The Greek Beach That Looks Like the Moon
Sarakiniko beach, on the island of Milos, is a hidden wonder.
While the blue domes of Santorini and beach clubs of Mykonos are a major draw for any tourist visiting Greece, it’s the beach of Sarakiniko that deserves the attention, located on the northern coast of the underrated island of Milos. The geological marvel, with its bone-white craggy cliffs, is millions of years in the making. Fossil layering, volcanic eruptions, eroding winds, and harsh waves have whittled the moon-like rock into the otherworldly seaside retreat it is today.
Sarakiniko was a prized location for the ancient Greeks, who found obsidian, ideal for tools and weapons, within its depths. The island’s name is derived from the Greek word “sarakeeni,” which means Saracen, the name of the Byzantine-era pirates who used the area’s caves as hideouts to store their treasures and launching pads for raids of passing ships.
The area is also notable for the shipwreck of “Africa,” a Cambodian tanker that crashed into the rocks during a windy storm in 2003. It’s a story of triumph, as the crew members were able to evacuate unharmed. While most of the boat has been swallowed up by the sea, it’s yet another excuse for beachgoers and divers to explore the bounds of Sarakiniko.
The chalky horizon set against the blue of the Aegean Sea makes for a stunning spectacle and, luckily for visitors, it’s incredibly accessible.
How to get there
The island of Milos is about a 2-hour ferry ride from Athens. Once there, you can get a taxi to Sarakinko, which is only 10-15 minutes away from the towns of Adamas, Pollonia, and Plaka. You can also hop on a bus from a station in Adamas, located just a short walk away from the ferry terminal. If you’d rather take in the scenery by water, you can make a day out of it and book a sailboat tour that’ll take you around the coves, in addition to nearby hotspots like Kleftiko, another can’t-miss pirate’s den marked by sea caves.
When to visit
The best time to visit any of the Greek islands is May to October. Since the beach faces north, beware of the notorious Meltemi winds, which are strong, dry, northern winds that occur all over the Aegean, especially during the months of July and August. Windfinder is a great way to check in on the conditions the day of your visit.
Because the beach is devoid of any real greenery, the direct sun can get quite intense. For the most pleasant experience, aim to go early in the morning or later in the afternoon. If you choose the latter, you’re in store for a pretty epic golden hour, where the golds and pinks of sunset are reflected on the white rocks.
What to expect
The lunar landscape is largely untouched, which means more natural beauty and less tavernas. When you enter the island from the right side of the parking lot, you’ll encounter jagged canyons, fit for hiking and photographs. On the left side of the parking lot, you’ll get more opportunities for swimming and snorkeling. Here you might also want to engage in a little cliff jumping; the highest peak is about 20 feet high. The “Africa” shipwreck is located on the south side of the island, alongside a series of abandoned mine tunnels, just waiting to be explored.