
Milos, Greece: 12 Best Things To Do
By SaltInOurHair
Milos is small and close to the other Cyclades, making it a perfect stop on a Greece island hopping trip! Once you’re on the island, you can drive anywhere in just 40 minutes! This makes it perfect for travelers looking to explore. Milos’s horseshoe shape creates a home for awesome beaches, rock formations, and sea caves with clear water that’s excellent for snorkeling.
1. Plaka, Milos
Plaka, the beautiful capital of Milos, sits on top of a rock formation overlooking the sea. The traditional Greek stone pathways lead between white cottages and vibrant blue doors, with pink flowers creeping up the walls. It’s easy to get lost in the maze of streets, as they were made this way to confuse pirates!
Its high vantage point makes it an excellent place to see views out across the sea and the rest of Milos. Enjoy slow evenings here, eating food outside, people-watching, and enjoying one of the epic Milos sunsets.
Tip: Plaka is a great place to stay on your trip to Milos. It’s close to many of the top things to do in Milos, and it’s home to beautiful churches, museums, and island walking paths.
2. Sunset or Sunrise at Plaka Castle
This has to be one of the most memorable things to do in Milos! All that’s left of this old Venetian castle is the old walls, and in its place is a beautiful white-domed church that sits high up on the hill above the sea. It’s a short hike to the top, and well worth it for the stunning views. We recommend getting up for sunrise to have this place all to yourself and see the soft dawn colors over the island.
3. Kleftiko, Milos
Once you visit Kleftiko, you won’t ever want to leave! Huge white cliffs and rock formations tower out over the gorgeous clear sea. Because of how these rocks have been formed, there are lots of archways and small pools, which are fantastic for snorkeling. Beautiful colored fish can be seen everywhere at Kleftiko in Milos. You can also visit Kleftiko on a sailboat tour around the island.
4. Sarakiniko Beach, Milos
Another popular beach on Milos is the stunning moonlike landscapes of Sarakiniko. The whiteness and shapes of the rocks are more like another world than a typical beach. Its exposed position means that over time the winds and waves have shaped the cliffs and rocks into unique shapes, bridges, and archways for you to jump off and explore from. There’s also a shipwreck to take photos of and swim out to.
Tip: Wear bright colors and get some awesome photos of you standing against the white rock and the blue sea.
5. A Boat Tour around Milos
The size of the island and the multitude of coves and swimming spots make it the perfect place to take a boat trip. Most of the boat trips will pick you up and take you to numerous spots throughout the island, including snorkeling, and even lunch if you opt for the full-day trip.
Full-day boat tour Milos
It’s well worth taking the full-island tour and having the experience of reaching secret beaches, which can’t be accessed by road—for example, Gerakas beach, a stunning strip of sand backed by a huge rock formation. Taking a full tour also gives you plenty of time to relax both on the boat and land and fully absorb the beautiful atmosphere of this dreamy island. Book your private boat trip with Salty Rides.
Salty Rides
We spent our day on Milos’s waters with Salty Rides and captain Manolis; a day to never forget. From stunning white beaches to lagoons, top-notch lunch, a great selection of drinks, the welcome package to all the additional tools provided like a drone, action camera, and SUP boards – a complete experience!
Tip: It can be windy out on the sea, so make sure to pack your reef-safe sunscreen and a hat. Depending on the weather, you may need a dry bag for your belongings.
6. Catacombs and Ancient Theater of Milos
People have lived on Milos for thousands of years, and the history is astonishing. Two of the must-see historical sites to visit on the island are:
The Catacombs of Milos
One of the unique historical sites is the Catacombs of Milos. This is a huge underground burial place with deep dark passageways. It’s believed 7000-8000 Christians were buried here, and it’s known as the 3rd most important religious burial site after the Catacombs of Rome and the Holy Land.
The Catacombs of Milos sit next to the Ancient Theater (200 meters away) and close to the town of Trypiti. The area is well known for the caves that have been cut into volcanic rock and used as burial chambers. It’s also a great place to go on Milos and cool off after a hot day outside!
Opening times: Wed-Mon: 9 AM – 6.45 PM. Closed on Tuesdays.
Ancient Theater of Milos
This is the most ancient historical site on the whole island, dating all the way back to the 3rd century BC. The marble theater rows have been carefully preserved, and sitting here you can really transport yourself back to that time. It’s thought that in its day it would have held 7000 people! Now it can hold 700 and is still used for musical and theater performances from time to time.
Besides its history, the view is breathtaking too, as it sits on the cliff looking down to the glistening sea. It’s also easily accessible from the nearby town of Trypiti; you can walk there in just 15 minutes or drive on your moped in 3 minutes. Another bonus is it’s free to enter!
Tip: It’s very exposed so try to come first thing in the morning or in the early evening for slightly cooler temperatures, especially in the summer.
7. Klima Fishing Village
This charming little fishing village is different from the typical blue and white villages you’ll see in Greece. Here, each house that faces the water has a different colored door, painted by the fisherman to recognize which one was theirs.
Nowadays, most houses are not used by fishermen, but as holiday rentals, so you can even stay right on the water here yourself! Coming here for sunset and watching the colors in the water against the colorful houses is truly magical – a photographer’s heaven!
Tip: It’s a half an hour hike down the hill from the village of Trypiti. If you don’t want to hike back up, we recommend using a moped to visit.
8. Mandrakia Point
Mandrakia is a colorful fishing village on Milos. Here boats are stored in special garages carved out of rock and closed with a brightly colored door. The harbor is still used for fishing, so you’ll see plenty of the traditional boats, and it’s a great place to eat seafood!
9. Diving at Shipwrecks
If you’re interested in diving or want to try diving for the first time, Milos is a great place to do it! The sea is super clear and home to incredible marine life. Between the three islands of Milos, Kimolos, and Poliegos, the seafloor is packed with shipwrecks that are fascinating to swim amongst and explore. Check out the shipwreck that lies close to Kleftiko beach too!
10. Best Beaches in Milos
The horseshoe shape of Milos, and the white rock that makes it famous, are two reasons why this island has such unique and beautiful beaches. One of the best things to do in Milos is travel between secret coves and sweeping bays, relaxing on the beach, or snorkeling in the crystal clear waters. These are the best beaches on Milos:
Firopotamos Beach – A beautiful sandy cove with old boathouses that line the shore.
Sarakiniko Beach – Moonlike landscape, one of a kind!
Papafragas Beach and Caves – A channel of clear water that runs between a white cliff gorge. Enjoy finding all the secret swimming pools and caves here.
Fyriplaka Beach – A wide horseshoe bay with soft white sand and rocks at the shore. Because of the rocks and exposed position, you get more waves here, making it fun to swim.
Alogomandra Beach – A sandy cove that is sandwiched between flat white rock cliffs.
Kleftiko Beach – Best area on the island.
Thiorichia beach – This is the most unusual beach on the island. Here, you’ll discover an old abandoned mine that can be explored—a truly off-the-beaten-track experience.
Tsigrado Beach, Milos – One of the best beaches on the island. Its remote location, and breathtaking sea, make it one of the most beautiful beaches in Milos to visit. Climb down the ladder to reach the beach itself!
Most of the beaches on Milos are close together, so it’s easy to visit most of them during your visit. Some of the more remote beaches don’t have good roads leading to them. Because of this, be prepared that you may have to drive down dirt tracks or walk quite a bit to the beach.
11. Pollonia Town
Pollonia is a gorgeous holiday village still used for fishing and has plenty of beautiful taverns and streets to explore. Its tree-lined beaches, cobbled streets, and climbing flowers make it incredibly picturesque. Because it’s more popular, it is a bit busier and more expensive than other villages on the island. However, it’s perfect as a base for those who want to have great amenities while still exploring the island easily.
12. Visit Trypiti village
This charming hilltop village spreads slowly down the hill, and visiting is a thing you must do in Milos. Within the village, you’ll find traditional windmills, beautiful churches, and a maze of streets to get lost in.
Trypa is the Greek word for ‘hole’, and the village is named this way because of the holes in the rocks surrounding the town. These holes were used as storage by the local people and burial chambers like the Catacombs of Milos. The Catacombs and the Theater are just down the hill from the village.
You can walk to Trypiti along the hiking trail from Plaka (roughly a 20-minute walk). We advise doing island hikes during the spring or autumn months when there are cooler temperatures and a lovely Greek island breeze!
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