What to do in Milos: 10 Best Things to Do
/What to do in Milos: 10 Best Things to Do
Milos is one of the most spectacular islands of the Cyclades! A volcanic island with extraordinary rock formations that cut into the coast, the island of Milos has had a flourishing economy thanks to the local mining for perlite, kaolin, and bentonite. Although this extraction has marked its landscape, it has protected the island from joining the race in encouraging mass tourism, and therefore retained some of its more traditional identity.
There is so much to discover on this island, so when you’re wondering what to do in Milos, having some guidance is a serious advantage to plan your adventure. If you’re interested in learning more about the beaches on Milos, you can also check out my favorite beaches on Milos guide.
In this article, I’ve written about the top 10 best things to do in Milos and shared some of the pictures Jake and I have captured on this journey.
Table of Contents
Walk on the Moon at SarakínikoCliff Jump in Sarakíniko & PapafragasTake a Sail Boat to Kleftiko CoveHike to Visit the Village of KlimaHave Lunch in PlakaWatch the Sunset From the Top of PlakaVisit Mandrakia & Have Lunch at MedusaSoak the Sun in Firopotamos BeachExplore the WildernessEnjoy the Sunset in Sarakíniko
NOTE: If you’re curious about any of the specific photo locations displayed in this article, feel free to ask me about it in the comments! You can also refer to this detailed guide, pointing out all my favorite photo locations in Milos (coming soon).
1. What to Do in Milos // Walk on the Moon at Sarakíniko
Nothing compares to the Sarakíniko Cliffs! I had seen pictures of this moon-like landscape before, but walking on it was an otherworldly experience. These low cliffs are dotted with ocean caves and surrounded by crystal clear waters, making it the perfect spot for swimming, cliff jumping, and soaking in the rays.
Depending on what you would like to do at the cliffs, my favorite time to visit was in the early morning and in the evening, when the light is best and it is least crowded. The cliffs start to get busy around 9 am, but if you’re just looking to swim, you will find free spots all throughout the day as there is plenty of space on the rocks to set up a towel. There is a parking lot at the top of the cliffs and from there, it’s a short 5-minute walk to the bottom. Visiting Sarakíniko is definitely one of the best things to do in Milos so make sure you don’t miss out!
2. What to Do in Milos // Cliff Jump in Sarakíniko & Papafragas
If you’re looking to cliff jump in Sarakíniko, the best place to do it from is just past the big crater-like hole—just where I’m standing on that second photo. The tallest jump is about nine or ten meters and the water-depth is about the same. So all in all, a pretty safe jump! Once you’re in the water, the easiest way to climb back up is through that same hole, pictured on the first photo. There are no urchins but the rocks can get slippery so make sure you are careful when you climb back up. If you’d like to see how we jumped from the cliffs, check out the video from our Milos adventure linked below.
There are a few other cliff jumping spots in Papafragas, but I would make sure to survey the area with a mask before jumping in! Papafragas consists of three tiny canals passing through high sea cliffs, forming beautiful caves and arches. There are two different parts and beaches to Papafragas, and you should definitely check them both out as they are as different as they are beautiful.
You can hike from one spot to the other through the cliffs—takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and there is parking at both locations. Here is a picture of the two different scenic beaches. If you are choosing to go down to the beach with the archway, please do so mindfully: there are signs advising you these cliffs are dangerous and you need to be aware of your own limits.
3. What to Do in Milos // Take a Sail Boat to Kleftiko Cove
Wondering what to do in Milos? Taking this sailing tour was one of the absolute highlights of our trip! Kleftiko Cove is impressive, serene, and dramatic and it makes for the perfect backdrop for breathtaking photos. Kleftiko Cove can also be reached by hiking but most people prefer to pay for a sailing day tour around the island to discover more of the island’s western coast. Our tour departed from Pollonia at 9 am and arrived in Adamas at around 7 pm. Jake and I chose a semi-private tour and there were only about 15 of us on the boat.
WHERE TO STAY ON MILOS ISLAND, GREECE
Looking for inspiration on where to stay on the island?
Villa windmill is one of the most surprising and delightful airbnb I’ve ever stayed at. Tucked in the center of the island, this incredible windmill converted into house makes for the perfect couple getaway. Surrounded by a luxurious garden, the property offers also an epic background for luxury travel photos.
4. What to Do in Milos // Hike to Visit the Village of Klima
Klima is a quaint little fishing village, perched above the turquoise ocean! It is absolutely worth the hike from Plaka. Driving there is also an option, but the hike was delightful and when possible, it’s always best to avoid motorized transportation. There are many restaurants in Klima so it’s the perfect place to have lunch and enjoy the view. My personal favorite restaurant there is Astakas Cafe Restaurant, where they serve traditional greek food with plenty of vegetarian options. It’s right on the ocean and the view is beautiful.
Although Klima is precious, when Jake and I visited in September, the beach was covered in plastic. Seems like a lot of the junk washes up on this beach and we spent some time untangling rope, picking up water bottles, and sorting through micro-plastics. If you have the time, consider spending a little time picking up the litter! On that same note, you might notice that plastics are still extremely prevalent on the island and if you are looking to limit your impact, try and remember to ask for drinks without straws in them and avoid take-out when possible. Hopefully, by the time you read this article, single-use plastics have been banned already!
Green Wanderlust Tip: many of these boathouses are up for rent on Airbnb so make sure to check these out if you’d like to base yourself from there.
5. What to Do in Milos // Have Lunch in Plaka
Plaka is a lovely town: think cobblestone streets and white and blue houses! The town is vibrant and has tons of pretty winding streets, restaurants, and local shops. Do make sure you stop by the church, it’s a beautiful outlook onto the sea. Jake and I ate in Plaka twice and we loved Avli-Milos. Try the stuffed eggplant, it’s absolutely delicious.
6. What to Do in Milos // Watch the Sunset From the Top
If you come to Plaka for dinner, go and enjoy the sunset before you sit down to eat. There’s a reason why Greek sunsets are famous! The best views for sunset are from the Venetian castle at the top of the town. Don’t expect much of the castle however, it’s mostly in ruins by now but the views are absolutely worth the hike. There is also a picturesque church at the top and if it’s open, you can get an iconic shot from the top.
The hike begins from the touristic center of town and the path is labeled « Kastro », follow the signs and you’ll reach the ruins within 15 minutes. The uphill is pretty significant so make sure you packed some water for the short trek. A lot of people also like to buy wine and snacks in town to enjoy while watching the sunset.
All the photos in this article were edited with my Not Just Colour presets, available for sale here. Get $5 OFF on your next purchase with code: FINDYOURTONE2020. Not Just Colour donates 5% of all its profit to the Environmental Justice Foundation. Check out the before and after!
BEFORE
AFTER
7. What to Do in Milos // Visit Mandrakia & Have Lunch at Medusa
Mantrakia is a small fishing village, situated about 5 kilometers from the capital, Plaka. It’s a very scenic area and the village is home to one of the best restaurants on the island: Medusa. The restaurant serves traditional Greek dishes and seafood, right on the water. Medusa tends to get very crowded for lunch and dinner, and although it’s not very traditionally greek to make reservations, you’ll want to make sure you call to book a space before you show up. They are open late into the afternoon for lunch and Jake and I enjoyed our meal there at around 4 pm!
8. What to Do in Milos // Soak the Sun in Firopotamos Beach
Firopotamos is a small but very impressive and scenic settlement, about a 15-minute drive from Mandrakia. The bay has a large beach and is perfect for spending the early afternoon wading in clear waters and exploring the church ruins at the back of the village.
Green Wanderlust Tip: If you want to spend some time at the beach there, make sure you come before 5 pm in the late summer as the sun quickly dips down behind the island and leaves the whole bay in the dark relatively early into the evening.
9. What to Do in Milos // Explore the Wilderness
Nearly half of the island of Milos is deserted and wild. This wilder western part is a nature reserve with no paved road and very little settlement. If you’re feeling adventurous you can rent a bigger quad-bike for the day and explore this side of this island but if you do so make sure you respect the rules and stay on the dirt roads.
10. What to Do in Milos // Enjoy the Sunset in Sarakíniko
Because you probably won’t have gotten enough of Sarakíniko in just one visit, I recommend returning to this incredible landscape for sunset. Once the sun lowers into the sky, the crowds start to dissipate and the whole area takes on a golden hue. It’s the perfect time to get a couple more pictures and enjoy this amazing light.
From there, you won’t see the sun set over the ocean as it will dip behind the island before, but the atmosphere at Sarakíniko is very serene and we loved spending our evening there.
If you enjoyed this article or have any questions, please leave a comment and I’ll be sure to get back to you!
WATCH MY MILOS CINEMATIC TRAVEL EDIT
Today, I will be taking you along for a scenic 2 days hiking itinerary, amidst the Pyrenee’s most famous and beloved natural site, the Cirque de Gavarnie. Most famous for its sharp granite peaks and being home to the endangered brown bears, this mountain range transforms into a true hiker’s paradise in the summer! Wait until you see the photos!