4 Jaw-Dropping Beaches on Milos That Will Convince You To Visit This Greek Paradise

Milos is a small Greek island in the Cyclades, famous for its volcanic landscapes, crystal-clear waters, charming villages, and incredibly unique beaches. The island’s dramatic cliffs and unusual rock formations create stunning swimming spots, from hidden coves to bright turquoise channels carved into the rock.

Some beaches are perfect for lounging on soft sand, while others are all about adventure, with sea caves to explore and cliffs to jump from. Whether you’re after calm, shallow waters or a rugged, otherworldly setting, Milos has a beach for it.

I seriously cannot tell you how much I loved exploring Milos and experiencing her gorgeous beaches. The island quickly became one of my favorite travel destinations ever, and the beaches were a big part of that.

While there are plenty of great options, these four beaches stood out as the most unforgettable ones in Milos.

4 Unbelievably Beautiful Beaches on Milos

1. Papafragas Beach

Papafragas Beach is a small strip of sand tucked at the end of a narrow cliff-lined channel, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in sheer cool factor. The beach sits at the base of steep rock walls, almost feeling like a secret hideaway.

You can swim through the main channel or weave through narrow passageways that lead to neighboring caves and inlets—the whole area is a maze of rocky cliffs, creating endless little spots to explore.

Do be warned that the approach to the beach is a little sketchy—there’s a sign saying to “keep out” but everyone just goes past it (so you are going at your own risk). You have to walk down a narrow, sandy path carved into the rock wall to reach the beach.

Going down is harder than going up, but as long as you go slow, be careful, and keep your center of gravity low you should be fine.

2. Provatas Beach

Provatas Beach felt like the epitome of the absolute *perfect* beach. Seriously, I could come back here over and over and over.

A long stretch of soft, clean sand leads to a gently sloping shoreline where the water stays comfortably shallow for a good distance. The water is crystal clear with a gorgeous seafoam green hue, and the sandy bottom is completely free of rocks or seaweed. The calm, nearly wave-free water made for an incredibly relaxing swim.

There’s a beach club where you can rent loungers and umbrellas for 25 euros per bed, complete with beachside service (where you can enjoy some of that delicious Greek cuisine). But if you’d rather set up your own spot, there’s plenty of space on the free public side of the beach, and the beach never felt crowded.

Even at the height of the summer season in mid-August, the crowds were surprisingly moderate.

Finally, there’s a teeny tiny parking lot right next to the beach, but most people just park on the side of the road approaching the coast.

3. Plathiena Beach

Plathiena Beach is a great beach on Milos for several reasons, but it makes this list first and foremost because it’s an incredible spot to watch the sunset.

Other great things about this beach include cute sunbeds for rent and the rocky cliffs by the shore that help keep the water protected and calm.

Now I will say, the sand on the beach was more on the pebbly side, with a few bigger rocks mixed in. When we first arrived, we weren’t so sure about this beach, to be honest. The fact that the first 10 feet in the water was also pretty rocky didn’t help that feeling.

But once you get past the first little bit, the bottom turns to soft sand, and the water stays very shallow for an impressively long distance—we went super far out, and it was still barely up to our knees. We ended up loving this beach.

Relaxing in the calm water as the sun set, then lingering until almost dark—long after most people had left—while the sky glowed with color was an unforgettable experience.

4. Sarakiniko Beach

Sarakiniko Beach is easily one of the most iconic beaches in Greece and one of the most unique beaches in Europe. Its otherworldly, moon-like landscape stretches far in both directions from the main beach, with smooth white rock formations that feel almost whimsical.

The long, turquoise channel lined with white rocks is the perfect place to swim—calm, clear, and protected, with plenty of space. Right behind the main entrance to the zero-entry beach, you’ll find little caves to wander through, adding to the sense of adventure.

If you walk a bit farther, you’ll reach the cliff jumping spot—a curved white cliff dropping into deep, clear water. There is both a shorter ledge and a higher ledge depending on your level of daring.

Sarakiniko is popular, and the tiny parking lot fills up early, but most people seem to come first thing in the morning. By mid-afternoon, the crowds noticeably thin out, making the second half of the day a great time to visit.

There’s plenty of space to spread out and enjoy, and if you need a refreshment, there’s a small stand near the parking lot selling drinks and snacks.

The Wrap Up

Greece has some of the most incredible beaches in the world, and Milos has more than its share of these sandy slices of paradise. Whether you are looking for soft sand and relaxation, or cliffs, caves, and adventure, Milos has the beach for you.