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

Milos’ beaches are just as diverse as the volcanic island itself. From golden sandy beaches to dark volcanic sand and colorful pebble beaches, the Greek island of Milos offers a wide range of wonderful swimming spots that are not yet overcrowded, especially during the off-season.

“Over millions of years, the island’s volcanic origins have created not only numerous bays and beaches but also bizarre caves and rock formations that you can discover on a boat tour along Milos’ rugged coastline.”

Here, we’ll share our favorite beaches on the island of Milos and also give you tips on where to stay right by the sea or near the beach:

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Milos Beaches in the South

#1 Achivadolimni Beach

This long stretch of beach lies on the southern shore of Milos’s large bay. During our visit in May, the gray sandy beach was deserted. The shoreline slopes gently into the clear sea, making it ideal for families with children.

Achivadolimni Beach is largely unspoiled; in the summer, a beach bar opens, providing lounge chairs and umbrellas. Be careful when there are north or west winds, as the surf is very strong and swimming is not enjoyable. Our recommendation: Very romantic at sunset; afterward, you can stop by the nearby Iliovasilema tavern.

→ Hotel recommendations near 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. This small beach with beautiful golden sand is unmanaged and therefore completely untouched by humans. The entry into the sea is very shallow, making it ideal for small children. You can spread out your beach towel under the shade of tamarisk trees.

Even the descent from above via steps to Agios Sostis Beach offers a paradisiacal backdrop. This beach, too, was nearly deserted during the off-season. Parking is available at the Tarantella tavern; access is via a gravel road directly below the Agios Sostis chapel of the same name.

→ Hotel recommendations near Agios Sostis Beach (links to Booking.com*):

• Noma Milos*
• Maistrali Hotel*

#3 Fyriplaka Beach

Fyriplaka Beach is one of the beaches that gave Milos the name “Island of Colors.” Even on the drive to the parking lot, the scenery is breathtaking. Nestled against a steep coastline of colorful volcanic rock lies the long, light-sand beach, which slopes gently into the turquoise-blue sea.

The beach is completely unspoiled and offers no shade, so you’ll need to bring your own umbrella, snacks, and drinks. Parking is very limited, so it’s worth arriving early. In the height of summer, Fyriplaka Beach can get very crowded.

Not far from Firiplaka Beach lies the small cove of Tsigrado Beach, which has become popular mainly through social media. The highlight here is not so much the tiny sandy and pebble beach, surrounded by rocks and crystal-clear water, but rather the daring descent via rickety wooden ladders through a narrow gorge to the beach.

The thrill comes at your own risk; sturdy footwear and climbing skills are a plus. We skipped the descent since the cove was completely overgrown with seaweed during our visit, but we explored the quirky beach scenery by motorboat. The sea kayaking tours typical of Milos also often pass by here.

#4 Paleochori Beach

One of the largest beaches on Milos is located in the southeast of the island and features a mix of fine sand and pebbles. The restaurants on Paleochori Beach rent out lounge chairs and umbrellas at fairly high prices. The outer sections of the beach to the east and west are unspoiled and offer plenty of space to spread out your towel.

Thanks to the rocky coastline and the fairly deep entry into the sea, the beach is also ideal for snorkeling. The volcanic origin of the island is evident at Paleochori Beach (also known as Paliochori), and the cliffs glow in a wide variety of colors. In some places, you’ll even find fumaroles from which sulfur fumes rise.

A narrow passage beneath red rocks leads further west to the picturesque Tourlos Beach. Caution: the sand is very hot in some places! The Scirocco restaurant takes advantage of this and even prepares some dishes in the hot volcanic sand. Limited parking is available directly behind the restaurant.

→ Hotel recommendations 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 most beautiful beaches on Milos is located in the northeast of the island. Nestled among the colorful rock cliffs with their mineral-rich hues, Kastanas Beach is a true geological gem. Round pebbles in a wide variety of colors and patterns adorn this mostly secluded stretch of beach. The sea is crystal clear and shimmers in the most beautiful shades of turquoise.

Due to the difficult access, Kastanas Beach is usually not overcrowded even in high season; moreover, it is unspoiled and offers no amenities. Because of the round stones, the beach is less suitable for lying down and sunbathing, but it’s excellent for cooling off and building stone towers.

#6 Thiorichia Beach

One of the most impressive beaches on Milos is located on the island’s east coast at the foot of an old sulfur mine. Thanks to its isolated location and difficult access, Thiorichia Beach is never crowded, even in the height of summer.

, the backdrop of the old sulfur mine

The backdrop of the bay, featuring the ghost town of the former miners, is simply spectacular; the beach, with its reddish fine gravel and emerald-green water, is a natural beauty. If you want to swim here, you’ll need to bring everything yourself and be prepared for a long walk.

The descent to Thiorichia Beach is only possible with an off-road vehicle, and even then it’s not entirely without risk. It’s best to park below the former German outpost from World War II (WW2 German Outpost).

Warning! Car rental companies on Milos generally exclude driving on gravel roads—including the Thiorichia Mine—in their contracts and track the routes driven via GPS. It’s best to ask your rental company in advance which roads you’re allowed to drive on.

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

➲ Find affordable car rentals for the island*

Milos Beaches in the North

#7 Sarakiniko Beach

More of a bizarre lunar landscape than a beach awaits you in the north of Milos. It’s no wonder Sarakiniko is the island’s most popular attraction. Volcanic eruptions have created these bizarre coastal formations from white ash deposits that stretch like hills into the sea.

In between lies a deeply indented bay with a small beach where the sea shimmers a milky blue. If you want to swim undisturbed at Sarakiniko Beach, you’ll need to arrive very early or visit during the off-season (Oct.–Apr.), when you can still enjoy the scenery of Sarakiniko Beach in peace.

Above the beach, there is a bus stop and parking areas, which fill up quickly in the height of summer. Just a five-minute walk away, on the left, you’ll reach the small cove with its sandy beach, which slopes very gently near the shore.

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; entering the deep shafts is at your own risk.

The beach itself has no operator; the entire coastal region is unspoiled. North of the swimming cove is a popular spot for cliff jumping, which should only be used when the sea is calm and if you are a strong swimmer.

→ Hotel recommendations near Sarakiniko Beach (links to Booking.com*):

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

#8 Firopotamos Beach

Set against a picture-perfect backdrop of white Milos boathouses, the small beach of Firopotamos lies in the north of the island. The crystal-clear sea shimmers turquoise blue in the shallow bay, and the scenery is incredibly photogenic.

A few tamarisk trees provide shade on the sandy and pebbly beach; otherwise, Firopotamos Beach is completely natural. Limited parking is available directly behind the beach; unfortunately, the area is often completely overcrowded during the high season.

In the off-season, a visit to this pretty coastal town and the former kaolin mine—located right behind the magnificent village church—is all the more worthwhile. Be careful when there’s a strong north wind, as it whistles relentlessly into the bay, making a refreshing swim nearly impossible.

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

• Blue Mare Apartments*

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#9 Plathiena Beach

The wide Plathiena Beach is located in the northwest of the island above Plaka. During our visit, a gusty north wind was blowing, and the scenery looked wild and rugged. When there is no wind, however, Plathiena Beach is an almost Caribbean-like swimming spot with fine sand and turquoise-blue water. The shoreline slopes gently and is therefore also suitable for families with children.

The on-site beach bar provides lounge chairs and umbrellas and offers snacks and drinks. Directly behind the beach, there is a large, free parking lot as well as beach showers and portable toilets. There is a ramp into the sea for people with disabilities. Plathiena Beach is also a very beautiful spot to enjoy the sunset.

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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 Milos’s most popular highlights 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 amidst steep rock spires and arches 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. You can book guided excursions to Kleftiko, for example, through our partner GetYourGuide*:

➲ To the boat tour to Kleftiko*

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

Please note that in midsummer, countless tour boats and sailboats are anchored in Kleftiko Bay, so it can get crowded while swimming. If you have the opportunity, rent your own motorboat with a skipper and visit Kleftiko in the early morning hours.

If you have an off-road vehicle and are permitted to drive on gravel roads, you’ll find the most secluded swimming spots in the far west of the island, including Agios Ioannis Beach near 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 Milos’s unique coastline. We personally recommend a tour to the uninhabited neighboring islands of Poliegos and Glaronesia, which offer even more natural beauty and wonderful swimming spots. You can find all the information about the excursions on GetYourGuide*:

➲ Go on a sailing trip including lunch*

➲ Go on a kayaking tour along the coast*

➲ Take a speedboat trip to Kleftiko*

➝ Get more travel tips on Milos and the neighboring islands here: Cyclades Islands Overview

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