Top 10 Beaches in Milos, Greece: A Complete Guide

Are you planning a trip to the Greek Islands and wondering where the best beaches in Milos, Greece are?

Milos is slowly becoming one of the more popular islands in the Greek Cyclades, right behind Santorini and Mykonos! And it’s no surprise that Milos’s gorgeous beaches are what’s making it famous! From the otherworldly Sarakiniko Beach to the charming Firopotomas Beach, the many beaches in Milos, Greece will take your breath away!

In this guide, I cover the top 10 beaches on the island of Milos. I’ll also cover what to expect at each beach, how to get to each beach, plus a map of Milos with all the beaches pinned!

I had so much fun exploring these beaches around the island via ATV back in 2022! So if hitting the beach while on Milos is on your itinerary, make sure to keep reading for a complete breakdown of which to choose!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link or book through an affiliate program, I receive a small commission at no cost to you! 

A Complete Breakdown of the Top 10 Beaches on the Island of Milos in Greece

Getting Around Milos + Map of Best Beaches

Before we dive into the top 10 beaches in Milos, I wanted to touch on how you will be getting around the island to explore these beaches!

The island of Milos is about 58 square miles. While this may not sound large, the best beaches in Milos, Greece are relatively spread out.

So, in order to see as many beaches as possible, I highly recommend renting your own transportation while on Milos. This could be a car, a scooter, or an ATV!

We chose the ATV route, and it was a blast! Even if you haven’t driven an ATV before (I hadn’t!), it is totally manageable! The roads around Milos are well-paved, and everyone drove safely!

We rented our ATV from Apollonas Sunshine and had a great experience. They will drop off and pick up the ATV from your hotel (so you don’t have to ride the ATV with your baggage!). Or, you can pick it up from the airport or the port!

As someone who rode a scooter in college, I wouldn’t recommend renting a scooter on Milos. They are easy to lose control of, and crashes are much more common on scooters!

If you want to be as safe as possible, you can also rent a car on Milos!

No matter which method of transportation you choose, you will likely be asked for an International Driving Permit. If you are from the United States, this is different from your state-issued driver’s license.

However, they are easy to get! Just head to your local AAA office, and they will issue you one for ~$20.

P.S. If you are looking for more tips about visiting Milos, make sure to check out my Ultimate Milos Travel Guide and my detailed guide on How to Get to Milos, Greece!

Frequently Asked Questions about Milos Beaches

List of Top 10 Beaches on Milos

Now that we’ve covered how to get around Milos, let’s jump right into the list of the top 10 beaches in Milos, Greece!

Quick Note: The Greek word for “beach” is “Paralia“, so you might see this on your Google Maps or on street signs while in Milos!

1. Sarakiniko Beach

Of course, I have to start the list off with the most famous beach on the island of Milos – Sarakiniko Beach. Growing in popularity over the last few years, Sarakiniko Beach is iconic due to its moon-like landscape that truly looks other-worldly!

Located on the northeast side of the island, Sarakinko is made up of white volcanic rock formations. In the middle, there is a small “beach” where the water comes in over the rocks. The rocky ledge forms a little lagoon area where you can safely swim, even if the ocean waves are rough.

If the seas are calm, there are also areas along Sarakinko to cliff-jump directly into the ocean! Unfortunately, it was extremely windy when we visited, so we weren’t able to partake!

In terms of facilities, there are next to none here. Make sure to use the bathroom before arriving!

While there are no restaurants in the immediate area, a snack truck did pull up as we were leaving (around 11am!).

Note: this is an extremely popular spot on the island, so if you want to see it without the crowds, arrive early!

2. Tsigrado Beach

Another beach that is quickly gaining popularity in Milos is Tsigrado Beach. Previously known as a “hidden gem”, Tsigrado Beach is becoming iconic due to its challenging accessibility!

If you are accessing this beach by land, you’ll need to descend down a narrow path, followed by a small, makeshift ladder! If you have a fear of heights or limited mobility, this isn’t the beach for you.

However, the unique access point certainly adds to Tsigrado Beach’s popularity. Once you descend the ladder, you’ll be rewarded with a gorgeous (but small) beach with golden sand. The crystal-clear waters and towering cliff behind you only add to the charm!

Similar to Sarakiniko Beach, there are no facilities here. I highly recommend packing drinks and snacks if you plan to stay awhile!

Another way to access this beach is from the water! If you take a boat tour of the nearby Kleftiko Caves, a stop at Tsigrado might be included. Or, you can rent a boat and explore on your own!

3. Papafragas Beach

Next on the list is Papafragas Beach, located on the northeast side of Milos (not far from Sarakinko).

Papafragas Beach is extremely unique, as it sits between volcanic rock formations. As you make your way through the rocky sea caves, you’ll find the secluded swimming holes of Papafragas.

Unfortunately, the way down to the beach is not marked, so you’ll have to do a bit of exploring to find it, and there are multiple ways down. If you are daring enough, there are also small tunnels you can swim through!

Again, there are no bathroom facilities here (are you noticing a trend?!).

However, just down the road from Papafragas Beach is the town of Pollonia, which has several bars and restaurants to choose from! This brings us to our next section!

4. Pollonia Beach

Also located on the northeast side of the island is Pollonia Beach! Pollonia Beach conveniently runs right along the lovely town of Pollonia.

The beach is sandy with shallow water and is protected from any high winds, perfect for families!

While it’s not the most beautiful beach in Milos, it certainly gets points for amenities! There are several Greek tavernas along the beach, so you can grab lunch or drinks and enjoy the views.

In addition, there are sun loungers and sun umbrellas in the area you can use, as well as some shady trees!

5. Firopotomas Beach

Located about 10 minutes northwest of Sarakinko, you’ll find the colorful fishing village of Firopotamos and Firopotamos beach!

Most photos you’ll see online of Firopotamos are actually in the village, not at the beach! Here, you’ll find traditional blue fishermen’s houses right on the shores of the sea.

Next to the houses is the picturesque Church of Agios Nikolaos, which you can put in your Google Maps to find this spot! The road is pretty narrow getting here, so we were glad to have an ATV!

This spot is well protected from the wind, so it’s the perfect place to go swimming, even when the sea is rough. There’s also a little rocky ledge next to the church where you can jump into the sea!

And if you want to visit the beach, you can backtrack and make your way down the steep road to the beach. However, I think the village is much more picturesque!

6. Paliochori Beach

Paliochori Beach holds a special place in my heart since it’s where we stayed during our wonderful 3 nights on Milos! (If you’re looking for a hotel recommendation, I highly recommend the Artemis Seaside Resort!) I think it’s one of the best beaches in Milos!

Also spelled Paleochori, this beach is located on the southeastern side of Milos. The coastline surrounding the beach features colorful, volcanic cliffs, and the water is crystal clear!

Speaking of volcanoes, there is also an incredible restaurant on this beach that utilizes the volcanic beach activity under the sand to cook! At Sirocco Restaurant, you can order meals that are slow-cooked overnight in pots buried in the sand, where the temperatures reach up to 215ºF!

There are also lounge chairs and large sunbeds available to rent thanks to the Artemis Resort, so no need to bring your own beach umbrella! Or, if you are staying at the hotel, you can use them for free! The resort also has a small menu you can order from, so you can lounge in paradise while enjoying an Aperol spritz!

Lastly, Paliochori is one of the best beaches for water sports lovers! Located directly on the beach is Pits Watersports. Here, you can rent jet skis, water skis, wakeboarding, paddleboards, and standup paddleboards. Or, you can book a private boat tour to explore the island with a guide!

Pssst: Make sure to check out my guide on Where to Stay in Milos, Greece for hotel options and a breakdown by area!

7. Firiplaka Beach

Just down the road from Tsigrado Beach is the beautiful Firiplaka Beach. In fact, Firiplaka might be the most beautiful beach on Milos. If you’re looking for soft sand and azure waters, this is the beach to visit!

One of the most iconic spots on Firiplaka is the massive, rocky outcrop right off the beach that you can swim through!

In terms of amenities, this beach has a small beach bar where you can buy drinks. In addition, there are straw umbrellas and beach chairs you can rent for the day! They are a bit pricey, however. This is the only spot on the beach that has shade!

There is no bathroom once you get down to the beach, so plan accordingly!

Once you see this beach, you’ll understand why it’s regarded as one of the best beaches in Milos, Greece.

8. Papikinou beach

Located right outside the port town of Adamantas, Papikinou Beach is one of the best beaches in Milos to watch the sunset!

Papikinou is within walking distance from the port and is popular thanks to its soft, yellow sandy shores and incredible views of the harbor!

It’s a popular beach for families and young children, as the water is extremely calm. There are also sunbeds and umbrellas available to rent.

The beach is not very wide, which means you’ll be in close proximity to the shade of the trees. Unfortunately, this means you’ll also be close to the main road, which gets busy since it leads directly to the port.

However, this is also a pro, as Papikinou is right down the road from several great bars and restaurants in the port.

9. Thiorichia Beach

One of the most unique beaches on Milos, Thiorichia Beach is not only beautiful but historic as well! Located on the east side of the island, it’s not the most convenient beach to get to (an ATV is recommended here!). However, this means it’s less crowded than other beaches on the island!

So why is this beach unique? Thiorichia Beach is located right next to an old sulfur mine that closed down in 1978. As you make your way down to the ocean, you’ll pass by all of the old facilities of the mine, preserved in history.

There are abandoned buildings, wagons, tools, and railroad tracks set against the stunning backdrop of red, gray, and white cliffs.

As expected, this area is remote, and there are no bathroom facilities, restrooms, or bars nearby, so plan accordingly!

10. Klima Beach

Last but not least is the beautiful Klima Beach! Klima is a tiny, picturesque fishing village famous for its colorful boathouses you see dotted around Milos!

In my opinion, it’s one of the best beaches in Milos, Greece to watch the sunset, so I highly recommend visiting this beach in the evening. Located just 10 minutes from the town of Plaka, you’ll find Klima Beach down a windy road!

There is a fabulous little tavern on Klima Beach, Astakas Cafe Restaurant. Here, you can sit right on the beach and enjoy fresh seafood as you watch the sun dip into the sea!

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there’s no shortage of crystal-clear water and sandy coastline on Milos island. There are tons of Milos beaches to choose from, and I hope this list helped narrow it down for you!

If you only have one day to explore the beaches of Milos, I recommend sticking to the northeast side of the island and checking out Sarakiniko, Firopotomas, and Papafragas beaches.

However, if you have time, you should absolutely try to conquer every beach on this list!

And make sure to check out my other blog posts about the Greek Islands, like my Ultimate One Week Greek Islands Itinerary and my 3 Day Santorini Travel Guide!

Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!