Milos beaches: The 10 most beautiful swimming spots on the island

Milos Beaches are as colourful as the volcanic island itself. From golden sandy beaches to dark volcanic sand and colourful pebble beaches, the Greek island of Milos offers a wide range of wonderful swimming spots that are not yet overcrowded, especially in the low season.

»The volcanic origin of the island has created over millions of years not only numerous bays and beaches, but also bizarre caves and rock formations, which you can discover on a boat tour along the rugged coast of Milos.«

Enclosed we tell you our favorite ones beaches of the island of Milos and also give you tips on where you can spend the night directly by the sea or near the beach:

Milos beaches in the south

#1 Achivadolimni Beach

The elongated stretch of beach is located on the southern shore of the large Milos Bay. During our visit in May, the gray sandy beach was deserted. The shore area slopes gently into the clear sea and is therefore ideal for families with children.

The Achivadolimni Beach is largely natural, in summer a beach bar opens, which provides loungers and parasols. Be careful with north and west winds, then the surf is very strong and bathing is no pleasure. Our recommendation to visit: Very romantic at sunset, afterwards you can visit the nearby Tavern Iliovasilema come.

→ Hotel tips at Achivadolimni Beach (links to Booking.com*):

• Hotel Milos Sea Resort*
• Avra Studios*
• Akrothalassia Hotel Milos*

#2 Agios Sostis Beach

Our personal favorite beach on the south coast of Milos, right next to the popular Provatas Beach. The small beach with beautiful golden sand is unmanaged and therefore completely natural. The entrance to the sea is very shallow and also ideal for small children. Under shady tamarisk trees you can spread out your beach towel.

Even the descent from above via the steps down to Agios Sostis Beach offers a picture-perfect setting. This beach, too, was almost deserted in the off-season. Parking is available at the closed Tarantella tavern; access is via a gravel track directly below the Agios Sostis chapel of the same name.

⚠️ Current notice (Spring 2026): Agios Sostis Beach has been largely washed away by storms and wave erosion – there is currently hardly anything left of the former beach. Please check the current conditions before your visit.

→ Hotel tips at Agios Sostis Beach (links to Booking.com*):

• Noma Milos*
• Maistrali Hotel*

#3 Fyriplaka Beach

The Fyriplaka Beach is one of the beaches that have given Milos the name “Island of Colors”. Already on the approach to the parking lot, there is a fantastic backdrop. On a cliff of coloured volcanic rock lies the long, light sandy beach, which slopes gently into the turquoise blue sea.

The beach is completely natural and offers no shade, so you have to bring your own umbrella, snacks and drinks. Parking is very limited, so it’s worth arriving early. In midsummer, it can get very crowded at Fyriplaka Beach.

Not far from Firiplaka beach is the small bay of Tsigrado, which has become popular mainly through social media. The highlight here is not so much the tiny sand and pebble beach, surrounded by rocks and crystal clear water, but the daring descent over wobbly wooden ladders through a narrow gorge to the beach.

The thrill is at your own risk, sturdy shoes and climbing skills are an advantage. We refrained from descending, as the bay was completely overgrown with seaweed in our time, but explored the bizarre beach scenery by motorboat. The typical sea kayaking tours for Milos often lead along here.

#4 Paleochori Beach

One of the largest Milos beaches is located in the southeast of the island with a mixture of fine sand and pebbles. The restaurants on the Paleochori Beach rent sunbeds and umbrellas at quite high prices. The outer beach sections in the east and west are natural and offer enough space to spread out your towel.

Due to the rocky coast and the quite deep entry into the sea, the beach is also ideal for snorkeling. The volcanic origin of the island is evident on the beach of Paleochori (also Paliochori) and the cliffs shine in a wide variety of colors. In some places you will even find fumaroles from which sulphur fumes rise.

Through a narrow passage below red rocks, we continue west to the picturesque Tourlos Beach. Be careful, in some places the sand is very hot! That Restaurant Scirocco takes advantage of this and even prepares some dishes in the hot volcanic sand. Limited parking is available directly behind the restaurant.

→ Hotel tips at Paleochori Beach (links to Booking.com*):

• Volcano Luxury Suites Milos*
• Armony Suites Milos*
• Psaravolada Resort (Agia Kiriaki Beach)*

Milos beaches in the east

#5 Kastanas Beach

One of the wildest and at the same time Milos’ most beautiful beaches is located in the northeast of the island. Nestled in a mineral play of colours of colourful cliffs, you will find a true geological gem at Kastanas Beach. Round pebbles in a wide variety of colors and patterns adorn the mostly lonely stretch of beach. The sea is crystal clear and shimmers in the most beautiful shades of turquoise.

Due to the arduous journey, the Kastanas Beach even in the high season, it is usually not overcrowded, and it is also natural and offers no facilities. Due to the round stones, the beach is less suitable for lying and sunbathing, but it is excellent for cooling off and building stone towers.

#6 Thiorichia Beach

One of the most impressive Milos beaches is located on the east coast of the island at the foot of an old sulphur mine. Due to its isolated location and difficult accessibility, the Thiorichia Beach never overcrowded even in midsummer.

The backdrop of the bay with the ghost town of the former miners is simply spectacular, the beach with its reddish fine gravel and emerald green water a natural beauty. If you want to swim here, you have to bring everything yourself and accept a longer walk.

The descent to Thiorichia Beach is only possible with an all-terrain vehicle and even then it is not entirely without danger. It is best to park below the former German outpost from the Second World War (WW2 German Outpost).

Attention! Car rental companies in Milos prohibit the use of gravel roads, including the Thiorichia Mine usually contractually and also track the routes driven via GPS. It is best to ask your rental company in advance which roads you are allowed to drive.

You can also find cheap car rental offers for the island of Milos through our partner Discover Cars*:

➲ Book a cheap rental car here*

Milos beaches in the north

#7 Sarakiniko Beach

Less a beach than a bizarre lunar landscape awaits you in the north of Milos. It is not for nothing that Sarakiniko is the most popular attraction on the island. Volcanic eruptions have created these bizarre coastal formations of white ash deposits that extend hill-like into the sea.

In between is a deeply cut bay with a small beach where the sea shimmers milky blue. If you want to swim undisturbed at Sarakiniko Beach, you have to get there very early or come in the low season (Oct.-Apr.), then you can still enjoy the scenery of Sarakiniko Beach undisturbed.

Above the beach there is a bus stop and parking areas, which are quickly used up in midsummer. Only a five-minute walk away you will reach the small bay on the left with the associated sandy beach, which slopes very gently in the shore area.

The picturesque Sarakiniko Beach marks the end of a long gorge lined with sparse trees and shrubs. There are still some old mine tunnels in the gorge, and entering the deep vents is at your own risk.

The beach itself has no operator, the entire coastal region is natural. North of the bay is a popular spot for cliff jumping, but it should only be used when the sea is calm and as a good swimmer.

→ Hotel tips at Sarakiniko Beach (links to Booking.com*):

• My Suite Milos*
• Thea Sunset Suites*
• Solus Suites Milos*
• Sarakiniko Rooms*

#8 Firopotamos Beach

Framed by a picture-book backdrop with white Milos Boathouses is the small beach of Firopotamos in the north of the island. The crystal clear sea shimmers turquoise blue in the shallow bay and the scenery is extremely photogenic.

On the sand and pebble beach some tamarisk trees provide shade, otherwise the Firopotamos Beach is natural. Limited parking is available directly behind the beach, but in the high season the place is unfortunately often completely overcrowded.

In the low season, a visit to the pretty coastal town and the former kaolin mine, which is located directly behind the magnificent village church, is all the more worthwhile. Be careful with strong north winds, then the wind whistles mercilessly into the bay and makes a cool swim almost impossible.

→ Hotel tip at Firopotamos Beach (links to Booking.com*):

• Blue Mare Apartments*

#9 Plathiena Beach

The broad Plathiena Beach is located in the northwest of the island above Plaka. During our visit, a gusty north wind was blowing and the scenery seemed wild and rough. When there is no wind, however, the beach of Plathiena is an almost Caribbean bathing spot with fine sand and turquoise-blue water. The shore area slopes gently and is therefore also suitable for families with children.

The on-site beach bar provides loungers and umbrellas, as well as snacks and drinks, and there’s a large, free car park just behind the beach, as well as beach showers and Dixie toilets. For the disabled there is a ramp into the sea. Plathiena Beach is also a very nice place to enjoy the sunset.

Milos beaches in the west

#10 Kleftiko Bay

The Bay of Thieves (Greek: kleftis = thief) in the far southwest of the island is one of the most popular highlights of Milos and should not be missed on any visit. Kleftiko is not a beach, but a stretch of coastline where you can swim in the crystal clear sea between steep rock needles and gates as well as bizarre coastal formations.

Since Kleftiko is very remote in the almost uninhabited southwest of Milos, the best way to reach the bay is by sea. This can be done as part of a guided boat tour or with your own motorboat with or without a skipper. Guided trips to Kleftiko you can book with our partner GetYourGuide*:

➲ To the boat trip to Kleftiko*

You can rent your own motorboat without a license at the Beach of Agia Kiriaki and from there drive to Kleftiko Bay in about 40 minutes. We recommend booking a skipper so that you can also go into the numerous grottos and caves. We have had good experiences with Yachting Milos Indigo but there are also many other providers with good reviews.

Please note that in midsummer countless excursion and sailing boats are anchored in the bay of Kleftiko, then it can get crowded when swimming. If you have the opportunity, rent your own motorboat with skipper and visit Kleftiko in the early morning hours.

If you have an all-terrain car and are allowed to drive on gravel roads, you will find the loneliest bathing spots in the far west of the island. For example the Agios Ioannis Beach not far from the monastery of the same name, as well as the beaches of Triades and Ammoudaraki.

Excursions and tours to Milos beaches

In addition to the boat trip to Kleftiko, there are many other excursion options along the unique coast of Milos. Personally, we recommend a tour to the uninhabited neighboring islands of Poliegos and Glaronesia, which have even more natural beauties and wonderful bathing spots to offer. You can find all information about the excursions on GetYourGuide*:

➲ To the sailing excursion incl. lunch*

➲ To the kayak tour around the coast*

➲ To the speedboat trip to Kleftiko*

➝ More Travel tips for Milos and the neighboring islands you can get here: Cyclades Islands Overview

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