The volcanic island of Milos, like uber-famous Santorini just a little to the east, is based around a large volcanic crater and is surrounded by beautiful rock formations and rugged coastal landscapes. It is known for the exquisitely carved Venus de Milo, a statue that’s now located in the Louvre, Paris. On top of that, the isle boasts dramatic sea caves and white-tinged cliffs of alabaster stone.
Tempted? Us too! Check out our guide to where to stay in Milos, Greece…There are stacks of enticing hotels on the menu, that’s for sure. Lots are located in the vibrant port area of Adamantas. Others are in the ancient villages that top the hillsides on the more accessible east side of the island. You’ll also get some gorgeous beach hotels on the north and south coasts that have prime access to the iconic coves that continue to put Milos on the covers of travel brochures.
When choosing where to stay in Milos, Greece, you have to take into account that a large part of the western portion of the island simply can’t be reached with a rental car. The roads there are rough tracks that are only suited to 4X4s. Don’t worry, though, there will be ample opportunities to explore that area by foot, ATV, or – better yet – boat. What’s more, the bulk of the tourism outfitters and tavernas are in the east, so that’s generally the better place to bed down.
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Arco Solium Suites
The Arco Solium Suites is based in Adamas (also known as Adamantas), the main town on the island. We’d say it’s an all-round excellent choice of hotel and location. Adamas can be reached by ferry from neighboring Cycaldes islands, and it a very handsome place – think traditional Greek cubist homes painting in shocking white on a steep hillside. It features a picturesque waterfront promenade packed full of attractions such as cafés, bars, shops, restaurants, and ice-cream parlors. Its sandy beaches are only a quick stroll away and boat trips to its otherwise inaccessible coves are very popular.
We’d say Arco Solium Suites is the perfect stay for a loved-up duo looking for something romantic. The establishment received an average score of 9.0 for a couple’s trip on Booking.com. We can see why. Some of its best suites have sun-splashed terraces with thatched shade givers and al fresco hot tubs. Inside, the rooms are a mix of chic modernism and Cycladic rusticity, mingling adobe walls with natural driftwoods to great effect.
Vesleme
The highly-rated Vesleme guest house is an obvious choice when deciding where to stay in Milos, Greece. We’d say it’s particularly good for visitors who are mainly interested in seeing the stunning beaches and bays of the north coast. That’s becuase the hotel is just a stone’s throw back from the gleaming white-walled coves of Papafragas Caves, while idyllic Sarakiniko Beach (probably the most famous snorkel spot on the island) is just a short drive down the coast.
Vesleme itself is a midrange option at heart. It strips away all the bells and whistles to offer a homey, welcoming, but consistently affordable place to stay. You’ll find that the interiors have a touch of old-school Greek island character to them – tiled floors, glazed wood beds, stone-built furnishings. All that should come at just a fraction of the cost of the four- and five-star establishments elsewhere on Milos. Oh, and we’ve not even mentioned the biggest draw yet. That’s got to the be the view. The balcony rooms here offer sweeping panoramas of the north coast, with the Aegean Sea lapping against the rocks literally meters from your bed.
Galini
Galini is another north-coast stay that’s got stacks of local Cycladic character. It’s hidden up between the dusty scrub ridges just back from the cinnamon-tinged sands of Agia Eirini Beach. However, we’d say the best bit of shoreline here is just a little to the west (still within 20 minutes’ walking of the hotel), down on the white-sand bay of Mytakas Beach, where the sands take on a shimmering white hue and the snorkeling is second to none.
From the outside, Galini is designed like a classic Cycladic country home. It’s set over two levels with whitewashed walls and a series of wooden terraces that occasionally open to offer wide views of the Milos interior or the north shoreline. The rooms carry on the vibe by offering simple, tiled floors, and alcoves filled with earthy Orthodox icons. However, the piece de resistance here has to be the on-site restaurant. It’s every inch a proper Greek taverna, with home-cooked foods in the form of grilled sardines, gyros kebabs, fried cheese pastries – the list goes on and on.
Psaravolada Hotel
The Psaravolada Hotel Milos whisks us over to the south coast of the island. This is a whole other world to the white-stone bays of the northeast. Here, the cliffs lurch up out of the Aegean to give impenetrable walls of volcanic stone with little coves beneath. It’s a great place to aim for if you’re looking for that Santorini experience but without the price tag.
There’s some Santorini luxury on offer from this pad, though. White-painted walls open to balconies that have 180-degree views of the Aegean going southwards. The rooms are stunningly decorated with boho-chic touches – think industrial dangling lamps here, rattan wardrobes there – and capped off with an overarching nod to the traditional look of the Cyclades. All have air conditioning. All have Wi-Fi.
You should know that the south coast is a much remoter and quiet affair. It’s a great choice for couples who want to escape the crowds and beach bums who want to explore hidden bays. Talking of hidden bays….Agia Kyriaki Beach is just down the cliffs from here. It’s hardly a cinch to get to but the reward is a sea cave filled with turquoise water and a run of pebbly sand backed by a precipitous headland.
Piazza Castello
This guest house is located in Plaka Milou, a picturesque old settlement based on the high volcanic rock slopes. It has a lovely castle, which is set on the highest point of the village and offers gorgeous sunset viewing lookout points. The village is also a charming web of narrow lanes sometimes hit with shocks of pink bougainvillea. Oh, and it’s the most historic part of the island, home to an incredible amphitheatre and old catacombs cut into the earth.
The hotel itself is your ticket to living like a real local. In a traditional Greek mansion, it sprawls through a series of interior suites and opens onto big terraces that jumble over and atop each other to offer different views of the village and the island. We’d say it’s a midrange choice because the vibe is simple but homey, and the price tag can be very attractive. The nearest main beach is in Firopotamos to the north.
Blue Sea House
It’s almost impossible to get closer to the water than with a stay at this old fishing cottage. Blue Sea House is located in Klima, a town that most people wondering where to stay in Milos, Greece, will have heard of. It’s a dazzling seaside village with a certain fairy tale charm. It’s hard not to be enamored by its beauty and rustic looks, especially as the incredible beaches of Tourkothalassa, Mandrakia, and Sarakiniko are just around the corner.
The place itself is a private house rental that can sleep up to six people at once. It centers on a single living space that has big wooden doors that fling open to reveal the sloshing waters of the Aegean Sea right outside. There’s also a compact kitchenette and a tight-knit dining area. Upstairs, the master bedroom is a cozy affair that opens onto a blue-painted balcony with its own view of the sea.
Sea Sun Sand Studios
Sea Sun Sand Studios sits up in the hills just a stone’s throw from uber-enchanting Plaka village and the soaring Venetian castle that goes with it. It’s a quiet but romantic stay, offering just a few studios that are probably best suited to solo travelers or couples looking for something romantic that won’t break the bank.
All of the suites have recently been refurbed to offer an easy-on-the-eye look of proper Greek design. That means whitewashed walls with hints of sky blue, wooden furnishings, and marine-inspired art. The studio rental also offers its own self-catering facilities in the form of a fitted kitchenette. Surely the best feature is the balcony, though. That has dangling egg chairs and lazy deck chairs with panoramic views of the western mountains and the coast.
Volcano Luxury Suites Milos
Get ready to be pampered: The Volcano Luxury Suites really do live up to their name. Clutching the clifftops around gorgeous Paliochori on the south coast, this stylish hotel channels a touch of the boho character you find in Santorini, Rhodes, and even Bali. It fuses that with some seriously jaw-dropping vistas of the coast to create a hotel you certainly won’t forget in a hurry.
The highlights are many. First off, the best rooms offer their own outdoor Jacuzzi bath. Bathe in those to enjoy visions of the rock-ribbed southern shoreline as the sun sets. Then there’s the on-site wellness center, which has a sauna and exercise room for those early morning steam and cycling sessions.
The food is also worth a mention. Breakfast spreads run the gamut from fresh Greek yoghurt and honey to fried eggs and filling meat cuts. That’s the perfect start to the day, but give it some time to digest before making the short walk to Paralia Paleochori (the main beach here), a land of clear snorkeling waters and red-tinged cliffs.
Hotel Glaronissia Rooms & Suites
This hotel is situated on the central road of Pollonia, a relaxed little village on the north-west side of Milos. It’s the perfect option for those who prefer to escape the bustle of the port crowds in favor of something way quieter and calmer. AKA – it’s perfect for families, honeymooners, or nature lovers.
The highly rated hotel gets plaudits for its uber-friendly staff. They give a warm, Greek welcome to all guests, backed up by fresh breakfast spreads of fresh watermelon, local honey and yoghurt, crispy breads and strong coffee in the morning. All that’s served up on the breezy dining terrace, which has open windows with views of the distant hills of Kimolos, a totally untrodden island that you can visit if you like – it lies over the strait and is mainly accessible by local boat taxi from Pollonia port.
The other great draw of Hotel Glaronissia is that large pool. It’s shared between all guests but is the perfect place to unwind after long days of beach hopping and sailing around Milos. There’s also a big, flower-filled garden that’s dotted with relaxing bowers for those who simply want to get lost in a book.
The conclusion: Where to stay in Milos, Greece?
This guide offers a whole range of options when it comes to picking where to stay in Milos, Greece. From romantic honeymoon hotels on the remote south coast of the island to midrange B&Bs that won’t upend the travel fund, we’ve gone for a good mix of places that should take care of most travelers. Of course, there are oodles more options on top of that. Booking.com reveals that the island hosts nearly 500 individual stays. Just remember that many will shut down for the low season and only open between May and November, which is when most travelers start thinking about where to stay in Milos, Greece.
Where is the best area in Milos for nightlife?
Milos isn’t really the island to go for if you’re after nightlife. Places like Ios or Mykonos are close by and they’re much livelier. That said, there is some nightlife in Milos, mainly centered around the ferry port town of Adamantas, where sunset bars string the promenade and a few places will go on until about midnight.
Where is the best area in Milos for couples?
If you’re wondering where to stay in Milos, Greece, as a couple, then we think there’s no better area than the far northeast coast. That’s home to the stunning beaches of Sarakiniko and Papafragas, but also close to the idyllic fishing village of Klima. The southwest coast of the island around Paralia Paleochori is also a great option, mainly because it has plenty of very stylish luxury hotels.
Where is the best area in Milos for beaches?
That’s got to be the northeast shoreline, which runs from Paralia Firopotamos all the way to the Papafragas Caves. The whole area is a wonderworld of carved, white-stone cliffs that occasionally open onto sweeps of pearly sands and turquoise seas. There are also some fantastic bays with red-rock cliffs on the south coast, but they tend to be a little more inaccessible.