The Greek Island of My Dreams: Milos

After seeing Mamma Mia! when I was in middle school, I gushed to my mom about how badly I wanted to visit the Greek islands. Finally, this past summer, more than fifteen years after seeing the movie, I was able to fulfill my travel dream!

A close friend and I planned ten days in Greece, opting to do two islands and then spend some time in Athens on the tail end of our trip. We knew for sure that we wanted to visit Santorini. Although we knew it was one of the most touristy islands, and that it would be packed in August when we visited, we wanted to see some of the classic sights like the sunset from Oia and the blue domed buildings. Choosing our second island was the hardest part of planning. Paros, Naxos, and Ios made the final round, but eventually we settled on Milos. As one of the lesser known islands, we knew this would be a much appreciated slow-down after the hustle and bustle of Santorini and we were intrigued by the incredible landscapes and beaches Milos had to offer.

Can’t argue with this sentiment! Written on a stone house in Firopotamos

After doing hours of research and planning and then subsequently taking one of the best trips of our lives, it is safe to say that we were so happy with our choice to stay on Milos. This is truly the Greek island of my dreams and now I want others to experience it too. Read on for why you should consider this paradise for your next vacation and what you should plan to do while there.

Why choose Milos?

As I said earlier, Milos is still one of the lesser visited Greek islands. It is more laid back and has less of a party scene than some of the other, more-traveled islands like Santorini and Mykonos. Milos is the perfect destination for travelers who enjoy spending time outdoors and like a more secluded, small-town feel. Known for its incredible rock formations, caves, and over 75 beaches, Milos is a nature lover’s dream. While still offering great shopping, food, and entertainment, I think Milos is the perfect destination for anyone traveling to Greece.

Best Beaches

With so, so many beaches to choose from on Milos, it was hard to choose which ones to prioritize. After visiting more than ten beaches during our stay (and driving past dozens more), our favorites, and the ones we think absolutely should not be missed, include:

Tsigrado: This beach was probably my favorite of the entire trip. Tsigrado beach is known as being “hidden,” as it can only be reached by boat or by climbing through a tight tunnel and down two ladders. After getting to the beach you are met by a breathtaking expanse of crystal clear blue water, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and simply floating in the sun. This was some of the best swimming we did in Greece, as you can swim up to/inside of caves boasting gorgeous rock formations.

Climbing down to Tsigrado

Looking down on Tsigrado

Firiplaka: Located just down the road from Tsigrado, Firiplaka is a broad, flat beach surrounded by volcanic cliffs. With beautiful scenery, easy swimming, and plenty of space to spread out, this is a great beach for families or for anyone looking to enjoy a relaxing day.

Sarakiniko: Regarded as one of the most other-worldly beaches, Sarakiniko will blow anyone out of the water! I have never felt more like I was on the surface of the moon, as this “beach” spans a huge area and is made up of white volcanic rock, not sand or pebbles. Historically used by pirates as a hiding place, there is so much to explore here! Caves, a shallow swimming hole, and cliff jumping make this the perfect place to spend an entire afternoon.

A gorgeous sunset and cliff jumpers about to take the plunge at Sarakiniko

Firopotamos: Nestled in a colorful old fishing village, Firopotamos is the cutest beach for families and couples. Swimming here is calm and easy and there is a bar right on the beach with lively music, food, and drinks.

The colorful, calm Firopotamos beach

Best Food

Even though we spent so much of our time eating fruit on the beach while in Milos, we still made time to check out some local spots! Some of our favorite dishes were Greek lamb and potatoes, Greek salad, and the homemade pastries, vegetables, and eggs our hotel had for breakfast each morning. For traditional Greek fare we dined at the very busy O! Hamos! Tavern. Right across the road from the beach and with ample patio seating under swaying trees, this was the perfect spot for a big, hearty lunch. We enjoyed salad, lamb, stuffed eggplant and Savatiano wine. Speaking of wine, there is only one winery on Milos, Kostantakis Cave Winery. Although we didn’t stop there on this trip, it would be an amazing place to visit, as all of the local wines we tried were absolutely delicious.

Greek salad, stuffed eggplant, roasted lamb, and local cheese at O! Hamos!

Best Places to Stay

Milos is not a very big island, so there are only a few options when deciding which area to stay in. Personally, I think staying in Adamantas, the port city, is the best option. With many tours, rental companies, shops, and restaurants, this truly felt like the central hub of the island. We stayed at the lovely Hotel Meltemi, which was in the center of all the action. We were very pleased with the service, cleanliness, safety, and included breakfast here. For the price, especially since we were within walking distance of so many things, we don’t think this hotel can be beat! After exploring the island, I think it would have also been fun to stay in Firopotamos for a secluded, romantic feel or Pollonia or Plaka for a small village experience.

Best Activities

While I could spend countless days drinking wine on the beach and floating around in the salty Mediterranean, there are a few other activities we chose to do while on Milos that I am so happy we didn’t skip, including:

Boat tour: We took a half day boat tour with DanEri Yachts along the coast and to Kleftiko, an amazing swimming area featuring breathtaking rock formations and caves. Our tour included drinks and dinner and was incredibly well-guided and social. In fact, we hung out for the next two days with a Norwegian couple we met on the boat! In my opinion, this is an absolute must to make the most of your trip!

Anchored in Kleftiko during our boat tour where we ate, swam, paddle boarded, and snorkled

Visit the fishing villages: Milos is known for its colorful waterside fishing villages, with many of the houses sitting right in the waves. Our favorite of these villages was Klima, where we walked along the shore, visited with the many friendly neighborhood cats, and stopped into the tiny shops selling jewelry and handmade gifts.

Walking along the shore of Klima

Visit Plaka: If you really want to feel like you’re on the set of Mamma Mia!, visiting Plaka is a must! This tiny village is bursting with colorful homes, fresh flowers, cozy restaurants, and eclectic shops.

Walking along the colorful streets of Plaka

Nightlife: Although the nightlife scene is much more toned down on Milos, don’t count it out! The bars tucked in along the streets of Adamantas serve delicious cocktails and offer rooftop dancing late into the evening.

Rent a car: We were so happy we opted to rent a car during our time on Milos! Not only did we find the driving super easy and relaxed, we also found that, since the island is so small, it took us almost no time to get from place to place! It is very popular to also rent ATVs on the island, but we were happy to have air conditioning for the hot summer days! We rented with Avance Car Rental, which was right at the port and couldn’t have been easier or more affordable!

As time goes on and travelers are learning more and more about the beauty of Milos, it is becoming more popular each year. So, get out there, experience the magic, and live your Greek island dreams!