Ultimate 2 Day Milos Itinerary + Travel Guide

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Is the Cycladic island of Milos on your radar as part of a Greece island hopping itinerary?  Known for the Venus de Milo, pirate hideouts, and mining, this island has increasingly drawn adventure-seekers for its volcanic lunar landscapes and stunning beaches.  If you’re part of this group, the below 2-day Milos itinerary will show you the best of this rugged, dusty island.

My husband, Aaron, and I recently journeyed to Milos, having been lured back to the Aegean a year after our first trip to Greece.  Travel + Leisure had named Milos the world’s best island the year before, and we were curious if it was worth the hype.

It turns out there were so many beaches and views to enjoy on Milos that we wished we could’ve stayed longer!  Conveniently, Milos is small and easy to get around by rental car, so we were able to see a lot very quickly. Today, I am sharing this dreamy Milos itinerary so you too can experience the best of this island in just two days.

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Milos Itinerary: How to Spend 2 Days

We based ourselves in Adamas, which had plenty of shops and restaurants and was super convenient to the airport and ferry port.  I recommend splitting your time like this: see the beaches in the north on day one, and then do a boat ride to Kleftiko on day two. 

Keep your plans flexible, though, as a windy forecast can mean cancelled boat trips and choppy waves at some beaches. During our early September visit, there was so much wind that even ferry schedules were affected.

Arrival Day

What to do when you get to Milos

A couple hours later, we boarded our small plane to Milos on Olympic Air.  The flight only took about twenty minutes in the air, and we had beautiful views of the Milos coastline while landing (I had a window seat on the right side of the plane).  Here is what we did upon arrival into Milos:

• Grabbed a taxi right outside the airport to our hotel
• Checked in to said hotel
• Picked up our rental car in Adamas. We found the Europcar rental center in Adamas (locally called Matha) to be much more affordable than options at the airport.
• Went grocery shopping for essentials like water and sunscreen.  Tap water is not safe to drink on Milos.

Dine on the Waterfront

At the recommendation of our host, Aaron and I chose a waterfront dining spot called Trapatselis for seafood.  We split a bright, herb-filled hummus and 1/2 liter of white wine. Of course, I had to kick off the trip with grilled octopus, my favorite food, while Aaron ordered traditional chicken souvlaki.

Later that evening, a deliciously tempting window display lured us into a sweets shop called Παραδοσιακά Εδέσματα.  We ordered a small dish of banana custard over kataifi with honey, which was rich enough to share.

Milos Itinerary: Day 1

The first day of this itinerary will focus on the best sights in northern Milos, especially the island’s gorgeous unique beaches.

Sarakiniko Beach

You’ve probably seen a picture of Sarakiniko beach before, whether on Instagram or in a magazine. It’s the one with the white rock landscape that looks like it could be on the moon, except for all the bright blue water around it.  Plus, it’s just an easy ten minute drive from Adamas!

While there is a little beach here, the most fun thing to do is cliff jumping. You don’t have to be especially brave to jump, proven by the fact that I was able to do it.  Plus, the rock slopes so that you can jump from either low or higher heights (I chose the low end).

Papafragas Caves

Next, drive ten minutes northeast to the absolutely gorgeous Papafragas cave, with its tiny beach and crystal clear turquoise water.  We took in the wonderful view from above, but passed on descending the loose rocky path to the water. There were technically warning signs forbidding entry, but we mostly didn’t trust our sandals to get us there safely.

Firopotamos Beach

Having passed on swimming at the previous stop, the next place needed to be a winner. We drove for sixteen minutes back the way we came, passing Sarakiniko, and mosied down the narrow road to Firopotamos.

Right away, we could see the darling white-washed village at the end of the road and the vibrantly blue water that greeted us. There was no question that we would be swimming here, and we gladly shelled out $20 for two beach chairs.

I do wish for the price there was more than a porta potty for a restroom, but the scenery more than made up for it.  Aaron and I relaxed at this beach for several hours, taking an occasional dip in the gentle waters and ordering lunch from the beach bar on site. Of course, it wouldn’t be vacation if I didn’t finish with an Aperol Spritz.

Dinner at O! Hamos

My favorite eatery on Milos was O! Hamos: a popular family-run restaurant famous for traditional Greek food. It was a fifteen minute walk from our hotel in Adamas and is located right across from Papikinou beach. Lunch or dinner here is definitely a must for any Milos itinerary!

The restaurant was already pretty busy during our early dinner around 4:30pm. We sat on a terrace shaded with vines, with servers running everywhere and the nearby smell of cigarette smoke in the air.

Everything we ate at O! Hamos was lovingly prepared with fresh ingredients, including a variety of local cheeses and dried figs, cheese hand pies, and slow-cooked goat with potatoes.  Of course, we also ordered some Greek wine and even bought one of their cute espresso cups to take home with us.

Watch the Sunset at Utopia

For an absolutely wonderful sunset view and plenty of ambiance, head to Utopia in the chill village of Plaka. To get a good table, it is essential to arrive at 6:00pm when the bar opens.

We arrived an hour before sunset, and only managed to get a table inside. However, we could still sort of see the sunset through the doorway.  

We enjoyed ordering drinks from Utopia’s extensive cocktail menu and wine list. While sipping libations and grazing on complimentary snacks, the sky transitioned to shades of orange and pink.

Visit Local Shops

Shops are open surprisingly late in Greece, with many of them closing around 10:00pm. Here are a few that I thoroughly enjoyed, while wandering the lit up streets with brightly colored flowers spilling out everywhere:

• Totem in Plaka: This store sells clothing made in Greece, including lots of linen apparel. We bought a cerulean embroidered dress, swimsuit cover up, and white linen button up shirt.
• Alexander Gold in Adamas: Where I successfully found a Greek “evil eye” necklace I liked after striking out with Kalimera Jewelry’s extensive selection.

Milos Itinerary: Day 2

Your second day in Milos is the perfect opportunity to get on the water with a day sail to Kleftiko. It’s the best way to see stunning views of the sea arches and caves along the island’s rocky coastline.

Kleftiko Boat Tour

A typical boat tour takes you along the west coast of the island, moving south towards Kleftiko. However, if you end up with a windy day like we had, the tour runs along the south coast instead. For us, the south coast was incredible, so you won’t be missing out if this happens to you!

Our speedboat snorkel cruise was about five hours long, meeting at 9:00am at the restaurant Scirocco on the south coast. Our first stop was some swimming at a pristine beach with some of the clearest water I’ve ever seen.

After that, we went to the main event, which are the caves of Kleftiko. This sight is famous for being a favorite hideout for pirates back in the day. We did some snorkeling here, and our guides took some fun GoPro photos for us to download later (they also have a drone, but it was too windy).

Before the tour ended at 2:30pm, we made two more stops. The first was more caves that lead to some astounding rock formations. The last was a small, uniquely situated beach that could only be reached via a steep, busy staircase.

Eat a Meal

While our boat tour did have snacks, we were not filled up by any means. After showering, my husband and I went back out to find food in Adamas. As it was around 4pm by this time, we decided to have an early dinner again, so as to have a good base for our subsequent wine tasting.

We were not disappointed to end up at Flisvos, where we devoured marinated octopus, Dakos salad with local cheese and balsamic fig syrup, and a pork gyro. The pork gyro was more deconstructed, but let me tell you, that meat was incredibly juicy, and you could see everything roasting on spits right inside the restaurant.

Wine Tasting

When my husband and I visit basically any place, we always try to find a local wine tasting. On our prior trip to Greece, we had been pleasantly surprised with how much we loved the locally produced dry white wines.

In Milos, we scheduled a 6:00pm tasting at Kostantakis Cave Winery. We were given a short tour, and then lead to a table where we tasted about six different white and red wines.

There were some lights snacks to graze on, and we ended up purchasing a bottle of a natural white wine. I am beginning to love natural wines because they don’t have the sulfites that give me giant headaches. As for the Greek red wines, they are lighter and sometimes sweet, so it’s best not to compare them to that of France or Napa Valley.

Klima

Don’t leave Milos without making a stop in Klima to to see the colorful fisherman’s village.  With sunset views along the way, we took the super narrow, sometimes one-lane road into town, finding parking at Astakas Cafe Restaurant. If you park at the restaurant, keep it mind you’ll also be expected to eat or drink there.

I walked down the waterfront towards the colorful facades of the fishermen village, and was surprised by the waves washing across the entire stone path. By stepping on stairs and ledges, I avoided getting my shoes wet for so long, until alas – I finally couldn’t get one foot up in time.

One soggy foot aside, I left with a memory card full of awesome photos to join Aaron at a table for a glass of wine. Although those drinks were ordered to justify our parking spot, I’d easily return to Astakas for dining during sunset.

Late Night Snacks

We continued our evening snacking at a popular bakery in town that we’d been itching to go to: Artemis Bakery. Aaron and I shared a feta cheese hand pie and watermelon “pie”, which I’d more so describe as a moist cake bar.

Finally, before settling in for the night, we decided to try one of the popular cocktail bars in town. Akri was our first choice, but since it was full, ended up at Mikro Cafe. We were still very happy with the sweeping nighttime harbor view and upscale drinks, while listening to their fun, beachy playlist.  

However, the excitement wasn’t quite done yet. It was while sipping my Aperol spritz and Aaron his old fashioned that we realized our ferry at 8:10am the next morning got cancelled and rescheduled for 12:20pm due to wind.

We didn’t know it at the time, but we were in for a wild, seasick-inducing ferry ride the next day. Ah the joys of travel!

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Have More Time?

If you have the luxury of an extra day or two in Milos, here are a few more activities you can add to your itinerary:

• Visit more of Milos’s 80+ beaches! Check out Papikinou beach outside Adamas, which offers shade and a nice view of the village. Other popular options include Firiplaka, Plathiena, and Paleochori.
• Visit the Milos Mining Museum to learn how exports of minerals like bentonite and perlite have contributed to the island’s economy.
• Learn about ancient history on Milos at the Archeological Museum.
• Check out the Catacombs of Milos outside the village of Trypiti, along with a stop at the ancient theatre ruins.
• Spend more time in quaint villages like Plaka or Pollonia.

How to Reach Milos

You can reach Milos either by plane or by boat. If you choose to fly to Milos, you will arrive into Milos Island National Airport, which sits just outside of Adamas. Flights leave several times a day from Athens, but it is not possible to fly directly to Milos from another Greek island.

If you arrive into Milos by boat, chances are you will be taking a ferry. Ferries arrive and depart from the port in Adamas throughout the day. Prices will very based on the hour, size, and speed of the ferry.

Ferries are certainly the number one way to get between the Greek islands when island hopping (unless you happen to have a yacht). However, schedules can be altered or cancelled due to high winds and resulting rough seas. It’s always good to double check that your ferry is still going the night before your scheduled departure in case you need to adjust your plans.

I recommend searching for flights to the Greek islands on Skyscanner and checking ferry prices on Ferry Hopper.

Getting Around Milos

The best way to get around Milos is by rental car, although many people opt for ATV’s or motorbikes. If you go for theses latter options, be ready to apply sunscreen vigilantly!

Additionally, be sure to get your international driver’s license from a local AAA before heading to Greece. Rental companies don’t always ask for it, but when we went to Santorini they did. Of course, make sure you bring your driver’s license from home too because they’ll always ask for that.

There is also some public transportation available on Milos. Taxis are available to take you to and from the airport, or wherever you want. There is also the KTEL bus service on Milos, which is an inexpensive transport option between major sights and villages.

Remember that the bus is not ideal for reaching remote parts of Milos and becomes less reliable after dark.

Where to Stay in Milos

For twos days in Milos it will be most efficient to stay in Adamas for easy airport and ferry access. You can grab your rental car in town, and there are plenty of restaurants and shops to check out.

I personally found Adamas to be beautiful, and a great central jumping point for reaching other locations throughout Milos.

Suggested Hotel: Book a room at Semiramis Guest House for a friendly host full of helpful restaurant suggestions. While the rooms could use an update, they are comfortable, affordable, and a substantial breakfast is served each morning. We were given the “best room”, which had a romantic view of the white walls and blue domes of Adamas.

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Now you are all set to have the perfect 2 days in Milos. With so many gorgeous beaches, great restaurants, and charming villages, Milos makes the perfect stop during any Greek island hopping itinerary.