THE BEST MILOS BEACHES – WHERE TO SWIM ON THIS UNIQUE GREEK ISLAND

One of the most photographed beaches in Europe, Sarakiniko is arguably the biggest drawcard of Milos.

After millions of years, the wind and the sea have shaped the white Neogene volcanic rock into an extraordinary landscape described by many as feeling very ‘lunar’.

The beach itself where you can swim is quite small and relatively protected so it is usually possible to swim even on windy days when it may seem unlikely from the rocks above.

There is a shipwreck, know as the Sarakiniko Shipwreck about 300 meters to the east which is good to dive or snorkel on calm days.

There is also a network of abandoned mining shafts to explore and everything is easy to access with a large carpark off the road and an easy stroll down to the rocks and beach.

There are no facilities here including toilets so come prepared. Also, there are sea urchins clinging to the rocks so be careful when swimming.

Papagragas is another favourite with photographers and can be a bit hard to find as it is suddenly upon you as you drive towards Pollonia on the main road.

You will see a number of villas and houses on the left and just past the bend after the bus stop ( where there is a huge fig tree usually heaving with fruit in Summer), there will likely be a number of cars parked on the side of the road. Then there is a short track down to the beach.

This is a small beach that was once in a cave but the opening has now eroded and it is open to the sea. If it is a calm day it is a beautiful spot for a swim but there are no facilities here so most people don’t stay long.

Pollonia Beach is a wide, shallow beach that runs along the bay to the north of Pollonia village, the main dining precinct of Milos.

It has a soft sandy beach and is largely protected, even on the windiest days, by the island of Kimolos across the strait.

This is a great beach to visit with small children and it’s common to see people playing games of volleyball and enjoying various watersports along here.

There are numerous shops and activities to do including fishing trips and boat hire in the harbour.

Further reading : A Complete Guide to visiting Kimolos

This beautiful beach is on the eastern side of the island and the last few kilometres of road are dirt so it is best accessed by a 4WD or Quadbike.

There are no services or amenities but it is a beautiful beach with crystal clear water, lots of coloured rocks and stunning rock formations of natural arches and polished pebbles.

Be warned this is one of Milos’s nudist beaches although it is generally very quiet. It is fairly exposed to the elements so not a good choice on a windy day.

Nearby Tria Pigadia Beach to the south is very similar.

If you hike up to the Kastro in Plaka with its sweeping views of Milos, you will likely look north towards a small azure blue bay and ask yourself where it is. It is Plathiena, a lovely small bay with a  great little beach bar called ‘Plathiena Foodies Beach Bar.

It is easy to get to with car parking off the road and an easy walk to the beach.

The swimming conditions are generally very good and the water is crystal clear and the beach is mostly sand.

The taverna offers a handful of sunbeds and umbrellas for rent but they can get full quickly so it may pay to take your own too. It is one of the few beaches with some trees so you can also seek some shade from them.

The beach and kiosk are especially popular in the evening as the sunset from here is wonderful. This where a lot of locals go.

Papikinous Beach is the main beach of Adamas and about a 10-15 minute walk from the centre of town.

Being on the interior bay of the island the beach is very calm and sheltered and the water is quite shallow for some distance so it is great for families.

There are lots of trees, activities for hire and several beach bars that offer sunbeds, including out favourite taverna on the entire island, O’Hamos.

One of the many amazing beaches on the South coast of Milos is Agia Kiriaki which is in between Fyriplaka and Paleochori.

With striking white cliffs and white pebbles, the beach is long and the water is very clear and clean.

It is easily accessible and the road runs right along the beach with plenty of parking.

There is one very good taverna which is a great spot for lunch and they also rent sunbeds and umbrellas although they are limited.

There are several places where you can hire boats and/or do excursions and day trips including Armi Sea Excursions.

Considered by many to be the best beach on Milos, Fyriplaka Beach is a combination of all the best elements of all the beaches on the island – calm, protected, big imposing colourful cliffs, a white sandy beach, crystal clear water and good amenities.

It is also a very shallow beach so it is great for families and people who are not strong swimmers.

There is easy access with a large carpark and the island bus stops here too. There are sunbeds and boats for hire and a small beach bar, although toilets are back up near the carpark.

Inside tip – a great activity to do hear is a 3-hour kayaking tour which takes you around to various caves and bays in the area.

image credit: Muses Milos

Just west of Fyriplaka Beach is an area called Provatas which has two beaches,  Agia Sostis and Provatos Beach.

Again this a lovely, big, calm beach with clear shallow water and sunbeds.

There are boats for hire and a beach bar that services patrons with a great selection of snacks and drinks.

You can also do a a half-day boat tour to Kleftiko from here which is perfect on a windy day when the full day tours from Adamas are cancelled.

ALSO LEAVEThis is a very quiet bay located midway along the south coast of the island.

There is little sand to speak of and a lot of rocks but it’s not uncommon to see people swimming off the jetty as the water is generally calm and clear.

Some boat cruises for Kleftiko leave from here.

Tsigrado Beach is much photographed but difficult to get to.

There are only a few places to park up on the road and then you need to hike down a rocky path to get to the beach. There is even one section with a ladder so if you have restricted mobility there are better beaches to visit.

The water is very clear and colourful and there is a big cave to explore as well.

Another popular way to visit this beach is by Kayak from nearby Fyriplaka Beach where you can rent watersports equipment and also small boats.

One of the most popular beaches on Milos is Paleochori ( which translates to ‘old place’).

This beautiful beach is located on the southern coastline so is popular every day particularly when it is windy. It’s easy to get to with a big carpark and a bus stop too.

The imposing cliffs surrounding the bay are brightly coloured with the various minerals found on the island and there are some thermal springs running in the western part of the beach.

Paleochori is well organised with affordable sunbeds and umbrellas for rent and watersports equipment and boat rental on offer. It’s a great place to do some snorkelling and even spend a few days.

Located between Paralia Agia Kiriaki and Firiplaka Beach on the south coast is Kalamos.

This can really only be accessed by boat or a fairly long, hot, hike from the coast road but it is worth the effort to see.

The coastline here is towering white cliffs, similar to Kleftiko but with a white sandy beach as well. The water is often very calm and very clear and it is largely considered one of the best beaches on Milos.

There are no services nor tavernas or rooms to stay but it is usually visited on the full-day tours of the island, or you can rent a boat from the nearby beaches.

While technically not a ‘beach’ this is one of the most popular swimming spots on the island and one of the most photographed bays in the Greek Islands.

Kleftiko means ‘stolen’ in Greek and it was thought that this remote southern bay, full of caves and grottos, was where pirates would often hide with their various stolen treasures.

It is not accessible by road unless you are up for a very long hike, and there are no buildings or services but most of the boat trips visit here. There are also dedicated Kleftiko day trips that are perfect if it is a windy day as it is well protected.

There is also a popular Greek dish called Kleftiko which is essentially lamb wrapped in paper – once thought to perhaps have been stolen meat.