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We visited Milos for the first time in the summer of 2020. It was a strange time for travel — tourism massively dropped worldwide due to movement restrictions. The European Union largely barred visitors from most countries from entering that summer, leading to empty streets in Paris, clear canals in Venice, and Greek islands without the crowds.
When the EU began to lift travel restrictions within Europe, we knew we had to take advantage of visiting places that would never be this empty again. We decided to visit Venice, Cinque Terre, and several Greek islands. Milos was a brand-new destination for us, and we were excited to explore it during this unique time.
We didn’t expect much, but it immediately blew us away! Milos is so incredible that we ended up adding an extra day to our first trip to the island. It soon became our favorite Greek island to visit every summer! We have brought back some of our family members to experience the magic and have even influenced a few of our friends to go, too!
With all of the time we’ve spent on this amazing island, we have visited almost every single beach. We are beach people – that’s what we do. Therefore, I consider myself an expert on this subject and feel confident sharing my list of the best beaches in Milos, Greece!
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Best Beaches in Milos, Greece
1. Sarakiniko Beach
Sarakiniko is the most famous spot on the island. It is also one of the most photographed locations in Greece, and it’s easy to see why. Also known as Moon Beach, Sarakiniko features a unique landscape that mimics the moon’s surface. It truly is out of this world!
This beach’s unique look is due to erosion produced by the sea and the Cyclades’ famous Meltemi winds. The light-colored rocks are cool to the touch, making it easy to navigate the stunning landscape.
Get to Sarakiniko early, as crowds start to gather just before the afternoon. This will allow you to get amazing photos of the landscape without too many people in it. If you’re a bit of a daredevil, there’s a famous cliff-jumping spot just to the north of the main bathing area.
After your time at Sarakinko, head over to Medusa in Mandrakia for lunch. This is my favorite restaurant on the island because of its incredible views and delicious, fresh seafood. Be sure to try the grilled octopus! And get there early — wait times during lunchtime can be up to two hours, and they do not take reservations.
Short on time? This Milos beach tour will take you to the most stunning beaches on the island’s north side, including Milos’ moon beach.
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2. Kleftiko
Aside from Sarakiniko, Kleftiko is one place on Milos you cannot miss. This incredible stretch of coast is not accessible by car, so you’ll have to take a boat or hike. If you hike, though, you won’t be able to access the electric blue waters.
Unless you have your own boat, you have two options to get to Kleftiko: rent a boat for a full or half-day, or go on a boat tour. I’ve done both, and they both have their advantages. The first time I went to Kleftiko, I did a small group boat tour. The experience was awesome because the captain and crew shared a lot about the area and expertly navigated the sea caves and cliffs.
The last two times, my husband and I rented a boat. This allowed us the freedom to explore on our schedule and enjoy quality time with just the two of us. The advantage of taking a tour over going on your own is that you don’t have to worry about piloting the boat, and the crew is super knowledgeable about the area — but I still prefer renting our own boat for the day.
3. Fyriplaka Beach
If your ideal beach consists of warm water, golden sands, and calm waves, Fyriplaka is the best Milos beach for you. This beach is about 20 minutes from Adamas, Milos’ main town, and is accessible by car.
Fyriplaka has sun loungers and umbrellas available to rent throughout July and August. If you visit any earlier or later, there may not be any chairs or umbrellas, so be sure to bring your own, as there is minimal shade here. Many Airbnbs and hotels provide these to rent, or you can buy a cheap umbrella at one of the many stores in Adamas.
This beach is especially great if you are visiting Milos with children since the water is shallow and waves aren’t very frequent. Just remember to reapply sunscreen!
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4. Paralia Paleochori
I find Paleochori to be super underrated! This beach is characterized by its gorgeous red sand, which stands out tremendously against the Gatorade-blue waters of the island.
Most people who go to Paleochori stay in front of Sirocco restaurant because of the large parking lot, ample beach chairs, and proximity to the Milos bus stop. However, my favorite part of Paleochori is in front of Deepblue Beach Bar. It’s a bit of a walk if you’re using the bus, but seeing the incredible red rocks on this part of the beach is worth it!
Deepblue has a full-service restaurant and a beachfront bar, and it is such a vibe. Plus, it is less crowded than the rest of the beach. But Sirocco is cool because they use the heat from the natural underground steam vents to cook the food there.
5. Thiorichia, aka Old Sulfur Mines Beach
Old Sulfur Mines Beach isn’t easy to get to, but the unique experience you’ll have here is 100 percent worth it. I recommend renting an ATV for this one so you can drive all the way to the beach. Otherwise, you’ll have to park a car at the top of the hill and walk down for at least 30 minutes (which also means you’ll have to walk back up).
Thiorichia is another stunning red sand beach. Its unique feature is the abandoned sulfur mine built in the 1930s. Exploring all the old mining equipment and buildings is super cool, but be careful to avoid stepping on rusty old metal.
The beach itself is nothing to scoff at, either. Because getting there is a little more challenging, it never gets too crowded. Like most beaches on Milos, there aren’t many shady spots, so be sure to bring a hat and sunscreen, if not a beach umbrella.
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6. Gerakas Beach
Gerakas Beach is another Milos beach that is only accessible by boat. It’s not far from Kleftiko, so it’s easy to hit both on the same day. This beach is a little bit rocky, so water shoes are a good idea.
I love Gerakas because the water is incredibly clear and glassy here. It’s crazy that you can see all the way down to the bottom even in the deepest parts. Definitely a great place to bring a snorkel and GoPro!
Because its only accessible by boat, there are fewer people, and you can even have a chance to have this beach to yourself! It’s a fantastic place to anchor the boat and have a romantic picnic with your partner.
7. Pollonia Beach
Maybe you’re just looking for an easy beach to enjoy the incredible Aegean Sea. If that’s the case, Pollonia is a terrific option. The beach is located along the town of Pollonia, and no boating or hiking is required to get there.
It’s an easy trek if you’re staying in Pollonia, and it has a ton of restaurants and cafes for before or after your beach day. Pollonia Beach is perfect if you just want to have a chill time at the beach or you’re traveling with small children. It also has a small boat harbor, so you can enjoy watching the sailboats come in and out of port.
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8. Plathiena
Plathiena is another sandy beach that is perfect for young families or older folks. It features an organized beach, so beachgoers can enjoy beach chairs, umbrellas, and a small beachside restaurant. This beach is located on the north side of the island, not far from Plaka and Mandrakia.
This beautiful beach in Milos is a fantastic place to spend the day, especially if the notorious Meltemi winds hit the beaches in the south. The beach here is sandy and is more like a bay since it is surrounded by mountains on both sides.
I love that there is a restaurant here so you don’t have to bring your own food and you can re-up on water and other drinks. This is also an incredible place to watch the sunset since it faces west.
9. Alogomandra Beach
Alogomandra is somewhere we only recently discovered, and I really wish we had found it sooner! This secluded beach is about halfway between Sarakiniko and Papafragas and is a bit tough to find. If you’re coming from the west, turn left at the Alogomandra bus stop (right if you’re coming from the east).
This unique Milos beach is the perfect shelter from the elements, whether it be the sun, rain, or wind. It is characterized by its cave-like roof structure and super clear water. The beach is a little bit rocky, so I recommend bringing water shoes if you have some.
Alogomandra is my ideal place for a beach nap. The sandy area is entirely shaded but still nice and warm!
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10. Triades Beach
Looking for somewhere off the beaten path? Triades Beach is located in western Milos, and some off-roading is required to get there. The journey to Triades is just as beautiful as the destination.
On the way to Triades, you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of Milos’ bay and the Aegean, wild goats, and charming farms and fishing towns. Triades is the perfect quiet escape – you’ll most likely have the beach to yourself.
Like most of Milos’ incredible beaches, shade can be hard to come by here, so keep that in mind. The beach is nice and sandy, but there can be some large rocks in the water, so watch where you’re stepping and bring water shoes if you have them.
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11. Tsigrado Beach
Tsigrado is another beach that is a little hard to get to, but not for the same reason as the others. This beach requires visitors to scale sea cliffs using the help of some rope and a ladder, which is both fun and a little terrifying.
The reward for doing the tough climb down is an absolutely stunning beach with crystal clear waters that will blow your mind. You can also get here by boat, but you may have to anchor a little far from the shore.
If you get to Tsigrado and feel like the trek to get down to the beach is too challenging, don’t worry! Fyriplaka is just a few minutes down the road and doesn’t require any mountain climbing to get there.
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12. Vani Beach
Vani Beach is for the ultimate adventurers and thrill-seekers. You’ll need to endure some serious off-roading, so make sure that your phone is working because it can be difficult to find your way back to civilization.
Once you get to Vani Beach, you’ll enjoy a rugged volcanic landscape that very few tourists actually get to visit. It’s super rocky, and the rocks are slippery, so keep your shoes on or opt for a pair of water shoes if you decide to go into the water.
This beach is completely secluded from the rest of the island. The last 15 minutes or so are completely off-road with no signage, so it is important that you know how to navigate well. Bring lots of water and some snacks to keep hydrated and alert.
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FAQ
What is the famous white beach in Milos?
Sarakiniko is the most famous beach in Milos and one of the most famous in all of Greece. It’s renowned for its incredibly unique landscape that resembles the surface of the moon.
What is the best organized beach in Milos?
There are two popular organized beaches in Milos. The first is Fyriplaka, located on the south side of the island. The other popular organized beach is Plathiena in the northwest.
Are beaches in Milos sandy?
Milos island features sandy beaches, rocky beaches, and beaches that are only sea cliffs. If you’re looking for an easy sandy beach, the top beaches in Milos are Fyriplaka, Paleochori, and Plathiena. Pollonia town also has a small sandy beach area.
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