Beautiful Villages To Visit In Milos Greece

As a humble little island in the Aegean Sea, Milos holds many charms. People flock to it to lounge on its beaches, sample grilled octopus and explore its striking white villages. Navigate your way around Milos’ villages with our handy guide.

The Greek island of Milos is frequently overlooked in favour of its glamorous neighbours, Santorini and Mykonos. However, there’s plenty to see and do. Expect 70 extraordinarily varied beaches – from the moonscape of Sarakiniko Beach to the sandy shores of Plathiena – alongside historical catacombs, labyrinthine streets and a centuries-old amphitheatre. Read on to discover the prettiest villages in Milos.

1. Adamas

Building

Adamantas Adamas harbor town of Milos island, Greece

If you’re visiting Milos, chances are you’ve arrived at the port in Adamas – but there’s so much to see besides that. Hire a car and have a quick whizz around the island, before checking out the cool, if slightly eerie, art museum that’s housed in a former bomb shelter. Then walk around the port, past Lagada Beach and up towards the Adamas lighthouse, and you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Milos Bay.

2. Sarakiniko

Natural Feature

Sarakiniko’s bone-white volcanic rock formations give its beaches an otherworldly beauty. It’s a popular place for cliff-diving, if you’re brave enough, with ledges up to 3m (10ft) high. Watching the sunset should be on every visitor’s agenda, as the cliffs take on an orange tinge. Then, make the steep climb up to Taverna Agali, where the fresh fish is legendary.

4. Plaka

Guesthouse, Apartment

The capital of Milos, Plaka sits atop the island’s highest hill. Deliberately designed like a maze to confuse pirates, those same alleyways are now the ideal place to get wonderfully lost. Wander around and treat yourself to an artisan souvenir. Four of Milos’ museums are in Plaka – all are fairly small, so you can learn about the island’s culture in an afternoon. Kri Kri Snack Bar is a great place for cocktails and live music in the summer.

5. Tripiti

Ruins

Plaka views past a renovated windmill in Tripiti village, Milos Island, Cyclades, Greece. Image shot 06/2009. Exact date unknown.

Another hillside village, Tripiti is best known for its row of carefully renovated windmills. If you’re looking for more unusual digs, some of these can be hired out as holiday accommodation. Take a walk around the underground catacombs, which were first built in 1844 and used as Christian cemeteries in Roman times. Next, stroll through the nearby ruins of the ancient theatre of Milos, which is still used by locals for cultural events.

6. Pollonia

Architectural Landmark

Loved by families and travellers alike, Pollonia is a beautiful fishing village where peace and tranquility is definitely the vibe. Despite its compact size, it’s jam-packed with bustling cafes, restaurants and tavernas which line the seaside road, plus a long, sandy beach. If you’re a wine lover, be sure to check out Kostantakis Cave. It might be the only winery on Milos, but it’s a good one – book a short tour and tasting session.

7. Zefiria

Natural Feature

tavern Petrino, Zefiria, Milos Island, Greece, Milos, Cyclades, Greece, Europe

The huge church of Panagia Portiani dominates the landscape of Zefiria, the former capital of Milos. The restaurant Grocery Zikos offers great views of it, so grab a souvlaki and one of their notoriously strong coffees and soak it all in. The village itself was built by the Venetians, but was left abandoned after a huge earthquake in 1767. Now it’s a small agricultural village known for its yearly festival in mid-August.

To explore more of Greece, check out the best hotels in Paxos, and the best hotels in Astypalea. These are bookable with Culture Trip. During your stay, explore the best things to do in Zakynthos, and relax on the best beaches near Athens. Make sure you also book a table at at least one of the best restaurants in Oia to sample some delicious Greek cuisine.

This is an updated rewrite of an article by Isabel Leong.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.