Milos Island: Greece’s Hidden Gem

Often times when we hear about Greek islands, we are bombarded with lists that include the obvious, popular choices like Santorini, Mykonos, and Zakinthos. These are all beautiful islands, but most people aren’t aware that there are literally thousands of Greek islands to choose from. So I’d like to take a little time today to talk about one in particular and give this island some of its due credit.

Milos island-oh where to start?

Exploring Milos island had to be one of the most unusual and interesting adventures I’ve experienced thus far. This was the first Aegean island I’d been to, and it did not disappoint. The island was a conglomeration of colors, history and Greek culture all wrapped into one. I’ve never seen a place with so much variety. Around every corner was another beautiful landscape, flooding with so many colors that, at times, it seemed as if I’d stepped into a whole other island.

Here are a few recommendations if you plan on traveling to Milos:

1. Transportation

If you are planning a trip to Milos (and you definitely should), I would recommend renting either an ATV or a motorbike so that you can get around the island easily. There are countless places to rent from in the port town of Adamas (also referred to as Adamantas). But be warned, many of these places shut down around September/October. During my stay in mid-September, I had planned on renting a 50cc moped. After planning it out and ensuring that it would be available for our use upon arrival, we found that the store had already closed for the season and the owner informed us that, even though he had told us there would be available bikes for us at the time, he was no longer renting. This was a letdown, and we wandered around the city only to find that none of the other stores would even let us rent a 50cc moped without a motorcycle license. So we ended up going with an ATV. This was my first time ever driving an ATV, and the roads can get pretty curvy and high up in the mountains where we stayed. But it gave my husband and I the freedom of transportation throughout the duration of our stay. And, with all said and done, I would definitely consider renting an ATV on our next island trip.

2. Must-See Beaches

Papafragas

My husband and I looked up a list of the most-popular beaches on the island, and wandered around following the lone signs that were far and few between. Among that list was my all-time favorite: Papafragas. I think the reason I enjoyed this area so much was because it was not only one particular beach. You could climb up and down the many winding mountain-ranges with no restriction. There were old mining sites that only added to the mysterious beauty that surrounded the area. The ground had once been covered by molten lava, and you could see how the texture of the Earth changed with every step. There were multiple areas where you could set down a towel and have your own personal beach with a view of the beautiful blue horizon. Being the adventurous person that I am, I was determined to explore as much of the area as I could.

Sarakiniko

And that is exactly why I also fell in love with this next beach: Sarakiniko. Walking around Sarakiniko was like walking on a different planet. Everything suddenly transitioned from colorful peaks and crevices, to a creamy white that melts into the crystal clear waters. The smooth texture of the land gives this area an almost snow-like desert feel. Needless to say, the particularity of this beach makes it stand out from the rest. And the best part is that it is only a short distance from Papafragas!

Kleftiko

Perhaps the most popular and well-renowned beach on the island is one that requires a bit of help to get to. Kleftiko beach is the famous beach of Milos, where actual pirates used to go and hide behind the many large rocks that are scattered throughout the waters. As legend goes, the pirates hid their treasure somewhere on this beach. A treasure that has yet to be found. The only way to get to Kleftiko is by taking one of the many boat tours that are offered in the city of Adamas. There are multiple boats lined up waiting to book customers at the port. These tours are an all-day thing, so make sure to plan your schedule accordingly. The great part about taking the boat tours is that you stop at many different beaches and get to see even more of the island’s beautiful landscape, as well as learn a bit more about the history. My recommendation would be to go! Kleftiko was a unique and beautiful experience. But be warned, this beach doesn’t exactly have a place to sit and lay out. So if you do visit, make sure you know how to swim!

3. Accommodation

During my stay in Milos, I booked a hotel ahead of time using Skyscanner. This way, everything was already paid for when I got there, and I didn’t need to worry about any accommodations.  I stayed at Agia Kyriaki studios with my husband and I cannot say enough about it. These studio apartments were beautiful, high atop a cliff  on a mountain that overlooked the beach. It was in a very secluded area, and at night I’d never seen so many stars in my life. The rooms were well-kept with beautiful Greek-style decor, each room having their own private balcony. And the owners couldn’t have been more helpful! They helped us find our way to the hotel, provided food and drinks for us, ensured that we were comfortable and  dropped us off at the airport when we left. If you like your privacy, and are ok with being a little further from the port, then this is the perfect place for you!

I could go on and on about this island. Bottom line: visit! You wont regret it, and you may just find yourself in love with this mysterious, hidden paradise.