Most Beautiful Beaches in Milos, Greece
Dramatic white rock formations join volcanic oranges and reds on the best beaches in Milos. Though it’s now housed in the Louvre, the Venus de Milo marble statue that’s thought to represent Aphrodite was found on this breathtaking Cyclades island. When you dip in the fabled turquoise water, you’ll know it’s worthy of the Greek Goddess of love and beauty.
Whether they’re flanked by soaring, red-hued cliffs, atmospheric ruins or cosmopolitan resorts, the beaches of Milos speak to every holiday mood. Spend lazy days at horseshoe-shaped coves snorkelling and ogling bobbing yachts. Or settle in at charming beach bars after hiking along coastal trails with panoramic views of the aquamarine Aegean Sea. Ready to dive in?
Read also: Best Things to do in Milos / Best Places to Stay in Milos
South Milos Beaches
From secluded bays to photogenic favourites, you’ll find a range of cinematic landscapes for seaside adventures on the southern coast of Milos.
TSIGRADO BEACH
You’ll need to arrive by boat or take the challenge of a wobbly ladder to get down to Tsigrado Beach, as it’s nestled between volcanic rocks. It’s worth it though, for the wild, rocky backdrop that frames dazzling blue-green water.
Take your snorkel to poke around underwater rocks between lazing on the sand and soaking up the view. If you can’t be bothered getting down to the beach – though the water is seriously tempting – the views from the cliffs above are just as spectacular.
Practical info:
While I was wandering around this beach taking photos, many people came and went via the ladders. The first step is the hardest, as you have to grab onto a rope and lower yourself backwards onto the first ladder – this is the bit that a lot of people baulked at.
Tip – if you’re wearing sandals/flip-flops/jandals – kick them off and do it barefoot, you’ll have a better grip on the ladder. Also throw any bags you have down before descending, as you’ll need your hands.
The road to get to Tsigrado is paved until the last 400m or so and there’s limited, but seemingly enough, parking near the top of the beach.
FYRIPLAKA BEACH
Next to Tsigrado, Fyriplaka is among the most popular beaches in Milos. Reddish cliffs look striking against turquoise water that’s shallow and ideal for floating and snorkelling. Choose from two sections informally divided by a huge rocky outcrop you can swim through via a natural archway.
One side of the beach is unorganised and the other is dotted with straw umbrellas and sunbeds. There’s a canteen for snacks and drinks (only open in the peak summer months), and it’s likely you’ll want to stay for most of the day. Take a kayaking tour to discover Fyriplaka along the paddling trail.
Practical info:
The road to get to Fyriplaka is also a road to the mines, meaning it’s well-paved all the way. A little way past the mine, it becomes a dirt road for the last 400m or so, but it’s not bad at all. There is plenty of parking along the banks of the road on the way to the beach – I probably wouldn’t advise trying your luck at the small car park at the end unless arriving very early or late in the day. There is also a bus stop nearby, where the paved road ends.
PROVATAS BEACH
Expect to have a hard time dragging yourself out of the natural swimming pool of Provatas Beach. However, swaths of soft sand are just as enticing, as are nearby tavernas for drinks with the salty breeze in your hair.
Walk to a series of small bays along the shallow seabed to explore hidden coves. Otherwise, hire a sunbed and have a drink served right to your hand. This is among the best beaches on Milos for families with kids due to the sheltered conditions, with a hotel backing the sand and others nearby.
Practical info:
I very nearly booked a stay at this beach (see the hotel here), and was kicking myself that I didn’t when I visited. If you’re just coming for the day, the road is good, and there’s a small amount of parking available at the beach, so get in early.
GERAKAS BEACH
Gerakas Beach is a showstopper with white sand that appears to tumble down the hillside making zigzag pathways. They’re not for walking on though, as this natural beauty is only accessible by boat.
Dive into the transparent water and swim to the sandy strip on a backdrop of soaring cliffs with absolutely nothing to interrupt nature’s paintbrush. Most boat tours of the southern beaches stop here, but double-check so you don’t miss out.
Practical info:
I can highly recommend taking a boat tour of Milos while you’re on the island! This is the tour I went with, and it was fabulous – the highlight of my time in the Cyclades! It includes swimming stops at Gerakas as well as Kalogries and Kleftiko.
KIPOS BEACH
Get off the beaten path at Kipos Beach, a rocky delight that’s a joy for snorkelling and swimming in calm water. There’s a small boat dock and a taverna atop the hill, however, with a rock-covered beach and no other facilities, this isn’t really the ideal spot for sunbaking.
For sweeping views of the bay, explore the Panagia tou Kipou, a whitewashed church presumably first built in the 5th century and one of the oldest Byzantine churches on Milos. Sunsets here are magical, so prepare to stay for the fiery show.
Practical info:
Most people come here for the affordable boat tours that leave from the pier, so there’s a large car park and a well-paved road to the beach. If you’re interested in taking one of the tours, you can find more information here. Or simply come here for a drink or meal at Kipos Cafe, overlooking the bay.
AGIA KIRIAKI BEACH
This wide, sandy stretch is just a short drive from the quaint seaside port of Adamas (Adamantas), which is the island’s main ferry terminal. Settle into a sun lounger to enjoy views of the protected bay that sparkles with a variety of blues thanks to smooth pebbles and the changing light.
It’s just steps to a beachside restaurant and a couple of bars for drinks in the sun. A few boat rental services offer tours and water sports from here.
Practical info:
If you take this half-day boat tour from Adamas, Agia Kiriaki is your final stop before being transported back to the port town. Otherwise, it’s an easy drive, with plenty of parking in the sandy car park behind the beach.
PALEOCHORI BEACH
Get your camera ready for the vibrant colours at Paleochori, one of the most unique Milos Island beaches. Thank the volcanic pebbles and rock formations for the reds, oranges and yellows that perfectly contrast the deep turquoise sea. Speaking of which, you’ll feel the warm bubbles of underwater hot springs along the seabed.
Prepare for beach crowds during summer and arrive early to nab a sunbed. It’s a top spot for snorkelling and water sports are generally available. The village of the same name serves up taverna treats of fresh seafood and a smattering of hotels are located within steps of the sand.
Practical info:
The road to reach Paleochori is a dream compared to many beaches on this list! There’s also a fairly large car park as soon as you arrive at the bay. Though there are plenty of paid sun loungers on the western end, the eastern end offers more space to spread out.
GERONTAS BEACH
Bring your snorkel to visit this hidden gem with an arch-shaped rock that thrills photographers. The petite cove is framed by towering white cliffs with a strip of pebbly sand to launch on your snorkelling adventure around caves and inlets.
Practical info:
Strap in for a long drive on a dirt road, then a 15-minute hike (bring suitable footwear) to reach this Milos beach. Because of this, not too many people make the trip, so you’ll relax in relative solitude. There’s a parking lot and the path is indicated. Otherwise, it’s a popular stop on the island’s boat tours.
North Milos Beaches
The north coast is home to the most Insta-famous beaches in Milos, along with plenty of gorgeous stretches to compete for your attention.
SARAKINIKO BEACH
Sarakiniko Beach is the star of Milos photoshoots and magazine covers due to its surreal landscape of white volcanic rock. Pretend like you’re walking on the moon as you explore fascinating rock formations smoothed by the wind into an undulating landscape of archways and pools. If you fancy easy cliff jumping, this is the spot to do it. You’ll plunge into incredibly clear water.
A snorkel is a must to check out the underwater magic of crags and caves. You’ll find a slim stretch of sand for your towel, otherwise, it’s lovely to soak up the sun from rocky platforms. There’s usually a food truck at the entrance for drinks and snacks during summer.
Practical info:
This is one of the most popular beaches in the Greek Islands, and for that reason, it gets very busy. Due to its proximity to Adamas, you can walk, drive, or catch the bus here, and there are tour buses that stop by.
Everything I read prior to visiting recommended arriving before 9am to beat the crowds, but I can tell you from experience, it’s busy from 7.30am! If you’re just here to enjoy the beach, turn up before 9 and you’ll find a spot easy enough. But if you’re hoping to get good photographs, you really need to be here at the crack of dawn. Sunset is another popular time.
ALOGOMANDRA BEACH
The main attraction of Alogomandra Beach is a magnificent sea cave shaped like a wave. It’s perfect if you love some shade on the beach at various times of day, and a favourite among photographers for dreamy angles both inside and out.
There’s a soft stretch of sand for castle-making or lazing and the lagoon-like, shallow water is ideal for paddling. Swim out, turn around and take in the view of the cave from the sea. It’s worth arriving at sunrise to enjoy the magical scene without the crowds.
Practical info:
When you arrive at this beach, you won’t see the cave at all, just a fairly non-descript-looking cove with greyish sand.. You may even be tempted to keep on driving. But don’t! Park on the cliff, and head to your right, where you’ll find some stairs leading down into the cave.
PACHENA BEACH
Fronting a mini resort with a handful of accommodation options and a beach bar, Pachena Beach is relaxing and not often crowded. Just offshore, rock formations poke through the aquamarine water and offer underwater worlds for snorkelling. Choose a sunbed or spread out across the golden sand.
If you’re staying for a while, pack a picnic to enjoy under one of the shady tamarisk trees lining the beach. Take a walk to remote, rocky coves and visit the nearby neolithic settlement of Phylakopi.
Practical info:
You have to make a small detour off the main road to reach Pachena beach, one that leads you down a dry, dusty road. There isn’t a lot of car parking, but you won’t be competing with many, so choose a tree-shaded spot that suits you.
POLLONIA BEACH
Picture strolling from a whitewashed Cycladic apartment to the beach, then a charming restaurant for seafood and a bar for ouzo as the sun goes down. That’s life in Pollonia, a fishing village resort with everything you need and the quintessential bougainvillaea dripping from traditional architecture.
The whitewashed buildings line the bay along a stretch of golden sand peppered with sunbeds. Plenty of shady trees await for a morning or afternoon with your holiday read and ocean views. While it can get crowded during the high season, it’s worth it when you love to have all of life’s little pleasures at your fingertips.
And if you do seek more solitude, just wander around the cove to find secret swimming nooks hidden along the sunbleached coastline.
Practical info:
There’s a large public car park behind the main beach at Pollonia, but even that can get full in the peak times. If you don’t find a spot here, there’s another parking area a little further back from the town, here.
PLATHIENA BEACH
Pretty as a picture, the cove at Plathiena Beach offers an idyllic and protected swimming heaven for water babies. If you’re beach-hopping for the day, you don’t need to bring anything to settle in with sunbeds and a waterside taverna to keep you comfortable and feasting on fresh dishes.
Some people say this is the most beautiful beach for magical sunsets on the island. For a different perspective, head up to Plaka Castle for a bird’s eye view of the sparkling cove.
Practical info:
There is limited parking at this popular beach, so get there early to secure your spot if you’re planning on staying the day. This is one of the few Milos beaches that I saw that had toilets and a changing room nearby for your convenience.
PAPAFRAGAS CAVES
Walk along the top of the cliffs for your first breathtaking view of Papafragas Beach. The enormous cave carved out of the cliff features a stunning swimming pool only nature could design. After snapping more photos than you need, take the narrow path down to a strip of sand to wade into the crystalline water that changes between beautiful blues throughout the day.
Sea caves surround the beach and are easy to explore via carved steps in mild weather conditions. To see the fairy-tale rock archways from a different perspective, take a boat or kayak tour.
Practical info:
There’s a large car park at Papafragas caves, but it’s easy to miss along the main road – you have to enter through a gate. Then, to actually access the beach, you have to pass large signs warning of the danger. The steps down into the main cave are etched into the side of the wall, with nothing between you and the steep drop, so do proceed with caution.
FIROPOTAMOS BEACH
The enchanting traditional fishing village of Firopotamos is a Greek Island dream of white and blue boathouses facing a shimmering, lagoon-like bay. The capital town of Plaka – one of the best places in Milos for quaint narrow streets, whitewashed buildings and awe-inspiring hilltop views – is just a 10-minute drive away.
Choose your own perfect patch on the sand and pebble beach, with sunbeds and a beach bar but not much else to interrupt the scenery. This is the type of place to meander around with your camera, capturing the striking cliff backdrop and whitewashed stairs leading straight from apartments to the sea.
Practical info:
What a dream location! However, that means it’s also very popular. And unfortunately, the parking area is decidedly tiny. A lot of people tend to come for a walk around and then move on though, so there’s always a chance of finding a spot, so long as you come with a little patience.
Milos Bay Beaches
With the seaside port of Adamas at its heart, the scenic inlet known as the Bay of Milos is dotted with gorgeous spots for sun, sand and sea. Many people (myself included) choose Adamas as a base, with a great range of accommodation and restaurants on a whitewashed backdrop.
PAPAIKINOU BEACH
It’s a short stroll along a coastal road from hotels in Adamas to Papikinou Beach. When you get there, it’s just steps from your sunbed to a Milos beach bar for snacks and drinks. The azure water laps a long, narrow stretch of golden, squishy sand mixed with pebbles.
Shady tamarisk trees provide perfect picnic spots. It’s not surprising that it’s a family favourite, along with being incredibly popular in high season.
Practical info:
There are plenty of free parking lots as you drive along the coast towards Adamas, so just take your pick! Obviously, this is also a winning location for a quick dip if you’re staying in the main town of the island, as I did (check out where I stayed here!).
FOURKOVOUNI BEACH
Fourkovouni Beach is lovely to visit on a beach-hopping day trip. However, if you choose to stay overnight in one of a handful of renovated fishermen’s houses, you’ll wake up with the sea literally within a hop, skip and a plunge.
Located on the north side of Milos Bay, Fourkovouni village centres on the traditional syrmata boathouses with colourful doors accessed via a path carved in the cliff. It’s all about peace, relaxation and floating in the sea here, so you won’t find tourist facilities. And that’s the beauty of it.
Practical info:
Strap yourself in for a bumpy drive when you decide to visit this off-the-beaten-track beach. But the journey is 100% worth it. There’s a very small car park here, big enough for only a few cars, but I was the only one using it when I visited. If you fancy a relaxing stay, this could be a charming retreat.
ACHIVADOLIMNI BEACH
Smack bang in the middle of the bay, Achivadolimni Beach is one of the longest on the island of Milos and, therefore, among the best for leisurely strolling. The sand is powdery soft, light beige and shaped like a crescent around the turquoise lagoon.
Though it’s generally shallow and calm for swimming, when the northern winds pick up the windsurfers and kitesurfers hit the waves in prime conditions. You’ll find an organised section with sunbeds, umbrellas and a taverna. However, you might like to wander to the other side to find seclusion.
Practical info:
There are several small parking areas behind this beach, but the largest area is down in the southwestern end. It’s also within cycling distance of the main town, making it an easy excursion if you didn’t rent a car. Despite the beauty of this beach, I never saw more than a few people enjoying it at any one time.
East Milos Beaches
Exploring the eastern coastline of Milos delivers an abandoned sulfur mine and secluded stretches of unspoiled volcanic wonders.
KASTANAS BEACH
Prepare to be dazzled by the kaleidoscope of colours at Kastanas Beach. Bright red, yellow and orange splashes coat rock formations in and around the crystalline water. It’s a must to bring your snorkel to explore the rocky seabed, just remember some reef shoes to wade out.
Pack food and drinks to stay for a while, as there are no facilities to interrupt nature. It’s reached via a dirt road if you hire a car. Otherwise, join a boat tour to visit.
Practical info:
This is a local’s favourite beach, but you won’t find many people here if you visit on a weekday – it seems to be far off the tourist trail. Perhaps that’s because of the long dirt road to reach it, but that just makes it even more special. There are two parking areas on the cliffs above the beach.
THIORICHIA BEACH
A beach experience you’re not likely to find anywhere else combines an incredible colour palette with rusty tools and spare parts. Paliorema Bay hosts Thiorichia, which translates to ‘sulfur mines’. The abandoned mine shut down in the 1960s, but you’ll still see old wagons on their rails among deserted offices.
The ruins frame bluer than blue water and a wide stretch of beach with golden pebbles and sand. Stop for a dip after exploring the mine or visit as part of popular boat tours.
Pratical info:
You’ll need a 4WD to get here, and nerves of steel. One of the roughest drives I’ve ever personally done, and as there aren’t really any places to turn around, you’re in it for the long haul! Alternatively, park where you can do so safely, and walk the remaining way. Or save yourself the trouble, and opt for a boat trip instead!
The best Milos beaches are an ocean lover’s dream wrapped in history, myth and all the little pleasures in life – aka eating, drinking and lazing the days away. From the lunar landscapes of Sarakiniko Beach to Palechori’s colourful volcanic rocks and the beachside tavernas of Pollonia, simply pick your favourite backdrop and prepare for the urge to stay long beyond your holiday.
