explore it yourself:
The journey:
We arrived by ferry from Paros on the evening of July 5th into Adamantas Port from Parikia and stayed until the morning of July 9th. We had the unfortunate luck of traveling on a day with 30+ MPH winds which created pretty significant waves in the open waters between the islands. Our route was scheduled to leave at 6:10PM and arrive into Adamantas at 7:55PM but another ferry arriving into Paros was running late while carrying passengers that needed to catch our boat so we actually didn’t leave until 7:00PM.
Once we reached open waters, the boat was rocking so aggressively that the crew announced over the intercom it was too dangerous for passengers to leave their seats and we were to remain seated until our arrival. Of the ~30 people seated on the upper-deck of our ferry with us, we estimate that about 8 of us (ourselves included) had to rush for the sea sickness bags while a few of them actually didn’t quite make it to the bag. Obviously this is out of your control when planning but if you have some flexibility in the days you travel when booking last minute, it would be worth checking the forecast for a day when the winds are calm (which is most days).
The accommodations:
Below is what AI recommended for accommodations:
1. Anna Zisimos Rooms
2. Giannis Hotel Apartments
3. Milos Bay Suites
4. Dionisis Studios
5. Artemis Deluxe Rooms
We ended up selecting an Airbnb here called Livanios Studios, because of the price and location. We found that all of the hotels and hostels listed above were more expensive than short term rentals. Our Airbnb was located in Adamantas, just steps off of the main street filled with bars, restaurants, and shops. We highly recommend this spot as the hosts were delightful, waiting up for us on our arrival day even with the delay in our ferry, to help us check-in and give us tips on some must-do’s while on the island.
The room itself was very spacious for the two of us and actually could have slept 4 people comfortably. The building was very clean with a nice bathroom and a small seating area out front with a drying rack which came in handy for all of the swimming we were doing. It was roughly $250 per night so not exactly the cheapest location but it was well worth the price for its convenient location.
planning tips
- On a budget & want to relax: Stay in port city (Adamas in this case) and utilize public transportation to get to a few beaches. Swim at port city beaches for further convenience.
- On a budget & want to see everything: Stay in port city and take public transit to all beaches and villages they go to. Rent a car or ATV for one day to hit the spots that public transit doesn’t cover.
- Not on a strict budget: Stay at whatever accommodation covers your wants & needs. Rent a car for all days so you don’t have to use any public transit.
*Applicable to Milos, but also most islands.
Milos tips:
- We used the public buses to get everywhere on the island. There is a central bus station in Adamantas right next to the port we arrived at which can get you essentially everywhere on island. One-way bus tickets cost 2 EUR per ticket which you pay for when you get off the bus at your destination.
- Note: Technically, you are only allowed to pay in cash for the bus rides so be sure to have Euro on hand when hopping on the bus. We were not aware of this on our first ride and ultimately the bus driver was able to accept a card payment but it was clear that we were supposed to have cash.
- Also, much like in Paros, for routes that are further from the main stations the buses come fairly infrequently so be sure to arrive early to these stops because if you miss a bus it could be well over an hour until the next one comes.
- Note: Technically, you are only allowed to pay in cash for the bus rides so be sure to have Euro on hand when hopping on the bus. We were not aware of this on our first ride and ultimately the bus driver was able to accept a card payment but it was clear that we were supposed to have cash.
- On a few different occasions, we searched a ride-sharing app to see what the prices would be to call a taxi for a ride to our destination. We found that every time we searched, no matter the distance to our destination, it showed as a flat fee of 40 EUR to get a ride. Although this number may ultimately be adjusted if you were to call the cab and they run the meter, it is safe to say that this is an expensive option to get around the island.
- The island is very hilly which means that when riding in your taxi or on a public bus, you will encounter lots of winding roads up and down cliff-sides, if you are easily car sick (like us), be prepared!
- Unlike Paros, beaches in Milos are much more isolated across the island with less opportunities to purchase a beach chair/umbrella. We found in most cases in Milos that the swimming areas are typically in rocky, hillside spots where there is not much sand to lay out on and you typically lay out on the rocky cliffs instead.
- Note: We experienced two very windy days on the island and found that this essentially shuts down swimming in a lot of the most popular areas due to the large waves. The famous spots such as Sarakiniko Beach had virtually nobody in the water but we did come across Lagada beach in Adamantas which is mostly protected from the wind and were able to swim there although it wasn’t the most scenic spot on the island.
Note: * our additions to ai itinerary and exclusions are crossed out, also see our summary at the bottom.
Day 1: Adamas & Nearby Beaches
Explore Adamas & Sarakiniko beach
- Walk around the main port town of Adamas, enjoy local shops and cafés.
- We started our morning with coffee from Aragosta Café, right across the street from our Airbnb. We enjoyed a vanilla latte and a croissant at reasonable prices!
- Visit the
Archaeological Museum of Milosto get an intro to the island’s rich history, including the famous Venus de Milo story. - Sarakiniko Beach – Famous for its moon-like white volcanic rock formations—perfect for photos and swimming.
- We took the bus here from Adamas bus station and it was a brief 10 minute ride. Although it was too windy to swim, the views were unbelievable.
- Lunch at
Medusa Restaurantnear Sarakiniko — fresh seafood with sea views.- This restaurant was actually pretty difficult to reach from Sarakiniko beach if you don’t have your own vehicle despite the fact it was relatively close, the bus did not stop in that direction so we skipped this option.
- We opted for a quick focaccia sandwich from Gregory’s* and gyro from Yankos* which were right next to the bus stop.
Papafragas Beach & Dinner
- Papafragas Beach — Small, dramatic sea caves and natural swimming pools formed by volcanic rocks.
- This was another spot that we were unable to swim at due to the windy conditions. Again, the views were stunning and we were glad we stopped to see it. Be sure to walk just around the corner to Kapros for some more stunning views.
- Note: If you are only using public transportation we would recommend skipping this location as you have to go back to Adamas (from Sarakiniko) in order to get on a different bus that brings you here. You can get very similar views from other locations on this itinerary.
- This was another spot that we were unable to swim at due to the windy conditions. Again, the views were stunning and we were glad we stopped to see it. Be sure to walk just around the corner to Kapros for some more stunning views.
- Once we returned to Adamas we found a small beach with calm waters near the city center, Lagada Beach*. This beach is not extremely popular as there were only a handful of other people out swimming so it was very relaxing and it was great having a swimmable spot so close to where we were staying.
- Dinner at O! Hamos! Tavern in Adamas — authentic Greek dishes with a cozy atmosphere.
- This is a very popular spot on the island and often comes with a bit of a wait to get a table. After putting our name in for a table we sat across the street along the water in the free beach chairs and waited for our name to be called while browsing the menu.
- This felt like one of the most authentic spots to visit in all of Greece. Much of the food here is sourced from the family’s own farm and tasted very fresh.
- This is a very popular spot on the island and often comes with a bit of a wait to get a table. After putting our name in for a table we sat across the street along the water in the free beach chairs and waited for our name to be called while browsing the menu.
Day 2: Plaka & Ancient Sites
Plaka Village
- Explore the charming island capital with narrow alleys, traditional houses, and panoramic views.
- All of the streets felt very picturesque with colorful flowers and white-washed buildings.
- Climb up to Kastro (the Venetian castle ruins) for stunning sunsets.
- The views at the top, where you can see the entire island, are unmatched. The hike itself is relatively short but pretty steep, we definitely broke a sweat on the way up.
- Pancakes at Kokkino Podilato*, Justin and Hailey Bieber were spotted here.
- We shared the peanut butter pancakes with fruit, nuts, and honey. It came with three small pancakes and was perfect to share!
Klima Village
- To get to Klima we took a walking trail that populated in the maps on our phones from Plaka. It was about a 30 minute walk and the route was clearly traveled and well-marked so there was no confusion on how to get there. This route brought us right past the Ancient Theatre so we stopped to take a seat for a short time during the trip.
- Note: The majority of this walk was downhill and some areas are fairly rocky on the hillside so good shoes are nice to have.
- Arrive in Klima and admire the famous colorful “syrmata” boathouses right on the water’s edge — a hidden gem for photography.
- The houses are beautiful and we got a lot of good photos but there really is not a whole lot to do in the area so we don’t feel you need to dedicate a significant amount of time to visiting here. Also, public transit doesn’t go directly here so be prepared to walk if you don’t have a vehicle!
- Lunch at
Taverna To Klima— fresh seafood right by the water.- We weren’t hungry at this point so we simply sat and enjoyed the views of the houses on the water.
From here we hiked back to Adamas using a route from Google Maps. It got us back, but the trail clearly wasn’t well traveled so it was quite difficult at points. We wouldn’t recommend this part.
Catacombs of Milos & Ancient Theatre
- Visit the
Catacombs of Milos, early Christian underground burial sites. - Nearby is the Ancient Theatre of Milos, set on a hillside with great views.
- We stopped here on the walk down to Klima from Plaka. The hillside views looking down on Klima are amazing and the theatre itself is fascinating.
- Dinner at
Mikros Apoplous— charming spot in Plaka with delicious Greek fare.- We ended up hiking back to Adamantas from Klima, we would definitely not recommend the hike as it was filled with spiky bushes and cacti along the whole route!
- Volta Restaurant* – Roasted vegetables and chicken skewers.
Day 3: South Coast Beaches & Boat Tour
Firiplaka & Tsigrado Beaches
- Coffee, cereal bars, and smoothies from Garden the Juice Bar Milos* – Juice is squeezed straight from the fruit in front of you.
- Head south for Milos’s most famous beaches.
Firiplakaoffers a long sandy stretch surrounded by cliffs.Tsigradois a hidden cove with a rope ladder entrance — adventurous but worth it!
*With the boat tour in the afternoon and no car to get around the island, it would be too much to squeeze in these beaches. We hung out in Adamas for the morning instead.
Boat Tour
- Take a late afternoon boat tour from Adamas to explore sea caves, isolated beaches, and volcanic formations (including Kleftiko Bay, a must-see natural wonder).
- We chose Delfinia Milos Boat Tour* which we found on TikTok then reviewed online. This was by far the cheapest option at 35 EUR per person. Do note that it departs outside of the city, unreachable by bus. We added a round-trip transfer directly from Adamas for an additional 20 EUR per person
- This company offers a morning and an afternoon boat tour, each lasting 3.5 hours where you are allowed 30 minutes of swimming time in Gerontas Beach and 75 minutes in Kleftiko before returning to Kipos. The hosts provide small sandwiches and water bottles on board as well as snorkling gear you can borrow. We were very happy with what was offered at the price we paid and Kleftiko was one of the most amazing places we have ever seen!
- We chose Delfinia Milos Boat Tour* which we found on TikTok then reviewed online. This was by far the cheapest option at 35 EUR per person. Do note that it departs outside of the city, unreachable by bus. We added a round-trip transfer directly from Adamas for an additional 20 EUR per person
- Dinner at Cacciatore in Adamas — great for winding down after a full day.
- This Italian spot had some great pasta and a delicious Caesar’s Salad!
final thoughts:
Overall Rating: 100/10
Would we go again? We want to go back and bring the people we love. We truly had the best 3 days in Milos!
Favorite moment:
Bailey’s favorite: Swimming in Kleftiko! When we arrived I was in awe and was thinking about how this has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. This was easily one of my favorite afternoons ever.
Parker’s favorite: I would also have to say swimming in Kleftiko. The scenery is so unique and the area is packed with other boats so there is so much good energy with people enjoying the beautiful blue waters!
Favorite meal:
Bailey’s favorite: Pancakes at cafe Kokkino Podilato! These were delicious, I wish I could have them everyday.
Parker’s favorite: Dinner at O! Hamos! Tavern was really fun. We tried Lamb Chops for the first time and although we didn’t love them, the vibe of the restaurant was great!
Any surprises? The beauty of the landscape! Paros was beautiful, but not in the same way that Milos was with its grandiose nature. Sarakiniko and Kleftiko beaches were unlike anything we have seen before.
Anything we missed? We were bummed that we didn’t get to see Firiplaka and Tsigrado Beaches. We just couldn’t squeeze it in with the bus schedule and our boat trip.
Food spots AI recommended, but we didn’t have a chance to go: Taverna To Klima, Medusa Restaurant, and Mikros Apoplous.
Average step count per day: 13,272 steps
How did ai do?
Nailed it: We were pleased that AI suggested to take a boat tour. We had heard that Kleftiko was beautiful and could only be reached by boat so we wanted to make sure that we hit it and it certainly lived up to the hype, we think anyone visiting Milos should be sure to see it!
Needs work: AI offered suggestions in an order that simply did not make sense at a few points in Milos. For example, on day 2, it scheduled for us to visit Plaka village, then Klima village, and then the Ancient Theatre of Milos. This was confusing because the Theatre is situated on the hillside between the two villages so you have to walk past the Theatre in order to get down to Klima and it wouldn’t make sense to skip this and then hike back up the hill.
Also, AI suggested several spots on the island that simply aren’t reachable unless you rent a vehicle on the island for your visit. Although the public bus is extremely handy and gets you to a lot of places, there are simply some spots that the bus route doesn’t go to. On day one, AI had us head towards Sarakiniko Beach and then suggested lunch at a “nearby” Medusa Restaurant. Without a personal vehicle, this restaurant is not reachable from Sarakiniko Beach so we had no choice but to skip lunch here. If you are utilizing AI we would recommend being very specific about your budget and trip goals.