the island’s transportation hub.

If this is your first trip to Milos and you want convenience, Adamas is the most practical places to stay. 

This is where you’ll find plenty of restaurants, shops, accommodation, ATM, vehicle rental companies and tour operators. It’s also convenient if you’re planning a boat trip or arriving and departing by ferry.

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📍 Pollonia

Pollonia is a lovely seaside fishing village with a much slower atmosphere.

This was one of my favourite places to wander around because everything felt so relaxed.

There are restaurants by the water, little streets to explore and, of course, plenty of adorable cats lounging around in the sunshine.

If you’re looking for somewhere quieter and more romantic, Pollonia is worth considering.

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📍 Plaka

And then there’s Plaka, my absolute favourite. 

This charming hilltop village is filled with narrow cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses, little shops and beautiful views across the island.

It’s also one of the best places to watch the sunset. Pure magic!

If you enjoy wandering around pretty streets, browsing locally made souvenirs and stopping for a drink with a view, don’t skip Plaka.

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✅ Where I Stayed

During my trip, I stayed at Christina Rooms in Adamas, around a 15-minute walk from the port.

My room was cosy and well-equipped, and my host, Viktoria, was incredibly welcoming and kind. I paid €84 for three nights, which felt like a great deal at the time.

The price is obviously historical, so I wouldn’t use that figure as a guide for what accommodation costs today. But I wanted to keep it here because this was part of my actual experience.

For me, the biggest advantage was the location.

I could walk into Adamas easily, get to the port, find food and access transportation without too much hassle.

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✅ What to Eat in Milos

Greek food was already one of my favourite things about travelling around Greece, and Milos gave me plenty of reasons to keep eating. You’ll find plenty of seaside restaurants serving fresh seafood, traditional Greek dishes and local specialities.

Local Dishes to Try

Some things worth looking out for include:

• Pitarakia, a traditional Milos cheese pie
• Grilled octopus
• Greek salad
• Fresh seafood
• Beef cooked in tomato sauce
• Other traditional Cycladic dishes made with local ingredients

And don’t leave Greece without eating plenty of tzatziki, warm bread, olives and feta.

At least, that’s what I told myself.

My Favorite Food Spots:

📍 Medusa 

It’s right by the sea, and I had some seriously good seafood there.

The grilled octopus was one of the dishes that stood out most to me.

The setting helps too. Eating fresh seafood beside the water in a little fishing village is exactly the kind of travel moment I came to Greece for.

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📍 Gialos, Pollonia 

I also had dinner at Gialos in Pollonia.

This was another lovely place for a relaxed meal by the sea, and the seafood was some of the best I had during my time in Milos.

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📍 O! Hamos Tavern

O! Hamos Tavern, near Papikinou Beach, known for its traditionally cooked meals, with recipes passed down through generations. 

It’s a good option if you want to experience something more traditional rather than simply choosing another restaurant by the port.

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📍 Milors Café, Adamas

Their freshly baked waffles with Nutella and ice cream were an absolute dream.

This was definitely one of those meals where I thought, I probably shouldn’t be eating this much, and then continued eating anyway.

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✅ Things to Do in Milos 

• Chasing Sunsets in Plaka

Plaka is the go-to spot for the most breathtaking sunset views on the island.

The village itself is beautiful too, with narrow cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, colourful bougainvillaea and little shops selling handmade souvenirs.

It’s one of those places where you don’t need much of a plan.

Just wander.

 

• Visit Sarakiniko Beach

Milos is famous for its jaw-dropping, otherworldly volcanic beaches. If there’s one place that immediately comes to mind when I think about Milos, it’s Sarakiniko. This is the beach that makes people stop scrolling through photos and think:

“Wait… is this actually Greece?”

Often called the “Moon Beach” because of its smooth, white volcanic rock formations, it feels like stepping onto another planet.

It’s one of the most photographed places in Milos, and honestly, I understand why.

The landscape is spectacular.

Just remember that the pale rocks can become extremely hot under the sun, so bring water, sun protection and footwear that you’re comfortable walking over rocks in.

 

💡 A Quick Note About Swimming

I had an unpleasant experience while swimming at Sarakiniko. I encountered what I believe may have been a jellyfish or another sea creature, and my skin reacted badly. My back started burning and swelling, and even touching the affected area with my hand caused irritation.

It didn’t ruin my trip, but it definitely taught me not to assume that beautiful, crystal-clear water means you’re completely safe from marine life.

If you’re swimming around Milos, pay attention to local conditions and any warnings, and don’t touch unfamiliar sea creatures. 

Pack some vinegar or an antihistamine cream, just in case.

• Take a Boat Trip to Kleftiko

If you do only one organised excursion in Milos, make it a boat trip around the island. This is the best way to see parts of the coastline that you simply can’t experience from land.

The highlight for many visitors is Kleftiko, famous for its dramatic white cliffs, sea caves and crystal-clear turquoise water.

Kleftiko is accessible by boat, which makes the journey there part of the experience. I actually paid €80 for a boat tour, but unfortunately, my tour was cancelled because of strong winds. I was disappointed, of course, but it gives me another reason to return.

If the weather is good during your trip, don’t skip the boat tour.

• Explore Firopotamos

If tiny fishing villages are your thing, put Firopotamos on your list.

The little colourful boat houses, clear water and dramatic landscape make it one of those places where you’ll probably want to take photos every five seconds.

It’s also a lovely spot for a swim when conditions are suitable.

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• Stop at Mandrakia

Mandrakia is another small fishing village worth visiting, especially if you’re already heading there for lunch at Medusa.

The colourful syrmata, traditional boat-storage caves built into the shoreline, are one of the things that make Milos so distinctive.

It’s small, picturesque and easy to combine with other stops around the northern part of the island.

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• Spend a Day at Paliochori Beach

I had such a good time at Paliochori Beach.

The water was incredibly clear, and I remember swimming around and taking underwater photos with fish. If you’re planning to spend time swimming around Milos, bring goggles or a snorkel.

There are beds and an umbrella that you can rent for 8 euros (2 beds/1 umbrella) here.

 

 

• Explore More Than One Beach

  One of the biggest mistakes you could make in Milos is visiting only one beach. The island is famous for its volcanic landscape, and its beaches can look completely different from one another.

  Depending on your time and the weather, consider adding places such as:

  • Sarakiniko
  • Paliochori
  • Firopotamos
  • Fyriplaka
  • Tsigrado
  • Papafragas
  • Provatas

  Some are much easier to reach than others, so check access conditions before heading out.

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✅ More Things to Know Before Visiting Milos

• Milos is a laid-back island that’s all about relaxing, swimming, and exploring breathtaking landscapes. It’s perfect for couples, solo travelers, and anyone looking for a peaceful retreat away from the crowds. You won’t find the wild nightlife of Mykonos here, but you will find something even better: unspoiled natural beauty and a slower pace of life that encourages you to soak in every moment.
• If you love animals, you’ll be thrilled. Milos is filled with adorable stray cats that will follow you around for food (and cuddles). You might just make a few furry friends along the way!
• The beaches in Milos are the most beautiful I have seen in Greece thus far. Just too wonderful for words. Milos is almost entirely a volcanic island with numerous outstanding beaches (more than 70 beaches around the island). The cliffs and water are breathtaking. It makes you never want to return to civilization.

Milos is simply a dream.

It’s a peaceful island where you can watch unforgettable sunsets, explore stunning volcanic beaches, sail through turquoise waters, and indulge in some seriously good food.

But more than anything, I remember how I felt there.

Relaxed.

Happy.

Free.

It might not have the party scene of Mykonos, but it makes up for it with romance, relaxation, and natural beauty. If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path Greek island that will steal your heart, Milos is the place to be.

I can’t wait to return.

Until then, I’ll be reminiscing through my hundreds of pictures and counting down the days until my next visit! And if you ask me whether I prefer Santorini or Milos?

My answer is still the same. Milos wins every time.

Love,
Auri Duham 🌻

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