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Where to Stay in Milos

Greece › Best Towns in Milos
By Santorini Dave

Our Favorite Milos Hotels

• 4-Star: Milos Breeze
• 3-Star: Nefeli Sunset
• Cheap: Eleni
• Pollonia: White Pebble Suites
• Adamas: Santa Maria
• Plaka/Trypiti: Eiriana
• Klima: Vasealis & Seafis
• Kimolos: Elephant Beach
• For families: Captain Zeppos
• For couples: Milos Breeze

View of Pollonia village from the pool of Milos Breeze Boutique Hotel

View of Pollonia village and the island Kimolos from the infinity pool at Milos Breeze, one of our favorite luxury hotels in Milos.

See Also

• Best Hotels in Milos
• Best Family Hotels in Milos

The Best Areas to Stay in Milos

Called the Island of Colors for its brightly painted boathouses, gleaming blue waters, and mineral-hued landscapes, Milos sits at the southwestern corner of the Cycladic Islands, about halfway between Athens and Crete. This stunning volcanic island is wrapped in pristine beaches, broken up by surreal geology, and strung back together by absurdly photogenic fishing villages. The isle is also littered with historic sites: the Venus de Milo was discovered here near the early Christian catacombs (from the 1st century AD) and an ancient Roman amphitheater (1st to 4th centuries AD). Most of Milos’ settlements lie on the eastern half of the island, while the west remains largely wild with much of its area accessible only by boat, especially the sea caves, rock formations, and tunnels making up the notorious pirate hideout of Kleftiko (a day trip here is strongly recommended). Circling the coastline of the east side, travelers will find a kaleidoscope of beaches from moonlike Sarakiniko to the red, pink, and gold cliffs of Fyriplaka with the swimming holes of the Papafragas Caves, copper-colored Thiorichia (backed by abandoned sulfur mines), and many more in between.

View from the inside of a sea cave at Kleftiko in Milos

Inside one of Kleftiko’s sea caves. The caves, tunnels, and hidden coves of this historic pirate hideout, only accessible by boat, make this one of the most memorable places to visit in Milos.

Often overshadowed by its flashier neighbors, especially Santorini and Mykonos, Milos is beginning to get the acclaim it deserves. Luxury hotels are popping up island-wide but are most concentrated in Pollonia, a charming beach town at Milos’ northeastern tip, and the vibrant port town of Adamas (meaning “diamond”) in the island’s natural harbor. Adamas, officially named Adamantas, is the largest village on the island, and it’s from here that the vast majority of travelers arrive and depart. Settled by Cretan rebels in the 1830s, you’ll find some of Milos’s best seaside tavernas here, along with two sandy beaches on either side of the port (Lagada and Papakinou), a wide selection of hotels, and an excellent central location for exploring the island. Pollonia sits about 10 km northeast of Adamas. A fishing-village-turned-beach-resort, newly fashionable Pollonia centers itself around a sandy, tree-lined beach with a string of waterfront restaurants, luxury and casual accommodations, and a small playground. A host of working fishermen still moor their boats along the two small piers here, many supplying their catch to the nearby tavernas. Pollonia’s port is busiest, however, with ferry traffic to picturesque Kimolos. This tiny island just 1 km from Milos enjoys long stretches of sandy beaches, a rich history, and a quaint, traditional village built around its old castle ruins and laced through with sidewalk cafes, churches, a handful of little museums, and a friendly vibe.

At the highest point in eastern Milos you’ll find the island’s small but mighty capital, Plaka. A tangle of narrow pathways and whitewashed buildings – filled with buzzy live-music lounges, creative and casual dining, galleries, boutiques, and churches – comprises this traditional village with panoramic views over the sea. Attractions in Plaka include the old castle ruins (Kastro), Archaeological Museum, and Folk Museum. Heading south just 1 km leads to the smaller village Trypiti, home to the island’s most important archaeological sites, the Catacombs of Milos and the Ancient Roman Theater. On the shoreline south of Plaka and west of Trypiti, Klima is the most iconic fishing village on the island. The settlement is easily recognizable by its long chain of brightly colored syrmata, boat garages painted so that the fishermen could identify their own places from far at sea. Though a few still serve their historic purpose, many a syrma has been converted into a boutique, cafe, or casually cool room for rent, something unique to the island.

Sarakiniko Beach in Milos, the island's most popular beach

The unusual, white bedrock beach of Sarakiniko, the most photographed spot on Milos.

The Best Places to Stay in Milos

View of the beach from the bedroom of Elephant Beach House in Kimolos near Milos.

View of the beach from the bedroom of Elephant Beach House, the best syrma to stay in. Syrmata are the local fishermen’s boat garages, many of which have been converted into chic, simple lodgings.

Best Areas in Milos for…

    Fishing boats at the pier with Pollonia Beach in the background

  • Best Places in Milos to Stay for First-Timers and Sightseeing: Pollonia, Plaka, Trypiti, Adamas
    First-time visitors should opt for one of Milos’ three main settlements. Adamas will be the arrival and departure point for most visitors, as it is home to the ferry port. This centrally located village is also the main bus hub of the island, making it ideal for those who prefer not to drive. Two sandy beaches, a plethora of dining options, plenty of shops, a few attractions (the Mining Museum and small lighthouse hike), and hotels suiting all styles and budgets can be reached easily on foot. Pollonia is much quieter than Adamas, especially at night, but offers a wide range of hotels, waterfront dining, the ferry to Kimolos for fun day trips, and a sandy, organized beach. Perched on an inland hilltop, traditional Plaka village has a pedestrian-only core (aside from scooters and motorcycles) and brims with lively tavernas, nightlife, boutique shops, galleries, museums, and castle ruins. Though it is not on a beach like Pollonia or Adamas, it is within walking distance of the beach in Klima fishing village (about 2.2 km downhill – you will want a taxi back up) and to the Catacombs and Ancient Theater in nearby Trypiti.
  • Best Places in Milos to Stay for Families: Pollonia, Adamas, Kimolos
    Families will enjoy the wide range of beaches, casual dining, and spacious lodging that can be found in Pollonia, Adamas, and Kimolos. Pollonia is especially popular with younger families, as its crescent-shaped beach offers soft sand, shallow water, and natural shade from the tamarisk trees lining the shore. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available to rent from the beach clubs and restaurants servicing the area. Adamas is a great option for active families, with two sandy beaches, plenty of open-air restaurants, a handful of beach clubs, and easy bus service (or short drives) to reach some of the wilder beaches, including Fyriplaka, Tsigrado, Sarakiniko, Paliochori, and Papafragas Beach and Caves. Kimolos is another excellent choice, wrapped in soft, sandy beaches with crystal clear water and crisscrossed with hiking trails in the middle. The friendly, walkable village Chorio is the heart of the island with castle ruins, a folk and maritime museum, and picturesque squares filled with restaurants and shops.
  • Most Romantic Places in Milos: Pollonia, Klima, Plaka, Kimolos
    For a honeymoon or romantic getaway, you really can’t go wrong anywhere in Milos. However, some places have just a little more charm than others. Among the most special places here is Klima, the quaint fishing village with many colorful syrma now converted into stylish, stand-alone suites – private lodging unattached to any hotel. There are a handful of restaurants and shops here, a cozy beach, and excellent swimming. On the hill above Klima (a steep hike up but an easy hike down) is the spirited capital, Plaka, a dreamy Greek village with bougainvillea-filled footpaths spilling over with cafes, tavernas, and boutiques and winding up toward old castle walls. Pollonia offers upscale resorts and hotels on a sun-splashed beach facing east to the sunrise, along with a few swimming spots on its north end. Seafront restaurants and beach clubs run the length of the coast, especially near its boat-lined pier. Just across the water from Pollonia, Kimolos offers an off-the-beaten-path stay with secluded, sandy beaches, an attractive village with old churches, castle ruins, dining, drinks, and museums, plus plenty of opportunities for trekking in its rugged interior.
Beach in Milos.

Provatas beach.

  • Best Places in Milos to Stay for the Beach: Pollonia, Adamas, Kimolos
    With upwards of 70 beaches, Milos’ coastline offers plenty of variety from soft and sandy shores to wild and rugged crags to sea caves only found by boat. Sarakiniko is the best-known with white bedrock wrapping around a small, sandy beach. An unorganized beach, travelers will need their own refreshments and sun protection to enjoy a day here. Other dramatic beaches include Tsigrado (accessible by climbing a rope and ladder down a cliff), Fyriplaka (fine sand, colorful volcanic cliffs), and Thiorichia (red-orange beach fronting an abandoned sulphur mine). The best organized beaches (with sunbeds, parasols, and refreshments) are Provatas (pictured above – family-friendly with soft sand and clear, shallow water), Paleochori (sandy with great swimming and snorkeling; scattered hot springs make warm patches), and Achivadolimni (longest sandy beach on the island, rarely crowded, windsurfing/kitesurfing possible). Travelers who want to visit multiple beaches will find it most convenient to stay in Adamas. Not only does this village have its own two beaches, but its central location puts it within a short drive (sometimes with a little hike at the end) to all the beaches that can be reached by land. Plus this is main departure point for the harder-to-reach beaches that require a boat, namely Sikia Cave and Kleftiko. For a more relaxed beach stay, Pollonia is the best beach resort in Milos. Here is a long, sandy, half-moon beach with shallow, calm water, perfect for beginning swimmers. The beach is lined with sunbeds and umbrellas, a variety of accommodations, and a string of restaurants and beach clubs offering delicious food on the waterfront. Kimolos Island, just 1 km off the coast of Pollonia, offers a number of gorgeous, sandy beaches with far fewer crowds than you’ll find on Milos itself. A handful are full-service beaches with food and drinks on offer all day, while many more are secluded, natural, and virtually untouched.
  • Best Places in Milos to Stay for Nightlife and Restaurants: Adamas, Plaka, and Pollonia
    For most of the year, Milos is a sleepy island with a small population. The island is not known for nightlife, and there are no nightclubs here. But during the summer months, Adamas and Plaka get pleasantly buzzy with seasonal bars, tavernas, and cafes opening up to serve the influx of tourists and hospitality workers that descend upon its shores during the travel season. Adamas is the largest village of Milos, and has the most bars, lounges, and restaurants of any town on the island, with the bulk of the night spots and restaurants right at the port. For drinks in Adamas, check out Fiki Cocktail Bar, Akri, and Mikro Cafe Bar; for dining, O! Hamos! on Papakinou Beach is the best, along with Nostos at the port. The capital, Plaka, offers a little more charm and authenticity than Adamas with a slew of tavernas and lounges (some with live music) in its compact, pedestrianized core. With its hilltop vantage point overlooking the sea, Plaka is the top spot in Milos for sunset cocktails and dining. Enoy the sunset from Utopia Caffe (absolutely make reservations in advance) or on the terrace of the Church of Panagia Korfiatissa (you can get drinks to go from friendly Verina Cocktail Bar behind the church), then move on to dinner at Mavros Xoiros or Avli-Milos, then finish off the evening with live music and a nightcap in the garden courtyard of Kri Kri. The beach resort, Pollonia, is not so much a nightlife spot, but it does have several outstanding beachfront restaurants and low-key cafes for a relaxed evening by the sea. The best restaurants here include De Milos and Enalion, while the best drinks are at Deck Milos and Cactus Cafe Bar. Pollonia is also home to a small winery, Kostantakis, inland at the south end of the village and beachfront Armenaki a wine-centric restaurant with tastings.
  • Best Places in Milos to Stay for a Local Vibe: Plaka, Trypiti, Klima, and Kimolos
    For living like a local, leave the port and beach resorts behind and head inland to Plaka and Trypiti, two neighboring villages in the hills with traditional village centers and sweeping sea views that are especially picturesque at sunset. Plaka is the larger village with a higher concentration of dining and shops, plus the ruins of a Venetian castle and sweeping sea views. Trypiti has a surprising amount of top-quality boutique hotels excellent restaurants for its small size, including one of the island’s best, Methismeni Politia, and is home to the Catacombs and Ancient Roman Theater. Klima is another wonderful option for local flair. Though few locals actually live here now, you can observe a few fishermen at work in the water or the pier and stay in a traditional syrma in the rainbow row of boathouses that characterize the village. Be advised there is only one restaurant and one shop in Klima; head uphill to Trypiti or Plaka for more dining options. Kimolos is one of the lesser-known islands of the Cyclades and is definitely not on the radar of most tourists, making it a great spot for an authentic, Greek island vacation. Most restaurants, taverns, and shops cater to Greek tastes, though there are some sites of interest to travelers, including stunning beaches, castle ruins, traditional architecture, and a couple of museums. Locals here tend to be very kind to travelers who take an interest in their out-of-the-way home.

    • Lagada Beach in Adamas, Milos

    Sandy, tree-lined Lagada is the closest beach to the port and the center of Adamas village.

The 6 Best Places in Milos for Tourists

Pollonia

Busy Pollonia Beach with sunbeds and umbrellas in Milos
A map of Pollonia on Milos island, Greece.

Set on the northeastern corner of Milos and separated from Kimolos by a kilometer-wide strait, Pollonia is the best beach resort in Milos. The most upscale town on the island (but not over-the-top), Pollonia has exactly what most travelers to Milos seek: a long, golden sand beach with clear water lined with shade trees and set in a protected cove, a wide selection of accommodations, delicious beachfront restaurants, and a relaxed vibe – all within a compact, walkable area. Historically a fishing village, Pollonia has a beautiful cove and a busy pier where fishermen still work daily, supplying many of the best restaurants perched along the water’s edge. Though there are many hotels and villas at the beach, the bulk of Pollonia’s best accommodation (especially newer construction) is just north of the beach on the Pelekouda Peninsula, where travelers will find several excellent beaches and swimming spots with rocky entrances, rather than sand. Pollonia is especially popular with families since the beach offers shallow, calm water, a small playground, more spacious than average accommodation, and myriad kid-friendly dining options without the nightlife noise you’ll find in larger villages like Adamas and Plaka. Though farther from many of Milos’ popular attractions, Pollonia is within walking distance of Kostantakis Winery, within a short drive of Papafragas Caves and Sarakiniko Beach, and is the closest village on Milos to Kimolos Island; Psathi Port in Kimolos is less than half an hour away by ferry.

Adamas

The port at Adamas, the largest village on Milos
A map of Adamas on Milos island, Greece.

Set deep in a natural harbor, the port of Adamas (officially Adamantas) is the first and last impression most visitors will have with Milos. And the surrounding village has plenty to offer its guests: two sandy, organized beaches with shallow, tranquil, turquoise water on either side of the port, a plethora of hotels to suit all budgets and tastes, the island’s best nightlife, and lively tavernas and restaurants on the edge of the sea. Centrally located Adamas makes an ideal base for exploring Milos, just a 10-minute drive from exotic Sarakiniko Beach, Klima fishing village, the capital Plaka, and the archaeological sites of Trypiti. Within 15 minutes by car from Adamas, you can reach sunny Pollonia village, colorful Fyriplaka Beach, and “hidden” Tsigrado Beach (travelers need to descend the cliffs via rope ladder and make their way through a stone tunnel to get there). As the main transportation hub of the island, Adamas is excellent for travelers who want to experience rugged beauty of the island but prefer not to rent a car; all the aforementioned places can be reached by bus. Additionally, boats touring to Kleftiko and Sikia Cave depart from Adamas multiple times a day. For short, active trips, this is the best spot to make your home.

Plaka and Trypiti

The square in Plaka village at the Archeological Museum
A map of Plaka and Trypiti on Milos island, Greece.

Plaka and Trypiti are two neighboring villages set on a plateau northwest of Adamas, with panoramic island views and gorgeous sunset vistas over the Gulf of Milos. Plaka is the “new” capital of the island, established in the 18th century around a 13th-century Venetian castle (Kastro) set high above the ancient, ruined capital near Klima. Built in the traditional style as a labyrinth of narrow footpaths, Plaka is for the most part pedestrian-only, closed off from car traffic, although some small vehicles are permitted (scooters, motorcycles, and the like). Here you’ll find a delightful village humming with sidewalk cafes, tavernas, music, and boutiques selling local wares. Attractions in the village include the Archaeological Museum, the lovely Church of Panagia Korfiatissa (a popular sunset viewpoint), and right across from the church, the Folklore & History Museum (exploring daily life on the island from the 17th through 19th centuries). About a kilometer south of Plaka is the oft-overlooked village of Trypiti, a quaint village with an outsized culinary scene, a handful of excellent hotels, and a rich history. It was here that the Venus de Milo was discovered near the 1st-century Christian Catacombs (among the oldest in the world, even pre-dating those in Rome) and an Ancient Roman Theater also dating to the 1st century but believed to have been built on top of an older Hellenistic amphitheater. Staying in Plaka and Trypiti, visitors can spend the day at any of the nearby beaches (Klima, Firopotamos, Plathiena, or Sarakiniko) then return in the evening for romantic sunsets, creative cocktails, and faithfully prepared traditional fare.

Klima

Klima fishing village with colorful syrmata on the sea.
A map of Klima on Milos island, Greece.

Picture-perfect Klima sits on the coast just a couple of kilometers from Plaka and Trypiti, though it feels worlds away from the village activities. Perhaps the most photographed fishing village on the island, Klima is instantly recognizable by its long row of whitewashed buildings, all with cheerfully painted boat garages called syrmata. Traditionally, each syrma was painted a different color, so that each fisherman could spot their boathouse from a distance. Nowadays, many of the syrmata have been converted into stylish lodging, though there are still a number of fishermen who make Klima their home base. Ideal for quiet, romantic getaways, Klima has only one restaurant (seaside, seafood specialists, Astakas), one hotel (family-owned Panorama), and a small, sandy beach. A car is strongly recommended if staying here, as Klima’s limited offerings mean that most guests will want to travel up to Trypiti or Plaka for more food options.

Kimolos

Bonatsa Beach sunbeds on Kimolos Island near Milos
A map of Kimolos island near Milos island, Greece.

The petite isle of Kimolos sits directly across from Pollonia village. Though separated only by a thin channel, Kimolos was ruled by the Athenians and Milos by the Spartans, making the islands’ ancient inhabitants mortal enemies. Like Milos, Kimolos was later ruled by the Venetians, followed by the Ottomans before annexation by Greece. Today Kimolos is relatively unknown to international travelers, visited mostly by Greeks and a few day-trippers from Milos. This is the place to go for secluded, near-deserted beaches with wide swathes of white sand and crystalline water, though the beaches close to Psathi Port and Chorio are served by a few casual tavernas. Chorio is the island’s capital and only village, built inside and around the ruins of a 16th-century Venetian castle (among the largest and best-preserved in the Cyclades). Visitors will find Chorio’s narrow streets filled with traditional architecture in blue-and-white paint, centuries-old churches, lively tavernas and cafes, and two museums, the small Archaeological Museum and the even smaller Folk and Maritime Museum.

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About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave I'm Santorini Dave. I started this site in 2011 with a short article on tips for visiting Santorini with kids. We're now a small team of writers and researchers dedicated to providing the best travel content on the internet. We focus on Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, and Greece, offering recommendations for top hotels, neighborhoods, and family-friendly hotels worldwide. I can be contacted at dave@santorinidave.com.