Pollonia Milos -The Charming Coastal Town – Full Guide
Are you planning to visit Pollonia Milos?
Pollonia Milos is a perfect town for relaxing Milos holidays. Picture a quaint coastal village with a beautiful golden beach, and charming whitewashed houses with azure painted doors – typical architecture of the island of Milos. In Pollonia, you can truly experience the slow island life!
If you’re wondering where to stay in Milos, Apollonia Milos amongst Adamas Milos and Klima is the best town on the island for a great selection of the best boutique hotels in Milos, proximity to stunning Milos beaches and excellent Milos restaurants.
This post includes everything you need to know to have the perfect vacation in Milos!
Milos Pollonia – Quick Links
If you’re heading to Milos soon but have nothing booked, don’t panic, I’ve got you covered. Here is everything you need for the perfect holiday to Milos.
✈️ Check the best flight deals via Expedia
🚢 Book your ferry 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
Paleochori: Avgerinos Deluxe Rooms
⛵Best Milos Boat Tour: All Day Kleftiko Sailing with Snorkelling + Lunch
Where is Pollonia Milos
The Greek island Milos is one of the Cycladic Greek islands amongst the better-known islands such as Mykonos and Santorini situated southeast of Athens. Pollonia is one of the more famous Milos towns which you can reach by driving 10 km northeast from the island’s port – Adamas. Pollonia is one of the most northern coastal towns in Milos.
Introduction to Apollonia Milos
Pollonia Milos is a quaint coastal town located on the northeast tip of Milos island. The nearby Milos points of interest include Papafragas beach and caves, Mandrakia and Sarakiniko Beach – all situated just minutes drive from Apollonia Milos.
If you’re asking yourself a question – where to stay in Milos Adamas or Pollonia, this should help. Pollonia is super quiet and also family-friendly. If you’re planning to go diving in Milos or want to visit Kimolos or simply stay in a quiet part of Milos – Pollonia is perfect. Despite being quiet, Pollonia has some great Milos accommodation options, good restaurants and a nice slice of golden beach. Adamas is better for nightlife, has even more choice in terms of hotels Milos and places to eat and it’s got the best public transport connections with the rest of the island.
Best Pollonia Hotels Milos
Read this section for the best hotels in Pollonia Milos. Here you’ll find luxury picks for Pollonia Milos hotels, Pollonia studios and apartments, mid-range choices on where to stay on Milos and best budget Pollonia Milos accommodation.
LUXURY
Milos Breeze Boutique Hotel Pollonia – Hotel Milos with infinity pool and epic views
Location | Milos Breeze Hotel is perched on a cliff and boasts impressive views over the ocean. At the same time, it is located only a short walk from Pollonia Milos fishing village with a range of restaurants and Pollonia beach.
Facilities | Breeze Milos is a 4-star hotel, and it features a large infinity pool overlooking the ocean and a bar. Complimentary extensive breakfast is served daily at the hotel’s restaurant. The property features a range of different rooms, most come with a panoramic sea view, and some more luxurious options come with a private jacuzzi tub or a pool. All rooms are air-conditioned and have minimalist stunning Cycladic design. Each room comes en suite with a private balcony or terrace.
Best for | Romantic getaways, epic views, tranquil stay, couples.
Melian Boutique Hotel & Spa Milos – Seafront hotel Pollonia Milos with jacuzzi
Location | Melian Boutique Hotel & Spa is located in west Pollonia, a 10-minute walk to Pollonia main stretch with cafes and restaurants. The property boasts a seafront location and an unobstructed panoramic view of the bay.
Facilities | Most rooms at Melian Hotel Milos come with a jacuzzi hot tube and a private terrace facing the sea. All rooms are tastefully designed and come with air conditioning, an en suite bathroom featuring luxury toiletries and tea and coffee making facilities. Guests can also enjoy a complimentary a la carte breakfast. The hotel features an excellent restaurant and a stylish bar. An onsite spa offers a range of pampering treatments.
Best for | Couples, romantic stays, luxury dining.
MIDRANGE
Location | Pollonia Studios are situated right at the seafront in the tranquil finishing village of Pollonia. Sandy beach and a range of tavernas and cafes are a few minutes walk from the property. The property boasts various types of rooms, including Pollonia sea view apartments Milos.
Facilities | Studios at Pollonia sleep up to 4 adults, which is an excellent choice for families or friends travelling together. Each comes with an en suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries, private terrace, and some come with a fully equipped kitchenette and sea view. Guests can enjoy a daily breakfast for an additional charge.
Best for | Families, friends and couples.
BUDGET
Location | Garifalakis is located in Pollonia, a few minutes walk to Pollonia shops, restaurants, and Pollonia beach.
Facilities | It features self-catering double or triple studios with an en suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries and a hairdryer, a private terrace with seating furniture and a fully equipped kitchenette. Free parking is available on site, and for an extra charge, guests can enjoy daily breakfast in the nearby taverna.
Best for | Couples or friends travelling together.
Things to do in Pollonia Greece
#1 Spend a day on Pollonia Beach Milos
One of the best things to do in Apollonia Milos is spend a day lazing on the beach! Pollonia Beach (Apollonia Beach) is situated right in the heart of the town and within a leisurely walk from most of Apollonia hotels. The beach extends along the town and provides plenty of space to come and stretch your towel at any time of the day.
The beach has dark, golden sand, and it’s surrounded by brown hills and whitewashed Cycladic cube houses. It is also super quiet compared to other beaches in Milos. There is a small jetty in the middle of the beach where small private boats stop and take people out in the sea for diving and fishing.
If you prefer, it is also possible to rent a sun lounger and a parasol during the high season or even stay at the Deck Milos and enjoy their cold drinks and snacks served directly to your sun lounger so that you don’t need to move anywhere all day long! There are also a few trees that provide some natural shade to take a break from the midday heat.
Location | Pollonia Beach Milos
You may also like – 20 Best Milos Beaches – For Epic Shots, Adventure & Swimming
#2 Take a ferry to Kimolos Island
A fantastic idea for a day trip from Milos is taking a ferry to Kimolos, a small island located just off the shore of Pollonia. If you love finding and exploring off beaten tracks destinations, you will enjoy Kimolos. This small island is nowhere near as touristy as Milos, and you will be able to observe Greek island life in its essence.
Rent a car, an ATV or a scooter to visit the island! Start your day by visiting Chorio – the island’s oldest town with a beautiful church – Panagia Odigitria and a fascinating Archaeological Museum of Kimolos. You can sit in one of the cafes and simply watch local people going about their daily lives! The most popular and most beautiful beach is Prassa Beach Kimolos (also known as Agios Georgios), where you can take a break from sightseeing to sunbathe on its powdery white sand and take a refreshing dip in the turquoise waters. Kimolos is also an excellent place to go on a hike. The most popular is the hike to Skiadi Rock, which is the island’s most recognisable natural landmark.
The ferry connection regularly runs throughout the day, with plenty of ferries going to and from Kimolos. There is no need for booking Pollonia Milos to Kimolos ferry in advance but check the ferry schedule below for timings. During the offseason, there are only 2-4 ferries per day. The ferry terminal is just below Holy Naidrio of Agia Paraskevi Church, and the journey takes under 30 minutes. Ferries in Kimolos leave from Psathi.
Schedule | Ferry Pollonia Kimolos – Kimolos Milos
Location | Ferry Pollonia
#3 Visit Saint Nicholas Holy Orthodox Chapel
Appolonia Milos boasts two stunning churches, and Saint Nicholas Church, situated on the northernmost tip of the coast in Pollonia, is one of them. The chapel has a typical Cyclades Milos architecture characterised by whitewashed walls and azure-painted door and window frames.
You can get to this picturesque church within a few minutes from Pollonia Beach. Apart from admiring the quaint Cycladic religious architecture, you will also get a panoramic view over Pollonia village, and if you look the other way, you will see the post volcanic shore of Kimolos.
The best time to visit the chapel is early morning or afternoon when the heat eases off, and the light is perfect for photography.
In the church’s vicinity, there is a small wooden hut for the local cats. The furry Pollonia residents are super friendly so if you love cats, go ahead and spend some time playing with them!
Location | Saint Nicholas Chapel Pollonia
Best time to visit | Early morning or sunset time
#4 Go wine tasting at Armenaki Pollonia
If you’re a wine lover, don’t miss Armenaki, situated in the heart of Pollonia, just across the street from the beach. For €35, they offer a selection of six glasses of wine with delicious cheeses and meat cuts perfectly paired to bring out the beautiful tones of the local wine. The owner is very passionate about Greek wine and will gladly give you more information about the winemaking on the island if you ask! Armenaki is also a great restaurant to come to for delicious and fresh seafood with stunning sea views!
Location | Armenaki Pollonia
#5 Pop into Agia Paraskevi Pollonia Church
Another beautiful church in Pollonia is situated just above the main promenade bars and cafes. You will need to climb a few steps to get there, but I promise, the view over Pollonia, the ferry pier and the surrounding landscapes will make it well worth it! The church has a similar architecture to Saint Nicholas Chapel on the other side of Pollonia – simple white walls with blue elements and a cute bell hanging above the main entrance. There is also a large tiled terrace surrounding the chapel. Don’t forget to pop inside the temple to see its interiors! You will be wowed by its intricate frescoes, richly decorated altar and beautiful chandeliers!
Location | Agia Paraskevi Chapel
#6 Dine at one of the seafront restaurants in Pollonia Milos
In the evening, there is nothing better to do other than gorge on some delicious Greek food in one of the seafront restaurants overlooking the picturesque bay. If you’re a foodie, you will be pleased to know that Pollonia has a superb range of excellent places to eat and choosing a new restaurant Pollonia Milos each evening is super easy!
Some of my favourite picks include Deck Milos, Akrotiri and Rokomelo (more about them in the restaurant’s section below).
#7 Experience the underwater world with Milos Diving Centre Pollonia
Not many people know that there are some excellent diving sites near Milos island! Diving is one of the best things to do in Milos, and if you stay in Pollonia, you will have the PADI certified, experienced divers at your disposal to try diving for the first time or master your current skills.
Milos is located in what’s known as the Milos-Kimolos-Poliegos triangle, characterised by rich marine flora and fauna. The sea’s surface in this area reaches 30 degrees Celcius and goes down to 23 meters in depth, where the water temperature is 23 degrees Celcius. This creates perfect conditions for a large number of species such as monk seal Monachus-Monachus, spider crabs, lobsters, colourful nudibranchs, curious barracudas and playful octopuses to inhibit the Milos waters!
Location | Diving Milos & website
Prices | Starts from €40
#8 Rent a boat Milos Pollonia
If you’re looking for a unique activity away from the mass crowds, why not consider a boat hire Milos? This is an excellent option for a group of friends or a couple to spend a day sailing around Milos. The most popular destination is the lesser-explored part of Milos and the spectacular Kleftiko, but you can go wherever you want! The boat is suitable for up to 4 people, and the rental cost price starts at €150 for 8 hours. The owner will explain everything to do with the boat and give you all the tips, including where to go and places to avoid. This could be your best day on Milos!
Milos Rent a Boat
#9 Rent a car and explore the nearby Apolonia Milos attractions
Milos is an excellent island to explore by car or ATV! All the best places to see in Milos are close by, making it super easy to go on a self-organised trip. Some of the most nearby places you shouldn’t miss include Papafragas Caves and Beach, Madrakia traditional fishing village, the island’s ex capital – Plaka Milos and the epic Sarakiniko Beach!
#10 Go kayaking in Milos
Another superb activity in Milos is taking a kayaking tour!.
From Tsigrado – 30 min drive from Pollonia
From Fyriplaka – also around 25-30 min drive from Pollonia
#11 Spend time in a purrfect companion
If you like cats, you will have plenty of opportunities to spend some time with them in Pollonia! The residents of Apollonia Milos look after their furry neighbours, and the cats of Pollonia are plentiful and are doing really well. There is a cat shelter near Saint Nicholas Chapel where cats can get water, food and sleep in a wooden hut. But really, you can see cat feeding stations everywhere. The cats are super friendly and want to say ‘hi’ to you and it’s ok to stroke them!
#12 Have a drink and watch the sunset at Hitana Milos
Hitana is an atmospheric beach bar located just a few minutes walk from Pollonia Milos town centre. It’s a bit of a hidden gem with a friendly owner and superb cocktails. Just sit on the beach and watch the sky changing colours sipping one of the delicious cocktails – perfect!
Location | Hitana Milos
#13 Visit Konstantakis Winery
If you’re a wine lover, don’t miss out on the Konstantinos Winery situated just a 10-minute walk from Pollonia town centre! The winery is open daily from May to October from 17:00 to 21:00. Learn about the island’s heritage of growing grapes on its fertile, volcanic soils and winemaking! Sample beautifully flavoured local wine – Melian!
Location | Konstantinos Winery & Web
Opening times | 17:00 to 21:00 (May to October) & on arrangement basis offseason
Pollonia Milos Restaurants
If you’re a foodie and decide to stay in Apollonia Milos, you’ll be pleased to know that there is an excellent choice of great restaurants in Pollonia Milos!
Deck Pollonia Milos
Best for | brunch & cocktails
Location | Deck Milos
Deck Milos is an excellent place for a tasty breakfast or lunch and one of the best Pollonia restaurants. The menu includes beautiful smoothie bowls, eggs your way, including poached eggs, bagels and granola bowls. Deck Milos also serves excellent coffee and fresh orange juice to go with your brunch. The place is also perfect to come back for a quality cocktail at the golden hour and a tasty burger. The restaurant is located in the heart of Pollonia, overlooking the beach. You can also hire a sun lounger and a parasol and enjoy their fantastic service throughout the day.
Akrotiri Seafood Obsession Milos
Best for | seafood dinner on the beach
Location | Akrotiri
Akrotiri is a lovely seafood restaurant serving fresh, quality seafood with a modern twist. The seating area is right on the beach, and it’s the perfect place to come at sunset time for delicious dinner and drinks.
Rokomelo Restaurant Pollonia Milos
Best for | classic Mediterranean cuisine + good veggie options
Location | Rokomelo
Rokomelo is situated in a quieter part of the town. It boasts great sunset views and a tranquil environment. If you’re looking for tasty homemade foods with plenty of vegetarian options as well as meats and seafood, try it!
Best Milos Day trips
Milos Tour
An excellent and convenient way to get around Milos and learn interesting background stories is to go on an organised tour. An organised tour is also great for all solo travellers! The Cultural Tour by Get Your Guide is, in my opinion, one of the best options where you get to see all the essential places on the island in one day.
On this tour, you will visit the epic and Instagram-famous Serakiniko Beach with moon resembling landscape, the colourful, traditional fishing village of Klima and Plaka, which is the ancient capital of the island steeped in history and Cycladic heritage. You will also visit the post volcanic formations of Papafragos, the place where the aphrodite of Milos was discovered and the ancient amphitheatre in Tripiti.
Milos Island Archeology + Culture Tour
Kleftiko Boat Tour
If you love boat trips, sun and sea, a visit to Kleftiko Bay is hands down the best Milos boat tour you can take! The trip involves swimming and snorkelling in the unbelievably turquoise sea waters, cliff jumping, cave exploring and a lot of fun!
Kleftiko Day Tour with Snorkeling + Lunch
How to get to Pollonia
Pollonia Car rental Milos
If you rather explore the island at your own pace, you can easily rent a car and drive to the best Milos spots 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 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.
Car Hire Milos
READ ALSO: Renting A Car In Milos: All You Need To Know & Tips 2023
ATV Rental Pollonia Milos
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 Milos Rental 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.
Milos Buses
If you don’t want to drive, that’s not a problem at all because Milos has an excellent network of buses that connects all the best places on the island. The only thing to have in mind is that the buses in Milos are way less frequent off-season. For the details, check the Milos Bus Website below.
In the summer, bus Adams Pollonia and Pollonia to Adamas operates at least seven times per day.
Check Bus Milos Timetable Here
Taxi Milos
Taxis are also widely available on Milos; however, they are the most expensive way of going around Milos, and I would only use them in the last resort. As it seems to be the case in most tourist places in the world, taxi drivers take advantage of the visitors not familiar with the local rates. Below I’m leaving the link to one of the more reputable taxi companies on Milos in case you need it.
How to get to Milos
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 – Airport in Milos
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.
Getting from Milos Airport to Pollonia is fairly straightforward. The airport is located 13 km southwest of Pollonia Milos Greece. If you’re renting a car, you can pick it up at the airport or take a taxi. It is also possible to get to Adamas by bus and catch another bus from Adamas to Pollonia. I’m leaving the link to Milos bus schedule that varies slightly depending on the season.
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