1. CLIFF JUMP AT SARAKINIKO BEACH

The number one reason I planned a trip to Milos Island was to cliff jump at the moonscape beach. Sarakiniko is the most famous beach on the island due to its sparkling blue water and smooth white volcanic rock formations. The beach spans a wide coastline and is equipped with shallow water for paddling and deep areas for diving – whatever your vibe, Sarakiniko has you covered!

2. WATCH THE SUNSET FROM PLAKA CASTLE

There is not a more heavenly experience than swinging your legs over the ledge of an ancient castle and watching the sun sink into the Aegean Sea. The highest vantage point on Milos Island is from the walls of the Venetian castle. Plaka itself is a beautiful town that deserves an entire morning or afternoon to stroll through the flower-strewn street and fashion boutiques.

3. EAT A TRADITIONAL MEAL

Milos is home to numerous family-run tavernas that serve a variety of delicious local cuisine. Much produce is grown locally on Milos Island, by far tomatoes are the most common. Numerous dishes on Milos utilise tomato juice, belte, including goat cooked in a wood oven, pork with mashed potatoes cooked in a wood oven, and braised cod with spaghetti (my favourite).

Milos also contains numerous livestock, mainly sheep and goats. What makes cheese special on Milos is the use of volcanic caves for the maturation and aging process (pretty cool). The main cheese dish of Milos is manoura sagnaki which is divine! It consists of a soft cheese called melichloro fried with olive oil to form a thin crust served with lemon.

4. RENT ATVS AND EXPLORE THE SOUTH

To get the most out of your holiday to Milos you will need to rent a vehicle, either a quad bike or a car. The population of Milos is only 5000 so driving on the quiet roads in the south feels as though you have the entire island to yourself! You will possess the necessary freedom to explore the southern beaches such as Tsigardo and Fyriplaka or the more organised beaches of Paleochori and Provatas.

5. MARVEL AT THE SYMRATA

The traditional fishing villages draw many tourists to the island of Milos. The villages are lined with symrata, colourfully painted boat sheds that contain fishermen’s housing upstairs, and are often built into the white rock. A unique experience in Greece is to stay in one these symrata as your accommodation, click here to find out more. You can find these fishing villages on the northern side of the island and they are all easily accessible with a car or ATV. The charming and authentic villages of Mandrakia, Klima, and Firopotamos cannot be missed.

6. EXPLORE THE Catacombs in historic trypiti

An attraction that most tourists skip is the catacombs located in the town of Trypiti which are largely considered the most important early Christian monument in Greece. The catacombs date from the 1st-5th century and it has been speculated that these catacombs are older than the catacombs in Rome! Located at the foothills of the village Trypiti these catacombs were used as burial sites, places of worship, and as a refuge.

7. BOAT TOUR TO THE WEST

No trip to Milos is complete without a boat tour to Kleftiko. The southwesternmost tip of the island is one of the most Instagram-famous spots and is only accessible by boat. The skyia, or caves, on the western side are sites where pirates used to hide. By booking a boat tour, you can explore the beautiful rock formations that meet the deep, clear water to create a marine paradise. What better way to spend your day than by frolicking on a boat in the Aegean Sea?

8. DAY TRIP TO KIMOLOS ISLAND

Kimolos is the largest island that can be seen from the northern side of Milos, located to the northeast. The ferry journey from Pollonia, a small port town, occurs up to five times per day and takes only half an hour to reach Psathi on Kimolos. If you thought Milos was an untouched haven of the Cyclades then you will be blown away by Kimolos. The island is almost completely unorganised so spend a sunny day exploring the white sandy beaches and crystal clear water which reminds me so much of remote Australia.