Are you dreaming about the Cyclades islands? Or planning a trip to Milos, Greece? Then you must see the famous Sarakiniko Beach, Milos, also known as Moon Beach – read on if you want to know how.

Sarakiniko Beach in Milos is perhaps the most treasured beach of the Cyclades Island group, which might sound curious once you learn that most of it is not a beach at all. That is, of course, until you see it – an otherworldly moonscape like that, surrounded by blue Aegean waters, was destined to doomed in thousands of travelers from the start. Volcanic activity in the southern Aegean area actually began some 3 million years ago, with Milos being active until 90 thousand years ago. It was around that time that Sarakiniko probably formed when fossils and vulcanic materials started layering into the beautiful chalk-white formations we see today. Sarakiniko Beach truly appears to be from somewhere else in the solar system, and if you’re visiting Milos or a nearby island, you simply must plan a visit here.

To help you plan your Cycladic trip below is your essential guide to your visit to Sarakiniko Beach, Milos:

Where is Sarakiniko Beach located?

Sarakiniko beach is located on the north coast of Milos, Greece, the southernmost island of the Cyclades. Sarakiniko is just a 10-minute drive from Adamas, Milos’ main port and a seaside village, and a 15-minute drive from Plaka, the island’s capital.

How to get to Sarakiniko Beach?

The best way to get to Sarakiniko Beach is with a rental car, ATV, or scooter. Milos is a relatively small island, so you’ll be able to get to Sarakiniko beach within 20 minutes tops wherever you are starting from. There is also a parking area right above Sarakiniko with plenty of space for everybody.

Another alternative to get to Sarakiniko beach is by bus – there’s a direct line that connects Adamas and Sarakiniko several times a day with the first bus departing around 10 am. You can check the timetables on Milos public transport’s official website.

Besides tanning and setting up your own personal photoshoot, there are several other activities you can enjoy at Sarakiniko beach:

• Swim – this one might sound obvious, but while looking at the pictures of the huge cliffs of Sarakiniko one may wonder: can you swim at Sarakiniko beach? The answer is yes. If you enjoy the adrenaline rush of cliff-jumping, then obviously in Sarakiniko you’ll have a blast. If you’re not a big fan of cliff-jumping, you may like to know that there’s also a portion of Sarakiniko that resembles an actual beach, with a sandy bay from which is very easy to walk into the water.

• Explore the canyons – if you’re up for putting a little bit of effort and exploring the area, you can find the most beautiful white natural canyons in Sarakiniko. Some of them are big enough for a person to walk through.
• Discover the old mining tunnels and caves – if at some point you find yourself wanting to escape from the sun, you can explore the old mine tunnels. The entrances to these tunnels are located right behind the sandy bay and somehow hidden behind the grass and trees. Mining was once a very lucrative activity in Milos, and although underground mining is no longer allowed, minerals like perlite are still extracted on the island.

What you should know before visiting Sarakiniko Beach:

• Be mindful of the wind on Meltemi days. Like most of the Cycladic islands, during the summer months, Milos can experience some strong winds coming from the North, called the Meltemi winds. On such days, Sarakiniko can get very windy, and enjoy your visit you need to be a bit cautious. First of all, when it is very windy, the sea gets rough too, and you must be aware of your swimming capabilities. Secondly, you must be careful when walking near the cliffs that are most exposed. If you’re staying for several hours, you should also expect to be covered by some white dust by the end of your visit.
• Watch out for Sea Urchins. When cliff jumping, please watch out for the spikey Sea Urchins hidden in the rock crevices. They are not poisonous, but accidentally stepping on one causes a lot of pain.
• Note that there are no facilities in Sarakiniko. There are no facilities at Sarakiniko beach, meaning no bars and no washrooms. If you are going to stay at Sarakiniko for more than an hour, it is essential to bring your own food and water, as it can get quite hot on the rocks.

What is the best time to visit Sarakiniko beach?

Sarakiniko beach is the most popular swimming spot in Milos, so you can imagine you will not be alone there, especially if you’re visiting in July or August. That being said, early mornings are usually very peaceful, and if you manage to arrive before 9 am you’ll have the place almost to yourself for a little while.

Around 10 am is when the blue colors of the water will really pop out against the backdrop of the white rock formations. If you’re in Milos for a few days we also highly recommend visiting Sarakiniko during sunset, which is when the moonscape will turn into incredible shades of pink and gold.

Is Sarakiniko Beach Crowded?

Sarakiniko Beach usually gets a bit busy between 10 am and 5 pm, but the crowds are never that bad. Sarakiniko is pretty big so you’ll always be able to find a spot to place your towel. If, however, you’re looking to have Sarakiniko Beach all to yourself, you must be prepared to get there between 8 and 9 am.

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