Some Greek islands reveal themselves through their towns. Others are all about finding one beautiful bay and staying there for the day. Milos is different. To really experience it, we think you need both perspectives: see the island from the deck of a yacht, then go ashore and explore its volcanic landscape by car..
Milos owes much of its character to its volcanic origins. White, red, yellow and almost black rock formations surround more than 70 beaches and small coves, alongside sea caves and natural pools. Here, the coastline is not simply the backdrop to your holiday – it is one of the main reasons to come. We spent two days on Milos during our sailing trip through the Cyclades. It was enough to make us want to return, but not nearly enough to see everything. If we were planning the same route today, we would give Milos at least three days.
Sailing from Kythnos to Milos: arriving the right way
We left Kythnos at around 7:00 in the morning and reached Milos at approximately 14:30, after about seven and a half hours at sea. But rather than heading straight into Adamas, we did something that perfectly captures the freedom of travelling around Greece by yacht: we stopped simply because we wanted to. Our first stop was Klima. From the water, this tiny fishing village is instantly recognisable by its row of white houses and brightly coloured doors at sea level. These are the famous syrmata, traditional fishermen’s boat houses that have become one of the most recognisable sights on Milos. We anchored nearby, went for a swim, had lunch and coffee on board, and only then continued towards Adamas. It is moments like this that make a sailing holiday feel so different from travelling around the islands by land. There is no need to check into a hotel before going in search of the sea.
The sea is already part of the journey.
Adamas: a practical base for sailors
Adamas is the main port of Milos and makes a very convenient base for exploring the island. You can replenish provisions, connect to water and electricity, hire a car, have dinner along the waterfront and head back out to sea the following morning. When we visited, two nights in the port, including the water and electricity we used, cost us around €36. Prices and conditions can of course change, so always check the current rates with the port before arrival. We also hired a car for approximately €60 for 24 hours. After visiting Milos ourselves, this is one recommendation we would make without hesitation: if you have at least two days here, combine the yacht with a rental car. Parking immediately around the port can be limited. We found parking near Lagada Hotel, which was still within convenient walking distance of the yacht.
An evening in Plaka: come for the sunset, stay for the atmosphere
Once the yacht was settled in Adamas, we drove up to Plaka, the capital of Milos. Don’t come here expecting a long checklist of monuments. Plaka is much more about atmosphere: whitewashed houses, narrow lanes, bougainvillea spilling over walls, little bars tucked between stairways and occasional glimpses of the Aegean appearing between the buildings. For sunset, head towards Panagia Korfiatissa. The church stands high above the Bay of Adamas, and the open space in front of it offers one of the classic sunset views on Milos. The walk up is fairly steep, so this is one evening when practical shoes win over elegant ones. Comfortable sandals or trainers are a much better choice. Try to arrive well before sunset. It gives you time to wander through Plaka, find your favourite viewpoint and enjoy the changing light without rushing. Then stay for a while. As the sun drops, the white houses take on warmer tones, the sea darkens below and the entire island seems to change character.
Where to eat in Plaka
One place that particularly caught our attention was Archontoula, a Greek restaurant in the old part of Plaka and part of the Aegean Cuisine network. There is one thing worth knowing: go early. When we visited, there was a substantial queue outside. In July and August, Plaka becomes very busy in the evening, so for a restaurant you particularly want to try, either arrive earlier or check whether a reservation is possible. For a drink with a view, Utopia Caffe is another option, with a terrace overlooking the island. Avli-Milos is also a popular choice for Greek food in Plaka.
Kleftiko by yacht: the place that makes sailing to Milos worthwhile
The following morning, we left Adamas at around 8:00–8:30 and sailed towards Kleftiko. If there is one place on Milos where having a yacht completely changes the experience, this is it. White and pale-grey volcanic cliffs rise directly from the sea. Between them are arches, passages and caves, while the colour of the water shifts from deep Aegean blue to almost transparent turquoise. Kleftiko is not somewhere we would recommend rushing through. Arriving early is worthwhile, before the larger number of excursion boats begin to appear later in the day. We anchored our yacht approximately 100–150 metres from the rocks and spent the next few hours enjoying the area from the water. This is a place for snorkelling, swimming, exploring the surrounding seascape and then returning to the boat for coffee with those extraordinary white cliffs in front of you. Water shoes are useful here because the seabed is rocky and there is no conventional wide sandy beach.
An important safety note for sailing around Kleftiko
There is an important point that older Milos sailing guides may not mention. Since November 2023, an official safety restriction has been in place around Kleftiko. Motorised and non-motorised craft are not permitted within 25 metres of the base of the cliffs and rocky islets inside the designated area because of the risk of falling rock. That means some older advice online about taking a SUP or dinghy right into the caves may no longer reflect the current rules. Before visiting, check the latest navigational information, weather, sea state, wind direction and any instructions issued by local authorities. Kleftiko is spectacular, but good seamanship here is not about getting as close to the cliffs as possible. It is about finding a safe position and giving yourself enough time to enjoy the landscape properly.
And that leads to another lesson we took away from Milos: don’t treat Kleftiko as another stop to tick off a list. If necessary, skip one more bay and spend longer here instead.
Sarakiniko: another side of Milos
After Kleftiko, we returned to Adamas, left the yacht and drove to Sarakiniko. This is exactly why we recommend exploring Milos both by sea and by land. If Kleftiko feels like a landscape made to be approached from a yacht, Sarakiniko is somewhere you want to explore on foot. Its almost white volcanic rock has been sculpted by wind and sea into an extraordinary lunar landscape, broken up by narrow inlets and natural pools. It is one of the most recognisable places on Milos.
There is also a safety consideration: the Municipality of Milos warns visitors about the dangers of jumping from the rocks, particularly when sea or weather conditions are unfavourable. Always follow local signs and lifeguard instructions.
What we would add on our next Milos sailing trip
There were three places on the southern coast that remained on our original list: Gerakas, Firiplaka and Tsigrado. We did not have enough time to visit them during this trip, so we would rather not describe them as though we had experienced them ourselves. But they are exactly where we would head next time. Tsigrado is enclosed by high cliffs, while Firiplaka is known for its striking volcanic formations and beach. For us, they are another reason not to squeeze Milos into too tight a sailing itinerary. Our ideal plan for Milos now would be at least three days, with one full day deliberately left open for exploring the southern coastline by yacht.
Evening in Adamas: dinner, provisions and one useful address
After Sarakiniko, there is no real need to plan another elaborate evening. Adamas waterfront comes alive after sunset, with tavernas, restaurants, small shops, beachgoers returning for the evening and crews coming ashore after a day on the water. There are plenty of places to eat, so rather than building your evening around one particular restaurant, we would simply walk along the waterfront and choose somewhere that feels right. There is, however, one address we would remember as sailors: Artemis Bakery. It stays open considerably later than many of the regular shops – currently advertised until around 23:30 – and proved unexpectedly useful during our trip. We were able to buy ice for the yacht there after the grocery shops had already closed. While you’re there, look for karpouzopita, the traditional watermelon pie of Milos. It may not be the most obvious souvenir to take back to the boat, but it is certainly more memorable than another fridge magnet.
What to take for a day sailing around Milos
For a full day on the water, we would pack masks and snorkels, fins, water shoes, plenty of drinking water, a light lunch or ingredients to prepare one on board, and a waterproof phone case. A SUP is also worth having on the yacht, as there are many sheltered bays around Milos where it can be useful. At Kleftiko, however, remember to respect the current 25-metre safety restriction and any local rules in force at the time of your visit. Most importantly, leave space in your schedule. Milos is not an island that works particularly well with an itinerary requiring you to raise anchor every ninety minutes just to reach the next pin on the map.
How many days do you need in Milos?
After our own trip, we would say two full days at the very least – three if your itinerary allows it. Two days give you enough time to experience Kleftiko, Sarakiniko, Plaka, Klima and an evening in Adamas. A third day changes the pace completely. It gives you the freedom to explore more of the southern coastline without turning the island into a race between beautiful places. And that is perhaps the easiest mistake to make on Milos: seeing a long list of spectacular beaches and bays and trying to fit all of them into one trip. On a yacht, we would choose the opposite approach.
Fewer stops. More time in each one.
Because what stays with you after Milos is not the number of places you managed to photograph. It is waking up on the water. The clarity of the sea beneath the hull. Masks and fins drying at the stern. Coffee after a swim. The silence of the boat at anchor. And those pale volcanic cliffs that, only a few hours earlier, were nothing more than another name on the chart.
Why Milos belongs on a Cyclades sailing itinerary
Milos is not an island you can fully understand simply by arriving in its port. Much of what makes it extraordinary lies along the coastline. Its volcanic history has created dozens of bays, beaches, caves and rock formations, and some of the island’s most memorable landscapes are best experienced from the water. But staying exclusively on the yacht would mean missing another side of Milos. There is Plaka turning golden at sunset. The surreal white landscape of Sarakiniko. The lively waterfront of Adamas after dark. Perhaps that is why, after two days here, we did not leave with the feeling that we had seen Milos.
We left thinking: we need to come back – and next time, we won’t rush. Stay at anchor a little longer. Explore the bays we missed the first time. Walk back up through Plaka before sunset. And allow Milos to reveal itself in the way the best Greek islands often do – slowly.
Planning a Sailing Trip to Milos?
Milos is one of those Greek islands that truly comes into its own when explored from the sea. The dramatic cliffs of Kleftiko, secluded coves and extraordinary volcanic coastline make it a rewarding destination for a sailing adventure. The island is a wonderful addition to a longer Cyclades itinerary, offering a memorable mix of sailing and exploring ashore.
Explore our sailing guides and start planning your journey:
- Our Route: Cyclades – Complete Exploration
- Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 Whisper – The Yacht We Explore Greece Aboard
- Explore Our Fleet of Yachts and Catamarans
- Practical Sailing Guide to Greece
- Frequently Asked Questions About Yacht Charter in Greece
Ready to Discover Milos by Yacht?
Thinking about sailing through the Cyclades? Get in touch via WhatsApp or our website’s contact form. We’ll help you find the right yacht, plan an itinerary that suits your travel style and share practical advice from our own sailing experiences in Greece.
With care and love for the sea – Your Sailing To Go.
