Milos Travel Guide: How Many Days You Need, Getting There, Renting a Car & Boat Day Tips

If you’re planning a trip to Milos, this guide will go over everything you need to know, from how many days you need, how to get there, getting around, and tips for navigating all that this beautiful island has to offer.

Milos was our favorite island. It has some of the best beaches, an amazing coastline, adorable fishing villages, and unique scenery like Sarakiniko. It’s a classic Greek island.

How Many Days You Need in Milos

We spent 5 full days in Milos. This was the perfect amount of time for us, giving us plenty of time to explore, get beach days in, and go boating. We did get a bit unlucky with the weather, we had strong north winds in mid-October, so if it wasn’t for that, we would have been able to do even more.

If you get good weather, which you very likely will, I’d recommend at least 4–5 full days. This gives you time for a boat day (which is a must), exploring fishing villages, beach days at Fyriplaka, Tsigrado, and Paleochori, cliff jumping at Sarakiniko, dinners and sunsets in towns like Plaka, Adamas, and Pollonia, and even some history or mining spots if that interests you.

Check out my blog on the best things to do and where to eat in Milos.

Best Time to Visit Milos

The peak months in Europe are June, July, and August, especially July and August. This is when places are the busiest and most expensive, and it will also be VERY hot.

June and September are, in my opinion, perfect months to visit the Greek islands. September will be a bit less busy than June.

May could also be a good option, but you may be pushing your luck with the weather, and the sea may be colder.

We went in October, toward the end of the season, since it was our honeymoon. We were in Greece from roughly October 9th–23rd, putting us in Milos around mid-October. We had very strong north winds, which made some spots unswimmable, and Mandrakia (where we stayed) was very windy. It also gets a bit colder, and toward the end of the month, businesses start closing. We experienced this even more in Paros, which was our last island stop.

If I went back to Greece, I’d probably choose June or September. If you do go in October, aim for early in the month.

How to Get to Milos (Flight vs Ferry)

How you get to Milos depends on where you’re coming from. At the start of your trip, you’ll likely be flying into Athens. If Milos is your first stop, you can either take a short flight or a ferry (about 4–6 hours depending on the company).

Personally, I’d recommend flying if you’re coming straight from a long international flight, you probably won’t want to sit on a long ferry right after.

If you’re coming from another island, definitely take the ferry. It’s usually cheaper than flying.

I recommend using Ferryhopper to search routes and book ferries.

Tip: If you’re taking the ferry, grab some ginger pills from a local pharmacy, they really help with seasickness. The rides can be rough, and the sea was pretty choppy when we went.

For reference, we flew into Athens, took a short flight (about 30 minutes) to Santorini, then ferried to Milos, then Paros, and finally back to Athens.

If you are heading to other islands in Greece, check out my blog on 2 weeks in Greece.

How to Get Around Milos (Car vs ATV)

The best way to get around Milos is by renting a car or ATV. I definitely recommend renting a car since there’s so much to see, and you’ll want the freedom to explore at your own pace. There isn’t much reliable public transportation on the island.

We rented a car through Milos Rent Cars, super easy and fast, and I’d definitely recommend them.

A lot of roads in Milos are gravel or a bit rough, so keep that in mind. An ATV could also work, but I don’t think it would be the most comfortable option for getting around the entire island, although we did see people doing it.

We had a small car, and it worked perfectly fine.

Boat Day in Milos: Renting a Boat vs Boat Tour

A boat day in Milos is an absolute MUST. Cruising along the coastline, exploring caves, swimming in the sea, and visiting spots like Kleftiko that you can’t easily reach by land. Experiencing Milos from the water will be one of the best days of your trip.

Whether you rent a boat or take a tour depends on your comfort level, budget, and who you’re traveling with.

Renting a Boat in Milos

This ended up being our only option since all the boat tours were canceled due to the north winds. It was still safe, but the companies were concerned about people getting seasick.

So, we decided to rent a boat, and it was SO worth it. Even though we only had it for a few hours (since everyone else was trying to do the same thing), it ended up being one of our favorite experiences.

Renting a boat was fairly easy. There are plenty of local companies, and the process isn’t too complicated. We had four people, my husband had driven a boat a few times, and another guy hadn’t really driven one before, but the owner walked us through everything: how to drive, anchor, safety protocols, and where to go.

If you’ve driven a boat at least once before, you’ll likely be fine.

Renting gives you the flexibility to explore at your own pace and spend as much time as you want in each spot. It felt so freeing cruising along the coast of Milos with friends we had just met, we had an absolute blast.

I’d recommend renting a boat if you’re comfortable doing so and especially if you’re with a group. It makes the experience more fun and helps split the cost, since renting is typically more expensive than a boat tour.

If you’re adventurous you’ll definitely love renting a boat.

Taking a Boat Tour in Milos

We’ve done plenty of boat tours over the years, and they’re always a great time. This is definitely the easiest option, you can book through Get Your Guide, and most tours are full-day experiences, which is a big plus.

Boat tours are typically more affordable and ideal for those who don’t feel comfortable driving a boat or just don’t want the responsibility. They’re also great for couples or solo travelers.

Most tours include multiple stops, and many provide drinks and food on board. Everything is organized for you, so you can just relax and enjoy the day without thinking about logistics.

No matter which option you choose, renting a boat or taking a tour, you’re going to have an amazing time. Just go with what feels right for you and fits your budget.