When people talk about the best things to do in Milos, one place always seems to come up: Kleftiko. OK, maybe also Sarakiniko Beach, but you haven’t truly explored Milos Island if you haven’t seen the stunning rock formations of Kleftiko Beach.
The white cliffs, crystal-clear turquoise water, sea caves, and dramatic coastal scenery have made Kleftiko one of the most photographed places in the Cyclades and Greece.
Most people reach it by boat, joining one of the many (sailing) tours that depart from towns like Adamas, Pollonia, or somewhere around the south coast.
But what if I told you there’s another way to experience Kleftiko? A way that costs nothing, takes you through some of the island’s wildest landscapes, and makes arriving at Kleftiko feel even more rewarding.
During our stay on Milos, we decided to skip the boat tour and hike to Kleftiko instead. It turned out to be one of our favorite adventures on the island.
Why is Kleftiko so famous?
Before setting off, it’s worth understanding why Kleftiko has become such a bucket-list destination and why you should go there.
The name “Kleftiko” comes from the Greek word kleftis, meaning “thief” or “pirate”. Centuries ago, the hidden caves and inaccessible coastline provided the perfect hideout for pirates operating in the Aegean Sea. Legend has it that pirates would hide their ships here and divide their stolen treasures among the sea caves.
Looking at Kleftiko today, it’s easy to understand why they chose this spot. Massive white volcanic rock formations rise dramatically from the sea, creating a natural maze of arches, caves, and secluded swimming spots. Combined with the incredibly clear water, the scenery feels almost unreal.
Can you visit Kleftiko without a boat tour?
Absolutely! Don’t let anyone tell you that you need to do a boat tour to get there. While most visitors experience Kleftiko from the sea, you can organize your own hike to Kleftiko Beach, as we did (and we will explain to you exactly in this article how to do so).
For budget-conscious travelers, adventure seekers, photographers, low-season travelers, and anyone who enjoys exploring on foot, this hike is one of the most rewarding experiences on Milos.
Why we chose to hike instead of taking a boat tour to Kleftiko
Don’t get me wrong, boat tours in Milos are amazing. They are comfortable, you get to swim through caves, snorkel in hidden coves, and admire the coastline from the water. If you have the budget and visit in high season, it’s definitely an experience worth considering.
But there were a few reasons we decided to hike instead.
First, we simply love hiking. Some of our favorite travel memories in the Cyclades come from reaching beautiful places and hidden gems on foot. And we had heard that this particular hike was spectacular (which we can confirm).
Read more: Hiking in Syros
Second, we were traveling as a family, and boat tours can quickly add up. With multiple people, a boat tour gets costly and becomes a significant expense. The hike costs nothing beyond transportation to the trailhead. We drove there in our rental car, so no extra costs for us.
And finally, we visited Milos at the end of the high season, and many tour operators had already stopped sailing to Kleftiko. If you visit Milos in low season, hiking to Kleftiko is the only way to visit this special place.
TIP: Some people actually do both, and if we return to Milos, we might as well. You can do a hike on one day for the adventurous and quiet experience, and a boat tour on another day to see Kleftiko from the water and explore more caves
Practical information for hiking to Kleftiko Beach
If you’re considering hiking to Kleftiko, here are a few practical tips that will help you prepare for the adventure.
Is the hike to Kleftiko difficult?
We think the hike is easy to moderate. The trail itself isn’t particularly technical, but it includes uneven rocky terrain, a few steeper sections, and limited shade for most of the route.
If you’re reasonably fit and comfortable walking on natural trails, you shouldn’t have any problems.
TIP: Along the way, there are white marks (and even piled rocks) to show you the way. But we advise you to also download the trail on Maps.Me or Alltrails so you can use it offline in case you lose the way. Always stay on the path, as you are walking near cliffs in certain areas.
What is the best time to hike to Kleftiko?
The shoulder seasons (May, June, September, and October) offer the most comfortable hiking conditions with nice weather. We visited in late October, and even during the day, it was comfortable.
If you’re visiting Milos in high season, and especially during July or August, try to begin no later than 8:00 AM. There is almost no shadow, and the heat and sun can be brutal during the day. Starting early, not only will the temperatures be cooler, but you’ll also enjoy softer light for photography, fewer people on the trail, and almost no boats around Kleftiko.
Late afternoon is an option too, but make sure you have enough time to walk up again before the dark sets in. You don’t want to end up on the trail and the dirt road at night.
What should you bring?
This is not a hike where you want to be underprepared. There are no facilities whatsoever: no water, no toilets, no kiosks, no lifeguards. Once you leave your vehicle, you’re on your own until you come back, so bring everything you’ll need.
We recommend:
- At least 1.5 to 2 liters of water per person (depending on the season)
- Good walking shoes or hiking sandals (no flip flops!)
- Sun protection: a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Snacks or a light lunch (we brought our picnic)
- Swimsuit and towel
- Waterproof bag for electronics
- Camera or smartphone (you’ll definitely want photos!)
How to get to the start of the hike to Kleftiko Beach?
The adventure already begins driving the dirt road towards the parking of the Monastery of Agios Ioannis (St. John) Siderianos on the southwestern side of Milos. It is doable by a normal car (which is what we did), but the road is rocky, dusty, and has a lot of holes. Drive carefully and slowly, especially after rain or if you’re using a smaller vehicle. Except to drive around for an hour between Adamas and the parking lot.
The monastery is not the start of the trailhead (which is here), but we recommend leaving your car there because the road gets even more challenging after that, and it is easy to walk to the start of the hike.
TIP: A lot of rental cars don’t allow you to drive on dirt roads, so be aware that if you do, you are not insured in case of problems or damage. There are also no mechanics, or gas stations around. The best thing to do is to rent a 4×4 or an ATV, which even allows you to drive all the way to the start of the trailhead. We wouldn’t recommend going by scooter.
How long is the hike to Kleftiko Milos?
The hike from the parking area near the Monastery of St. John Siderianos to Kleftiko viewpoint and beach is approximately 3.5 kilometers (2 miles) one way, 7 kilometers (4 miles) round trip.
It took us around 1 hour each way, but this all depends on your fitness level, how often you stop for photos, the weather conditions, and where you park. If you plan to hike down to the water, swim, relax, and enjoy the scenery, expect the entire excursion to take between 3 and 5 hours.
TIP: Be aware you gradually walk down towards Kleftiko, so make sure you save enough energy and time to walk up again towards the start of the hike. Luckily, the road to the monastery goes down again.
Our experience walking to Kleftiko
We absolutely loved this hike and can highly recommend it. As we parked the car and looked toward the coastline, we could already tell this wasn’t going to be an ordinary walk. The landscape felt rugged, remote, and almost lunar.
Unlike some popular hikes where you spend most of the time surrounded by crowds, this trail felt surprisingly wild. It was just us, the wind, the rocky landscape, and the occasional goat reminding us who really owns the island.
It took us some (sweaty) effort, but as we continued along the path, the anticipation kept building. And then, suddenly, we saw it. The famous white rock formations of Kleftiko, rising out of impossibly blue water. The view from up high is absolutely stunning and a view no one on a boat could ever have. This alone is worth the hike.
Step-by-step hiking guide
Once you’ve parked at the monastery or near the trailhead, the fun (and the sweat) begins. Here’s about what to expect on the walk down:
- Find the “Kleftiko” sign at the start of the trailhead. Once you see white painted marks on the rocks, you know you are on the right track.
- Descend gradually towards the sea, through a classical Cycladic rocky landscape with low (spiky) bushes and stunning Aegean Sea views.
- Enjoy your first views of Kleftiko, a perfect moment for a water break and a few photos. Don’t stop here, though. The views only get better, and we recommend you go all the way to the water.
- Walk down to the natural “canal”, the only safe place where you can access the water to swim. This is also the perfect spot to have a little picnic.
Swimming at Kleftiko
One of the biggest questions people ask is whether you can actually swim at Kleftiko if you hike there. The answer is yes. Reaching the water requires navigating a steep path down toward the coastline, but most hikers make the descent.
The water is exactly what you’d hope for: clear, refreshing, and incredibly inviting after the walk. There was something especially satisfying about jumping into the sea, knowing we had earned the view and the jump.
TIP: Unlike during the boat tours, you won’t be able to swim into every cave or through every arch. If you are a strong, confident swimmer, you can try to reach some, but be aware never to underestimate currents, weather conditions, and don’t try to reach distant caves alone.
Is the hike to Kleftiko worth it?
I think you already know our answer by now: absolutely!
If you’re looking for the easiest way to visit Kleftiko, a boat tour remains the most convenient option and gives a completely different perspective.
But if you’re traveling on a budget, love hiking, enjoy exploring beyond the typical tourist experience, or simply want a memorable adventure, hiking to Kleftiko is an incredible alternative. In fact, looking back, we wouldn’t change a thing. Slow travel creates the best memories, and it was one of our favorite experiences in Milos.