Milos Greece
5
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Five days in Milos gives you the complete experience of the most extraordinary volcanic island in the Cyclades, from the remarkable lunar landscape of Sarakiniko and the extraordinary Kleftiko sea caves to the hidden fishing villages of Klima and Mandrakia, the remarkable ancient catacombs, the colourful village of Plaka and the finest and most diverse collection of beaches in the Aegean. This route covers the full Milos: the extraordinary Sarakiniko and Kleftiko, the remarkable fishing villages with their unique syrmata boathouses, the ancient catacombs, the hilltop village of Plaka, the site of the Venus de Milo discovery, the extraordinary coloured rock beaches of Paliochori and Firiplaka, the remarkable Papafragas sea caves and the hidden beaches of the south coast.
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 minutes)
Getting Around
Car or ATV essential throughout. Kleftiko requires a boat trip.
Budget Per Day
Approx 90 to 170 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy , beaches, boat trips, village walking and catacombs
DAY 1
PLAKA AND ADAMAS
MORNING
PLAKA VILLAGE AND KASTRO
Plaka is the most extraordinary hilltop village in the Cyclades, its remarkable position giving the finest panoramic view over the volcanic caldera bay and the surrounding Cycladic islands. The kastro at the summit contains the finest view in the Cyclades. The Archaeological Museum in Plaka houses a copy of the Venus de Milo. Museum entry approx 4 euros. Drive: Walk down to Adamas
MIDDAY
ADAMAS TOWN AND HARBOUR
Adamas is the most extraordinary harbour town in the western Cyclades, its remarkable position on the largest natural harbour in the Aegean giving the finest port atmosphere in the Cyclades. The extraordinary church of Agia Triada contains the finest collection of ecclesiastical objects rescued from Milos before a Turkish raid. The harbour waterfront at sunset is the finest in the western Cyclades. Free. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
PLAKA SUNSET WALK
The return to Plaka for sunset is the finest evening experience in Milos, the extraordinary view from the kastro over the volcanic caldera bay turning extraordinary shades of orange and purple as the sun drops behind Antimilos. The remarkable Panagia Korfiatissa church at the kastro summit is the finest viewpoint in the Cyclades at dusk. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Catacombs of Milos near the ancient city are one of the most important early Christian sites in the Aegean, their remarkable underground burial chambers housing over 2,000 early Christian burials carved from volcanic rock. 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 and wine in the finest hilltop village. | Dinner: Restaurant in Adamas harbour Outstanding dinner in the Milos harbour with views over the extraordinary volcanic bay.
DAY 2
NORTH COAST
MORNING
SARAKINIKO LUNAR LANDSCAPE
Sarakiniko is the most extraordinary natural landscape in the Cyclades, its remarkable white volcanic ash formations sculpted into a 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. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
PAPAFRAGAS SEA CAVES
Papafragas is the most extraordinary sea cave complex accessible on foot from the north coast of Milos, its remarkable narrow channel cut through the volcanic rock descending to a hidden sea cave of extraordinary turquoise water completely enclosed by the cliff walls. The extraordinary swim through the narrow channel into the cave is the finest natural swimming experience on the north coast. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
POLLONIA VILLAGE
Pollonia is the most extraordinary fishing village on the north coast of Milos, its remarkable sheltered harbour of turquoise water giving the finest traditional fishing village atmosphere in the northern Cyclades. The extraordinary views across the channel to Kimolos island and the remarkable fish tavernas on the waterfront give the finest late afternoon experience in north Milos. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Glaronissia islets off the north coast of Milos are the finest natural basalt column formation in the Cyclades, their remarkable hexagonal columns rising from the sea in extraordinary geometric patterns. Boat trips from Pollonia include the islets. The finest natural geological spectacle in the western Cyclades.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early breakfast before Sarakiniko Early start for Sarakiniko. The lunar landscape is extraordinary before 9am when it is almost entirely empty. | Lunch: Taverna in Pollonia harbour Outstanding fresh seafood lunch in the finest fishing village on the north coast of Milos. | Dinner: Restaurant in Plaka or Adamas Outstanding Miliot dinner after the extraordinary north coast day.
DAY 3
KLEFTIKO AND VILLAGES
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 and the remarkable white volcanic formations create 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 boats below and fishermen's homes above giving the most unusual traditional architecture in Greece. The extraordinary colours reflected in the calm water are the finest photograph in Milos. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
MANDRAKIA FISHING VILLAGE
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. The remarkable volcanic coastline above the village and the extraordinary views over the caldera entrance give the finest late afternoon in north Milos. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Gerontas sea cave on the south coast is the finest hidden sea cave accessible by kayak on Milos, its remarkable arch giving the finest natural sea-level experience on the south coast. Almost entirely unknown. Kayak hire from Paliochori beach. Free to enter.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early breakfast before Kleftiko boat Early start. The Kleftiko sea caves are most extraordinary in the morning calm. | Lunch: Fish taverna in Klima Outstanding fresh seafood in the most extraordinary fishing village in the Cyclades. | Dinner: Restaurant in Adamas Outstanding Miliot dinner after the extraordinary Kleftiko and syrmata village day.
DAY 4
SOUTH COAST
MORNING
TSIGRADO BEACH
Tsigrado is the most extraordinary hidden beach on Milos, accessible only by rope descent through a narrow volcanic cliff crack or by boat, its remarkable position in a completely enclosed cove of extraordinary turquoise water giving the finest secret beach in the Cyclades. The white and gold volcanic cliffs above are unlike anything else in the Aegean. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
PALIOCHORI THERMAL BEACH
Paliochori is the most extraordinary thermal beach in the Cyclades, its remarkable volcanic hot springs heating the sea to extraordinary temperatures giving the most unusual swimming experience in the Aegean. The multicoloured volcanic cliffs and the sulphurous steam vents at the base create the finest volcanic beach in Greece. Free beach. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
FIRIPLAKA AND AGIA KYRIAKI
Firiplaka is the most extraordinary coloured rock beach in the south of Milos, its dramatic multicoloured volcanic cliffs of red, orange and yellow giving the finest coloured rock beach landscape in the Cyclades. Agia Kyriaki nearby gives the finest combination of natural beauty and seclusion. Both are free beaches with extraordinary volcanic backdrops.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Provatas beach in the south of Milos is the finest long sandy beach on the island, its remarkable sheltered bay of extraordinary turquoise water giving the best calm-water swimming on the south coast. Almost entirely undeveloped despite being the finest sandy beach in south Milos. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before south coast drive Early start for Tsigrado. The rope descent is most extraordinary in the cool morning. | Lunch: Taverna at Paliochori Outstanding fresh fish at the volcanic thermal beach. The finest beach lunch in the Cyclades. | Dinner: Restaurant in Plaka Outstanding dinner in the finest hilltop village in the Cyclades. Miliot wine at sunset.
DAY 5
ANCIENT MILOS
MORNING
ANCIENT CATACOMBS OF MILOS
The Catacombs of Milos are the most important early Christian site in the Aegean outside Rome, their remarkable underground burial chambers carved from volcanic rock housing over 2,000 Christian burials from the 1st to 5th centuries AD. The extraordinary carved loculi and the remarkable inscriptions give the finest early Christian heritage in the Cyclades. Entry approx 6 euros. Drive: 10 min walk
MIDDAY
VENUS DE MILO DISCOVERY SITE AND ANCIENT THEATRE
The site where the Venus de Milo was discovered in 1820, marked by a simple plaque in a farmer's field, is the most extraordinary archaeological discovery site in the Cyclades. The remarkable ancient theatre of Milos above the site, the finest ancient theatre in the western Cyclades, gives extraordinary views over the volcanic bay. Both free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
PHYLAKOPI ANCIENT CITY
Phylakopi on the north coast is the most extraordinary ancient city in Milos, its remarkable Bronze Age and Minoan remains giving evidence of continuous habitation from 2300 BC. The extraordinary site overlooks the finest bay on the north coast and contains the most important prehistoric remains in the western Cyclades. Entry approx 4 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary ancient obsidian quarries of Adamas are among the oldest known stone quarry sites in the world, their remarkable volcanic glass deposits traded across the entire prehistoric Aegean from 10,000 BC. The finest prehistoric industrial heritage in the Cyclades. Free. Ask at the Milos museum for directions.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Adamas before catacombs Early start for the catacombs. The underground chambers are extraordinary in the morning. | Lunch: Taverna near the ancient theatre Outstanding Miliot lunch near the extraordinary ancient theatre with views over the volcanic bay. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Plaka Outstanding final dinner in the most extraordinary hilltop village in the Cyclades at sunset.
Where To Stay
Adamas, Nights 1 to 4 Best overall base. Hotels from 70 to 160 euros. Central for boat trips, beaches and all island destinations. Plaka, alternative The finest atmosphere. Hotels from 80 to 180 euros. 10 minutes from Adamas harbour. Budget option Guesthouses in Adamas from 45 euros. The harbour town is the most convenient base for the full island.
Top Tips
1. Sarakiniko before 9am is the finest experience on Milos. The extraordinary white lunar landscape is almost entirely empty before the first tourist buses arrive.
2. Kleftiko boat: book the evening before at Adamas harbour. Morning departures are essential , afternoon Meltemi makes the sea rough by 2pm.
3. Klima syrmata boathouses: arrive at 7am for the finest reflection photography. The extraordinary colours in the still morning water are unlike anything in Greece.
4. The Tsigrado rope descent is narrow. The extraordinary beach at the bottom is the finest secret beach in the Cyclades. Completely worth the unusual entry.
5. The Milos Catacombs are the most important early Christian site in the Aegean outside Rome. The underground burial chambers are extraordinary and almost unvisited.
6. Milos loukanika sausages cured with orange peel and fennel are the finest in the Cyclades. Buy from the Adamas market for the best quality at the best price.
Total Budget
90 to 170 euros/day