Kleftiko Beach Milos Travel Guide: Is This the Best Beach in Greece?

This guide to Kleftiko Beach in Milos will help you plan out how to get there and what you can expect from this dreamy destination in Greece.

When you research Milos, Kleftiko Beach is one of the first images to pop up. That’s because the iconic patch of coastline exemplifies everything idyllic about the Greek island’s topography — clear, turquoise-tinted water, white cliffs, intriguing tunnels, and caves. Kleftiko Milos is, in one word, spectacular. 

It takes a little bit of planning to visit this stunner, though, since it sits on the south coast of the remote western end of the island. Even so, this is one of the top things to do in Milos and well worth the effort.

This guide will help you plan out your excursion to Kleftiko, with info on how to get there, where to book Milos boat tours, and what you can’t forget to bring along. 

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The Ultimate Guide to Kleftiko Milos Beach

Use this map and guide to plan your visit to Kleftiko Beach in Milos. It will point you to the best boast tours and what you don’t want to forget to bring.

Where is Kleftiko Milos?

Kleftiko is located along the southern coast of Milos, one of the Greek Cyclades islands. The Aegean Sea here is incredibly clear, and the volcanic landscape full of colorful rock formations.   

The shoreline at Kleftiko has an arid landscape atop rocks that end suddenly in sheer, sandy-colored cliffs dropping to the sea. Tunnels and caves carve into the cliffs and landmark rock formations just offshore.

It is said that pirates once hid out in the coves here, but today you’ll find mostly catamarans and snorkeling visitors. 

How to get to Kleftiko Beach

On Milos, most towns and amenities huddle on the eastern half of the horseshoe-shaped island, while the western section remains remote and rugged. This means not as many tourists venture west on land, given the rough roadways that void any assistance from auto rental providers. 

Instead, Milos boat tours explore this section of coastline, stopping at Kleftiko and other scenic spots, like Sykia Cave, a roofless cavern on the western tip of Milos. Full day sailing or catamaran trips typically depart from the harbor town of Adamas and drop anchor at Kleftiko for a couple of hours or more. They’ll also include food and beverages since you’ll be out for up to 10 hours.

Half-day Milos boat trips often leave from a south coast meet-up spot and primarily feature Kleftiko, though you might make a couple of stops for photos. Most excursions include time to swim and snorkel, and even provide some gear to do so.

Adventurous types who attempt to hike to Kleftiko by land will find it possible but hazardous, including a drive on unpaved roads and trails without signage.   

What’s the best way to get to see Kleftiko?

Milos boat tours are the best way to see this remote part of the island. I did a half day tour, but it felt like it went by so fast. If you have enough time, I'd recommend trying a full day tour so that you can have more time for snorkeling or just relaxing on the boat or shore enjoying the view.

How to book a Kleftiko Milos boat tour

Scheduling your Kleftiko excursion in advance of your visit is the best way to ensure a spot for a specific date or departure time. While stumbling upon a Milos boat or yacht tour with a dedicated website is rare, you can use booking tools like GetYourGuide to find and reserve a Kleftiko sailing trip.

Otherwise, visit the harbor in Adamas when you arrive on the island and you’ll see many boats there advertising their services and displaying where they go. Some may request payment in cash, so be sure to plan ahead.

Do you need to book in advance to visit Kleftiko Beach?

If you know what day you’d like to visit, I do recommend reserving a spot on a boat in advance during the busy summer season. If you don’t make a reservation ahead of time, you can wander the harbor in Adamas to find a local guide.

You can find Kleftiko boat tours on GetYourGuide and compare the different options to find the best one for your group.

What is there to do at Kleftiko?

Swim, snorkel, soak up the sun — it’s all on the docket at Kleftiko beach. You don’t even have to get in the water to appreciate the scenery. Stare down into the clear water from your boat and you’ll spot fish scooting about. Snap photos from every angle of the cool rock formations.

But, hopping into the chilly water is a must if you have even an ounce of adventurous spirit. The bay is packed with caves and coves and tunnels to explore. Don some snorkel gear to dip under the waves or just swim about under the natural rock bridges and into the dark caverns. 

Lounging spots are limited to some flatter rocks along the shoreline and the water is deeper than toes can reach in much of the bay, so don’t be ashamed to grab a colorful foam noodle if your boat has them to take floating breaks with here and there. Some vessels may also provide smaller paddling boats or kayaks to drift around in.

When is the best time to visit Kleftiko?

The Milos tourist season spans about four months between June and September, though you might find some facilities and services open as early as May and as late as October. Most of the boat tours start shutting down at the end of September, though some run a couple of weeks beyond that.

If you visit outside of summertime, you’ll likely find it difficult to get around, with rental services limited and bus routes on diminished schedules. August tends to be the busiest, so try June or later in September if you’d prefer lighter crowds and not as many boats anchored at Kleftiko, which is one of the most popular places to go on Milos.

How much time is needed at Kleftiko?

If you take a boat tour to Kleftiko, your day will be scheduled, so pay attention to instructions and return to the vessel when requested (or risk being left behind). Consider your swimming strength and speed before taking off too far in any direction on a shorter stop.

If you have an hour or less, scout out which side of the bay you’d rather explore and stick to one direction. The eastern side is most popular with a few different sized rock tunnels to swim through. Or, you can stick closer to the boat with a snorkel and seek out the marine life.

With two or more hours, you’ll likely have time to explore both ends of the bay with a little breather in between.

Are there any facilities at Kleftiko?

Kleftiko beach is not an organized sandy beach like some on Milos, so it doesn’t have amenities like restrooms, chair rentals or food vendors. Your boat tour should provide at least the bare necessities like a toilet and some snacks if you’re out for a few hours. Bring plenty of water along, though, because the Milos sun is hot and draining.

Where to stay in Milos near Kleftiko

Kleftiko is located on the more remote western side of Milos, so you won’t find many places to stay near here. But since you’ll likely be visiting on a Milos boat excursion, basing yourself close to a port town like Adamantas or Pollonia will be handy. This Milos hotel guide breaks down the different hotel types and locations.

Adamas (also called Adamantas) is the main harbor for Milos and the ferries dock here, so it’s full of accommodations, restaurants and shops. You’ll also find plenty of car rental locations and tour booking counters for sailing trips.

It’s a convenient base for Milos vacations, well connected to the rest of the island via bus and a short drive to popular beaches and attractions on the south and north coasts, like the lunar looking Sarakiniko Beach and the colorful village of Klima. 

Search for hotels in Adamantas on Booking.com

Quieter Pollonia at the northern tip of the island has a big sandy beachfront and bay where small water vessels dock. It’s one of the more popular accommodation zones on the island, with vacation rentals, boutique resorts and a small assortment of dining options. 

Find the best hotel deals in Pollonia on Booking.com

What to pack for a Kleftiko boat tour

Since you’ll likely be visiting Kleftiko on a Milos boat trip, make sure you pack up everything you need for the day into a dry bag, backpack or beach bag. Check with your tour provider to find out what food and beverages will be provided and ensure you’ll have enough water and snacks to last for the outing. 

See everything we recommend for a day at Kleftiko below.

1. Dry bag. You'll want a backpack to keep all your stuff together on the boat, and a dry bag will protect your belongings from any splashes. Some types even float on the water in case it goes overboard.

2. Beach towel. Milos guest houses and hotels don't always provide extra towels for beach and boat trips, so bring your own to be safe. If you're traveling light, opt for a microfiber travel towel to save space in your luggage. They dry much faster than the cotton varieties so they're easy to use over and over.

3. Sunscreen and SPF lip balm. While some boats might have a small shady zone, you'll be spending a lot of time in the sun while visiting Kleftiko, so make sure to lather up on sunscreen.

4. Sunglasses. Likewise, protect your eyes from the beaming Milos sun with a pair of polarized sunglasses. Bring a pair you don't mind swimming in if you plan to spend a lot of time in the water.

5. Sun hat. A sun hat will help protect your face while you're cruising around on the boat, since not all water vessels have shade.

6. Swimsuit cover up. Bring something you can quickly throw on between swimming stops for a Milos boat excursion, and keep your dry clothes in your backpack for when you're done.

7. Water bottle. You'll want to carry plenty of water to drink for a long day at sea in Milos.

8. Snacks. Your boat tour will likely include some snacks or a lunch, but it doesn't hurt to bring some extra trail mix or nuts to fuel up between swims.

9. Snorkel set. Some boats provide snorkel gear onboard, but if you want to make sure you have a full set or don't want to share a breathing tube with a stranger, bring your own. (Our boat had them but there weren't enough for everyone).

10. GoPro or waterproof phone case. You'll want to take about 1,000 photos at Kleftiko beach, so bring an action camera you can snorkel with. Be sure to test any waterproof phone case before taking it under the waves.