Athens to Milos: Your guide to getting to Greek paradise

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward me a small commission – at no extra cost for you.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who started hearing whispers of the beautiful Greek island of Milos. A beautiful island filled with 30+ beaches without the crowds of Santorini and Mykonos, only 3 hours from Athens? Sign me up! I’ve compiled everything you need to know about making your way from Athens to Milos, a beach-lovers paradise. Grab your swimsuit and let’s dive in. 

Athens to Milos by plane

There is actually an airport on the island of Milos (MLO), with the flight from Athens International Airprot (ATH) taking only 30-35 minutes. If you are already flying into Athens and connecting then this is easily the fastest way to get to the island. The tickets, however, can be quite pricey if not booked well in advance. On the plus side, you’ll get incredible views throughout the flight.  

You’ll find frequent flights with Aegean and Sky Express. 

If you are already in the Athens city center it is good to consider that the airport is quite far outside of the center, so once you add up travel time to the airport, waiting time and flight time, the length of the journey may not be all that different. 

Athens to Milos by ferry

The most popular, and usually most affordable way, to get to Milos from Athens is by ferry from Piraeus Port – Greece’s largest port. The port is located about 6 miles southwest of the city center in Piraeus. The port is easily accessible from the city center by metro or taxi. There are also a few ferries that depart out of the smaller Rafina port, but mostly only during the peak summer months. 

The average journey from Athens to Milos takes 3-5 hours, depending on sea conditions. However, there is also an option to take a longer, overnight ferry for the budget conscious travelers. There are a number of ferry operators on the route. A few of the popular ones include SeaJets, Hellenic Seaways, and Aegean Speed Lines. The ferry companies all differ slightly, but from what I’ve read the journey is rather consistent on any of the speed ferries. 

During the high season of the summer months you’ll find daily ferries between Athens and Milos. There is typically an early morning ferry, midday, and sometimes an evening ferry. There is also the option to take the ferry overnight. Prices vary by season. We booked our one way ticket for 74€‎ in May. 

Definitely make sure to book ferry tickets in advance. While the prices seem to stay rather consistent, they definitely book out quickly in the summer months (the high season).

Getting to Milos from another island

If you’re coming from another island in the Cyclades, there are daily ferry connections to Milos from popular destinations like Santorini and Mykonos. The journey time will vary depending on the distance between islands. 

Other nearby islands include Paros, Sifnos, and Serifos, if you’ll looking for a less busy island to visit.

What to know about taking the ferry from Athens to Greece

• Tickets – make sure to book your ferry tickets in advance, especially during the summer months. We used the website Ferryhopper for all of our ferry purchases and the process was super easy. 
• Port arrival – be sure to arrive at the port at least 30 minutes before your ferry departure time. The port is huge so you want to make sure you board the correct ferry in time for departure. 
• Seat Assignment – even though we technically had an assigned seat, once we arrived onboard we were told to sit anywhere on both of our ferries. Arrive early and you can grab a seat by the window. Some ferries even have outdoor areas so you can soak up the sun during the journey!

Getting to the Piraeus Port

To reach Piraeus from Athens city center, you have a few options:

Metro – the local metro in Athens system connects the city center and the port via  Line 1, the Green Line. The journey should take around  30-40 minutes from the city center. If you’re arriving in Athens the night before you might want to consider going straight to Piraeus. We took Line 3, the Blue Line, directly from the airport to our hotel in Piraeus. From here it was less than a 10 minute walk in the morning. 

Taxi  – if you have lots of luggage or taking the local transport isn’t your idea of a fun time, you’ll find plenty of taxis and ride shares available. While this option is more expensive, it is almost a bit more direct. Travel time depends on traffic but should take around 30 minutes, depending on where in the city you’re staying. 

Before you dive into the rest of the article, here is a list of the most popular tours and excursions in Milos:

Arriving in Milos

Once you reach Milos, you’ll arrive at the main port in Adamantas, or Adamas. This is a charming town where you’ll find many restaurants and bars, as well as a number of hotels and Airbnbs. Head about 50 meters to the right and you’ll find a number of rental car agencies. I definitely recommend renting a car, scooter or ATV, as this will give you a lot more flexibility to explore many of the island’s best beaches like Sarakiniko and Firopotamos. 

Driving around Milos is easy, and the island has well-maintained roads that lead to all the main attractions. For some of the beaches you will need to go down steep or narrow roads, however, so make sure that you feel comfortable driving. Overall, the roads are not too busy, so you can enjoy the scenic drive without any stress. 

Otherwise, taxis are also available if you are not staying directly in Adamas. 

Tips for renting a car on Milos

In order to rent a car in Milos you will need the following:

• a valid driver’s license
• an international driver’s permit (IDP)

Additionally, most people in Greece only drive manual cars, so for this reason there are only a limited number of automatic cars available for rent. If you’re looking to rent an automatic car, expect to pay more and book in advance to reserve your car without any hiccups. 

Where to stay in Milos

Where I first started planning my week in Milos, the decision of where to stay was definitely the hardest choice to make. After spending a week on the island I’ve concluded that there is quite literally no bad area to stay in, as long as you have a car, ATV, or scooter to get around the island. Here are a few options to check out:

• Adamas – Centrally located by the port, Adamas is a great option giving you easy access to beaches, restaurants, and shops. It is an ideal jumping off point, especially if you’re traveling the island by local transportation. There are also a range of accommodation options, with more budget-friendly options available.
• Paliochori – We chose to stay in a less-known part of the island, Paleochori (or Paliochori) and it was incredible. Our little house on the hill had unreal views of the water, there was a small sandy beach, a few restaurants, and no crowds. And this was only a 15 minute drive from the main town! While it is possible to visit this area by bus, I would definitely recommend renting a car. 
• Plaka – easily the cutest village on the island, filled with narrow streets and panoramic views. Staying in Plaka you’ll be just a short drive from many of the famous beaches, and will be rewarded with a daily sunset in one of the best parts of town. Driving in Plaka can be a bit challenging if you aren’t used to the narrow roads, so I would recommend parking just outside of the village. 
• Firopotamos – if you’re looking for a beachfront property with the most iconic views, then a small apartment in Firopotamos is the place for you.