milos
Milos was the island we were most excited about prior to our arrival and was hands down our favorite from the entire trip. Forbes called it “The Solange of the Greek Islands” and they’re not wrong—the cool, lesser-known, just as beautiful younger sister of Santorini. I had such an unrealistically long list of things I wanted to do and see on Milos and maybe got a quarter of the way through it. How could one island be packed with so much beauty? The landscape is dramatic and gorgeous and the people are so friendly. PLUS, we got to stay inside of a historic windmill which was just as cool (and creepy) as it sounds.
On our first night we visited the small fishing village of Klima where we met Ourania the trinket shop owner and her feline companion Fatty who, despite being blind, knows exactly how to make its way to the shop every day. We enjoyed some seaside drinks at Astakas and then made our way to Firopotamos Beach where we were completely alone to explore the unattended church, rock arch, and gaze into the calm aqua waters. From here we ended up in Plaka and enjoyed some food and drink at Fatses Cafe which was an awesome outdoor cafe run by a 6 foot 7 Rastafarian blasting reggae and serving up delicious pizzas and warm Mastiha.
The next morning we ventured out to our full-day “Discover Milos” boat tour with Polco Sailing which was our favorite activity of the entire trip. Our captain and first mate, Yannis and Loukas, showed us the BEST time touring over half the island. With a bit of dark gloomy skies for the start of the cruise, the sun came out in full force by the time we got our first chance to swim. We passed the Catacombs and Klima, then explored the Kleftiko and Sykia caves in small rafts, getting to dive and swim in the crystal blue waters. The entire time we were enjoying ouzo, wine, and beer, greek salad, and fresh-cut fruits. Loukas even made us all spaghetti bolognese—who knew boat spaghetti could taste so good! We got to swim and sunbathe and lounge in hammocks and it was heaven. I highly recommend Polco to anyone heading to Milos, in fact our friends went a couple months later and also had Loukas as a guide. We ended the night in Adamantas grabbing a quick bite at Marianna and wandering the streets during sunset.
The next day we ventured out to Pollonia, Papafragkas Beach, and Sarakíniko Beach, each increasing in beauty. Papafragkas was a gorgeous swimming cave with a small patch of beach. The boys enjoyed a nice swim into some underwater tunnels and out past the main opening. From there we landed on the moon beach of Milos which was every bit enchanting as it seems on the ‘gram. We rock-tanned, swam a ton, walked the scratchy lunar landscape, and the boys did some cliff jumping. It was very crowded and I can’t imagine how much more so it would be in high season. We ended the day at Sirocco Cafe for dinner where we enjoyed volcanic food on Paleochori Beach. I loved Sarakíniko so much that I went back early the next morning before our last ferry when only four other people were out with me to capture some photos with less people in the background. I can’t stress enough how gratifying it is to see any place when people aren’t around!
I am OBSESSED with Milos and could go on for hours but instead I think you should just see it for yourself ASAP!