Milos

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This may seem strange but I'd never actually heard of Milos before we planned this trip.  I had been to Athens and the island of Hydra close to Athens a few years before and this was Scott's first time in Greece.  Since this was part of our larger trip to Europe for 6 Weeks, and we had a short time to plan the trip, we planned some things together and then did a divide and conquer method to plan the rest.  I'm usually the trip planner but Scott was really excited about this part of the trip and he did the research and decided which islands we would visit.  We knew we wanted to see Santorini (read about it here)and end up in Athens at the end so using ferries to visit other islands in the Greek Cyclades made sense. 

He did the research and decided what would make sense in terms of transportation and our timeline and booked the ferries and hotels. Milos made the cut but I didn't know anything about it before we arrived.

Milos has the classic whitewashed building overlooking the bays, a variety of beaches including one that is a unique rock formation. It is less traveled by Americans but a more popular for Europeans and Greeks. 

Plaka, Milos

You’ll want a car to get around though. We didn’t prebook a car on any of the islands so we got lucky but you’ll definitely want a car to get to explore all the beaches. 

Here was our experience

We took a wild ride on the Ferry from Santorini to Milos. The wind woke us up during our last night on Santorini banging things around outside.  We were afraid the ferry wouldn't run but luckily for us (or not) the ferry left on schedule.  Thankfully we had packed some motion sickness medicine and had the arm pressure bands because today, both were needed.  We had been in a couple of situations before like this so we knew that #1 you have to watch out the window.  You can't look down or read or close your eyes to sleep.  You have to keep looking out.  We put in headphones and listened to music because let's just leave it at our fellow passengers weren't faring so well.  Scott was fine until... they starting cooking food because the ferry, God bless them, would continue on after dropping passengers off on Milos.  I couldn't have been more glad that Milos was our stop.

There is also an airport on the island so it may make more sense to fly here depending on your itinerary but for us we were going to hop a few islands using the ferry before flying to Athens. 

Be aware that when researching Greece lots of places, hotel, and restaurants have the same name, at least when trying to do so in English, so just be aware of that.  If you look up Milos, the island in the Cyclades we went to isn't the first thing that shows up so just something to watch for.

The ferry port on Milos is in the village of Adamas. Adamas is the largest village on the island and boasts the classic whitewashed buildings nestled on the side of the hill overlooking the water where many boats are docked and moored. We came back to Adamas few times to dine and shop.

We took taxi from the small port town to our hotel and rested for the afternoon.  The ferry ride almost did us in and since we didn't have any plans and were on vacation after all, why not?

Galini in Agri Irini Milos

We stayed at Galini for 3 nights in the small village of Agri Irini Milos  It is a small family run hotel with a restaurant, Galini Sea View Restaurant on the property. I’m glad we had more time here because there were so many unique beaches to explore. It is also much less expensive on Milos than Santorini. We stayed on Milos for 3 nights for less than half of what it costs for 2 nights in Santorini.  

Galini in Agri Irini Milos

The rooms were simple but large, almost more like a small apartment but without a kitchen.  Ours had an outdoor patio with chairs to enjoy the water views and an amazing sunset by the water each night. 

We got up in time to walk down to see the sunset and then have dinner at the restaurant since we didn't have a car yet. 

Alogomandra Beach at Galini

We didn’t have a plan before arriving in Milos but that was okay.  You can rent cars from the hotel but they didn't have any but he knew a guy back in Adamas (Milos Athena Travel) that had some available and he brought it to us. (By the way the hosts at Galini were fantastic and so nice and helpful).  We  asked at the hotel where we should go and off we went. Here’s a few of the things we discovered.

We wanted to drive a little first and see the island.  On Santorini we stayed in Oia and relied on walking around and didn't see the whole island so that was first on our agenda here. 

We stopped in another village and picked up some snacks and drinks and wandered through the plant nursery dreaming of what it must be like to live here and buy and plant all these wonderful plants. 

We spent the days village and beach hopping and then would go back in the evening and shower and dress and head back to Adamas for dinner and looking in the shops.  Our most fun souvenir from this trip was picking out Turkish towels that we loved on different islands and shops and bringing them home to use as our everyday towels.  We still use them to this day. 

Here are some of the places we explored:

Sarakiniko Beach

A must stop!  Sarakiniko Beach is one of the most famous and iconic beaches on Milos, It is known by its lunar-like landscape of white volcanic rocks. It offers stunning views, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and great photo opportunities. A parking sign with the name directs you where to park and then you walk to the rock formations. It was unlike anything I'd ever seen and absolutely stunning.

Parking at Sarakiniko Beach 

  Sarakiniko Beach

Sarakiniko Beach

 Sarakiniko Beach

Plaka

Plaka is a charming and picturesque village that is situated on a hilltop offering panoramic views of the Aegean Sea, surrounding landscapes, and neighboring islands  and is known for its traditional Cycladic architecture, narrow streets, and historical sites.  The village features a maze of narrow, winding streets lined with whitewashed houses adorned with colorful doors and window  frames. Bougainvillea plants cascade from the walls, adding splashes of vibrant pink and purple to the scene. 

Narrow street in Plaka, Milos lined with cafe tables

One of the notable attractions in Plaka is the Church of Panagia Thalassitra. This beautiful church features a striking bell tower.

Another must-visit spot is the Venetian Castle, also known as Kastro. Perched on a hilltop, the castle ruins offer panoramic vistas of Milos, including the nearby villages, the port of Adamas, and the surrounding sea. Exploring the castle grounds provides a glimpse into the island's rich history and offers a peaceful retreat away from the bustling streets below.

 

The views above Plaka of the Aegean Sea

Stop and enjoy lunch at one of the Tavernas in Plaka and you'll be sure to experience the cats of Greece.

 

 

 

 

Mandrakia

Mandrakia is a picturesque fishing village famous for its unique and charming architectural style. The village is known for its distinctive "syrmata," which are traditional fishermen's houses built directly into the rocks near the shore. These houses were historically used to store fishing boats and equipment, as well as to provide shelter for the fishermen. 

Mandrakia is also known for its fresh seafood. There are a few tavernas in the village where visitors can savor traditional Greek dishes made from locally caught fish and other ingredients.

Fyropotamos

The village of Fyropotamos is nestled in a small bay, surrounded by rocky cliffs and hills. It is characterized by its charming collection of traditional fishermen's houses, painted in various shades of white and pastel colors.  One of the features of Fyropotamos is its quaint and idyllic beach. The beach is a mix of sand and small pebbles, with umbrellas and sunbeds available for visitors to relax and soak up the sun. The calm and shallow waters make it an ideal spot for swimming.

Walkway to Fyropotamos

Paliochori Beach

Located on the southern coast of Milos, Paleochori offers a combination of dark volcanic sand and colorful cliffs. It has organized sections with beach facilities and tavernas, as well as quieter areas for those seeking more solitude.

Paliochori Beach 

Here are 7 more places on Milos you should mark on your map to visit as well. 

1. Firiplaka Beach: With its long stretch of golden sand and crystal-clear waters, Firiplaka is a popular beach on the island. It offers a range of amenities, including sunbeds, umbrellas, beach bars, and watersports facilities.
2. Kleftiko Beach: Accessible only by boat, Kleftiko is a unique beach renowned for its impressive rock formations, sea caves, and turquoise waters. You can join a boat tour or rent a private boat to explore this extraordinary coastal landscape.
3. Plathiena Beach: Plathiena is a secluded beach surrounded by colorful cliffs, offering a tranquil setting away from the crowds. It has clear waters, a mixture of sand and pebbles, and limited facilities, making it perfect for a peaceful day by the sea.
4. Papafragas Beach: Nestled between cliffs, Papafragas Beach is a small cove with crystal-clear waters. Although swimming is possible, it's advisable to check the tide and sea conditions. The surrounding cliffs provide shade during parts of the day.
5. Agia Kiriaki Beach: Located in the southwestern part of the island, Agia Kiriaki is a scenic beach with golden sand and turquoise waters. It offers a peaceful atmosphere and stunning views of nearby islands.
6. Tsigrado Beach: Tsigrado is a secluded and picturesque beach accessible by climbing down a narrow and steep path. It features beautiful white cliffs and a small sandy cove with strikingly blue waters. The descent can be trickly but is worth it.
7. Tsigkrado Beach: Tsigkrado is a small, secluded beach known for its impressive rock formations and crystal-clear waters. It requires a short hike to access, but the untouched beauty of the area makes worthwhile.

My other favorite thing about Milos was how inexpensive the food was.  We were able to pick up huge Gyros for 2 euros each and head to the beach.

We would highly recommend that you put Milos on your bucket list of places to visit especially if you are visiting Santorini.  The island is popular for Europeans and Greek vacationers but fewer Americans will visit Milos.  It really is a hidden and little known about gem for us. 

You can read more about the nearby island of Santorini here.