Your 4-Day Milos Itinerary for The Perfect Idyllic Greek Vacation

This small Greek island is the definition of stunning, with charming villages, incredible food, and some of the best beaches in Greece. The island, part of the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea, is Milos.

I travel a lot, and Milos instantly became one of my favorite places I’ve ever visited. It has that perfect balance of natural beauty and a laid-back atmosphere that makes you instantly fall in love.

What sets Milos apart is just how varied and striking the landscapes are. For such a small island, it’s packed with dramatic cliffs, crystal-clear water, historic windmills, and hidden swimming spots. The beaches here aren’t just beautiful—they’re some of the most unique in Greece, with scenery that feels distinct at every stop.

Even with its growing popularity, Milos still feels welcoming and unhurried. The villages are filled with family-run restaurants serving fresh seafood, and it’s easy to explore without feeling rushed.

Whether you’re hopping between beaches, taking a boat tour, or wandering through the charming streets of Plaka, Milos is the kind of place you won’t want to leave—I know I didn’t.

This is a perfect 4 day Milos itinerary to experience the best of the best on this charming island.

Where to Stay on Milos

Milos has a lot of accommodation options, but one of the most unique and beautiful options is staying in a windmill!

We stayed in one of these windmills and it was honestly pretty epic. The windmill sits in the middle of a whitewashed terrace, with a nice sitting area that overlooks the sea and the church in Trypiti.

There are three levels in the windmill, a sitting area on the bottom, then two bedrooms on the levels above. An outbuilding has the most charming kitchen and bathroom.

It’s truly an incredible property with convenient proximity to some of the best spots on the island. I can’t recommend it enough!

Check prices and availability for the windmill guesthouse here

Milos Day 1

Morning: Papafragas Beach

Papafragas Beach may be small, but it’s easily one of the most unique swimming spots in Milos and a great way to start your visit to the island.

Tucked at the end of a narrow, cliff-lined channel, it almost feels like a secret hideaway, with steep rock walls enclosing a tiny stretch of sand.

The sandy beach is small, but you can swim through the main channel, or weave through the narrow passageways that lead to caves and hidden inlets. The whole area is a maze of rocky cliffs, making it a great place to explore.

Getting to the Beach: Getting to the beach is a little tricky. You’ll need to park on the side of the road, and the parking isn’t very obvious (location here).

Then you’ll walk around and over the cliff, and then down a steep, narrow, and carved path into the rock to reach the beach. The final descent is sandy and slippery, but you should be fine as long as you go carefully and keep your center of gravity low.

There is a sign that says “keep out,” right before the descent to the beach, but most people carefully make their way down anyway. As long as you take your time, it’s well worth the effort.

Afternoon: Sarakiniko Beach

Sarakiniko is a must-visit on your first day in Milos. It’s one of the most unique beaches in all of Europe and often described as having a moonlike landscape, thanks to the smooth white rock formations stretching far in both directions. There’s no sand here, just bright white stone shaped by wind and waves.

The long, turquoise channel lined with white cliffs is perfect for swimming—calm, clear, shallow, and protected from waves. It’s seriously the perfect place to just relax and enjoy the water. Just behind the shallow beach entry, you’ll find small caves to explore.

If you walk a bit farther, you’ll reach the famous cliff jumping spot, where a curved white ledge drops into deep water. The nice thing about this ledge is that there are different heights along the rim, whether you prefer a shorter jump, or feel daring enough to jump off the high ledge.

Cliff jumping has always been one of those things that really freaks me out, so I’ve pretty much avoided it entirely. But something about the clear, turquoise Mediterranean water was so enticing, so, for the first time, I actually worked up the nerve to jump in—off the lower ledge, of course! I’m not a maniac!

A Few Tips for Visiting

• Sarakiniko is popular, and the small parking lot fills up early. No worries, you can just park on the side of the road leading down to the beach.
• Most visitors come in the morning, but by mid-afternoon, the crowds start to thin out.
• There aren’t many amenities here, but if you need a break, a small stand near the parking lot sells drinks and snacks.

Sunset at Windmill

One of the many things we loved about staying at our windmill was the insane view we had for sunset. The windmill is set on a slightly elevated spot on the island, so we were overlooking the town of Tripiti, with the sea and horizon behind it.

I LOVED how the perfectly white church was in the foreground, with the colorful sky behind it. Lounging on our private, whitewashed deck, lazily watching the sunset over the sea, was the *perfect* way to end the day on Milos.

Milos Day 2

Head Out On a Sailing Cruise Around Milos

If there’s one experience you shouldn’t skip, it’s a full-day boat cruise around Milos.

Spending the day out on the water, sailing past towering cliffs, hidden coves, and crystal-clear turquoise water, was one of the absolute highlights of my time in Greece. The relaxed vibe, incredible scenery, and multiple swim stops made for an unforgettable day.

We met our hosts—a friendly Greek-French couple who own and operate the sailboat—at the dock before heading out with the small group of other guests by dinghy to the boat. From the start, they made us feel like old friends, welcoming us with fresh drinks as we lounged on deck under the warm sun.

Throughout the day, we cruised between swim spots in protected coves jumping off the boat into calm, turquoise water, using the snorkel gear and pool noodles on board.

Then we’d climb back on board, eat some of the delicious breakfast, snacks, or lunch prepared fresh on board for us, and sail off to the next location. It was seriously the definition of idyllic.

Usually, the cruise goes out to Kleftiko and Sikia caves, two gorgeous areas full of white limestone cliffs and sea caves. However, because of rough winds and seas on that side of the island (a fairly common occurence in August), we had to adjust our route, skipping Kleftiko and Sikia.

I was really happy that the cruise was adjusted and not just outright cancelled, and that we still got to visit some beautiful, alternate cliffs and sea caves on a neighboring island.

Suffice it to say, if you’re visiting Milos, booking a boat cruise should be at the top of your list.

Check prices and availability for this boat cruise here

Milos Day 3

Morning: Plaka

Plaka, the capital of Milos, is a charming hillside town filled with whitewashed houses, colorful doors, and vibrant flowers cascading down the sides of buildings. The narrow, stone-paved streets are perfect for wandering, with cute boutiques, local artisan shops, and some of the best restaurants on the island.

It’s worth spending a couple of hours here—visit the church, explore the winding alleyways, take dozens of pictures, and stop for a meal with a view.

Afternoon: Venus de Milos

The Venus de Milo is one of the most famous statues in the world—and it was discovered right here on Milos!

In 1820, a farmer digging in his field uncovered the now-iconic sculpture, which was later gifted to the King of France and is displayed in the Louvre. Though the statue was found in Greece, it has always been known by its Roman name, Venus, rather than Aphrodite, the Greek equivalent.

A replica of the statue (labeled Aphrodite here) stands along the roadside in Tripiti. From there, it’s a short 200-meter walk to the discovery site, which sits near a historic amphitheater overlooking the sea.

It’s a quick stop, but we really enjoyed learning about and exploring at this historic site.

Afternoon: Klima

Klima is a small fishing village on the coast, known for its row of colorful, waterfront houses. Traditionally, fishing families lived upstairs while storing their boats and equipment in the garage-like spaces below.

Today, most of these houses are rented out to tourists, with guests able to open the doors and relax right by the water. It’s a quiet, picturesque spot that feels straight out of a postcard.

Astakas Restaurant is a great option in Klima, with tables set up right along the water. They don’t do reservations, so if there’s a wait, just put your name down and wander through the village (but there was no wait at 6 p.m. when we came).

If you’re interested in visiting other traditional fishing villages, Mandrakia or Firopotamos are two charming options with a similar vibe.

Evening: Sunset at Plaka Castle

Having explored Plaka earlier in the day you’ll now head up to the castle that sits on a hill above the town. The castle is actually totally gone and just a small building remains—but you get insane 360° views over the entire island and sea from here.

You can watch the sunset in the western sky, and then turn to the east to see the towns and landscapes lit up beautifully in the glowing light.

A Few Tips:

• Prepare for a bit of a climb up to the castle – it takes 10-15 minutes and is up staircases the entire way. It’s worth it though!
• Plan to be up at the castle at least 30 minutes before sunset to fully appreciate the sky and colors.
• You’ll need to park at the Plaka parking lot at the base of the village, and then walk up into the village, and from there, up to the castle.

Day 4

Morning: Provatas Beach

Start your last day in Milos with a relaxing morning at Provatas Beach, one of the most laid-back and beautiful beaches on the island.

The soft, golden sand stretches along the coast, leading to calm, shallow water that’s crystal clear with a gorgeous seafoam green hue. There are no rocks or seaweed here—just smooth sand and gentle waves, making it perfect for a stress-free swim.

There’s a beach club where you can rent loungers and umbrellas for 25 euros per bed, with beachside service. But if you prefer to just throw down a towel, there’s plenty of open space on the free public side. Even in mid-August, the beach never felt crowded.

There’s a tiny parking lot right next to the beach, otherwise, you may need to park a little farther up the road and walk down.

Mid-Afternoon: Plathiena Beach

Spend your final evening on Milos at Plathiena Beach, a quiet, scenic stretch of sand tucked between rocky cliffs. The cliffs help protect the bay from waves, keeping the water calm and crystal clear. The beach has sunbeds for rent, but there’s also plenty of space if you want to set up your own spot.

I’d recommend getting here mid to late afternoon so you have a couple hours to enjoy the beach before sunset.

At first, the beach might not seem as inviting as some of the others—the sand is on the pebbly side, and the first few feet in the water are a little rocky. But once you get past that initial stretch, the bottom turns to soft sand, and the water stays incredibly shallow for a long way out. It’s perfect for just floating and relaxing in the warm Mediterranean.

Plathiena is also one of the best sunset spots on the island. As the sun sinks lower, the cliffs glow, and the sky turns shades of pink and orange. If you stay a little longer after most people leave, you’ll get to enjoy the peaceful evening light with the beach nearly to yourself.

This is truly the perfect way to end your time on Milos.

Great Restaurants on Milos

We seriously loved every single meal we ate on Milos—all the food was fresh and perfectly prepared. I can highly recommend:

• The Mine Bar in Plaka
• Astakas in Klima
• Nama in Pollonia
• Okto on Trypiti

Map of Attractions in Milos

The Wrap Up

There are so many fantastic reasons why Milos makes the perfect Greek vacation destination, and this 4-day itinerary gives you the best of the best on the island. I hope you love it as much as I did!