The Best Beaches in Milos, Greece (+ Some Stunning Swimming Spots)

Heading to the Greek Islands and looking for the best beaches in Milos?! I’ve got you, my sun-kissed island-loving friend. I’m sharing all my favorite Milos beaches, plus some stunning swimming spots as well! Spoiler alert — you’ll never wanna leave. You’ll quickly see why (just look at the photos).

On our first few trips to Greece, we mainly stuck to the super-popular spots (Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Athens, etc). But when I was planning our Greece itinerary for this year, I knew I had to include an island a bit less traveled. Enter, Milos! And what a gem it was!

If you’re researching things to do in Milos, you’ve surely heard about instagrammable Sarakiniko (and well, if you haven’t, make sure to check out my guide to everything you need to know about this lunar landscape). But there’s so much more to Milos beaches than that!

There’s stunning rock formations, dazzling crystal clear blue waters, golden sands, and sunbed and parasol rentals. And even a beach set against a traditional fishing village and another once frequented by pirates (yes, real-life pirates back in the day!).

It’s safe to say the beaches in Milos surely don’t disappoint. We never wanted to leave! And they’re actually way more picturesque and chill than the beaches in both Santorini and Mykonos, which really surprises everyone! If you’re looking for a few days relaxing on the beach, Milos is your answer!

There’s really no better Greek Island for a few days in the sun; just be sure to slather on that SPF — the sun is no joke over here!

With over 75 beaches in Milos, you obviously won’t have time to visit them all. Pick and choose from my favorites below! We spent only 2.5 days in Milos, and were able to get to quite a few.

A Quick Note About Winds:

Milos experiences high winds in the late summer months, usually July and August. Winds are common all over the Cyclade Islands, frequently known as Meltemi winds. We thankfully didn’t get much wind in Milos, but experienced tons in Mykonos a few days later! You just never know how it’s gonna be!

You can use WindFinder and/or Windy to help predict which days will be the windiest (numbers in green are pretty windy!). However, it’s best to figure out where on the island the winds are coming from — our lovely hotel receptionist told us each morning how the winds were looking for the day.

This will help determine which beaches in Milos you go to on a certain day. I mean, not only is it dangerous to swim in high waves, but no one likes sand blowing in their mouth and hair!

Booking a Milos Boat Tour

Some of these beaches in Milos are only accessible by boat, meaning you can’t just drive up to them! Of course I’ll mention which ones below. You’ll need to book yourself on a guided boat cruise to see them.

There’s loads of boat tours to choose from, but do yourself a favor and book ASAP, because they do get sold out, and fast! Don’t expect to be able to book once you get to Milos, because there’s a good chance you won’t be able to go.

The morning of our boat trip a family came into the company office and they were told the boat cruises were sold out for weeks — to say they were gutted is an understatement! Just book in advance and you’ll be golden.

Here’s the EXACT full-day catamaran cruise we took, and we had such a fun day. The boat made plenty of swimming spots (my favorites being Poliegos Island, Gerakas, and Kleftiko), and I still cannot believe the colors of the water! They provided us with delicious food (ohhh I’m still dreaming about that Greek salad sando), snorkel gear, drinks, and such a good time. We met some awesome people, too!

If you don’t wanna be out on the water the entire day (I hear you, that’s a long time on a boat), there’s plenty of half day cruises you can book! This 5-hour catamaran cruise is offered by the same company we took, so I can definitely vouch for the crew and food! They obviously don’t make as many stops, but the half day tours are great for a quick sampling of the island.

Paralia What?

When you’re looking for the beaches on Google Maps, you may find that they’re called Paralia. You’re in the right spot! Paralia is a Greek term simply meaning “beach” or “coastline”!

What to Bring to the Beaches in Milos

Quick Dry Towel: for both laying out (especially on the white rock at Sarakiniko Beach) and drying off after a swim!
Waterproof camera: the beaches in Milos are some of the most stunning I’ve seen — you’ll definitely wanna capture the beauty on camera! An action camera like a GoPro (with underwater housing of course) is perfect for exploring the sea caves and clear water! New iPhones are waterproof as well, although I much prefer to keep them safe in a sealable waterproof pouch.
Reusable water bottle: most beaches don’t have any facilities at all — you’ll wanna carry your own water (gotta stay hydrated in the hot sun)
Non-perishable snacks: some of the beaches are quite remote, so it’s best to bring at least a little bit of nourishment so you don’t get hangry!
Sunscreen: and lots of it! Slather on that SPF — the sun is strong here at the beaches in Milos! Most beaches don’t provide much shade, so you definitely wanna come prepared to protect your skin!
Beach hat: you’ll love the bit of shade a hat provides, I promise
Water shoes: some of the beaches are kinda rocky and uncomfortable, so it may be nice to have water shoes! My husband wore his waterproof Tevas and definitely didn’t regret it.
Mask and Snorkel (optional): the water in Milos is some of the clearest we’ve EVER seen, so you won’t be disappointed with a snorkel! While there’s not a ton of sea life below the surface (there’s still some!), the rocks and colorful water make for an impressive site!
Backpack/beach bag: gotta carry all your belongings somehow! If you’re planning to head to Tsigrado Beach, you’ll want a backpack to keep your hands free for climbing down to the beach! Thank me later, haha.

Best Beaches in Milos

So, let’s get to it! Here’s all the beaches in Milos we visited on our trip!

Sarakiniko

Out of all the beaches in Milos, you NEED to visit Sarakiniko at least once during your stay. It’s by far the most talked about beach on all of the island, and quite possibly the most unique in all of the Cyclades! What’s so special about it anyways? You’ll feel like you landed on the MOON!

Sarakiniko is the ultimate lunar landscape and by far one of the most unique beaches in Milos. The chalky white, moon-like surface was built by white volcanic cliffs, and it’s absolutely remarkable.

Definitely bring your camera here — Sarakiniko is easily the most photographed spot on Milos Island. With that being said, if you hope to get some epic shots sans people, come early, like really early. I’ve heard sunrise is pretty epic.

Note that the beach is hella small, so you’ll see everyone laying out on the white rocks near the water. Definitely bring a towel to lay on — the rock isn’t always the most comfortable after a long period of time. But don’t sit around for too long — there’s cliff jumping and exploring to do!

We didn’t jump into the water, but it was super fun watching others. If you still wanna cool off but don’t wanna cliff jump, you can easily access the water from the small beach area.

Sarakiniko Beach in Milos, the most unique beach in all of Greece

Read Next: Everything You Need to Know About Sarakiniko Beach in Milos, Greece

How to Get There: Thankfully, Sarakiniko isn’t too far from where most people stay. It’s on the northern stretch of coastline on Milos, only about 10 minutes from Adamas (the port town where we stayed!), 15 minutes from Pollonia (a cute seaside town), and 10 minutes from Plaka (the island’s capital city).

You’ll need to rent a car, ATV, or scooter for the day to get there. Parking is free, although if you get there past 9:30am or so you’ll probably miss out on a spot in the actual lot and have to walk a bit.

Or, you can even walk the 45 minutes from Adamas if you want some early morning exercise (although I wouldn’t recommend it in the intense summer heat).

You CAN take the public bus, although you’ll be limited to the bus schedule which I don’t recommend either. Renting your own wheels is definitely the way to go.

Facilities: Minimal; there was a small truck selling drinks and snacks near the parking lot. Besides that, nothing that we noticed.

Tsigrado Beach

Imagine a secluded, picturesque beach tucked away amid high cliffs, rocky passages, and secret caverns. That’s Tsigrado Beach for you, but it’s kinda a pain to get to. It’s remote and difficult to reach, with two sets of ladders and even a rope to climb down (yup!). But this just means it’ll be more pristine and less crowded!

If climbing down isn’t your idea of fun on your Greek holiday, just look from above — that’s what we did and it’s absolutely gorgeous! We took one look at it and declared ourselves too clumsy to go down. I’ve heard from others it’s not so bad, but some say it’s pretty difficult and even kinda dangerous. You do you and decide for yourself. 🙂 I’d definitely opt for a backpack (instead of a typical beach bag) to keep your hands free to help with the climb down.

And don’t feel bad if all you do is look from the top — there’s other just as beautiful beaches in Milos that are much easier to access.

It is however a great option on windy days, especially if the winds make it difficult to visit beaches on the northern side of the island like Sarakiniko.

How to Get There: Again, you’ll best reach Tsigrado Beach via car or ATV (about 25 minutes from Adamas or Pollonia), or you can take the public bus. The beach is on the southern side of the island, which is off-the-beaten-path and farther from the other attractions we wanted to visit.

Parking is in a small lot above the beach, and then you’ll need to make your way down on uneven ground and slanted narrow passageways. Since there are ladders and a rope section, it’s essentially one way, meaning you’ll need to wait for others to come up before you go down.

Facilities: None

Firiplaka

If heading down to Tsigrado Beach isn’t your jam, take a quick look from above, then head on over to nearby Firiplaka (also commonly spelled with a y — Fyriplaka). This was BY FAR our favorite of all the beaches in Milos, and we honestly could have spent all day wading in the crystal clear milky-blue waters and people watching on the glistening white sand.

The water was like a dream on a hot day. Pure paradise. I mean, it is the second most popular beach in Milos afterall, after Sarakiniko of course.

The water is a shimmering shade of green-blue (and very clean!), there’s huge colored rocks along the coastline, and the views are just magnificent! Since the water was so shallow, we were able to venture pretty far from the coastline — and it only reached our waists. Definitely a good beach for the whole family, kids included.

We were worried it’d be exceptionally crowded (after one look at parking), but since Fyriplaka is quite long, we were able to find a spot pretty easily. If you need some shade, get there early to rent one of the straw umbrellas or better yet, bring your own beach umbrella so you don’t need to fight the crowds. We had no shade so spent most of our time in the water.

Note: We had read online that Fyriplaka (and other Milos beaches) are nude beaches — and…. I don’t think that source was correct. So I’m here to tell you to disregard that (if you do happen to come across it while researching beaches in Milos), and keep your bathing suit on. There were tons of kids and families here, so probably not the most appropriate to be walking around naked in your birthday suit.

How to Get There: Fyriplaka is right next to Tsigrado Beach, on the southern coast of Milos. But to be completely honest, parking is kinda a nightmare. We visited after Sarakiniko and lunch in Pollonia (so not first thing in the morning), and parking was stressful to say the least.

Why? Because all the parking is on the side of a tight road leading down to the beach (which is semi-steep), and there’s no proper lot. We had to literally squeeze our car into a spot — and we were even lucky that we found one! Thank goodness my husband was driving; I 100% would not have been able to park.

My recommendation? Either come first thing in the morning or much later in the day, and not around 2pm or so when we arrived. Or park at nearby Tsigrado and walk all the way down — just remember you’ll need to walk back up in the sweltering heat once you’re done at Fyriplaka.

Facilities: Plenty! Beach bars, umbrellas and chaise lounges for rent, bathrooms

Firopotamos

Another semi-difficult-to-reach beach in Milos, but hey, it’s another stunner. Firopotamos is the perfect combination of clear, blue Aegean water, traditional fisherman boat houses (called “sirmata”), and the beautiful little Church of Saint Nicholas. It’s tranquil and family friendly, with a little beach bar sometimes open (don’t quote me — seems like it depends on the year).

The stones in the water are huge — you’ll definitely want some water shoes here! Plus, the sand is a combination of sand and pebbles, so protect your feet!

And once you’re done at the beach, definitely drive up the cliff to see the village and beach from above — it’s absolutely breathtaking, vibrant cliffs and all!

Psst: Want to spend a night or two in a traditional Greek fishing village? While the boathouses have traditionally been used by fishermen to store their boats (hey, that’s the main point of them!), some of them have been renovated for tourists! Meaning you can rent one out. Waking up to the crystal clear waters does sound like all kinds of amazing.

Note: We had a particularly hard time actually figuring out how to get to the beach — we put in Firopotamos Beach, but it didn’t lead us to the beach at all. Instead, we ended up down by the church.

With confused looks on our faces, a kind man told us we had to drive back up and then proceed driving down to the beach. But he noted it’s kinda sketchy. We could have tested our luck, but we were already pretty tired so decided against it. I did jump in the water near the small fisherman houses and church, and OMG it felt soooo good to cool off for a bit.

How to Get There: Firopotamos is definitely a little tricky to reach, as noted above. Accessibility with a car is a little dicey, but manageable. I read online afterwards that the road to the beach can be somewhat daunting (it’s pretty steep), so I’m glad we stayed put where we did. And plus, it seems like parking can be especially difficult when it gets busy later in the day (when we arrived).

But if you do manage to make it there, please let me know if it was worth it — the photos from the actual beach look mesmerizing! It might be better coming by ATV or bike, but that steep road would definitely scare me!

Facilities: seems like it highly depends on the year

Papafragas Cave

Imagine a huge natural swimming pool and a tiny beach hiding between towering cliff walls. That’s Papafragas Cave, and it’s absolutely wild. It’s actually an enormous sea cave, and is visually stunning and super unique! Can you believe it was used in the past as a pirate base?! Whoa!

The actual sandy beach is quite tiny, only large enough to accommodate about a dozen or so people. But there’s lots of room in the crystal-clear waters for everyone! And let’s talk about the water — it seems to change depending on the temperature and the sunlight. It was a deep turquoise blue when we visited!

Only venture down the tiny path into the water if the north winds aren’t strong that day!

How to Get There: Papafragas is pretty close to Sarakiniko, so we made a beeline there right after exploring Sarakiniko’s moonscape. Again, it’s only about a 15 minute drive from Adamas, so not too far! We were able to park on the side of the road no problem, and then walk a few minutes to see the cave. If you do wanna cool off in the water, you’ll need to bypass a “No Trespassing” sign warning visitors of the dangerous descent.

We chose to look from above since we didn’t have much time at Papafragas, although I’ve heard from others it’s a very easy climb down — next time for us!

Facilities: None

Gerakas Beach

Absolutely breathtaking. Absolutely unspoiled. Absolutely perfect. The minute our boat anchored off the coast of Gerakas, I knew we were in for a real treat. It’s easy to see why Gerekas was one of my favorite beaches in Milos. I mean, just look at that water! The brightest shade of turquoise I’ve ever seen. And it literally sparkled. Impressive doesn’t even begin to describe it.

This secluded spot surrounded by white cliffs is pure wild beauty. It’s known for its distinctive rocky geological formations and slopes of white sand. And I just couldn’t wait to jump into that water! Can you blame me?!

How to Get There: Gerakas Beach is truly only accessible via boat, as there is zero way to get there by car. It’s on the southern coast of the island, between the beaches of Tsigrado and Agia Kyriaki. We were lucky and stopped at Gerakas when there were hardly any other boats around, so we basically had our own private beach to swim around in!

This is the exact catamaran trip we took around Milos, and it was such a perfect day out on the water! The tour also made a few other stops, including a stunning swimming stop at Poliegos Island (see more below) and of course the caves of Kleftiko (a must on Milos). This fresh fruit was so perfect after some swimming at Gerakas!

Psst: if you don’t feel like taking a boat tour around Milos (although you absolutely should — it’s amazing!), you can actually kayak to Gerakas Beach! This kayak tour stops at both Tsigrado and Gerakas, and they even give you a GoPro to use, plus local snacks. 🙂

Facilities: None

Firlingos

Ohhh… this was an absolute dream. I know I keep saying the beaches in Milos are some of the best I’ve EVER seen — but this spot quickly rose to #1 the literal second I saw the glistening water.

Honestly, I’m not 100% sure what this beach is called, but our catamaran company listed this spot as Firlingos (I think…), so we’re going with that. Although I had a hard time finding info about “Firlingos” online after the fact.

The water was sparkling, the beach was full of these gorgeous white and pinkish semi-precious stones, and we were the only ones there for the bulk of the time. So… whatever it’s called, you need to go, haha.

Lots of photos because the beach was just too pretty. I had to swim to shore with my phone held high above my head for a bit, but well worth it!

So if you wanna go, definitely book the same full-day Milos boat tour I did! Sorry I don’t have more info for ya!

How to Get There: By boat! Here’s the exact catamaran cruise we took to get here!

Facilities: None, besides whatever your boats got!

Papikinou Beach (near Adamas)

We actually went to Papikinou Beach by pure accident — we were walking along the coastline and there it was! It’s honestly not really one of the best beaches in Milos, but it’s a nice spot to watch the sunset if you’re waiting for a table at O! Hamas!. Also, it’s super convenient if you don’t have a car for a day and just wanna relax, as it’s only a 15 minute walk or so from Adamas Port.

There’s beach lounges and umbrellas for rent, although we were able to sit for free waiting for O! Hamas! one night! The water is very calm and shallow, making it a great place for families with young kids. And there’s hardly any waves (even on windy days!) since it’s sheltered.

While it’s nothing special by Greece standards, it’s super easy to get to and perfect for a lazy day at the beach. Make sure to take note of all the restaurants along the way to the beach to pick one out for later!

How to Get There: Coming from Adamas, you can make the short walk! It’s only about 15 minutes from the heart of the port town. Simply plug it into your GPS and go!

Facilities: Umbrellas and chaise lounges, restaurants nearby

Pollonia Beach

Pollonia is a lovely little seaside village with Pollonia Beach running right along it! It’s perfect for a super windy day when other beaches aren’t accessible — it’s protected by the island right across from it.

Like Papikinou in Adamas, it honestly doesn’t even half compare to the other amazing beaches in Milos. However, if you’re staying in Pollonia, you’ll be super close! We had a delicious seafood lunch at Enalion overlooking Pollonia Beach, and the view surely didn’t disappoint! Definitely be sure to check out the old fishing boats — I loved how cute and colorful they were!

How to Get There: Once you get to Pollonia Town, you really can’t miss it! We were able to find parking pretty easily in the large lot right near the beach.

Facilities: loads of restaurants/bars/cafes lining the beach, beach chairs and umbrellas

Swimming Spots in Milos

There’s two spots I just couldn’t leave off this list, even if they’re not proper beaches in Milos. You’ll 100% need to take a boat to both of these, and I promise you they are 1000% worth it!

Kleftiko

Ohhhh, Kleftiko. If you’ve been researching Milos at all, I can almost guarantee you’ve seen photos of Kleftiko — it’s one of the most popular spots in all of Milos! And for good reason! There’s sea caves and rock formations to explore, clear, turquoise-tinted waters, and volcanic landscapes to admire.

Apparently pirates used to hide out in the coves over here — our captain even turned on music from Pirates of the Caribbean as we made our way into Kleftiko Bay. Definitely set the scene, that’s for sure!

While this isn’t a beach at all, it’s more technically a remote wild bay for swimming. And a swimming spot I can promise you’ll never forget! The crystal blue waters are absolutely irresistible — I couldn’t wait to jump on in! And the best part — there’s sea caves to swim through! The water was so crystal clear I asked for a mask so I could see all the colorful rocks beneath the surface, and even some cute little fish.

Read Next: Everything you need to know about Kleftiko Bay in Milos!

How to Get There: It does take some planning to get to Kleftiko, since it’s on the south coast of the rugged and remote western side of the island of Milos. The only way to reach Kleftiko is by boat! Meaning you’ll need to book yourself on a guided boat tour around Milos if you wanna explore this old Pirate den!

Here’s the exact catamaran cruise we took — spoiler alert, it’s gonna be one of your favorite days in Greece, easily.

There’s tons of boat companies which stop at Kleftiko, so finding a tour shouldn’t be hard — as long as you book in advance! Kleftiko is the most visited attraction of Milos (well, a close second to Sarakiniko), so definitely don’t wait too long to book. I have a friend who unfortunately missed out on the Kleftiko caves since all the boats were completely sold out when they visited! Guarantee your spot and book way in advance!

Psst — you can actually hike to Kleftiko, but it’s a long 45 minute walk (after an hour drive from Adamas). And in that hot summer heat, honestly, no thank you! If you really wanna hike to Kleftiko, do it first thing in the morning to avoid the midday sun (and bring lots and lots of water).

Facilities: None, besides what your tour boat provides

Galazira Zera (Poliegos Island)

Wait, another island? Yes, and I promise it’s well-worth your time! Poliegos is right next to Milos (only a few km away), and I guarantee it’ll be one of the most beautiful destinations you’ll ever visit. Large white cliffs, sparkling waters, and pristine sandy beach. There’s no question why it’s simply known as “Blue Bay”.

Poliegos is actually one of the largest uninhabited islands in the Mediterranean Sea. It means “many goats”, and not surprisingly, these are also the only inhabitants of the island!

Such an idyllic landscape — I had never seen waters that bright blue before (well, besides maybe in Bora Bora, Croatia, and Bacalar). Emerald, sapphire, and turquoise swirls; I could go on and on! The colors of the water were absolutely mind blowing. Of course I couldn’t stop taking photos!

Some people on our boat swam to the beach, but we just wanted to stay in the water.

How to Get There: Again, the only way to get here is by boat tour! Our full-day catamaran cruise around Milos stopped at Galazira Zera on Poliegos Island, and it’s honestly one of the reasons I chose that exact tour.

Not all boat trips stop here (most stick to spots around Milos itself), but once I saw a photo and knew we’d be oh so close, I made sure to book this tour ASAP to ensure we’d swim in those waters ourselves. Besides one other boat, we had this entire bay all to ourselves — it was absolutely marvelous.

Facilities: None, besides what your tour boat provides

So there ya have it — all my favorite beaches in Milos! Hope this helps you pick and choose a few! Which ones can’t you wait to visit?!