Top 10 Beaches in Milos Greece – The Best Milos Beaches

Choosing the top 10 beaches in Milos Greece was no easy task! Here are my favourite beaches in the famous Cycladic island, to put you in the mood for a summer vacation in Greece 🙂

Beaches in Milos Island Greece

The Greek island of Milos is an upcoming destination. The weird, lunar landscapes and the gorgeous, colourful beaches are just two of the reasons.

The landscapes in Milos are really extraordinary. This is because the island was created due to a series of volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis, a couple of million years ago.

This volcanic activity shaped Milos, Kimolos and the surrounding archipelago in the Aegean Sea. Nearby Santorini has a similar story.

Milos has over 75 beaches, so unless you have several days it will be difficult to visit them all. Taking one of the numerous Milos boat tours is recommended, as you will get to see many of them in just one day.

One thing to note is that most of the beaches in Milos are wild and natural. While some of them have tourist facilities like tavernas, beach bars or umbrellas, most of them are unspoiled. Bringing water and snacks is always a good idea.

After exploring the island both by road and by sea, here are my top 10 beaches in Milos Greece.

1. Sarakiniko Beach Milos

Sarakiniko beach is, without a doubt, one of best beaches in Milos. It is famous for its unique, lunar-like landscape – it really looks like it’s not on this planet!

According to legend, it used to be a hideaway for the Saracen pirates, hence the name.

In fact, Sarakiniko only has a tiny beach. What makes it so popular is the wider area, which is full of the iconic white rock formations.

If you think that those volcanic cliffs look stunning in photos, wait till you see them in real life! You can walk around them and enjoy the views.

Swimming in Sarakiniko Beach

When it comes to swimming, Sarakiniko beach is great when the sea is calm. You can explore the coastline and snorkel all around the rocks and caves.

Divers can look out for a shipwreck of a small tanker that crashed into the rocks in 2003. It is marked as Sarakiniko Ship Wreck on Google Maps.

When the north winds called meltemi blow, swimming here – or anywhere on the north coast – will not be pleasant. In this case, come to check it out, and then move to a beach on the southern coast where you can relax.

How to get to Sarakiniko Beach Milos

You can easily reach Sarakiniko by road in your own vehicle, or on the buses that run several times per day from Adamas. Moreover, some Milos boat trips stop here when the winds allow it.

Sarakiniko is one of the most popular and easily accessible Milos beaches, so it gets quite busy at most times of the day.

If you want to avoid some of the crowds, try visiting early in the morning or late in the evening. You can also come here on a full moon night, when the setting is pretty spectacular.

There are no beach chairs or umbrellas on Sarakiniko beach, just a small canteen. Bring with you anything you will need, including sunscreen.

2. Kleftiko Beach Milos

Kleftiko is one of the most popular beaches in Milos and, arguably, the whole of Greece. The imposing, shiny white rocks jutting out of the sea are a famous Milos landmark.

In fact, Kleftiko is not exactly a beach. It’s a remote wild bay, and, just like Sarakiniko beach, it used to be a pirate den. The boats could easily hide among the huge rock formations.

Swimming in Kleftiko Bay

In my experience, the water in Kleftiko is crystal clear and the setting is just delightful. I thought it was one of the most interesting places to swim in Milos. 

Snorkeling around the rock arches and sea caves was a lot of fun. If you come here on a boat trip, ask the company if they provide a snorkel. Otherwise, make sure to bring your own.

As there is no beach here, people coming on a sailing trip will be jumping in the sea from the boat. You can also relax on one of the rocks.

How to get to Kleftiko Beach Milos 

This remote Milos beach is on the southwest coast of the island. There are only two ways to get to Kleftiko – boat trip and hiking.

The easiest and most common way to get to Kleftiko is on a sailing tour around Milos. You will find plenty of excursion boats sailing from Adamas port, Agia Kiriaki beach and Kipos.

Some of these tours last only for a few hours, while others stop at many other beaches and take up the whole day. These full-day tours are an excellent option if you have limited time in Milos.

Some tours might include the uninhabited Polyaigos island. Most of them pass by various landmarks, such as Arkoudes rocks, Sykia sea cave and Gerakas beach.

Milos tour with Polyaigos island

Full-day sailing tour to Kleftiko Bay

The exact itinerary will be defined by the winds. In rare occasions, a sailing trip around Milos might be cancelled altogether. I suggest booking your tour for your first or second day on the island, so you can reschedule if needed.

Hiking to Kleftiko Bay

Not everyone knows that you can get to Kleftiko Bay on foot! You will first need to drive on a long dirt road, and then take the hiking trail for 40-50 minutes.

Like with all hikes on the Cyclades, it’s best to avoid the midday sun if you can. Also, make sure you have proper hiking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, snacks and plenty of water.

Here is my experience of hiking to Kleftiko Milos.

3. Thiorichia Milos

Thiorichia is another famous beach in Milos, both because of the breath-taking setting and its unique history.

History of Thiorichia Beach

This area used to be home to sulphur mines, which were in operation from the 1890s to the late 1950s. A small settlement was built around the mining facilities.

This included houses for the mine workers to live in, a restaurant, administrative offices, warehouses, power plants, and everything necessary to make the area self-sufficient.

Working and living conditions in the Thiorichia mines were exceptionally tough. In addition, there was increasingly less need for sulphur from Milos over the decades, as bigger mines were discovered abroad.

The mines eventually closed down, and the last person recorded living there was in 1971.

If you like abandoned places, Thiorichia is a must-visit. You can see what is still standing from the mineworks and the workers’ houses. Tip – be extra careful if you are going inside caves or crumbling buildings.

Before venturing out to Thiorichia, visit the Mining Museum in Adamas. It will give you a better perspective of the lives of the miners and the minerals on the island.

Swimming in Thiorichia

The beach itself could be best described as yellow. There is no shade or canteen, so if you decide to stay here for a few hours, bring your own drinks, snacks and umbrella.

How to get to Thiorichia Beach

You can get to Thiorichia either by boat, by 4WD or on foot. Driving distance from Adamas port is roughly 30 minutes.

The last part of the dirt road is one of the worst in Milos. If you have a regular car or ATV, leave it a couple of kilometres away, and then walk down to the beach.

This is where I damaged my own car, so I’m talking from experience!

4. Firopotamos Beach Milos

Firopotamos Beach was one of my favourite spots in Milos. In fact, Firopotamos is a tiny fishing village. There are a few fishermen’s houses, called sirmata, and a small beach right in front.

The rocky landscape with the huge cliffs is overall dramatic and stunning, and there are gorgeous viewing spots. There is also an impressive church with beautiful artwork.

Swimming in Firopotamos

The actual Firopotamos beach is small and shallow, and is surrounded by trees.

This is an ideal spot for swimming on most days, as it’s fairly sheltered from the winds. If you are into snorkelling, there are some cool sea caves that you can explore further out from the coast.

How to get to Firopotamos Beach Milos 

You can get to Firopotamos beach in a regular car or quad. It’s best to leave it up on the street and walk down to the beach, as the parking spot could get crowded.

A few years ago there was a small beach bar at Firopotamos, which we didn’t see when we last visited. As canteen laws change on the Greek islands, bringing your own food and drink is advisable.

5. Fyriplaka Beach Milos

Firiplaka beach is a long sandy beach on the south coast of Milos. It’s one of the most picturesque Milos beaches. The volcanic rocks and huge cliffs that surround it are simply spectacular.

Visitors looking for tourist facilities will enjoy Firiplaka beach. It’s one of the few beaches in Milos where you can find a beach bar with umbrellas, sun beds and beach chairs.

If that’s not your style, walk on to the right side of the beach, which is natural and wild.

Swimming in Firiplaka Beach

On a calm day, Fyriplaka is ideal for everyone, including families. On a windy day though, the waves are massive. Regardless, I really fell in love with Fyriplaka!

In addition, if you want to explore some of the coastline in Milos, talk to the outdoors company which is based here. They organize guided kayaking trips towards two other pretty beaches further east, Tsigrado beach and Gerakas beach.

How to get to Firiplaka Beach Milos 

You can reach Firiplaka beach through an easy dirt road. Leave your vehicle at the top of the cliffs, and then walk down to the beach. It’s best to bring sandals, or any shoes that you don’t mind getting wet.

In high season, there are typically some buses per day. Check the bus schedules closer to the time of your visit.

6. Achivadolimni

Achivadolimni Beach sits right in the protected bay of Adamas. At around 1.5 kilometers long, it is one of the longest sandy beaches in Milos island.

Swimming in Achivadolimni Beach

This is a perfect sandy beach for everyone interested in swimming, sunbathing and relaxing. In addition, the shallow waters make it one of the most family-friendly beaches in Milos.

On the right hand side of Achivadolimni, you will find a designated naturist area. I was rather surprised, as most naturist beaches in Greece are secluded and remote!

For me, this was one one of the best beaches in Milos at the time we visited. Surprisingly, it was not crowded at all, and felt warm and relaxing. The perfect break from all that driving and beach hopping.

How to get to Achivadolimni beach Milos

Achivadolimni is easily accessible via a paved road. You will find a few parking spots where you can leave your car / quad and walk to the beach.

This is one of the few beaches on Milos island that you can easily access by bicycle. There are also a few buses from Adamas on a daily basis.

Although Achivadolimni is not equipped with any facilities like sunbeds or umbrellas, you will find a few trees for shade. There is no canteen either, so bring your own food and drinks, and enjoy the quiet, unspoiled beach.

7. Agia Kiriaki Beach

Agia Kyriaki is a beautiful sandy beach on the south side of Milos. It is a partly organized beach, ideal for relaxation and some quiet time.

We have visited a few times, and we’ve never seen it too crowded. I get the feeling, however, that it would be one of the most popular beaches in Milos in peak season.

A wooden boat, Armi, departs daily from Agia Kyriaki to Kleftiko Bay.

Swimming in Agia Kiriaki beach

Agia Kiriaki has lovely golden sands. The water is shallow, which makes it an ideal beach if you are travelling with children. While the setting is not as impressive as the nearby Paliochori beach, I personally liked Agia Kyriaki more.

Snorkelling here was delightful. If you swim far enough you will see a few small, secluded coves. 

How to get to Agia Kyriaki Beach Milos

You can get to Agia Kiriaki beach in your own vehicle. There is an easy paved road leading to the beach, and there is a car park.

There are some tourist facilities like tavernas, umbrellas and loungers. You will also find a few trees for shade, though it’s first come, first served.

If you are here, you might as well visit Paleochori beach nearby. The colourful volcanic rocks, hot springs and beach tavernas make it a popular choice with visitors. The main beach area gets quite busy, but you can walk to the left and you will find a more secluded bay.

8. Kastanas Beach

Kastanas beach lies on the east coast of Milos. It is a small pebbled beach, ideal if you are looking for peace and quiet.

This part of the coastline consists of several small beaches, coves and bays that are remote and secluded. What makes Kastanas so special are the wonderful rock formations and its amazing colourful pebbles.

Swimming in Kastanas beach

Kastanas was probably my own favourite Milos beach. It was one of the most enjoyable spots to snorkel in Milos, as the water was super clear. There are some interesting sea caves to explore.

As you would expect, Kastanas is popular with spearfishing divers and also naturists. All in all, we only saw a handful of people here, and they were all Greek 🙂

How to get to Kastanas beach Milos 

You can drive to Kastanas through an accessible dirt road. There are several spots where you can leave your car or ATV and walk down to the beach.

As the beach is small, it’s best to come as early as possible so you can get a great spot.

 

There are no beach facilities here. Bring all you will need for the day, including snacks, water, sunscreen and maybe some shade. As the beach faces east, the sun will disappear in the early evening.

9. Agios Ioannis Beach

The remote Agios Ioannis was another one of my favourite beaches in Milos. We came here after the hike to Kleftiko, to relax after an active day. In fact, this is a series of three consecutive beaches, named after the nearby Monastery of Agios Ioannis Siderianos.

I had heard that Agios Ioannis beach attracts free-campers and naturists, but I didn’t see any. I saw a few spearfishing divers though. And we met this friendly duck who came out of nowhere and drank our last drops of water 🙂

While swimming here wasn’t super memorable, the setting was. It’s yet another wild, secluded beach with golden sand, perfect for relaxing. 

How to get to Agios Ioannis beach Milos

Getting here is a little adventure. You will first have to follow a long dirt road to the monastery of Agios Ioannis Siderianos. When we visited, it was in good condition, but this tends to change from time to time.

The monastery itself is definitely worth stopping by. When we visited, they had a special celebration.

You will then need to drive down a steep dirt road all the way to the beach. Our little Toyota Starlet struggled here, so it’s best done in an ATV / 4WD.

There are no tourist facilities anywhere near here, so bring everything you will need for the day.

10. Gerontas Beach

Another off the beaten path Milos beach on the southern coast, Gerontas is normally visited on sailing trips of the island. It is famous for its wild rocks and pretty landscapes, and is a convenient stop before or after Kleftiko.

I found the setting in Gerontas pretty amazing, especially as there were no other people here when we visited.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t swim here, as it was a rare day with strong south winds. This didn’t stop us from taking lots of photos though!

How to get to Gerontas Beach Milos

The easiest and most popular way to get to Gerontas is on a boat trip. As for us, we hiked here on an easy trail, after a long drive on dirt roads in pretty bad shape.

There is a well sign-posted parking area, from where it only took us 15 minutes to walk down to the beach. Sandals are fine here, just pay attention to the rocks.

Milos Beaches Map

This Milos Beaches Map shows my favourite beaches in Milos, along with a few others like Papafragas beach and Pollonia beach. You can also see the most important places of interest in Milos.

Should I visit the southern or the northern coast in Milos?

Before planning your beach time in Milos, you should be aware of the meltemi winds. These are strong northern winds that blow in summer, and could make it impossible to sit on the beach. Swimming could be dangerous, even for experienced adults.

On those days, avoid the northern beaches, and go to the south ones instead. After four decades (jeez!!) of visiting the Cyclades islands, I’ve learnt to respect the winds!

How to get to Milos island

In order to explore the Milos beaches, you have to get there first! You can book your ferry tickets to Milos, or any other Greek islands, on Ferryscanner.

This article offers more detail about How to get to Milos Greece. 

In addition, here is a guide on how to get around Milos to help you plan your transportation. It includes everything you need to know about buses, rental cars, bicycles and hiking.

FAQs about Milos beaches

Visitors often ask the following questions:

Which Greek island has the most beautiful beaches?

There are dozens of Greek islands with gorgeous beaches! A few of them are Crete, Skiathos, Lefkada, Rhodes, Mykonos, Ios, Donousa and Milos.

Does Milos have nice beaches?

Milos has some truly incredible beaches with outstanding natural beauty. Some of them are sandy, whereas others are pebbly, and most of them are surrounded with strange rock formations and volcanic cliffs.

Where should I stay in Milos?

Most people visiting Milos choose to stay in Adamas, the port town, Plaka, a charming town with quaint architecture, or Pollonia, a small beach resort.

Is Milos a good island?

Milos is a fantastic island. It will appeal to adventurous travelers, those who love the outdoors. There are plenty of activities, such as boat tours, that are suitable for everyone. In addition, the island has a rich history, in both ancient and recent times.

How many days do you need in Milos?

If you only want to get a taste of the island, you should spend 3 days at a minimum. However, you can easily spend a week exploring the unique beaches and other attractions on the volcanic island.

Best beaches on Milos island

I hope you have found my article on Milos beaches helpful! Here are a couple more articles that will help you plan your summer vacation in Milos.

• Best time to visit Milos and Kimolos in Greece
• Things to do in Plaka Milos
• 10 Beautiful villages in Milos
• Best places to stay in Milos

Finally, check out our Milos and Kimolos travel guide, available on Amazon, in both Kindle and paper format!

---

Hi and welcome to my blog! I am Vanessa from Athens, and I love travelling around my country. One of my passions is discovering my new favourite beaches in Greece. I’ve been swimming and snorkelling since I was 5 years old – thanks Dad! If you have any questions about Milos, please leave a comment below. Also, follow my FB page and FB group for information about travel in Greece.