Sarakiniko beach in Milos, Greece: what others won’t tell you

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If you are planning a trip to Milos, Greece, you are for sure looking at the best beaches in Milos. Chances are you have heard about Sarakiniko and also about Sarakiniko beach. Actually, in our case, we heard about Sarakiniko before even thinking of going to Milos island and even before knowing there was a beach there. Seeing photos of Sarakiniko’s moonscape is one of the reasons why we chose to spend some time on Milos, Greece. That tells you something about how famous this site is!

Sarakiniko beach is well known for its moonscape. The moonscape is a landscape formed from the white rock formations that gives Sarakiniko a lunar appearance. Although the site is commonly called “Sarakiniko”, there is a beach there that is also worth stopping by. The moonscape is usually the main reason why most people come to visit Sarakiniko. It makes it, with Kleftiko beach (mainly accessible by boat), one of the most unique beaches on Milos. However, in this blog post, I will tell you more about other parts of Sarakiniko that people don’t talk about and that are just as worth seeing! This blog post will help you make the most of your time at Sarakiniko whether you wish to explore, take good photos, relax at the beach or be adventurous.

Now that we have returned from Milos, Greece, we can testify that visiting Sarakiniko is one of the best things to do in Milos. Sarakiniko is definitely the most popular spot in Milos and one of the best beaches in Milos.  It’s the perfect place for a beach date while roaming together in the Greek Islands! During our week in Milos, we visited Sarakiniko once for 5 hours (more on this and how long you should stay in Sarakiniko below) and we are now ready to report!

How to get to Sarakiniko beach, Milos

Sarakiniko is located on the north coast of Milos, Greece, about a 10 minute drive from Adamas which is the main town on Milos island. Adamas is also home to the only port on the island which is where you would arrive by ferry. It is also a 17 minute drive from Pollonia which is located on the east of the island. Sarakiniko is also about a 20 minute drive from Klima, a village with colourful fisherman houses. And Sarakiniko is also about a 15 minute drive from Plaka, the capital of Milos island.

As you can tell, Milos, Greece is a small island. Wherever you are staying, you will be able to get to Sarakiniko in max 30 minutes which is super convenient. 

To get to Sarakiniko easily, you can use Google maps or the iPhone plans application. 

Our experience getting to Sarakiniko was really easy as we were staying at the Tsakanos apartments in Adamas. It only took us about 10 minutes to get there (in mid-September). We had rented a car with Budget through expedia which is one of the best ways to go around Milos island. It was also really easy to drive around the island.

Some hotels also offer the option of renting a car with them. Most hotels can also help you book a taxi if that is your preferred way of going around. 

That said, there are a few other ways you can reach Sarakiniko. On Milos island, it is very common to rent an ATV, a buggy or a scooter. We saw lots of rental places mainly in Adamas. You can usually rent the ATV, buggy or scooter from just one day to several days. 

When we were traveling around Paros island, we were going to Paros best beaches by bus and had rented an ATV for a day to explore the island a bit more. It was SO MUCH fun! So I highly recommend to do the same if you’re visiting Milos as well. Prices to rent an ATV are usually around 50€ a day. I suggest negotiating especially if you are renting it for longer. 

Another budget-friendly way to go around Milos island is to take the bus. Although we didn’t travel by bus ourselves, we did see a bus coming to Sarakiniko and also going around the island to other towns like Plaka. Buses are very common on Greek islands and are usually reliable.

When you arrive to Sarakiniko, there is plenty of parking space for everybody. Whether you are driving a car , an ATV or a scooter, you will find some space to park.

What is the best time to visit Sarakiniko in Milos

Sarakiniko is a very popular spot and is recommend everywhere as the one spot not to miss when visiting Milos. So of course, you can imagine you will not be alone there. That said, mornings and sunsets are usually a lot less crowded. 

We arrived at around 8:30am and we were the second car there. We pretty much had the place to ourselves for 15 minutes before other tourists started arriving. And we left Sarakiniko at around 1pm and at that time the parking was full with people coming and leaving quite regularly. If you are looking to be completely alone there, I would recommend coming to Sarakiniko before 8am. 

One thing we noted was that even though Sarakiniko became a bit more crowded as the day went on, it was never awfully crowded. Sarakiniko is quite big and there is lots of space for everybody so you won’t feel overwhelmed. People also come for short periods of time (around one hour) so there is a good turn over when it comes to parking space.

In addition to the time at which you come to Sarakiniko, the day also matters. Sarakiniko site is completely exposed to the elements, including our lovely friend: the wind. When we visited Sarakiniko, it was quite a windy day. And although, it was obviously beautiful, I do think that it would have been a bit nicer on a less windy day. So, if you get the chance, check the weather and try to visit Sarakiniko on a calm day. 

Visiting Sarakiniko at sunset

Sunset is a great time to visit Sarakiniko as it will be a bit less crowded and you can benefit from a different softer light on the landscape. If you are planning on visiting Sarakiniko at sunset, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. 

First, sunset time changes throughout the months in the summer. In mid-September, sunset was at 7:30pm so I would recommend showing up between 6:30pm and 7pm especially if you want to catch some good photos beforehand. Also, the sun sets behind the rocks (not on the sea) which displays beautiful colours in the sky.

Second, remember that night time can get a bit cooler on islands. I’d say that from 6:30pm in mid- September you will need a light sweater especially if it is windy.

Finally, if you are bringing any drinks or snacks with you, please bring those with you back to the car. There are no trashcans on site and no-one wants to ruin such a beautiful place with garbage.

How long do you need to stay at Sarakiniko

As I have mentioned, we stayed at Sarakiniko for about 5 hours. The reason for this was that we only had one week in Milos, Greece and didn’t plan on visiting every site more than once. So we wanted to take it all in at once and explore every part of Sarakiniko, not just the moonscape. Another reason was that we were taking photos and that definitely takes some time. 

At Sarakiniko, you can stay as long as you want as there is so much to explore but I would recommend the following.

If you are not taking photos and just want to explore Sarakiniko, I would say that 2 hours is enough to see every interesting area of Sarakiniko (see below), especially if it’s windy or if you don’t want to spend any time at the beach. 

If you are planning on exploring and going to the beach there, then you could easily spend a full day here. Make sure that you bring everything you need for the day though as detailed below. 

If you are planning on taking photos, then you could be staying at Sarakiniko for hours! Every view from the cliffs is beautiful whether looking at the sea or at the land. It was a bit hard for us to stop capturing everything! 

Sarakiniko is split into the left side and the right side. If you are staying long enough on Milos island, you could visit the left side first and come back a different day for the right side as well. You can also decide to visit Sarakiniko at sunrise and sunset to catch different lights and colours. 

Sarakiniko beach in Milos, Greece

Nature truly is amazing! Sarakino beach is one of the best beaches in Milos, Greece. But make sure you don’t get it mixed up with Sarakiniko in Parga near the village of Agia on mainland Greece. Although Sarakiniko beach in Parga is a really nice sandy beach, Sarakiniko beach in Milos looks totally different and is much more unique. 

When arriving into the parking lot, Milos’ Sarakiniko beach is located on the left side. From the beginning of Sarakiniko, you can’t really see it. But after walking a bit towards the left, you will start seeing it appear. It takes only a few minutes to get to the beach.

The sand section of Sarakino beach is small but can still accommodate quite a bit of people. The sand is white and thin and definitely some of the best sand I’ve seen. Behind the sandy section of the beach, there are a couple trees where you can find some shade if you don’t want to bring an umbrella. This is probably where you will find the most shade at Sarakiniko. 

During our visit to Sarakiniko, we noticed that most people don’t actually stop at the beach. Instead, people walk around the rock formations and the moonscape and then go to a different beach for the rest of the day. We are not sure whether this was due to the weather being windy that day or it being still too early in the day for people to go to the beach. Which ever it is, it means that if you would like to go to Sarakiniko beach and lay there for a few hours, arriving in the morning is recommended. The beach did get busier in the beginning of the afternoon. 

If the sandy beach section is packed with people, you still have an option to lay on the rocky sections around the beach. The rocks are pretty smooth and easy to walk on so you won’t have a hard time finding a spot there. 

We spent some time at Sarakiniko beach and one thing I really liked was how shallow the water is for a while. You can easily walk in the water for a few meters. Sarakiniko beach is also really well protected from the wind with the cliffs and rock formations around it. It is therefore quite nice to be on this beach when it’s windy. 

The water at Sarakiniko has the reputation of being super clear and transparent. When we went, the wind and waves made the water more opaque but the view was still nice. 

Moonscape of Sarakiniko

What makes Sarakiniko beach special is that it is surrounded by a lunar landscape commonly referred to as “the moonscape”. The moonscape is made of a white rock formation that goes on for kilometers on the left of the parking lot (when looking at the sea). It has formed due to the erosion of the volcanic rock by the wind and waves. 

The moonscape is a mix of different areas including cliffs, cenotes, caves and canyons. You can observe the cliffs from the centre of Sarakiniko. They are massive and you can easily walk to the top of them. There is on massive cliff right before Sarakiniko beach and one right after. Those cliffs are amazing for photos and to catch some of the best views.

Right after Sarakiniko beach, you will see a first cenote, aka a huge hole in the white rock formations. This is a spot cherished by those who like cliff jumping. Although cliff jumping is popular at Sarakiniko, I would still be careful especially when it’s windy and the sea is rough. Always make sure you can make it back to shore!

One area of Sarakiniko that is not talked about is the canyons. After wandering around the cliffs and taking in the views, the back of Sarakiniko caught my eye. When we visited Santorini and especially Vlychada beach, which is one of the best beaches in Santorini, I was fascinated with the canyons in the cliffs and that was one of the best things we did in Santorini. So when we visited Sarakiniko, I was looking for something a bit similar. And I found the canyons. 

To find Sarakiniko canyons, you will need to keep walking past Sarakiniko beach, past the cenote, and start looking on your left. You should see them quite easily now that you know they are there. 

Sarakiniko canyons make for really great photos and are also very well protected from the wind. Be mindful that the rocks are also very brittle in the canyons. Make sure to protect your camera gear from the dust and ensure that your tripod is steady (speaking from experience).

Desert of Sarakiniko

One part of Sarakiniko and Sarakiniko beach that isn’t talked about at all is the right side. Yes, the moonscape and Sarakiniko beach are beautiful but the right side is equally worth visiting. 

I call that side of Sarakiniko the “desert of Sarakiniko”. This is because that side has a bit more vegetation and made me think of Joshua Tree National Park a bit.

At first, on the right side, you will see some more lunar landscape with some pinnacles and small canyons similar to the moonscape. However, as you go further into the right side, the landscape starts to change. Although you can still observe the white rock formations on your right, the rest looks a lot more like the desert. There you will start seeing some herbs and small and dry bushes. This side is a lot more rocky as well whereas the moonscape side looks a lot smoother. 

We explored this side for quite a bit of time. It is quite impressive of the landscape changes from one side to another. This side was also a bit less windy for some reason although both sides are exposed to the sea. 

When visiting Sarakiniko, you will notice that most people limit their visit to the moonscape, and Sarakiniko beach. Most people don’t adventure on that side of Sarakiniko. If you notice the moonscape is starting to become crowded, then head over to the left side for some peace and quiet. You will not be disappointed by the view. 

When in the desert of Sarakiniko, keep walking towards the shipwreck. On your right, you will see that the cliffs stop. I recommended exploring this passage and the different canyons there. 

As this side is a lot less busy, the desert of Sarakiniko is also a great place to take photos without having to compose with the crowds!

Sarakiniko Shipwreck

On the right side of Sarakiniko, right after the “desert”, you can check out Sarakiniko Shipwreck. The ship was a tanker from Africa that crashed into Sarakiniko’s cliffs in 2003. At first, the ship was very visible but with the years, the wind and the sea, it is slowly disappearing. Now, you can see the shipwreck in the water and you will be able to see two parts sticking out of the sea. The first part is the front of the ship and the second part is the mast. This is definitely something to check out when visiting Sarakiniko. 

Old Mining Tunnels

In the back of Sarakiniko beach, behind the trees I mentioned earlier, there are more cliffs protecting a sort of valley. At the bottom of those cliffs are some old mining tunnels dug into the rock formations. Those are definitely cool to check out. 

Things to be aware of when visiting Sarakiniko

I have mentioned a couple things throughout the post but wanted to clarify them in this section. There are a couple of things to be aware of when visiting Sarakiniko so you can have the best experience possible during your time there.

The Wind

I have mentioned Sarakiniko can get pretty windy. The wind does not prevent you from visiting Sarakiniko. During our time there, there was a lot of wind, and we still had a great time and were still able to explore everything including the cliffs that are most exposed. 

The only drawback of windy days at Sarakiniko is the dust flying around during gusts of wind. The dust comes from the cliffs and rock formations which are very brittle. I would recommend wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes, especially if they are as sensitive as mine. Also, if it is windy when you’re visiting, expect to be covered in a thin layer of white dust at the end of your visit. 

The Sea

When it is windy, the sea is usually rough. Please be careful and aware of your swimming capabilities. Sarakiniko beach is protected and it might seem easy to swim out even though the sea is rough. However coming back can be hard and you might get tired quickly in the rough sea. Please don’t take any unneeded risk. Sarakiniko is easily accessible so if the sea is too rough for you, you can easily come back at a later time.

Sea Urchins

We saw LOTS of sea urchins in Milos and lots at Sarakiniko as well. When cliff jumping or swimming around, please be mindful of them and not to hurt yourself. There are no facilities on site should something happen to you or should you require any sort of medical assistance. 

Jellyfish

Jellyfish are pretty but also kind of a pain when they sting you! During our time at Sarakiniko beach, I went into the water. The water was quite opaque from the waves so I couldn’t really see what was around me but I was fine with it as the water was pretty shallow. However, another girl came up a few minutes after saying she had been stung by a jellyfish at the exact same place. Jellyfish stings are usually harmless and apart from the fact that it’s not the best feeling to get stung, they usually don’t entail bad consequences. However, it’s nice to know ahead of time that they sometimes hang out at Sarakiniko.

Food and drinks

There is no restaurant, facilities or washroom at Sarakiniko. If you are going to stay at Sarakiniko for a few hours, I would recommend bringing food and water as it can get quite hot on the rock formations. During the mid-morning, we did notice a drink truck selling drinks and bottled water by the parking lot but we did not notice any food being served. 

Accessibility

Sarakiniko site is easily accessible by motorised vehicle. The path leading from the parking to the actually site is not paved but I would say it wouldn’t be totally impossible in a wheelchair with some help. However, once you arrive at the first stop, visiting the right and left sides of the site involves a bit of climbing and there is no path as such.

What to wear and bring to Sarakiniko

If you are visiting Sarakiniko during the months of June, July, August and September, I would recommend wearing a bathing suit under your clothes. The rock formations can get quite hot and there are lots of different spots where you could easily go for a quick swim besides Sarakiniko beach.

There is very few shade spots at the site so I would also recommend bringing and wearing sunscreen and possibly wearing some sort of hat.

As for shoes, we visited the whole site in flip flops and it was grand! There is absolutely no need for hiking shoes as everything is pretty easy to “climb”. 

I also recommend bringing some sea shoes if you plan on going into the water or cliff jumping. Those can protect you from sharp rocks in the water so you don’t cut yourself. They can also act as an extra layer of protection should you come in contact of sea urchins. 

If you can, bring a thicker beach towel. It will make your stay on the rock formations a bit more comfortable in case the beach is too crowded. 

Budget to visit Sarakiniko, Milos

Sarakiniko is free to visit. Parking is also free. If you don’t have a car, you can take the bus or rent an ATV. The budget for this would be on the lower end which is great for couples on a budget.

Any questions? Then drop them in the comments or on insta and we will get back to you asap.