Cyclades
Kimolos
Milos's tiny neighbour — white clay cliffs, excellent beaches, and almost no one there.
Getting around
Walkable
Cost
€€€
In peak season
Quiet
Best months
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
From Athens
Ferry only
In pictures
Kimolos
Kimolos sits just 15 minutes by small boat from Milos and contains within its compact footprint some of the most remarkable geology in the Cyclades. The island produces bentonite — a white mineral clay still mined here — and the coastal cliffs near Prassa are extraordinary: brilliant white formations above turquoise water that make the shoreline look as if it has been built from chalk. The natural mineral springs at Prassa, where warm mineral water bubbles up from the seabed directly beside the sea, are a local institution. The main village of Chorio has a Venetian kastro whose outer ring of houses forms the original fortification wall, a survival unusual in the Cyclades. The beaches are good and reliably uncrowded. Kimolos is most easily done as a day trip from Milos, but those who stay overnight find a genuinely quiet, characterful place quite distinct from its more famous neighbour.
How it scores
- Beaches
- Nightlife
- Food
- Culture
- Nature
- Family
- Accessibility
- Value for money
The catch
Best visited as an extension of a Milos trip rather than a standalone destination.
Where it sits
Cyclades, Greece
Kimolos — frequently asked
- When is the best time to visit Kimolos? +
- The best months to visit Kimolos are May to October. It's very quiet, even in August, so even peak season is workable.
- How do you get to Kimolos from Athens? +
- Kimolos has no airport — you'll need to take a ferry from Piraeus or Rafina. Some travellers fly to a nearby island and ferry across.
- Is Kimolos good for couples? +
- Kimolos is a charming pick for couples, especially shoulder season.
- Is Kimolos good for families with kids? +
- Kimolos is a solid family option, though you'll want a car for the best beaches.
- Is Kimolos expensive? +
- Kimolos is affordable by Greek-island standards.
- Do you need a car on Kimolos? +
- Kimolos is small and walkable — you don't need a car or scooter for most stays.
- What's the catch with Kimolos? +
- Best visited as an extension of a Milos trip rather than a standalone destination.