If you’ve ever scrolled through travel Instagram and stopped dead on a photo of white lunar-like rock formations spilling into turquoise water, chances are you were looking at Milos. This volcanic island in the Cyclades is one of Greece’s best-kept secrets – emphasis on was, because word is getting out fast. We spent 3 days here as part of a bigger Greek island hopping trip, and honestly? Milos stole the show and ended up being our favourite island this trip (compared to Corfu and Paros).
Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your time on this breathtaking island.
Table of Contents
Where We Stayed
Stay: Oleander House near Adamas
We stayed at the Oleander Airbnb, a lovely house near Adamas (the main port town) with a stunning view. It was perfectly positioned to explore all corners of the island and had everything we needed after long days in the sun. With five of us sharing the place, it was great value and genuinely felt like a home base rather than just a crash pad.
Getting Around: Rent a Car
This is not optional – rent a car. Milos is small, but the best spots are scattered around a winding coastline that no bus route covers adequately. We rented ours through Tourlakis Rent Car, which I highly recommend. The service was smooth, the car was great, and having the freedom to pull over at any beach or viewpoint we wanted made all the difference.
Yes, there are tours that take you around. But trust me – loading in and out of a tour van when you want to linger at Sarakiniko for sunset just doesn’t hit the same as having your own wheels.
Day 1: Arrival, Beaches & a Seaside Dinner
We flew in from Athens (ATH -> MLO) on Sky Express for 107 EUR per person – a quick 40-minute hop. The flight departed at 12:20 PM and landed at 1:00 PM, which gave us the whole afternoon to explore.
After settling into the Oleander, we picked up our rental car in Adamantas and immediately headed north to Pollonia, a charming fishing village on the northeast tip of the island. It’s a great first stop – relaxed, pretty, and a welcome contrast to the more touristy spots.
Lunch: Apollonio Grill House (Takeout)
We grabbed takeout Gyros from Apollonio Grill House and ate it right on Pollonia beach. Simple, local, delicious and easily one of my favourite lunch setups of the whole trip.
Second Beach: Paralia Papafragkas
Next up was Papafragkas – a dramatic sea cave and natural pool carved into the volcanic cliffs. This is where we did some cliff jumping and had an absolute blast. The water colour here is almost unreal.
Third Beach: Sarakiniko
We ended the afternoon at Sarakiniko, the iconic white pumice rock formations that make Milos look like a different planet. We arrived for sunset and it was nothing short of magical – golden light bouncing off white rock, the sea glowing below. We enjoyed golden hour by both watching the sunset and swimming in the little bays around the rock formations.
Dinner: Glaronisia (Trypiti)
After freshening up, we headed to Glaronisia in the hilltop village of Trypiti for dinner. It had a great atmosphere, but we found the food a bit salty and would recommend a different place before coming here. The rest of our food choices below were much better!
Day 2: Villages, Castles & Fishermen’s Coves
We set the alarm early to catch sunrise at Sarakiniko – yes, we went back, and no regrets. It’s a completely different vibe in the early morning before the crowds arrive. Soft light, still sea, just you and the rocks. Definitely less crowded than when we went for sunset, but still a good amount people thinking the same thing as us. There was even a wedding shoot for one couple!
Lunch: Alevromilos Cucina Cicladica
Right across from our Airbnb, Alevromilos was a happy accident of a discovery. It serves Cycladic specialties with a focus on local, traditional flavours. This was a standout meal – the kind of spot you stumble on and then immediately add to your permanent recommendations list.
Post-Lunch: Klima Fisherman’s Village
After lunch, we drove down to Klima, a picturesque little fishing village with colourful boat garages (called syrmata) built right into the water’s edge. It’s wildly photogenic and feels totally untouched by the tourism rush. Walk around slowly, take it all in.
Plaka Castle
From Klima, we drove up to Plaka, the island’s main town, and hiked up to the Kastro (Castle) at the top. The panoramic views of Milos from up here are stunning where you can see the whole bay laid out below you. Worth every step of the climb. Take some time to also explore Plaka town with all the cute little shops. We stopped by for some ice cream and coffee in town before heading to our next spot.
Sunset: Fyropotamos
We ended the day at Fyropotamos, another gorgeous little fisherman’s cove with colourful houses and a calm pebble beach. After a day of driving and hiking, it was exactly what we needed; a quiet spot to cool off and watch the sun go down.
Dinner: O Hamos! Tavern
Okay, here’s what you need to know about O Hamos!: the food is incredibly good and the wait is long. There’s no reservation system – you put your name on a list and wait to be called. My advice? Add your name the moment you arrive in the village, then go get a drink in their waiting area and enjoy the atmosphere while you wait.
Day 3: Ladder Beaches & Boat Tours
Morning: Tsigrado Beach
Tsigrado is one of those beaches you have to earn. There’s a ladder – a literal wooden ladder – that you climb down through a narrow cliff crack to reach the beach below. It’s one way at a time, so there’s a bit of queuing, but once you’re down there, you’re surrounded by towering cliffs on all sides with crystal-clear water in front of you.
Afternoon: Zefiros Boat Tours — Half Day
This is my number one recommendation for Milos. Book a boat tour. We went with Zefiros Boat Tours Milos for a half-day that took us along the south coast all the way to Kleftiko, an incredible sea cave and rock formation system that is only accessible by water. The captain was great, we swam in multiple spots, and the views from the water made us see the island in a completely new way.
If you’re on the fence, just do it. This was a highlight of the entire Greece trip.
Dinner: Medusa Milos
We saved the best for last. Medusa Milos was, hands down, the best meal of the trip. Fresh seafood, perfectly prepared, with a beautiful setting and attentive service. My favourite was the fresh calamari that was cooked to perfection. Unfortunately, they ran out of the fresh octopus, so we had to get the one soaked in brine, which was still good, but we’ll definitely have to come back for the fresh octopus! Like O Hamos!, there’s a wait, but honestly, plan around it and show up early to put your name in. It is completely worth it.
Day 4: Ferry to Paros
We said goodbye to Milos on the early morning ferry – departing at 8:00 AM and arriving in Paros by 9:45 AM. If you’re island hopping, Paros makes a natural and beautiful next stop.
Final Thoughts
Milos exceeded every expectation. Between the otherworldly rock formations, hidden coves, colourful fishing villages, and some of the freshest seafood I’ve ever eaten, this island delivers on every front. It’s still a little under the radar compared to Santorini or Mykonos, which is exactly what makes it special right now.
Rent the car, book the boat tour, and go.
Until next time – yamas!
VINTURE WITH ME 
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