The Best of Milos Island: My Milos Greece Itinerary for 3-5 Days

When it comes to the Greek Islands it can be hard to choose. Everyone has their favourites and some have reputations for specific things. For Milos, that’s beaches. This island is famous for its incredible beaches (some of which are hard to access) where you can swim, sunbathe, and even cliff jump.

So, if Milos has your attention and you are looking for the best things to do in Milos, Greece then this guide is for you. I spent over a week on the island exploring and am sharing my suggested Milos Island itinerary. Ready? Here we go.

How to Get to Milos, Greece

Milos Greece is located in the Cyclades island chain. It’s a larger island and one of the most popular ones which means it is accessible by both ferry from Athens or the neighbouring islands or by plane.

I prefer travelling around the islands by ferry. I find it is often easier to get to/from the port than the airport with the bus schedules and it is very relaxing (assuming you aren’t prone to sea sickness). There are multiple ferry companies that operate in the islands and you will also have the option of fast or slow ferries. Whatever you choose, treat your ferry like a flight. This means you get better deals if you book early. Leaving it to the last minute can get very pricey. I use and recommend ferryhopper.com to book your ferry tickets.

Getting Around Milos Island

Milos isn’t a huge island but you can’t walk everywhere. Especially since it’s quite hilly in some parts. There is a local bus that operates out of Adamantas, the main town by the port. Bus tickets range from 1.60 euros to 2 euros each way and you can purchase them with cash on board.

It’s also very popular in the Greek islands to rent a car or a quad bike. This gives you much more freedom but can be costly. Also, most vehicles are standard, not automatic so keep that in mind! You will need to have a license even if you choose to rent a quad. If you choose to get a car, you want to get something tougher and not low to the ground or else they will tell you that parts of the island are off-limits. The roads are rough in some spots!

Finally, there are some local taxis but they are incredibly expensive. I paid 15 euros for less than 10 minutes to get to one of my hotels. The cheapest option is to just walk up to the stand, but if you have to reserve or book in advance it will cost you even more.

How long to Stay in Milos, Greece

Many travellers come to Milos Island for only 2-3 days before moving on to the next island. While you can see some highlights in this amount of time I think it’s kind of rushed. I spent 8 nights here and travelled a little slower and loved every minute of it. That being said I know not everyone has that amount of time, so I’d suggest at minimum 3 nights but ideally 4 or 5 based on my recommendations for a Milos Itinerary. 

The Best Time to Go to Milos, Greece

Milos, as one of the Greek Islands, is a seasonal destination. The season starts in May and ends at the end of October. The busiest months are July and August with June and September also getting good crowds, which is why I love to visit in May. It is cheaper, much quieter, everyone is super friendly because they have had months without tourists and the weather is warm enough to swim without being too hot to explore. That being said, the water can be chilly and sometimes restaurants or properties may not be open yet for the season if you come in early May. So, do some research first if you have your heart set on somewhere specific. 

Where to stay on Milos Island

When it comes to where to stay on Milos most people base themselves in Adamantas, which is the main town with the port where the ferry comes in. It’s incredibly handy because this is where tours leave from, where the bus is based, and of course the ferries. There are also lots of banks, restaurants, and shops to keep you busy and entertained in the evenings. I stayed at Hotel Apartments Giannis which was family run, clean, comfortable, affordable and central! If you want something fancier, try Capetan Giorgantas or Olea Bay Hotel.

Another option is Plaka, which is located on the second-highest mountain on the island. It’s a little more atmospheric with winding streets that Adamantas is lacking. However, it’s very small and comes off as somewhat pretentious with higher end restaurants and hotels.

If you want something special and unique (which I HIGHLY recommend) book a traditional sirma in one of the tiny fishing villages. A sirma is an old boathouse and many of them have been converted into little studios or apartments for tourists to rent. I rented one in Klima for two nights, the most popular of the fishing villages, and it was honestly probably the most magical stay I’ve ever had anywhere in my travels. I loved it that much. The downside with these places is that they are remote so best if you have a car and can bring some snacks and drinking water. Also, these spots are not suitcase-friendly. There are no proper paths and it’s a very and rocky beach walk so bring a backpack. These tend to book up incredibly quickly but if you are looking for a sirma in Klima take a look at:

• Blue Traditional Boathouse in Klima
• Sunset Klima Boathouse 
• The Yellow boathouse 
• Nefeli’s Sirma Klima 
• Klima on the Waterfront 

Last, but certainly not least, if you want a touch of luxury then be sure to take a look at Cave Suites Milos. I saw this property pop up on social media and was intrigued. The hotel is relatively new and consists only of 6 suites. Each suite has a beautiful view of the sea and a private pool. Unsurprisingly, it books up very quickly but I found 2 nights of availability during my stay and booked myself in for a treat. And wow was it ever spectacular. Incredible breakfast served by the pool, so quiet and relaxing, beautiful room and one of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in. And the staff was very warm and welcoming. It’s not cheap, I paid early season prices at $320 CAD/night but it goes up over $1200 CAD/night in high season but if you want something luxurious this is the place to go. Again though, book early! You can book your stay here.

Best Things to do in Milos, Greece: Suggest Milos Itinerary

So, what should you do in Milos and how should you spend your time? Here’s my take on a Milos Itinerary based on my time on the island. Keep in mind I chose not to rent a car and instead focused on a couple of unique accommodation options for more of an experience.

So, with that being said here’s what I suggest based on how many days you have in Milos.

Milos Day 1: Arrival

Your first day is arrival day which could be any time depending on your flight and/or ferry so it will probably be a pretty chill day. If you are staying in Adamantas, which I do recommend as a base for exploring, then use this opportunity to explore the town. There are lots of little boutiques and shops, some great seaside restaurants to grab a cold beer/glass of wine or even ice cream. If you are into museums, you can also check out the Mining Museum.

If you are only here for 3 days, then leave Adamantas for the evening and head to Sarakiniko Beach. More on this below.

Milos Day 2: Sail Around the Island

I did this tour which circles the entire island and also did a swim stop at neighbouring Poleigos Island (which is apparently a goat island) and it was fantastic. It was a great way to see some of the beaches of Milos, especially those only accessible by boat. Our guide, Dora, was bubbly and full of fun facts and energy and was a great tour guide for the day. We had four swim stops, lots of drinks and snacks including a sandwich, cake, mezze style snacks of bread with local sundried tomato, salami, olives, and cucumber, then Greek salad and tuna pasta for lunch. It’s a pricey day trip but I do think with everything you see and do, the time spend on board, and all the (good) food and drinks it has great value. You can book the tour here.

Milos Day 3: Explore Plaka, Trypiti, and Klima

Take the bus (or drive) up to Plaka. As I mentioned earlier it is on the second-highest mountain on Milos Island so you can get some great views. At the top, there are castle ruins that you can hike to. If you aren’t into hiking then you can take the time to just explore the narrow streets of the town. As with most typical Greek villages, you’ll find lots of scenic spots for photos, boutique shops, and restaurants.

If you took the bus you can walk downhills a bit to the next town, Trypiti. There isn’t too much going on here but there are a couple of nice restaurants overlooking the water that make for a good lunch stop. Trypiti is also a main point to get to a couple of archaeological sites on the island including first-century catacombs and …

Finally, make your way down to Klima, the colourful fishing village. It’s best experienced in the afternoon light and is a spectacular place to catch the sunset. There is one restaurant in town too. It’s a bit pricier but the food is good. If visiting during high season, you will need reservations.

Again, if you can, I 100% recommend staying the night (or 2!) here to really experience it. It’s laid back and relaxed. You can swim here and just enjoy the incredible views.

Milos Day 4: Sarakiniko Beach

This is the most famous beach in Milos and for good reason! Sarakiniko Beach has a lunar-type landscape that makes it very unique and also very popular. People come here to swim, sunbathe, take photos, and cliff jump! There are some pretty cool cliffs and caves you can jump off of and climb back up. Of course, only do this if you are a strong swimmer. There are no lifeguards around.

There is a small stand at the top of the beach that sells snacks but you are best off bringing your own water and snacks for the day. There are no facilities so keep that in mind. There is a parking lot if you want to drive or you can take the bus. Since the beach faces east, it’s nice to visit in the morning (also less crowded) but you could easily spend a day here.

At this point, your time on Milos might be up, and that’s ok! You’ve seen the main highlights. If you do have more time then this is a great opportunity to book Cave Suites Milos to have some relaxation time. If it’s booked up but you want something similar, try Domes White Coast Milos.

If you still want to explore, don’t worry. I have more suggestions for you.

Milos Day 5: Relax or Explore More

This is my suggested final day with the expectation that you will either leave Milos in the evening today or tomorrow. If you did book a suite with a pool like Cave Suites Milos then you may just want to relax and enjoy that experience. If you are still keen to explore then here are some more places you might want to check out.

You could also join a group tour like this guided island tour or this kayaking trip. 

If you don’t have a car/quad: I suggest visiting Pollonia. This is another small village on the island. It’s quiet but known for its delicious seafood and the local winery. You can visit by bus. You can also tie in a visit to Papafragas Beach which is between two large rocks and accessible by ladder.

If you do have a car/quad: There are some more cool beaches on the island that are worth checking out.

• Tsigrado is a famous beach with a couple of (precarious-looking) ladders that you need to climb to get up and down. Not a good choice if you have mobility issues or are afraid of heights.
• Firapotomos Beach: Known for cliff jumping
• Paliochori beach: this is near the sulphur mines and well-known because there is a restaurant that will cook your meal in the sand.

There are also a couple of more cute fishing villages that are worth a scenic stop. These include Mandrakia, Fyropotamos, Fourkovouni, and Agios Konstantinos but you will need a vehicle to get to them. 

Final Tips for Milos, Greece

Milos surprised me. I knew a lot of people loved it and I was worried that it was overhyped but I ended up loving it and would say it’s now one of my favourites. Again, I visited early in the season (mid-May) so it wasn’t too busy but I had an incredible time.

While the towns are not quite as cute as in the other Cycladic islands, the beaches of Milos were some of the best I’ve been to in Greece. I also loved the sailing that allowed me to see so many of the highlights without having to rent a car, and of course, the unique fishing village of Klima.

I absolutely hope to go back someday and I hope that this Milos, Greece itinerary was helpful! 

Ready to Book Your Trip?

Don’t forget travel insurance!

Please do not travel without travel insurance! I’ve had to use it multiple times throughout my travels and it has saved me thousands of dollars. You can learn more about travel insurance here. If you are looking for a provider I love and recommend SafetyWing. For Canadian readers, take a look at SoNomad.

Book your accommodation

I love and recommend booking.com for accommodation. They have a range of hostels, guesthouses, hotels, and resorts. Plus, the platform has a great loyalty program that means the more you book, the more you can save. 

Book your tours

My go-to tour provider that I love to recommend is GetYourGuide. They have options all over the world and partner with local companies for everything from day trips to food experiences and even airport transfers. 

Get connected

If you want to have data while travelling for online maps or any other needs, an esim is one of the easiest solutions. I’m a big fan of Airalo and have used their sim cards around the world from Brazil to Uzbekistan, Greece to the USA. It’s really easy- you download the app, pick what country you want an esim for, and after you purchase it follow the installation instructions. You can use promo code HANNAH3326 to save $3USD on your next esim purchase. 

Not sure what to pack?

I have destination-specific guides for some countries but you can also check my travel essentials and camera gear if you are looking for some ideas. 

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