Plaka Milos – The Historic Capital of the Island
Are you planning to visit Plaka Milos?
Island’s ex capital – Plaka Milos, is an enchanting Cycladic village that attracts visitors with quaint churches, traditional tavernas, interesting art workshops and stunning panoramic views over the island. If you wish to experience the authentic Cycladic vibe – Milos Plaka is the perfect place.
Milos island has been gaining in popularity in recent times thanks to its unique scenery and authentic Cycladic charm. If you’re looking for where to stay in Milos, apart from more obvious choices such as Adamas – the island’s port town and Pollonia – a remote, family-friendly village, Plaka is the perfect place for history lovers and local experience seekers.
This post is a complete guide to visiting Plaka Milos Greece from how to get there, the best places to eat in Plaka Milos, what to do in Plaka Milos and the best accommodation Milos Plaka.
Where is Plaka Milos?
The village of Plaka Milos is situated on the western part of the island, 5 km north of Adamas port. Other interesting places near Plaka village include Klima Milos (3 km), Mandrakia (3 km) and Sarakiniko Beach (5km).
Plaka on the Milos Map
Quick Guide to Milos Island
✈️ Check the best Milos Greece flights via Expedia
🚢 Book your ferry to Milos from Athens or another Greek island through Ferry Scanner
🚗 For the best Milos Car Rental deals, check Discover Cars
🏨 Still looking for a hotel in Milos? Here are the best Milos Accommodation Deals:
Adamas: Konstantinos Milos Hotel
Pollonia: Pollonia Studios Milos
Plaka: Halara Studios Milos
⛵Best Milos Boat Tour: All Day Kleftiko Sailing with Snorkelling + Lunch
What to expect from Plaka Milos Greece?
Plaka village dates back to the 18th century as an extension of its Kastro – the Plaka Castle built on the hilltop for defence purposes against pirates raids and serving as a capital of the whole island.
Today, Plaka Milos is a delightful village with as much Cycladic charm as it gets! Picture a maze of narrow, whitewashed alleys, old churches with simple designs, charming domes and picturesque bell towers.
The best way to enjoy Plaka is by getting lost in its cobbled streets and amongst cute sugar-cube houses with colourfully painted window shutters and blossoming bushes. Plaka also has an excellent selection of local tavernas serving mouth-watering, traditional Greek cuisine and cosy cafes with outdoor seating where you can people-watch while enjoying a cold glass of fresh orange juice.
Read on for the best Plaka things to do!
*Plaka meaning – Plaka in Greece usually refers to an old/historical town or neighbourhood.
How to get to Plaka Village Milos?
On a Plaka Tour
Visiting Plaka Milos on tour is an excellent option for those that want to learn more about Plaka and Milos’ history and traditions, first-handed from a local guide. It is also the perfect solution if you are on a tight schedule.
Milos Archaeological and Cultural Experience Tour with Viator combines a visit to Plaka with Catacombs of Milos, Ancient Roman Theatre, Mandrakia village, Serakiniko Beach and Pollonia and is an excellent way to visit all the most exciting places on Milos in one day, hassle-free.
By Car
If you rather explore Plaka and the rest of the island at your own pace, you can easily rent a car and drive to the best Milos island attractions yourself. I found that online car rental costs the same as doing it in person on arrival, and it saves you the hassle of shopping around and finding a decent car hire Milos on the island. It also makes sense to prebook the car online if you’re travelling during the peak season.
I usually use DiscoverCars to search for the best car rental option and always opt-in for the full insurance cover to save myself unpleasantries such as paying an excess fee for damages. If you haven’t pre-booked online, you can find car rental shops along the harbour in Adamantas Milos.
Deals for Car Rental Milos
From Adamas, you can reach Plaka in just over 10 minutes (5km distance) by using Google Maps directions. Set the navigation to take you to Plaka Public Car Park, which is free.
READ ALSO: Renting A Car In Milos: All You Need To Know & Tips
ATV Rentals Milos Greece
Riding an ATV vehicle is also a popular form of exploring the island. ATVs are easy and are super fun to drive, and they are particularly useful for off-road adventures. The downside of renting an ATV is they are almost as expensive as car rental and may be unpleasant to drive in windy conditions.
Scooter Milos
Another cheaper way of exploring the island is renting a scooter. Since I lived in Bali for a long time, this was my preferred way! I rented a scooter at Scooter & ATV Rental Milos Shop – Apollonos Sunshine for €20 a day. You will probably need to negotiate a little and pay in cash to get a similar rate, but it’s entirely possible! Before you decide on renting a scooter, make sure you have the appropriate driving licence suitable for scooters. They actually check it in every rental shop! If you’re from the UK, a full driving licence is sufficient.
Best Plaka Milos Hotels
Luxury Hotels in Plaka Milos
Halara Studios Milos Plaka – Luxury Plaka Suites Milos with sea view.
Location | These luxury studios situated in the heart of Plaka, minutes walk from Plaka shops, taverns and cafes, boast an incredible view over the Aegean Sea.
Facilities | All double studios have a minimalist Cycladic design and share a terrace with a seating area and sea views. They also come with an en suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries and a fully equipped kitchenette, including a fridge, cooking hob and a coffee machine.
Best for | Best hotel Plaka Milos for couples, epic views, Cycladic architecture and heritage.
Sunset Nest – Hotel Milos Plaka with stunning views.
Location | Situated in the historic Plaka, Sunset Nest Apartments boast a panoramic sea view. Plaka restaurants and shops can be reached within walking distance.
Facilities | This Milos Plaka hotel features one bedroom apartment with one bedroom and a living room, an en suite bathroom and a kitchenette equipped with kitchenware, a stove, a coffee machine and a dining table. The apartment also features a patio, a washing machine and free wifi. Guests can enjoy daily breakfast for an additional charge and car rental facilities.
Best for | Best Plaka Milos accommodation for couples, friends, Cycladic architecture and heritage.
Midrange Plaka Greece Hotels
Studios Betty Milos – Plaka Milos Hotel with central location.
Location | Betty Studios Plaka Milos are located right in the heart of Plaka, minutes walk to all local amenities such as restaurants, shops and bars. Plathiena Beach is over a mile away.
Facilities | Each studio comes with a fully equipped kitchenette including a stove and a coffee machine, an en suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries and a private balcony with a seating area. Rooms can sleep up to 3 adults and are perfect either for friends or a small family.
Best for | Best Milos Plaka accommodation for couples, families, friends wanting a central location in Plaka.
Budget Hotels in Plaka Milos Greece
Georgia Rooms Milos – Milos Plaka Studios in Trypiti part.
Location | Georgia Rooms are located in Trypiti, a village next door to Plaka that can be reached within 15 minutes walk. The nearest beach is located under a mile from this accommodation. And, what’s very handy is that a public bus that connects Trypiti with Milos beaches has a stop right by the property. Also, Trypiti restaurants are literally on the doorstep.
Facilities | All rooms are double and come with air conditioning and a patio or a balcony overlooking the sea. Each room comes with tea and coffee making facilities, a fridge and an en suite bathroom.
Best for | One of the best Plaka hotels for couples on budget.
Palaios Rooms Milos – Milos studios Plaka centre.
Location | Palaios Rooms are located in the heart of Plaka, with all amenities nearby and within walking distance.
Facilities | All rooms come with a private balcony. Some overlook the sea and come with a kitchenette, others just with a fridge and tea and coffee making facilities. All rooms come with a private bathroom.
Best for | One of the best budget Milos hotels Plaka for couples and pair of friends.
Things to do in Plaka Milos
#1 Climb to the Plaka Castle Milos
The Venetian castle of Plaka was erected in the 13th century when the Venetians conquered the island. They chose one of the highest hills on the island to build their stronghold away from the coast that often fell victim to the pirate’s raids. Within the inner walls of Kastro lived the most noble Venetian families and the rest of the population built their homes just outside of the walls in a maze of narrow alleys on the slopes of the hill.
Today, the Venetian castle is mostly ruined but climbing to the top is by far one of the best Plaka Milos things to do! Why is it the best? Because of the incredible view, you will get to experience at the top of Plaka village and a sizeable chunk of the coast. It is also an excellent workout! The hike should take approximately 15-25 minutes, depending on how many photo stops you’ll make on the way, which is also why I recommend this activity. If you enjoy photography, you’ll be delighted with the amount of beauty popping up in every corner. At the top of the Kastro hill, you will also find the quaint church of Mesa Panagia.
The best time to visit the Kastro is during the early morning before it gets too hot for any physical activity and when the light is perfect for photography. Plaka Castle is also an excellent place to enjoy the best Plaka Milos sunset! Whichever time of the day you choose, make sure you bring plenty of water, suncream and sturdy shoes because the path is often uneven and covered with loose rocks. Avoid wearing flip-flops at all cost!
#2 Stop at the Plaka Church on your way up
On the way to the top, make sure you stop at the two picturesque churches! Unfortunately, they seem to lack names on Google Maps, but I’m leaving the directions below. The first church is a little newer and the second church called Panagia Thalassitra features a scenic whitewashed dome and a bell tower made of bricks. They both have a terrace where you can check out the fantastic view.
TIP | For the best photo of the view from the Plaka Castle, make sure one of the churches is also on your picture, which will add a dimension to your landscape image!
#3 Explore the Archeological Museum of Milos Plaka
For all the history enthusiasts, there is the Archeological Museum of Milos located on the picturesque Plaka square in the heart of the village. Set in a striking neoclassical building, the museum is home to a rich collection of artefacts, relics, clay vases and sculptures from the prehistoric areas up to Hellenic and Roman times. Also, at the museum entrance, you can find the iconic statue of Aphrodite of Milos.
Best time | Sunday-Thursday 8:30 to 15:30, Tue closed, Fri 14-22, Sat 9-22
Entrance fee | €2 per person
Location | Milos Archeological Museum
If you have more time in Plaka Milos, also check out other Milos museums: Folk and Historical Museum in Plaka, War Museum in Plaka, Marmara Sand Museum in Plaka Milos.
#4 Have a drink at the colourful cafe
Located in the very heart of Plaka Milos, right by the archaeological museum, Phatses is a super colourful and quirky place to stop by and take a break from exploring the village. Take one of the tables set under the trees on the other side of the street and have a refreshing drink while people watch on the square! I recommend ordering freshly squeezed orange juice and, if you’re hungry, dakos – a Cycladic equivalent to bruschetta. It is a slice of hard bread soaked with olive oil, chopped tomatoes and soft cheese – an excellent light snack on a hot day! If you have more time, you can play chess on a massive chessboard located in the square.
Phatses is also an excellent place to enjoy in the evening if you plan to stay in Plaka village. They serve tasty local cuisine and often entertain their guests with live music shows!
Location: Phatses Cafe Plaka
#5 Stroll the white-washed alleys of Milos Plaka
Make sure you have the chance and time to get lost in the maze of charming, Cycladic alleys of Plaka Milos! Plaka’s streets are super lovely and a real eye-candy! If you’re a photographer, bring your camera fully charged, as you won’t be able to put it down.
On your way, you will meet some furry friends – residents of the village that are well looked after by the people of Plaka! Also, don’t miss the stairs of Plaka Milos, which is a great spot to take a lovely shot!
#6 Pop into Church of Panagia Korfiatissa
Panagia Korfiatissa Church tucked between the whitewashed alleys of Milos is hands-down, one of the must things to do in Milos Plaka! The church is all white and features two bell towers on its front and a lovely terrace with stunning views over the Aegean Sea. At the front of the church, there is also an attractive mosaic made of small pebbles depicting a ship. Don’t forget to take a look inside to check out the church’s impressive chandeliers and interesting icons of saints. The church was built at the beginning of the 19th century, and it’s dedicated to Virgin Mary.
TIP | The church’s terrace is a popular spot to enjoy the sunset in Plaka Milos! As it’s close to cafes and Plaka Milos restaurants, people gather here during the golden hour as the sunset is just jaw-dropping here. Arrive early to get a good spot!
#7 Shop for arts and hand-made crafts
The village of Plaka Milos is the perfect place for shopping for unique gifts and souvenirs. Here, in the network of charming whitewashed alleys, you will find independent boutique shops and workshops selling Cycladic-style souvenirs, beautiful textiles, hand-made jewellery, home accessories, pottery and ceramics.
#8 Take a sunset tour of Plaka Milos
If you enjoy guided tours, this one is for you. This Plaka walking tour takes you through the picturesque streets of Milos Plaka, including all the most important points of interest with a back story and interesting anecdotes so you know what you will be looking at. Then, you will climb up to the Plaka Castle (Plaka Castro) to the epic sunset views!
#9 Catacombs of Milos
Located just a 10-minute drive from Plaka Milos, are the Catacombs of Milos – one of the most important early Christian worship places in the world! If you enjoy visiting quirky places with a tone of fascinating history behind them, you should definitely pay a visit to the Catacombs of Milos.
The catacombs date back to the 1-5th century, and they served as the burial place and later on a worship place and a refuge place for Christians that were running away from the Roman oppression. Today, you can visit the impressive vast network of underground tunnels and learn more about their past importance.
Opening times | 9 am to 6:45 pm
Entrance | €4 general admission
Location | Catacombs of Milos Parking
#10 Ancient Theatre of Milos
Another excellent historic site, located a short walk from the Catacombs, is the grand Ancient Antitheatre of Milos. The theatre dates back to the 3rd century BC. Subsequently, it was destroyed by the Romans and rebuilt using marble. The amphitheatre has a stunning location overlooking the sea, and it has the capacity to seat up to 7,000 spectators! When you see the scale of this structure, you can only imagine how affluent the Greek island of Milos was!
The Ancient Theatre of Milos is well-restored, and it’s a delightful sight to visit.
FUN FACT | One of the most famous statues of the ancient world that currently is exhibited in Louvre Paris – Venus of Milos (also known as Aphrodite of Milos) was discovered right here by the amphitheatre
Entrance | free
Location | Ancient Theatre of Milos
Best Plaka Milos Restaurants
Here are the best restaurants in Plaka Milos:
Utopia Cafe Milos | Utopia Milos is the best Plaka Milos restaurant to enjoy sunset views & cocktails
Mavros Xoiros | One of the fancier Milos Plaka restaurants
EN PLO | Best restaurant Plaka Milos for breakfast, waffles, coffee & ice cream, cute seating area
Diporto | Best restaurant in Plaka Milos for traditional Greek food
How much time do you need in Milos Island Plaka?
The village of Plaka is super small, and in a few hours, you will be able to explore it all. You can climb to the Kastro in the morning and then explore the rest of Plaka.
If you also want to see the catacombs and the ancient theatre, I recommend stopping over for lunch (check the previous section for the best restaurants Plaka Milos), before heading to the ancient sites. For those that want to stay overnight in Plaka Milos, I recommend adding 1-2 nights in Plaka to your Milos itinerary.
What’s the best time to visit Plaka Milos?
The best time to visit the village of Plaka is between May and October when the weather is dry and sunny. If you want to know more about Milos weather, there is a separate paragraph at the end of this article.
The ideal time to visit Plaka village is early in the morning before the summer heat is in its full swing, especially if you want to climb to the Plaka Castle. Another great time to visit is late afternoon and staying for sunset at one of the sunset spots – the church on the way to Kastro, the terrace of Panagia Korfiatissa church or from Utopia Cafe Milos.
Other things to do in Milos near Plaka
Sarakiniko Beach Milos | One of the most famous Milos beaches – Sarakiniko Milos is an absolute must-see when visiting the island of Milos! Sarakiniko has become famous on Instagram for its peculiar moon-like landscape of white rock formations shaped by the erosive powers of wind and sea. Sarakiniko Beach is located just over 5 km from Plaka Milos.
Klima Milos | Klima village is a super charming, traditional fishing village on Milos famous for its colourful boathouses lining a picturesque shore surrounded by golden hills. You can get to Klima in 9 minutes by car or ATV.
Mandrakia Milos | | If you want to see more colourful fishing villages, also check out Mandrakia, which is located a 9-minute drive from Plaka Milos.
Adamas Milos | Milos port Adamas is situated under 5 km from Plaka. Adamantas Milos is an excellent place to stay or visit for some excellent museums and great places to eat.
Apollonia Milos | Pollonia village is situated an 18-minute drive east, and it is also a fantastic place to stay or visit for a day!
How to get to Milos Greece
By Ferry
The most common way of getting to Milos is taking a ferry either from Athens or, if you’re island hopping in the Cyclades, from another island. Several companies service the route between the Cycladic islands in Greece, and these are Seajets, Blue Star and Aegean Speed Lines.
If you want to save some money on the ferries that can be costly, especially if you’re island hopping, I recommend booking your fares way in advance. I always use Ferry Scanner to look for the best tickets. If you’re planning your trip to Milos at peak season, booking your ferry in advance makes even more sense, especially if you’re not very flexible on dates. If you book online, Ferry Scanner offers an extended free cancellation period in case your plans change.
When searching for tickets, you will also notice that slower ferries can be a lot cheaper, so if you don’t mind a 2-3 hours longer trip, booking a slower ferry can be a good way of saving some money.
Travelling on ferries is an experience in its own right! Remember to arrive early as the boarding process and loading the vehicles is swift, and boats don’t wait around and usually leave on time. Also, always check ahead of time if your ferry is scheduled to go on time. Ferry services rely on good sea conditions, and cancellations are common, especially in September and October when there are more chances of strong winds.
Ferry Athens Milos
A very common route of getting to Milos is taking an international flight to Athens and getting from Athens to Milos on a ferry. The airport in Athens is well connected with the city, and it is possible to take a metro from the airport to the ferry port of Piraeus. Take Line 3 from the airport to the city centre – Monastiraki – and then Green Line 1 to the port.
The Athens Milos ferry takes anything from 2.5 to 4 hours and arrives in Adaman Port, which is Milos’ main port.
Ferry from Santorini to Milos
Another popular route is Santorini to Milos. The journey time is 2 hours on a fast Seajets ferry and up to 7 hours if you’re travelling indirectly. Santorini is one of the most spectacular and super famous Greek islands. Even though it is super crowded and largely overpriced, I would recommend going for at least one day to see for yourself what’s all the fuss is about.
Ferry Paros Milos
If you’re travelling from Paros, expect 1.5 hours on a fast ferry and up to 6 hours on a slow ferry. Paros is also a great island to explore, with many quaint and historic towns and stunning Cycladic architecture.
Ferry Sifnos to Milos
Sifnos is the closest island to Milos, and a ferry ride takes as short as 30 min. Sifnos is a great island to visit on a day trip from Milos if you’re short on time.
Ferry Naxos Milos
Naxos to Milos takes just over 2 hours with Seajets. If you’re a beach lover, you’d like to know that Naxos has some of the best beaches in the Cyclades.
By Plane – Milos Greece Airport
If you rather avoid the Athens Milos boat journey, you’ll be pleased to know that you can also catch a flight. Milos airport is very small and only operates a few flights between Athens and Milos by Olympic Airlines/Aegean and Sky Express.
There is a regular bus service between the airport in Milos and Adamas Port, while you will need a car or a taxi to get to other parts of the island. I’m leaving the link to Milos bus schedule, which varies slightly depending on the season, below.
Check Bus Milos Timetable Here
Weather in Milos Greece
Milos Greece weather is characterised by hot and dry summer and mild winter typical for the Mediterranean climate. The hottest months are July and August, with high daily averages reaching 30 degrees Celcius and blue skies almost every day. This is also the island’s peak season and when it receives the highest number of visitors.
The best time to visit Milos Greece are the months of June and September when crowds ease off, accommodation rates are lower, and the weather is at its best – hot and sunny enough for enjoying the beach but not too hot for exploring the island.
May and October are still very nice, with daily temperatures in the mid-20s and plenty of sunshine. If you are not fussed with swimming in the sea, May and October are perfect for exploring the island and enjoying the low prices.
Many places shut down between November and April, and the island goes into hibernation. If you decide to visit Milos during this time, I recommend staying in Adamas, which is the biggest town on Milos.
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