Hike and Swim Milos

The island of Milos is a bustling place in some areas. In others, it’s quiet.

We arrived mid afternoon. After getting checked into our hotel and figuring out some logistics for the next couple of days, we still had some time before sunset. If you need a short hike and don’t mind sweating it out a little, I highly recommend the hike up to the castle in Plaka. We did the trek from the main port. My navigator was able to find a lovely nature trail that hooked us up to the smaller and quieter roads that led up to the castle pathway.

After a day of travel, I felt lethargic. Once we got moving, I felt better. By the time we were sweating it up the cobbled pathway to the top, I was motivated.

Movement is good. Climbing comes with rewards.

The view at the top is spectacular. Of course, we found a cold beer with a waterfront view on the way down.

Our first full day in Milos was quite an adventure.

Of course, if you visit Milos, you can go to the popular beaches. You will need to be prepared to deal with a small number of parking spots and crowds. Even in May, there are quite a few people flocking to the beautiful island and driving to the beaches.

Another option is to hike. I was more than happy to grab my boots and start walking. The rewards were immense.

After a short hike from the hotel to the first popular beach, we continued on along the shoreline. There are some rocky portions and some light maneuvering (not full on scrambling), so we took it slow to avoid any problems. And to take in the beauty.

It didn’t take very long to come upon the first secret swimming spot, as I like to call it. They aren’t actually secret. Anyone can go there. But you have to walk a little and maneuver some rocky shoreline. I love shore hikes!

After our first few kilometers, we stopped at a small inlet with some deeper water. The water was crystal clear, as is all the water along the beaches of Milos. The plunge was cold and invigorating.

I’m not naturally comfortable in deep, open water. This trip, I’m determined to get more comfortable and relaxed swimming in these beautiful waters.

After the swim, we continued on. The day did get a bit long and hot, but we were able to stay along the shoreline almost the entire way to Pollonis.

There was a bit of walking along the road closer to the town, which is quite safe here. Since there are many stretches of road without a path or a sidewalk, the drivers are aware and provide lots of room for pedestrians.

We had lunch at a lovely spot on the water and enjoyed many seafood delights.

For the return hike, we chose to stay on the road longer at the start to cover more ground quicker. The shore is quiet and beautiful but takes longer to hike along.

It got hot, that’s for sure. But, I’ve been down the hot 🔥 hiking road before. Regular water, sunscreen, and upbeat attitude are the tools I bring along.

We were able to grab a cold beer at a gas station and take a short break. Then, not far from the town, we stopped again at our swimming spot. This time, I took a longer, slower, more relaxed swim.

By the time we got to town, I was baked and tired. I could feel that bad attitude trying to grab me. I splashed some cold water on my face, took a few deep breaths, and took in the view.

We ordered several seafood appetizers and shared everything. I’ve loved this style of eating here, especially when we have more hiking to do. My favorite was the stingray, served kind of like a pate on toasted bread.

After some white wine, the short hike up to the hotel didn’t seem so bad. In fact, I think it stretched out my tired legs.

A full day in Milos with a good hike and two great swims was quite different than my normal hiking experiences. It’s one that I would highly recommend.

With a little work and a willingness to go off the beaten path, the rewards can be amazing.

For full route details, find me on Strava.