Milos Greece
3
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Three days in Milos reveals the most geologically extraordinary island in the Cyclades, its remarkable volcanic landscape creating the finest and most diverse collection of beaches in the Aegean, from the extraordinary lunar white rock formations of Sarakiniko to the vivid colours of Kleftiko sea caves and the remarkable fishing village of Klima with its syrmata boathouses. This route covers the essential Milos experience: the extraordinary Sarakiniko white rock lunar landscape, the remarkable Kleftiko sea caves only accessible by boat, the extraordinary fishing village of Klima with its unique painted boathouse architecture, the fine beaches of Firiplaka and Tsigrado, and the remarkable site where the Venus de Milo was discovered.
Best Time To Visit
May to June or September to October
Getting There
Ferry from Piraeus (4 to 7 hours) or fly from Athens (45 min)
Getting Around
Car or ATV essential. Many beaches require boat trips.
Budget Per Day
Approx 90 to 170 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy , beaches, boat trips and village walking
DAY 1
PLAKA AND SARAKINIKO
MORNING
PLAKA VILLAGE AND THE KASTRO
Plaka is the most extraordinary hilltop village in the Cyclades, its remarkable position on the highest point of Milos giving the finest panoramic view over the extraordinary volcanic caldera bay and the surrounding Cycladic islands. The remarkable kastro at the summit contains the finest view in the Cyclades. The extraordinary Archaeological Museum in Plaka houses a copy of the Venus de Milo. Museum entry approx 4 euros. Drive: 15 min drive
MIDDAY
THE VENUS DE MILO DISCOVERY SITE
The site near the ancient city of Milos where the Venus de Milo was discovered in 1820 is the most extraordinary archaeological discovery site in the Cyclades, its remarkable location in a farmer's field marked by a simple plaque giving the most understated monument to the most famous ancient sculpture in the world. The ancient theatre of Milos above the site is the finest ancient theatre in the western Cyclades. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
SARAKINIKO LUNAR LANDSCAPE
Sarakiniko is the most extraordinary natural landscape in the Cyclades, its remarkable white volcanic ash formations sculpted by wind and sea into an extraordinary lunar surface of smooth rounded rocks, narrow channels and deep blue swimming pools. The extraordinary contrast of brilliant white rock and vivid Aegean blue gives the most dramatic natural landscape in the Greek islands. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Catacombs of Milos near the ancient city contain one of the most important early Christian sites in the Aegean, their remarkable underground burial chambers carved from the volcanic rock housing over 2,000 early Christian burials. The finest early Christian heritage in the Cyclades. Entry approx 6 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Plaka village Outstanding Greek coffee with the most extraordinary view over the volcanic caldera bay in the Cyclades. | Lunch: Taverna in Plaka Outstanding Miliot lunch with local sausages, fresh fish and excellent Cycladic wine in the finest hilltop village. | Dinner: Restaurant in Adamas harbour Outstanding dinner in the Milos harbour town with views over the extraordinary volcanic bay.
DAY 2
KLEFTIKO AND KLIMA
MORNING
BOAT TRIP TO KLEFTIKO SEA CAVES
Kleftiko is the most extraordinary sea cave complex in the Cyclades, its remarkable volcanic rock formations accessible only by boat giving the finest sea-level cave and arch experience in the Aegean. The extraordinary turquoise water inside the caves, the remarkable rock arches and the extraordinary white volcanic formations give the most dramatic seascape in the Greek islands. Boat trips from Adamas approx 35 euros. Drive: Return to Adamas
MIDDAY
KLIMA FISHING VILLAGE
Klima is the most extraordinary fishing village in the Cyclades, its remarkable syrmata boathouses built directly into the volcanic cliff face painted in vivid colours with the boats stored in the ground floor and the fishermen's homes above giving the most unusual traditional architecture in Greece. The extraordinary colours of the boathouses reflected in the calm morning water are the finest photograph in Milos. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
FIRIPLAKA BEACH
Firiplaka is the most extraordinary beach in the south of Milos, its remarkable position below dramatic multicoloured volcanic cliffs of red, orange and yellow giving the finest coloured rock beach landscape in the Cyclades. The extraordinary volcanic colours of the cliffs above the vivid turquoise water create the most unusual beach setting in the Aegean. Free beach.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary fishing village of Mandrakia on the north coast is the finest hidden syrmata village on Milos, its remarkable painted boathouses in an extraordinary sheltered cove giving the finest alternative to the more visited Klima. Almost entirely unvisited by tourists. The finest hidden village on the island. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early breakfast before boat trip Early start for the Kleftiko boat. The sea caves are extraordinary in the morning calm before afternoon winds. | Lunch: Fish taverna in Klima village Outstanding fresh seafood lunch in the most extraordinary fishing village in the Cyclades. | Dinner: Restaurant in Adamas Outstanding Miliot dinner after the extraordinary Kleftiko and Klima day.
DAY 3
SOUTH COAST BEACHES
MORNING
TSIGRADO BEACH
Tsigrado is the most extraordinary hidden beach on Milos, accessible only by a rope descent through a narrow crack in the volcanic cliff face or by boat, its remarkable position in a completely enclosed cove of extraordinary turquoise water giving the finest secret beach experience in the Cyclades. The extraordinary white and gold volcanic cliffs above the beach are unlike anything else in the Aegean. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
PALIOCHORI BEACH
Paliochori is the most extraordinary thermal beach in the Cyclades, its remarkable volcanic hot springs heating the sea to extraordinary temperatures in certain areas giving the most unusual swimming experience in the Aegean. The extraordinary multicoloured volcanic cliffs behind the beach and the remarkable sulphurous steam vents at the base of the cliffs create the finest volcanic beach in Greece. Free beach. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
PROVATAS AND AGIA KYRIAKI BEACHES
Provatas is the finest long sandy beach in south Milos, its remarkable sheltered position in a wide bay of extraordinary turquoise water giving the best calm-water swimming on the south coast. The extraordinary Agia Kyriaki beach nearby, with its remarkable volcanic rock backdrop, gives the finest combination of natural beauty and seclusion on the south coast of Milos. Free beaches.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Gerontas sea cave on the south coast of Milos is the finest hidden sea cave accessible by boat or kayak on the island, its remarkable arch and cavern giving the finest natural sea-level experience on the south coast. Almost entirely unknown to tourists. Kayak hire from Paliochori beach. Free to enter.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before south coast drive Early start for Tsigrado. The rope descent is most extraordinary in the cool morning air. | Lunch: Taverna at Paliochori beach Outstanding fresh fish lunch at the volcanic thermal beach. The finest beach lunch setting in the Cyclades. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Plaka Outstanding final dinner in the most extraordinary hilltop village in the Cyclades. Miliot wine at sunset.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Adamas, Nights 1 to 2 The main harbour town and best base. Hotels from 70 to 160 euros. Central for boat trips and island exploration. Plaka, alternative The finest atmosphere on the island. Hotels from 80 to 180 euros. 10 minutes by car from the harbour. Budget option Guesthouses in Adamas from 45 euros. The harbour town is compact and convenient for the boat trip departure point.
Top Tips
1. Sarakiniko is most extraordinary before 9am when the brilliant white rock is almost entirely empty of tourists. Drive up early and walk the lunar surface alone.
2. Kleftiko boat trips: book the evening before at the Adamas harbour. Go in the morning when the sea is calm. Afternoon winds can make the return uncomfortable.
3. Klima syrmata boathouses are best photographed in the early morning when the extraordinary colours are reflected in the perfectly still harbour water.
4. The Tsigrado rope descent: the rope is fixed but the crack is narrow. The extraordinary beach below is worth every second of the unusual descent.
5. Paliochori thermal beach: the hot volcanic water bubbles up through the sand in certain areas. Dig a small hole close to the cliff base for the finest experience.
6. Milos sausages (loukanika) are the finest in the Cyclades, cured with orange peel and fennel. Order them at every taverna on the island.
Total Budget
90 to 170 euros/day