Visit the Unique Greek Island of Milos 2024

Having left Greece only two months prior, Marty and I jumped straight into planning our return to the unique Greek Island of Milos in 2024. The most western of the Cycladic islands in Greece, Milos looks like a long sandwich with a giant crooked bite removed.

Milos inspires a sense of adventure. We loved the thrill of finding yet another out of the way beach, the crazy landscape, the thrill seekers plummeting into the deep blue sea, navigating roads and the joy of reliving it all over dinner and yet another island sunset.

What makes Milos Island unique?

Milos has unique beaches. The Island is volcanic in origin, with wonderful sea cliffs, rocks and sand in a kaleidoscope of colours.

Food cooked in Volcanic Sand at Sirocco Restaurant. The volcanic sand reaches 102 degrees C, right there at Paleochori beach near and the water nearby is pleasant for swimming in September.

Sarakiniko ‘Beach’ with its white Pumice, Tuff and Lava Flow landscape. Famous for cliff diving, sea caves, calm inlet swimming and astounding views of wind and water sculpted formations.

Current and past mining ventures mix happily with modern day tourism. I love that Milos Island has another income source not reliant on Tourism.

Ancient Theatre of Milos (3rd Century BC) beneath Tripiti and above Klima has fantastic views and is free to visit. Ancient Theatres are a favourite of mine and this one was a little gem. It is still very hot in early September, so be sure to bring drinking water.

Underground Catacombs are Christian burial grounds from the 1st Century AD. A guided tour  is required to enter the catacombs and although they don’t give much information, the Catacombs are well worth seeing. Tickets are affordable and purchased on site.

Venus de Milo statue was discovered on Milos in 1820. It now lives at the Louvre Paris with a replica on-site enroute to the Catacombs and not far from the Theatre.

Traditional Smyrna or fishermen huts now operate as tourist accommodation. An intriguing proposition and a must-see on Milos. Imagine swimming from your front door. Visit Klima with it’s multi-coloured Smyrna.

Best Time to Visit Milos 2024

One of the best times to visit Milos weather-wise is September but anywhere from early June until late October should be enjoyable. July and August are peak season with high temperatures and crowd levels.

September is a dry month. We experienced predominantly warm sunny days and brilliant blue skies from 15th to 21st. I think there were a couple of hours of cloud but that’s all.

The sea is swimmable but not warm in early September. Some beaches like Paleochori have warmer water. Take into consideration that we come from a tropical climate so are used to water on the warmer side.

The good thing about beaches in Greece are the added extras like Beach tavernas, sun lounges and umbrellas. More than just about swimming and sunbathing, a Greek and indeed a Milos Beach day is also about eating, drinking and having a good time. Don’t worry about having to pay for lounges and umbrellas –  BYO is fine too!

The Meltemi, a northerly seasonal wind sometimes blows in September. When it does, it’s a signal to retire to a Southern Beach. The Meltemi is not a cold wind but is pleasant on a hot day.

Don’t rule September out due to the Meltemi as it can blow any time June through September and remember that the rest of the Cycladic Islands are affected by it also at the same time.

How long to spend on Milos

We recommend five days on Milos

Marty broke his arm on Milos, reducing our days from five to three. We squished a lot into those three days but of course we missed some beaches, the Iconic Milos boat trip and a visit to Kimolos and Polyaigos Islands.

Where to stay in Milos 2024

Most beaches have somewhere close-by to rent your own piece of paradise. They can be quite remote and require a vehicle.

Then there are the main towns of Adamas (port), Pollonia (village by the sea), Plaka and Tripiti (both high up with sea views).

We also recommend booking accommodation before-hand especially in July and August. We booked ahead for September and I’m glad we did. We book ‘free cancellation’ on Booking.com and Airbnb.

The town of Adamas is sometimes known as Adamantas. It is the port where boats arrive and depart and is relatively close to Milos airport. It is the busiest town on the Island.

If you don’t intend getting a car we suggest staying in Adamas as it is a hub for buses.

We stayed in Adamas the first two nights as our Seajets Ferry from Naxos Island via Paros Island and Sifnos Island was scheduled to arrive after dark. The smaller Seajet ferries (those that don’t take cars) are weather dependent and can arrive late. Most hotels and BNB’s realise this and keep abreast of delays. They are accommodating of late arrivals due to Ferries, but we message them to keep them updated on our arrival time.

The next four nights we stayed in the fishing village of Pollonia.

If you prefer a quieter vibe and have a vehicle we recommend Pollonia.

Although Pollonia is more relaxed than Adamas it still has several waterfront restaurants (including Gialos or Yialos – one of the best restaurants on Milos)  supermarket and the excellent Kivotos ton Gefseon Bakery.

Pollonia is also the closest departure point via passenger/car ferry to Kimolos Island.

How to get to Milos

You can arrive at Milos by plane from Athens or by ferry. We arrived by ferry from Naxos and departed by plane to Athens. Our Seajet boat from Naxos was a small fast ferry with no capacity for cars and came via Paros and Sifnos Islands. It ran about one hour late.

Download the free Ferryhopper App to get an understanding of the ferry system in Greece and beyond.

Also some people arrive by private Helicopter transfer from the islands of Sifnos, Santorini, Paros, Folegandros, Mykonos or mainland Athens.

Getting around Milos

We suggest hiring a vehicle. If you don’t wish to drive, there are public buses and excursions.

Hiring a Car in Milos

We hired a manual shift small car in Adamas and returned it after Marty injured his arm. We later hired an automatic car in Pollonia and I started driving us around Milos. In both cases we used Avance Car Hire. They were so helpful when we had to return the first car and their office in Pollonia was directly below our accommodation which was so handy. We then dropped it off at the Airport on departure at no extra cost.

Some accommodation providers hire cars out themselves to guests or have arrangements with certain car hire companies, so be sure to ask them for a quote before arrival. In these cases the vehicle would be dropped off to you.

In September it was possible to walk in and hire a car with a day’s notice especially a manual shift. Automatic cars are more expensive and harder to get, but it was still doable. We also found it cheaper to book once on the island.

ATV’s and motorbikes are also available.

No International Drivers Licence is required by law.

Buses on Milos

If planning Milos without a car rest assured it can be done. Buses in Milos are modern, comfortable and cheap but depending on when you visit Milos they will vary in frequency.

On our one day in Adamas without a car we used the public bus to get to Tripiti. From there we walked to the Catacombs and Ancient Theatre. Before and after the walk we dined at Octo Restaurant Tripiti with its mesmerising sea views. We then headed to the Church of Agios Nikolaos for the return bus to Adamas. It was all very easy.

Milos Boat Tour

Have you really been to Milos if you haven’t done a Milos Boat Tour?

The popular answer is NO.

Of course having not done one due to injuries and weather, I would have to disagree, but it was at the very top of our planned things to do and it is at the top again for Milos 2024.

The boats come in many forms, Catamarans, Fishing Boats, Motor boats, Drive Your Own boats. Milos has the Iconic Milos Boat trip covered.

When choosing a boat tour you should make sure it includes Kleftiko if you haven’t been there before. Kleftiko is famous for its cliffs, sea caves, rock formations and is popular with snorkellers. It is also difficult to access without a boat. Other factors to consider when booking are meals/drinks/full-day/half-day/Kimolos Island/Poliegos Island/snorkelling or water-sport gear like SUP.

Milos Beaches

Conventional hire vehicles are only allowed on certain roads on Milos. Your hire car company will give you a map showing restricted areas.

The below beaches can be visited with a hire car and I have highlighted those which in our opinion should not to be missed.

Northern Beaches are; Pollonia (Gialos Restaurant), Papafragas (caves, cliff top car parking), Pachena (semi-organised, no food/drink, Cave of the Lovers), Alogomandra/Ag. Irini (Gallini Restaurant), Sarakiniko (Mobile Snack Van, cliff jumping, inlet swimming, man-made land caves – caution advised*), Mandrakia (Medusa Restaurant, Zoodochos Pigi Church, boat harbour, swimming), Fyropotamos (Chapel of St. Nicholas not usually open but pretty, cliff jumping platforms, organised in Summer).

*You will probably see man-made caves behind the beach at Sarakiniko but if you venture into them take a strong light with you. Even though sunlight shines in through the windows at one end, there are dangerous drops in the floor level where the tunnel is dark. There have been many injuries sustained in these caves.

Southern Beaches are great to visit when the Meltemi (north wind) blows. They consist of Paliochori (Sirocco Restaurant- Hot Sand Cooking, Tavernas, not organised in 2023 except for lounges and bean bags on deck of Taverna), Ag. Kiariki (boat trips), Tsigrado (small beach accessed by ladder), Fyriplaka (large organised beach, food/drink), Provatas (organised, Taverna and nearby Tarantella Restaurant), Kipos (zig-zag road, Delfina boat tours, organised).

North-West Beaches down into the Gulf of Milos are Plathiena, Klima (Astakas Cafe/Restaurant, Smyrna, narrow beach, small jetty, busy), Lagada, (close to Adamas, view of port, semi-organised, close to taverna), Adamas Beach (some trees), Papikinou (Shady trees, O’Hamos Restaurant across the street, Drinks served at Papikinou beach (organised), Kanava (thermal waters), Achivadolimni (one end organised in Summer, unprotected from Northerlies so good for windsurfing and kitesurfing).

It is true that the Greek Island of Milos attracts adventurers, but there is a lot to be said for just finding your favourite Milos location and enjoying it.

While Milos has outlandish beaches, influenced as they are by the surrounding landscape. They fill me with a sense of adventure. Meanwhile the beaches on Naxos Island are classic and beautiful sand beaches. You can read about Naxos here.