Cyclades
Milos
Lunar beaches, sea caves, and volcanic landscapes unlike anywhere else in Greece.
Getting around
Car recommended
Cost
€€€
In peak season
Moderate
Best months
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
From Athens
Flight or ferry
In pictures
Milos
Milos looks as if it were designed by someone who wanted to see how many extraordinary beaches they could pack onto one island. Sarakiniko is the most photographed: a moonscape of white pumice sculpted by wind and water into smooth curved forms, above turquoise sea that glows from below. Kleftiko, accessible only by boat trip, is a series of sea caves and white rock arches at the island's southwestern tip. And Klima has syrmata — colourful boathouses with upper-storey rooms where fishermen historically lived above their boats — that look like a Mediterranean illustration come to life. The hilltop village of Plaka, with its Venetian kastro and views across the island's caldera bay, is quieter and more beautiful than Oia and a fraction of the price. Milos is becoming popular very fast and prices are rising to match — visit sooner rather than later.
How it scores
- Beaches
- Nightlife
- Food
- Culture
- Nature
- Family
- Accessibility
- Value for money
The catch
Getting popular fast — prices are rising sharply and the best beaches get crowded. Some beaches are rocky and not toddler-friendly.
Hidden gem
Catch the small boat to nearby Polyaigos — uninhabited, protected, water so clear it doesn't look real.
Where it sits
Cyclades, Greece
Milos — frequently asked
- When is the best time to visit Milos? +
- The best months to visit Milos are May to October. It's busy but manageable in peak season, so even peak season is workable.
- How do you get to Milos from Athens? +
- Milos has an airport, so you can fly direct from Athens in under an hour or take the ferry (about 7 hours).
- Is Milos good for couples? +
- Milos is one of the most romantic Greek islands — sunsets, candlelit tavernas, sea-view rooms.
- Is Milos good for families with kids? +
- Milos is a solid family option, though you'll want a car for the best beaches.
- Is Milos expensive? +
- Milos is affordable by Greek-island standards — value-for-money is on the weaker side, so set expectations.
- Do you need a car on Milos? +
- You'll want a rental car on Milos — distances are longer and the best beaches are spread out.
- What's the catch with Milos? +
- Getting popular fast — prices are rising sharply and the best beaches get crowded. Some beaches are rocky and not toddler-friendly.