After spending two idyllic days here, I knew that I needed to make a weekend itinerary for Milos, Greece. If you’re dreaming of whitewashed villages, surreal beaches, and seaside tavernas without the crowds of Santorini or Mykonos, then look no further than Milos. It’s not really a hidden gem of an island, but still super underrated—making it ideal for a short escape.
Like most of the islands in the Cyclades, I spent two days out of my 1 week in Greece peacefully wandering cute villages with adorable cats, feasting on fresh Greek cuisine, and marveling at the deep blue ocean. I’ve compiled this perfect weekend itinerary for Milos to help you plan where to stay, what to eat, and how to see the island’s greatest hits in just a few days. Plus, I’ve got all the logistics and information down so your trip is seamless!
Best Time of Year to Visit Milos, Greece
Did you know that Greece doesn’t have good weather year-round? Timing your visit well is key to making the most of a weekend itinerary for Milos, Greece. High season falls between late May to early October. While I’m usually not a fan of traveling during high season, I recommend it in Milos (or at the very least during shoulder season).
Why? This is because Milos is a less crowded island that runs on the tourist schedule. Many hotels, restaurants, shops, and tours won’t even be open outside of the May-October window. Plus, the Aegean Sea is cold and takes a long time to warm up, so it will be too cold to swim in Milos outside of these months.
Absolute peak season falls between July and August. While it’s a great time to visit Greece in general, expect hot temperatures, wait times at popular restaurants, and fully booked hotels and ferries. Make sure to plan in advance!
🇬🇷 Read more: How to Spend 1 Week in Greece: Athens, Santorini, and Milos!
How to Get to Milos, Greece
The island of Milos is accessible by both plane and ferry, and each option has its pros and cons. If you’re arriving from Athens, a quick 40-minute flight is the fastest option. Domestic flights in Greece tend to be pretty cheap too! However, ferry travel is more scenic and popular among island-hoppers.
There are several ferry routes to Milos from neighboring islands like Santorini, Paros, and Mykonos. There are a few ferry companies that service Milos, like Seajets, Blue Star Ferries, and Zante Ferries. I took the direct Seajets ferry from Santorini, and we arrived in about two hours.
However, I will warn you that the high-speed Seajets ferry can be extremely bumpy if the weather isn’t agreeable! Definitely pack motion sickness medicine if you’re prone to seasickness (or even if you’re not)—people were throwing up all over the ferry during our ride, and it wasn’t exactly enjoyable.
Schedules vary by season, so book in advance—especially in July and August, when Milos is experiencing the peak of high season.
Where to Stay: The Best Hotels in Milos
Milos isn’t that large; it takes less than 20 minutes to get from one side to the other. However, some places in Milos are better for staying in than others. There are only a few towns that I would consider staying in Milos:
- Adamantas (Adamas): Adamas is the main town in Milos, located at the port. This is the most centrally located town and has all the grocery stores and car rentals. However, it’s not that lovely of an area. I’d only stay here if you prioritize convenience over anything else.
- Pollonia: A charming seaside village that has several great accommodation options and excellent dining. It’s big enough to have everything you need, but small enough to feel intimate and cute. Pollonia is my personal choice for this weekend itinerary for Milos!
- Plaka: One of the prettiest villages in Milos. However, it’s a bit hilly and there is no parking inside the village itself. While there’s ample free parking right outside of the village, it can be a hassle to walk to and from where you’re staying.
Other areas, like the charming fishing village of Firopotamos, are adorable but just too small to stay in, in my opinion. Milos has a lot of these tiny fishing villages, but they offer no restaurants or shopping, and many of the houses here are pretty outdated.
Here are my top picks for the best hotels in Milos and where they’re located:
- Domes White Coast Milos (Mytakas): A little more on the remote side, but I couldn’t leave out the most luxurious hotel in all of Milos. It’s a jaw-dropping luxury property with great sunset views.
- White Pebble Suites (Pollonia): A sleek, modern luxury hotel in Milos with a chic pool, beautiful views, and oceanfront access.
- Phos Suites Milos (Pollonia): A stylish and well-located hotel with a minimalist design at an excellent price point. I stayed here previously in Milos and loved it!
- Melian Boutique Hotel & Spa (Pollonia): An elegant and romantic hotel in Pollonia, Milos. Gorgeous pools, high-quality dining.
Transportation Around Milos
To fully enjoy this weekend itinerary for Milos, Greece, renting a car is absolutely essential. While there is a public bus system, it’s limited and won’t get you close enough to the island’s most scenic spots like Tsigrado Beach or the fishing village of Mandrakia.
Most major car rental agencies operate in Adamas, and some hotels in Pollonia offer direct rentals as well. A compact car is usually sufficient—there are only a few roads in Milos, and I was pleasantly surprised by how smooth and well-paved they were! However, the roads are pretty narrow in most parts (i.e. to the point I couldn’t believe they were two-way roads), so still drive carefully.
For more adventurous excursions—especially to the sea caves of Kleftiko—a guided boat tour is your best bet. Some remote locations are only accessible by boat, and tours often include snorkeling, lunch, and local commentary. I’ll include the exact boat tour we took in the itinerary below!
The Dreamy Summer Weekend Itinerary for Milos, Greece
Day 0: Sunset at Plaka Castle and Dinner
Start off this lovely weekend itinerary for Milos, Greece by heading straight to Plaka Castle for the most beautiful sunset on the whole island! Plaka Castle was built during the Venetian era. It is the highest point in Milos and has beautiful panoramic views over the Aegean Sea.
You definitely won’t have this spot to yourself—even in low season, people flock to the top of the castle for sunset views. However, there’s usually enough room for everyone to have a seat. There’s no parking in Plaka, so you’ll have to leave your car at the free parking lot and then make the 20-minute walk up to the castle. It’s all uphill, so be prepared!
If you don’t have time to make sunset on the first evening, don’t worry—you can save Plaka Castle for tomorrow! Just enjoy dinner out, either in Plaka or close to home, depending on where you are. If you’re in Plaka, I recommend Ergina or Avli Milos for large portions, great value, and delicious cuisine.
We had dinner in Pollonia near our hotel at Yialos, one of the best meals we had on our entire trip! Bonus points for all the cute cats wandering around the restaurants and through the streets.
Day 1: Cozy Fishing Villages, Sunny Beaches, and Plaka
Begin your first full day on Milos by heading to Firopotamos, a cute and cozy fishing village with colorful boathouses and sparkly turquoise waters. You’ll find these little two-story traditional fishermen’s houses all over Milos—they’re called syrmata, which means “wires” in Greek and refers to the ropes used to pull boats onto the shores. Firopotamos is very quiet in the morning and a beautiful swimming spot if it’s warm outside!
While it was a bit chilly for us to go swimming, we spent our morning hanging out with the adorable, cuddly cats in the village and enjoying views of the beautiful water.
Next, stop by the adjacent fishing village of Mandrakia for lunch. This village is postcard-worthy! Make sure to dine on the famous octopus at Medusa, a local restaurant where you can see the fishermen line-drying their catch of the day. It’s one of the most authentic dining experiences on the island and a highlight of this weekend itinerary for Milos, Greece!
⚠️ Like many restaurants in Milos, Medusa is only open during the high season. We actually weren’t able to go because the restaurant didn’t open until the day after we had to leave! Make sure to double check Medusa’s dates on their Instagram.
Then in the afternoon, it’s time to hit the beach! Milos has many unique and beautiful beaches, so take your pick:
- Tsigrado Beach: A small and hidden beach with a rope ladder, but super unique and beautiful!
- Alogomandra Beach: An easily accessible beach with soft sand and rocky overhangs for shade.
- Papafragas Caves: A unique little beach hidden between two huge rock tunnels!
In the early evening, explore the pretty neighborhood of Plaka. There are lots of cute artisan shops and beautiful homes here, pretty alleyways, and local restaurants. We came without any plans and simply wandered around, petting the cats and ducking into cute shops!
🏦 Did you know that there is a Plaka in Athens, too? It’s one of the oldest and most charming districts. Check out my 24-hour guide to Athens, Greece.
You can also grab dinner halfway between Plaka and Adamas at the popular local eatery, O! Hamos. (During high season, expect a wait for dinner.) If you didn’t catch the sunset from Plaka Castle last night, make sure you do it today. It’s a core memory in the making.
Day 2: Sarakiniko Beach and Kleftiko Caves
Make sure to set your alarm early, because the sunrise at Sarakiniko Beach is going to be worth it and more. This “moon beach” is famous for its chalky white volcanic rocks and surreal landscape with wavy formations. Trust me, you’ll feel like you’re on a different planet!
At sunrise, Sarakiniko Beach is virtually empty. The lighting makes the area feel otherworldly and the rocks seem to shift and change as the light gets stronger and brighter. I honestly think I could have spent half a day here just exploring all the angles and lighting.
🌙 I couldn’t stop gawking at Sarakiniko Beach for the entire morning, but I was surprised at how small the beach is! So you don’t get caught by surprise, check out my guide to Sarakiniko Beach here.
After a quick breakfast on the go (I recommend the local early-morning haven, Mouratos Bakery), head to Adamas Port to join a boat tour to the famous Kleftiko Caves, a must-see on any weekend itinerary for Milos, Greece. I love the sea caves, which are only accessible by boat, and these tours are usually paired with snorkeling and swimming stops at beautiful beaches and local swimming haunts. Depending on the time of year, it may be too cold to swim. We did our tour in early May and the water was still freezing cold, but July-August are peak months for swimming!
I’m not usually a tour person, but I loved our tour—everyone on it was so friendly and the group size was small enough that it felt chill and cozy. Also, lunch was included and it was unexpectedly so delicious! This is the exact tour that we took with Milos Adventures.
If you take the same tour we did, you’ll arrive back at Adamas Port around 3:30 PM. Make sure to grab a freddo espresso (Greece is one of the only countries in Europe that believes in iced coffee!) and soak in the last rays of sunshine before leaving Milos in the evening. You’ll likely be departing from the ferry terminal, so grab dinner near Adamas and then get ready to head out!
Goodbye, Milos! Seriously, one of the most beautiful islands in Greece.
If You Have More Time in Milos…
If you’re lucky enough to stay an extra day or two, consider adding these sights to your weekend itinerary for Milos, Greece—you can turn it into a long weekend or 4-day getaway!
- Klima: Another iconic fishing village. See the brightly painted syrmata (boat garages) right on the water.
- Ancient Theater of Milos: Overlooking the sea near the site of the Venus de Milo discovery.
- Thiorichia Mines: Explore abandoned sulfur mines on a secluded beach.
- Paliochori Beach: A colorful, geothermal beach with hot springs beneath the sand.
Where to Next?
One of the hardest parts of any Greece trip is deciding which destinations to include and which ones to cut. (I know it was a huge struggle for me!)
Once your weekend in Milos, Greece comes to an end, consider hopping to another Greek location. Milos is actually very well-connected and makes a great midpoint for any trip through the Cyclades! And if you want to have a guaranteed good route, check out my 1 Week in Greece travel guide which hits Athens, Santorini, and Milos.
- Athens: You’ll probably have to fly in and out of Athens, but make sure to take a day to actually enjoy this historic city! While its crumbling ruins and city vibe aren’t particularly interesting to me, it’s definitely worth spending 24 hours in Athens to hit the must-see sights.
- Santorini: This famous island will forever be popular due to its white-washed houses, blue domes, cliffside village, and caldera views. It’s packed, especially during high season, but it’s totally worth visiting and popular for a reason!
- Crete: Crete is much larger and more relaxed than the other islands. It’s a great destination for history buffs and nature lovers alike. You can find gorges, beaches, and ancient ruins here, plus the slow and easygoing pace of life typically found in the Cyclades.
- Paros: A relaxed little island known for its beaches and charming Old Town. While I personally think Paros isn’t as unique as Milos in terms of geography, Paros totally has that Greek architecture vibe without any of the crowds from Santorini!
