Greece
Milos
Milos is a volcanic island with around 70 beaches, sea caves and water so clear the boats seem to hover above the seabed. If swimming is your idea of perfection, this is the island.
Why go
Millions of years of volcanic activity left Milos with an extraordinary coastline: white rock moonscapes, ochre and red cliffs, hot springs and sea caves. It is still relatively low-key, with small villages, good tavernas and a gentle pace outside August.
The island at a glance
Adamas is the port and practical base. Plaka, the hilltop capital, has the best sunsets and a small castle. Below it, the fishing villages of Klima and Mandrakia are lined with brightly painted boathouses, called syrmata. Pollonia, in the north-east, is a quiet fishing village with good restaurants and boats to Kimolos.
Best for
Swimming in crystal-clear water, boat days and photography. Milos is our winner for the best sea in this guide.
Eat and drink
Fresh fish and seafood in Pollonia and Adamas, local cheeses and pitarakia, small cheese pies. Dinner in Plaka at sunset is a ritual.
When to go
June and September, when the sea is warm and the island is calm. July and August are busy, and Sarakiniko is best early in the morning, before the heat and the crowds.
Getting there
There are no international flights. Fly to Athens, then take a domestic flight of about 40 minutes, or a fast ferry from Piraeus taking around two and a half to three and a half hours.
Where to stay
Pollonia for a quiet fishing-village base with good food, Plaka for views, or a restored syrma boathouse in Klima for a night right on the water.
Don't miss
A boat trip to Kleftiko, the sea caves reachable only by sea, with plenty of swimming; Sarakiniko's white rocks at sunrise; sunset in Plaka; the catacombs and the spot where the Venus de Milo was found in 1820.
Questions
How do I get to Kleftiko?
Only by boat. Day and half-day trips leave from Adamas and include swimming stops.
When is the best time to swim in Milos?
June and September, when the water is warm and the beaches are quieter.
Can you fly to Milos from the UK?
Not directly. Fly to Athens and connect by domestic flight or ferry.
How many days do I need?
Four or five days lets you see the main beaches, take a boat trip and enjoy the villages.
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