Beach· Milos· Greece — Cyclades
Sarakiniko Beach
36° 44.6′ N · 24° 27.5′ E
A lunar landscape of wind-carved, bone-white volcanic rock on Milos's north coast, with a narrow turquoise inlet cutting through it. It is the most famous sight on the island and a calm-day lunch stop unlike anything else in the Aegean.
Practical
Greeka: about 5 km from Plaka and 10 minutes by car from Adamas; unorganised with no facilities and almost no shade; usually crowded, quieter early morning or late evening; caves in the rock can be explored with a torch; the wreck of the Africa lies about 100 m offshore. By yacht, it faces north and is only usable in calm weather or a southerly; in any meltemi swell breaks into the inlet. Anchor off in sand outside the swimmers and land by dinghy only if conditions are flat. noforeignland lists it as a top Milos stop. The Miloterranean 'Sarakiniko' geo-walk (4.5 km, about 2 hours) starts here.
Best for
Swimming and photographing the white rock in early-morning calm
Season
Calm days; dangerous swell in northerlies