Milos is the volcanic island in the south-western Cyclades, where the coastline switches between white rocks at Sarakiniko, colourful cliffs at Paleochori and boathouses in small fishing villages. The island is quieter than the best-known islands in the area, and most places to stay are small hotels, suites and apartments.
Your choice of area matters a lot, because the villages are spread out and the bus doesn’t go everywhere. I’d pick differently for a short trip without a car, a romantic holiday and a week on the beach with children. Here are my recommendations for six areas on Milos and hotels in several price ranges.
Contents
The Best Areas on Milos
- Adamas - best area for first-time visitors and for getting by without a car
- Plaka and Trypiti - best area for sunsets and Old Town atmosphere
- Pollonia - best area for peace and quiet and fish restaurants
- Klima and Mandrakia - best area for staying by the colourful boathouses
- Provatas - best area for families with children
- Paleochori - best area for beach life for couples
Below, I’ll go through the areas one by one with hotels in three price ranges. One honest piece of advice first: a car or ATV is pretty much essential on Milos if you want to see more than one beach a day, and Adamas is the only place where you’ll get by reasonably well on the bus and on foot.
1. Adamas - best area for first-time visitors and for getting by without a car ⚓
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Adamas is the island’s port and transport hub. The main town, Plaka, is around 10 minutes away by car.
- ⛴️ Transport: The ferries dock here, and the bus terminal is around 100 metres east of the harbour. A bus ride usually costs 2 euros (about £1.70).
- ✈️ Time from Milos Airport: The airport is 4 to 5 km from Adamas, and the drive takes around 5 minutes.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £70 to £235 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: Adamas is a small, quiet port town. Watch out for the traffic on the harbour road when a ferry comes in, because lots of cars arrive at once.
Adamas is the first thing you’ll see of Milos when the ferry sails into the big bay, which is considered one of the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean. The town has around 1,100 inhabitants and was founded by refugees from Crete in the 19th century. Today it’s the island’s biggest tourist town, with shops, restaurants and car hire gathered around the harbour.
I’d choose Adamas if you’re only on Milos for a few days and don’t want a car the whole time. From here, the island’s buses run to Plaka, Trypiti, Pollonia, Sarakiniko and the beaches on the south coast, among other places, and many of the boat trips around the island leave from the harbour. That includes the trips to the white cliffs and caves at Kleftiko, which are best seen from the water.
You get here by ferry from Piraeus, which takes around five hours on a direct ferry and 7 to 8 hours if it stops at other islands on the way. You can also fly from Athens to Milos’ small airport (MLO) in under an hour. If you need to stay the night before the ferry, I’ve got a guide to where to stay in Athens and one on getting from Athens Airport to the city centre.
On a hot afternoon, you can visit the Milos Mining Museum, which tells the story of the island’s mining history. In the evening, the liveliest spot is the waterfront, where the restaurants are packed closely together.
The downside is that Adamas is more of a practical port town than a postcard town. There’s traffic on the waterfront when the ferries come in, and the houses are newer and more ordinary than in Plaka. On the other hand, you’ll get the easiest holiday without a car and the biggest choice of places to eat.
Places to Stay in Adamas
Santa Maria Village Resort & Spa - best hotel with a pool and spa in Adamas
Santa Maria Village is a four-star hotel around 800 metres east of the harbour, with an outdoor pool in summer, a hot tub and massages. It suits couples and families who want hotel service and a pool to come back to after the beach, and parking is free if you’re hiring a car. Some guests mention that the walls are thin, so you can hear the neighbours.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The staff provided excellent service.”
See photos and book Santa Maria Village here.
Anais Milos Suites - best mid-range choice with breakfast in your room
Anais Milos Suites is an aparthotel a few hundred metres from the harbour, and it had the highest guest rating of all the hotels in my search in Adamas. There’s free parking, and breakfast is brought up to your room. The road up to the hotel isn’t in the best condition, and you’ll notice it when you’re dragging your suitcase up the last stretch.
One guest singles out the breakfast on Booking.com: “The breakfast brought up to the room every day was AMAZING!”
See photos and book Anais Milos Suites here.
Hotel Delfini - cheapest of my three picks in Adamas
Hotel Delfini is a small, simple hotel around 300 metres from the harbour, and it was by far the cheapest of the three when I searched. You get air conditioning, a garden and a terrace, and the guest rating is high for the price. The bathrooms are small and there’s no lift, so it’s best suited to you if you travel light.
One guest sums up their stay on Booking.com: “The staff were very friendly, the hotel was clean, and we loved the location.”
See photos and book Hotel Delfini here.
2. Plaka and Trypiti - best area for sunsets and Old Town atmosphere 🌅
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Plaka is the island’s main town, around 10 minutes’ drive from the harbour in Adamas. Trypiti is just south of Plaka.
- 🚌 Transport: Buses run from Adamas to both Plaka and Trypiti. Plaka itself is closed to cars, so you’ll park on the edge of town and walk the last stretch.
- ✈️ Time from Milos Airport: The airport is just under 9 km from Plaka. Allow around a quarter of an hour by car as a rough guide.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€€. The three places below cost roughly £145 to £490 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: The villages are quiet in the evening. The lanes have cobbles and steps, so wear shoes that can handle them when you’re walking home in the dark.
Plaka sits 220 metres above sea level and is the capital of Milos, with white houses, narrow cobbled lanes and small shops. At the top of the town is the 13th-century Venetian castle, and many people come up here to watch the sunset over the bay and the neighbouring islands.
I’d stay here on a romantic trip where the evenings matter more than the beach. You can have dinner in the lanes, walk up to the castle at sunset and stroll home afterwards. If you’d like to compare it with the better-known sunset further east, you can read my guide to where to stay on Santorini.
Plaka is also home to the Archaeological Museum of Milos, in a neoclassical building designed by Ernst Ziller. The famous statue of the Venus de Milo was found on the island in 1820 and is now in the Louvre in Paris. The town’s main church, Panagia Korfiatissa from 1820, has a courtyard with a mosaic and one of the best views in Plaka.
The places to stay here are mostly small rooms, suites and old houses rather than big hotels, so you’ll be living close to local families. In high season, the bus between Adamas and Trypiti runs until late in the evening, so you can easily eat in the port town and take the bus home.
See hotels in Plaka and Trypiti here.
Trypiti is right next door and has old windmills and a slightly calmer feel. From here, you can walk to the Early Christian catacombs and the ancient theatre, and the fishing village of Klima is directly below.
The downside is that there’s no beach within walking distance, and you’ll have to carry your luggage the last stretch, because cars aren’t allowed into Plaka. Without a car, you’re dependent on the bus or one of the island’s 15 or so taxis when you want to go to the beach.
Places to Stay in Plaka and Trypiti
Odyssey Rock Milos Sunset Suites - best suites for sunsets in Plaka
Odyssey Rock is on the western edge of Plaka, and as the name suggests, the sunset from the suites is the main attraction. The guest rating is among the highest on the island, but the price is also at the high end, so it’s a place for a honeymoon or a special occasion. Some guests mention that the shower has no curtain, so the bathroom quickly gets wet.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The view of the sunset was absolutely amazing.”
See photos and book Odyssey Rock here.
Drougas’ Windmill - best choice for staying in a windmill
Drougas’ Windmill is a holiday home in Trypiti where, as the name says, you stay in a windmill with a garden, a terrace and a barbecue. It suits a family or two couples, but the two bedrooms are on separate floors, so there isn’t complete privacy. Guests also say you’ll need transport to get around the island.
One guest praises the host on Booking.com: “Maria was an excellent host and made sure our stay was one we’ll remember.”
See photos and book Drougas’ Windmill here.
Stone house Tripiti - cheapest of my three picks, with big balconies
Stone house Tripiti is a stone house in Trypiti with free private parking and a guest rating of 10 out of 10 when I searched. It was the cheapest of the three in the area and suits couples or a small family who want space and a quiet place to stay. There are no extra beds for larger groups.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “We loved our stay here! Two huge balconies with a fantastic view and lots of space inside with everything you need.”
See photos and book Stone house Tripiti here.
3. Pollonia - best area for peace and quiet and fish restaurants 🐟
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Almost 10 km from Adamas and 14 km from Plaka.
- ⛴️ Transport: Buses run from Adamas, and small ferries sail from here to Kimolos in 10 to 25 minutes.
- ✈️ Time from Milos Airport: There’s no direct bus from the airport to Pollonia. Allow around a quarter of an hour by car as a rough guide.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £125 to £440 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: A small, quiet fishing village. Drive carefully if you’re hiring an ATV for the first time.
Pollonia is a fishing village with around 300 inhabitants on the north-eastern tip of Milos. The houses sit around a small bay with a sandy beach, and tavernas and restaurants line the water. Every morning, the fishing boats tie up at the jetty with fish, octopus and lobster, so this is where you should eat fish.
I’d choose Pollonia if you want peace and quiet, sea views and a small village where you can walk to both the beach and dinner. It suits couples and families with slightly older children who’d like to snorkel or try diving, because the island’s dive centre, Milos Diving Center, is based here.
Pollonia is also the island’s second port. Boats sail from here every day to the neighbouring island of Kimolos, and according to Kimolos’ own website, the crossing takes 10 to 25 minutes depending on the boat. The boats dock in the port village of Psathi on Kimolos, a small, peaceful island with white villages and few tourists. That makes a day trip easy, and there are also trips to the uninhabited island of Polyaigos.
The bus from Adamas runs to Pollonia all year round, but outside high season only two to four times a day. If you don’t have a car, check the timetable before you book.
In the evening, life gathers around the tavernas by the water, but the atmosphere is calm compared with Adamas. To the east is the Pelekouda peninsula with a lighthouse, where you can go for a walk when the sun is low.
The downside is the distance. When you want to go to Plaka or the beaches on the south coast, you’ll have to cross most of the island, so without a car Pollonia quickly becomes a place you stay put. The north coast can also be windy when the northerly wind is blowing in summer.
Places to Stay in Pollonia
Perla Suites - best suites close to the beach in Pollonia
Perla Suites is in the northern part of Pollonia, close to the water and a few minutes’ walk from the restaurants, and breakfast can be served in your room. It’s my pick if you want a small luxury base where you can walk to everything. Some guests mention that the bathroom is small and that there’s no laundry service.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The room was spacious, clean and comfortable.”
See photos and book Perla Suites here.
Phos Milos - best boutique hotel at a sensible price
Phos Milos is a small aparthotel a few minutes’ walk from the beach, with massages and free parking. It has a high guest rating and cost around half the price of Perla Suites when I searched. A few guests find the mattresses a little firm.
One guest describes the place on Booking.com: “Beautiful boutique hotel in a perfect location in Pollonia.”
See photos and book Phos Milos here.
Glaronisia Hotel - cheapest of my three picks, with a pool
Glaronisia is a three-star hotel at the southern end of Pollonia with an outdoor pool with a view, a bar and free parking. It was the cheapest of the three when I searched, and the guest rating is just as high as at its pricier neighbours. It’s around a seven-minute walk to the beach.
One guest praises the staff on Booking.com: “The staff were more than accommodating!”
See photos and book Glaronisia Hotel here.
4. Klima and Mandrakia - best area for staying by the colourful boathouses 🛶
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Klima is just below Trypiti, and Mandrakia is on the north coast close to Sarakiniko. Both are a short drive from Adamas.
- 🚗 Transport: The bus runs to Trypiti and Sarakiniko, but not down into the villages themselves, so a car or ATV is almost essential.
- ✈️ Time from Milos Airport: Allow around a quarter of an hour by car as a rough guide.
- 💰 Price range: €€€ to €€€€. The three places below cost roughly £195 to £400 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: Very quiet villages with few residents. The houses are right down by the water, so keep a close eye on young children.
Klima is the fishing village from the postcards. The colourful houses are called syrmata and are built into the rock right down by the water. According to the Municipality of Milos’ tourism website, the fishing boats were kept on the ground floor while the family lived upstairs, and today most of the houses are rented out.
I’d choose Klima or Mandrakia for a short trip as a couple, where waking up by the water is the whole point. In the evening, it goes quiet once the people who only came to take photos have driven off again. Mandrakia is on the north coast, with the same kind of boathouses and a small taverna, and from here it’s a short trip to the white rocks at Sarakiniko.
See places to stay in Klima and Mandrakia here.
Discover Greece recommends hiring a car and driving a loop around the villages, and that makes good sense from here. Klima is just below Trypiti, so you can walk up to the catacombs, and there’s a taverna by the beach nearby. The area around Klima is also home to the ruins of the ancient city and the island’s first harbour, and this is where the Venus de Milo was found.
The downside is that the choice is very limited. We’re talking about a handful of apartments and houses rather than hotels, so they get booked up quickly in high season. There are no shops and only a few places to eat, and during the day lots of visitors come to photograph the houses.
If you want to stay in one of the real boathouses, read the description carefully before you book. Some of the places are in the village with a view of the boathouses, while others are the actual houses by the water.
Places to Stay in Klima and Mandrakia
Honeymoon Klima Suite - best choice for a romantic trip in Klima
Honeymoon Klima Suite is an apartment in Klima with a private balcony and a view, and as the name suggests, it’s designed for couples. There’s free parking, and guests love the view. The area is quiet, and you’ll have to drive a little to find restaurants.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “What a lovely place. With a wonderful view and a private balcony.”
See photos and book Honeymoon Klima Suite here.
Aerides Mandrakia Milos - best holiday home in Mandrakia
Aerides is a holiday home in Mandrakia with a terrace, free parking and a guest rating of 9.9. Guests praise the interior and all the things that are ready for you when you arrive. Several recommend hiring a car, because public transport is limited.
Asked what was best about their stay, one guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything! The most tastefully decorated apartment with a very generous selection of supplies.”
See photos and book Aerides Mandrakia here.
Seashell Mandrakia Sea view - cheapest of my three picks, with a sea view
Seashell is also in Mandrakia, with a view over the sea, and it was the cheapest of the three when I searched. There’s a terrace and free parking, and guests describe the place as peaceful. Some do mention noise from cars, because the house is close to the car park that visitors use.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location was absolutely perfect: beautiful, peaceful and excellent in every way.”
See photos and book Seashell Mandrakia here.
5. Provatas - best area for families with children 🏖️
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Provatas is on the south coast. Allow around a quarter of an hour’s drive from Adamas as a rough guide.
- 🚌 Transport: Buses run from Adamas in summer, but a car makes it much easier to get around to the other beaches.
- ✈️ Time from Milos Airport: The airport is south of Adamas. Allow 10 to 15 minutes by car as a rough guide.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€€. The three places below cost roughly £120 to £430 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: The water is shallow and calm on good days, but always keep an eye on the children in the water yourself.
Provatas is one of the best beaches on Milos for children. According to the Greek National Tourism Organisation, the beach has golden-red sand and shallow water, and the seabed slopes gently, so the little ones can walk a long way out before it gets deep.
I’d choose Provatas for a week’s beach holiday with the family, where you’d like to be able to walk from the hotel to the beach with a bucket and spade. There are beach tavernas and sunloungers, and the slightly quieter bay of Agios Sostis is right next door.
A couple of kilometres to the north is Achivadolimni, the island’s longest sandy beach, with shallow water and a beach bar. It’s often windy here, so it’s popular with kitesurfers and windsurfers.
The beaches at Firiplaka and Tsigrado are also on the south coast. Firiplaka has fine grey sand and sunloungers, while Tsigrado is a small beach surrounded by high cliffs. That makes Provatas a good base if you’d like to switch beaches from day to day, and the south coast is sheltered when the northerly wind blows in summer.
The downside is that there’s no village around the beach. You’ll have few places to eat in the evening, and you’ll need a car to get to Plaka, Pollonia or Adamas. The sunloungers on the organised parts of the beach can also be expensive, so you might want to bring your own parasol.
On the other hand, this is where a holiday with small children is easiest. With the beach right outside the door, you can take a break in the middle of the day and head back down when the sun is less harsh.
Places to Stay in Provatas
Domotel Milos - best five-star hotel on the beach
Domotel Milos is on Provatas Beach and is a five-star hotel with an outdoor pool, a restaurant, a bar and a 24-hour front desk. It suits families who want hotel service and the beach right on hand. Guests mention that the hotel is isolated, so you’ll need a car, and that the sunloungers on the beach cost extra.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Good hotel with clean rooms and excellent staff. Everyone was friendly and helpful.”
See photos and book Domotel Milos here.
Opal Wave Milos - best apartment right on the beach
Opal Wave is a small holiday home right on Provatas Beach with a terrace and free parking. It suits couples or a small family who want the sand just outside the door. Guests mention slow wifi, and that sand quickly finds its way into the apartment.
One guest sums it up like this on Booking.com: “A relaxing little place by an absolutely wonderful beach.”
See photos and book Opal Wave Milos here.
Muses Rooms Milos - cheapest of my three picks in Provatas
Muses Rooms is a bed and breakfast at Provatas with a restaurant and free parking, and it was the cheapest of the three when I searched. Guests particularly praise the service. The upper floors can only be reached by stairs, so ask for a ground-floor room if you’ve got a pushchair or heavy luggage.
One guest singles out the service on Booking.com: “The service is a level above. Top!”
See photos and book Muses Rooms Milos here.
6. Paleochori - best area for beach life for couples 🌋
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Paleochori is on the south-east coast. Allow around 20 minutes by car from Adamas as a rough guide.
- 🚌 Transport: Buses run from Adamas in the summer season, but otherwise you’ll need a car or ATV.
- ✈️ Time from Milos Airport: Allow around a quarter of an hour by car as a rough guide.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€€. The three places below cost roughly £80 to £725 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: The water gets deep quickly, and the sand is hot in places, so wear water shoes and keep an eye on children.
Paleochori is almost two kilometres long and one of the most popular beaches on Milos. The cliffs behind the beach are coloured red, pink, yellow and white by volcanic activity, and the water is clear and gets deep quickly. There’s still geothermal activity under the sand, so in some places both the sand and the water are warm.
I’d choose Paleochori for a beach holiday for couples, where the days are all about swimming, lunch by the water and a drink when the sun goes down. The middle of the beach is organised with sunloungers and beach bars, while the ends are quieter and have no facilities. One of the restaurants on the beach cooks some of its dishes in clay pots buried in the hot sand.
The beach is on the south coast, so it’s a good place to be when the northerly wind is blowing on the north side of the island. A little to the west is the smaller beach of Agia Kyriaki, which is also a good choice on windy days.
See hotels in Paleochori here.
The downside is the price and the distance. Some of the island’s most expensive suites are here, and there isn’t much else apart from the beach, restaurants and hotels. You’ll have a longer drive to Plaka and Pollonia, so I’d only stay here with a car or ATV, and preferably for at least five nights.
If you can only afford one night of luxury on your trip, this or Plaka is where I’d spend it. For the rest of the holiday, you can easily stay somewhere cheaper in Adamas and drive down here on the days you fancy a long day on the beach. Arrive early in high season, because the car park by the beach fills up fast.
Places to Stay in Paleochori
Armony Suites Milos - best luxury suites near Paleochori
Armony Suites is close to Paleochori Beach and has a spa, a gym, room service and breakfast in your room. It was the most expensive place in this guide when I searched, and it suits couples who want to treat themselves. Children must be at least nine years old.
One guest describes the room on Booking.com: “The room was beautiful with a lovely boho feel, a very comfortable, soft bed and an amazing view.”
See photos and book Armony Suites Milos here.
Artemis Seaside Resort - best resort with a pool on the beach
Artemis Seaside Resort is a four-star resort on the beach with an outdoor pool, a restaurant and a bar, and it has more reviews than anywhere else in the area. The price is high for mid-range, but that’s what prices are like at Paleochori in high season. Guests mention weak wifi in the rooms, and that you’ll need a car to get to other restaurants.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The staff were incredibly accommodating and attentive and always went above and beyond.”
See photos and book Artemis Seaside Resort here.
Avgerinou Studios - cheapest of my three picks, with a view over the beach
Avgerinou Studios is on the slope above Paleochori, and it was the second-cheapest place in the whole guide when I searched. You get a simple studio with access to a barbecue, a garden and free parking. Parts of the terrace are shared, and the path up from the beach is steep.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location is 10/10, with a view down over what is, in my opinion, the best beach on Milos.”
See photos and book Avgerinou Studios here.
Where should you avoid staying on Milos?
I’d avoid staying in a holiday home far out in the countryside without hiring a car. The bus only runs on selected routes, and some routes don’t run at all outside high season, so you risk being stuck wherever you’re staying.
If you’re only on Milos for two or three days, I wouldn’t choose Paleochori or Provatas either. The trip to Plaka, Klima and Sarakiniko takes time, and you’ll end up spending a big chunk of a short holiday in the car.
If you’ve got heavy luggage and no car, Plaka is a bad choice, because cars aren’t allowed into the town. And if you’re looking for nightlife until the early hours, Milos isn’t the island for you. Mykonos is a better fit.
If it’s your first time on Milos and you’d like to manage without a car, I’d stay in Adamas. Couples get the most atmosphere in Plaka and Trypiti or by the boathouses in Klima and Mandrakia, while Pollonia is the best choice for peace and quiet and good fish.
Families who want the beach right outside the door will get the most out of Provatas, and Paleochori is the place for a beach holiday with a touch of luxury. If you choose one of those two beach areas, hire a car from day one.
In summer, the ferries from Milos carry on to Paros, Naxos, Santorini and Crete, among other places, so the island fits nicely into an island-hopping trip. I’ve got guides to where to stay on Paros, where to stay on Naxos and where to stay on Crete, and if you’ve got a day in Athens on the way, you can check out my guide to the best things to do in Athens. If you’d like to see the greener Ionian side of Greece on another trip, have a look at my guide to where to stay in Kefalonia.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
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