Milos: 3 Days in the Untouched Greek Island
Milos, one of the lesser known Greek islands, has a lot to offer for all travellers. Unique beaches, coastal adventures, welcoming villages and a surprisingly rich history are some aspects that make Milos the perfect active and relaxed travel destination.
We caught a morning flight from Athens to Milos, hopped into a taxi upon arrival and made our way to Pollonia. Unfortunately we arrived at the beginning of a very windy week but weren’t disappointed with Milos’ natural beauty unfolding before our eyes at every turn. Milos has an intriguing charm with plenty of surprises waiting to be discovered.
In Summary
Day 1
- Checking into Niki Savvas and renting our car
- Exploring Pollonia
Day 2
- Quick stop at Papafragas Cave
- Visit to Adamas town
- Exploring Sarakiniko Beach
Day 3
- Hiking in Klima and visiting the fishing village
- Ancient Theatre and Catacombs attractions in Tripiti
- Exploring around Plaka and the Plaka Castle
Day 1
Arriving in Pollonia
We stayed at Niki Savvas in Pollonia, which provided great accommodation in terms of location and comfort. Our host, like most of the local people we met in Milos, was warm and friendly. She helped us organise a rental car, which we believe is the best way to get around this little remote island (especially if you’re planning on staying in this area).
Our car wasn’t expected to arrive until the next day so we spent the rest of our afternoon exploring the quiet town. Our excitement kicked off as we walked along the sea shore, watching locals play basketball on a simple court with an endless view of the sea behind them. We stopped for lunch at Alkis, where we had delicious gyros, feta and chips. Alkis is more laid back than other restaurants in the area, which kept us coming back especially when we wanted something quick and easy.
We kept our evening simple and enjoyed watching the sunset with a bottle of wine. We were fortunate enough to be able to relax alone on the guesthouse’s daybeds which were at the front of our accommodation along the coastline. This became our nightly ritual during our stay in Milos.
Day 2
An early start and a brief stop at Papafragas Cave
Our plan today was centred around visiting Sarakiniko Beach. We decided to visit Adamas, the busier town in Milos, to have some lunch beforehand.
On the way, we made a quick stop at Papafragas Cave. Unfortunately, the wind was still incredibly strong so we weren’t able to venture too far or do any cliff diving as it would have been far too dangerous.
However, the views of the coastline were beautiful and made the stop worthwhile.
Adamas
We only visited Adamas briefly. We found this town to be lacking in terms of atmosphere, but it may have been due to the early hour of the day.
We stopped for some pastries, ate some gelato and had a quick browse through a grocery store (picking up some red wine for later) before moving on to Sarakiniko Beach.
Sarakiniko Beach
Sarakiniko Beach is the main attraction for most travellers visiting Milos. It’s known for its unique moon-like surface with white volcanic ash formations and caves.
The beach is like an adult playground with a lot to explore. We enjoyed walking along the rock formations and seeing different views of the beach. This beach is the perfect place for all you photographers, as you will notice the other-worldly views and crisp environmental textures.
For those who like cliff jumping, there is a cliff on an incline that you can jump off into the deep blue. As you head to the bottom you can swim in the emerald green water, explore sea caves and find man-made caves. The unique features of this beach truly makes it magical and worth the visit.
We visited in the morning and found a spot in the car park easily. Our experience in the morning was pleasant as there weren’t many people around. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance to watch the sunset here which we heard is a must-do experience. As the sun goes down, the sun reflects off the white rocks and blue sea and lights up the sky with shades of purple and pink.
The drive to Sarakiniko Beach was safe, particularly on the main road. However we had a problem when we started to drive off onto dirt road and towards a narrow path. We recommend that you follow the local map rather than Google Maps to avoid a similar situation.
Day 3
Exploring Klima, Tripiti and Plaka
Klima
The colourful seaside fishing village of Klima is another must-see on the itinerary. The village, which is known for its long strip of multi-coloured balconies and doors, is located near Tripiti. There is not much to do in Klima besides walk along the bay while taking in the picturesque view of the traditional fishermen houses, also known as syrmatas.
However the scenic view, friendly locals and peaceful atmosphere were enough to make this day trip one of the most memorable from our travels to Greece.
Tripiti
If you’re interested in the history of the ancient city of Melos, we recommend you stop at the Ancient Roman Theatre and the Christian Catacombs. To get there you can hike up the path from the fishing village and stop to check out the views from above Klima. Both attractions are situated on the slopes below Tripiti.
We drove to Tripiti and parked at the first parking spot we found to avoid narrow roads (as this is common in Milos so plan accordingly). It took us approximately 45 minutes to hike down the winding dirt road and reach Klima at the bottom. It is probably best to ask a local for directions (which we did) to the Ancient Theatre and the Catacombs, as there weren’t any visible signage from the fishing village. The hiking trail back up involved steep inclines and uneven surfaces so we recommend wearing appropriate footwear and taking caution.
By midday, we built up an appetite after the trek and enjoyed a delicious Greek meal of assorted meats and pita. This was at Glaronisia in Tripiti, which we highly recommend.
Plaka
Re-energised from our big serving of lunch, we then decided to explore Plaka by foot. It must have been siesta period when we wandered around the quiet town, as there weren’t many people nearby and most restaurants/shops were closed.
Our main reason to visit Plaka was to see the Venetian Castle of Milos, also known as the Plaka Castle. As we made our way up the hill, we enjoyed the walk through the narrow streets and sights of Cycladic style houses. Plaka is known for being the most characteristic town on this island and we can agree there is a beautiful charm about this village.
Plaka Castle is situated at the top of the hill overlooking Milos. Once we reached the Castle, we took our time taking in the incredible panoramic view of the north-western part of the island.
Last thoughts
In some ways, Milos felt like taking a step back in time. There is so much to see and do here without hordes of tourists at every spot.
It was calming, with incredible natural scenery and charming, distinctive towns.
We just wish we got lucky with the weather, giving us the opportunity to explore the island more.
What would we have done differently?
- Go on a sailing tour. Due to the strong wind conditions, sailing tours were cancelled the week we were in Milos. This would have been a great opportunity to get a closer look around different areas of the island.
