Milos has over 70 beaches. That number sounds great until you realise you have four nights and limited annual leave, and you need someone to just tell you which ones are worth the drive.
We went to five beaches across our trip. Some required a car, a hike, and a willingness to run across sharp rocks. Others were easy and busy. One looked like it belonged on another planet.
Here’s the honest rundown – what each beach is actually like, how to get there, and who it suits.
How do you get to the beaches in Milos?
Before the list: transport matters here.
Most of the best beaches in Milos require a car or ATV to reach. The roads are narrow and winding. Some beaches also have a hike at the end, regardless of where you park. The local bus covers a few spots for €2 a ride, but it won’t get you everywhere.
Fair warning: Book your ATV before you arrive. In peak season, rental places sell out fast – and most require a minimum 2-3 day booking. We didn’t book in advance and spent a good chunk of our first morning searching. We ended up in a small car from Milos Cars Rent A Car, which worked fine, but we’d have preferred the ATV.
If you’re planning a beach-heavy trip – and you should be – sort this before you fly.
[LINK: Milos Greece: A 4-Night Itinerary for Couples]
The 5 Best Beaches in Milos Greece
1. Sarakiniko Beach – The one that doesn’t look real
Sarakiniko is the most photographed beach in Milos, and the photos aren’t lying.
The landscape is white volcanic rock, smoothed into curves by centuries of wind and water. It genuinely looks like the surface of the moon. There’s very little sand – you sunbathe on the rock itself, or float in the water when the heat gets too much.
Most people jump off the cliffs here. We did too. The drops are manageable and the water is deep and clear. It’s a proper experience, not just a swim.
The honest caveat: It gets busy. Of all the beaches we visited, this was the most crowded. It’s worth it – but go earlier in the day if you want space.
Getting there: You’ll need a car or ATV. There’s a car park nearby. No major hike required.
Best for: Everyone. First beach of the trip, last beach of the trip – it doesn’t matter. Just go.
2. The quiet rocky beach – Best for privacy
We don’t have an English name for this one. The Greek name is Μονάδα Αφαλάτωσης Μήλου. A friend recommended it specifically for privacy, and they were right.
There’s a descent to reach it – not dangerous, but steep in places. The beach itself is rocky, not sandy. You’ll want to move fast from the shore into the water because it hurts your feet. Once you’re in, though, it’s worth every second of the sprint.
The highlight: small caves tucked around the headland that you can swim through. We had the place almost entirely to ourselves.
This is the kind of beach you tell people about when you get home.
Getting there: Car or ATV required. Hike down to the beach from the car park.
Best for: Couples who want privacy. Not suitable if you have mobility concerns – the descent and the rocky entry are both real challenges.
3. Plathiena Beach – Accessible for everyone
Plathiena is calm, accessible, and the blue of the water hits you the moment you arrive.
There’s no drama here – no cliff jumps, no cave swims, no rock sprints. It’s a straightforward beautiful beach with clear water and a relaxed vibe. It even has a ramp for wheelchair access into the sea, which we thought was a genuinely lovely touch.
We went here on our first proper beach day and it was a great way to ease in. If you’re travelling with people who need easier access, or you just want a low-effort swim, Plathiena is the answer.
Getting there: Car or ATV required.
Best for: Easy beach days, groups with mixed mobility, a gentle first swim on arrival.
4. Fyriplaka Beach – Big and sandy
Fyriplaka is bigger, busier, and wavier than the other beaches on this list.
It’s a proper sandy beach – which actually makes it the odd one out in Milos, where rocky shores and volcanic landscapes dominate. There are cabanas available for hire if you want shade, though we just found a spot on the sand.
The waves were noticeably stronger here than elsewhere. Not dangerous, but worth knowing if you’re expecting the calm, flat water you’ll find at Plathiena or Sarakiniko.
We visited on our last full day and got here by local bus – €2 per ride, no car needed. If you’re doing a low-key beach day without the hire car, Fyriplaka is the most accessible option for a good swim.
Getting there: Accessible by the local bus. €2 per ride.
Best for: Sandy beach days, anyone without a hire car, afternoons when you want waves rather than flat water.
5. Tsigrado Beach – Skip it (or at least check first)
Tsigrado has a reputation. It’s known for having a ladder descent down the cliff face to reach the beach.
We hiked out to have a look. From the top, the water didn’t look great that day. We decided it wasn’t worth the climb and moved on to Fyriplaka instead.
We’re not writing it off entirely – conditions vary, and on a better day it might be a different story. But if you’re already near Fyriplaka, that’s the safer bet. Don’t make Tsigrado your only stop in that part of the island without checking the water from the top first.
Getting there: Car or ATV required. Short hike from the car park to the viewing point and ladder.
Best for: People who’ve already seen the other four and want something different. Not worth a wasted day if conditions aren’t right.
Which beach should you prioritise?
Here’s the short version if you’re short on time:
If you only go to one: Sarakiniko. It’s unlike anything else on the island – or anywhere else we’ve swum.
If you want privacy and an adventure: The quiet rocky beach (Μονάδα Αφαλάτωσης Μήλου). The cave swim alone is worth the hike.
If you want easy and beautiful: Plathiena. No stress, great water, and it’s one of the more accessible beaches on the island.
If you don’t have a hire car: Fyriplaka is reachable by bus and gives you a solid beach day without the logistics.
Practical summary
summary
| Beach | Getting there | Difficulty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarakiniko | Car or ATV | Easy | Everyone – go first |
| Rocky cave beach (Μονάδα) | Car or ATV + hike | Moderate | Privacy, swimmers |
| Plathiena | Car or ATV | Easy | Accessible, relaxed |
| Fyriplaka | Bus or car | Easy | Sandy days, no car |
| Tsigrado | Car or ATV + hike | Moderate | Check conditions first |
What about beaches accessible only by boat?
One of the best beaches we visited wasn’t accessible by land at all.
On our full-day boat cruise around the island, our skipper took a smaller jet boat to reach Papafragas – a beach inside a sea cave that’s officially closed to the public due to falling rock risk. The only way in is by water, with someone who knows the route.
The water colour inside that cave is something we genuinely don’t have a word for. It was the single best moment of the trip.
If you want to experience Milos properly, book the boat cruise. It unlocks beaches and caves the island’s 70-beach count doesn’t even include.
Book the Guided Day Cruise to Kleftiko on GetYourGuide →
[LINK: Milos Greece: A 4-Night Itinerary for Couples]
Planning your full Milos trip? [LINK: Milos Greece: A 4-Night Itinerary for Couples] Deciding between islands? [LINK: Paros or Milos: Which Greek Island is Better for Couples?]
