Milos is one of the most fascinating islands in the Cyclades, famous for its spectacular beaches, volcanic landscapes, whitewashed villages and crystal-clear waters. Unlike some Greek islands where you can easily explore most places on foot or by public transport, Milos is an island where having your own vehicle can make a significant difference to your holiday.
If you are planning to explore several beaches, visit traditional villages and discover the more remote corners of the island, renting a car in Milos is one of the most convenient options. However, there is another popular alternative worth considering: renting an ATV.
Is Renting a Car in Milos Worth It?
Yes, absolutely. Milos is quite suitable for driving, and having a rental car gives you much more freedom to explore the island at your own pace.
The island has a surprisingly varied landscape, with many roads connecting the main settlements, beaches and sightseeing areas. Some parts of Milos are relatively easy to reach by car, while other areas have rougher and more uneven terrain.
This is one of the reasons why ATV rental is so popular in Milos. You will see plenty of visitors choosing ATVs to travel between beaches and explore areas where the roads become rougher. An ATV can be an exciting choice if you are travelling alone or as a couple and want a more adventurous experience.
However, for most travellers, we believe renting a car is still the more practical choice.
Car or ATV in Milos?
The decision between a car and an ATV largely depends on how you plan to travel.
ATVs are particularly popular during the summer because they are fun to drive and can be useful on some of the island’s rougher roads. They also make it easier to reach certain areas where the road surface is not ideal.
But there are some important advantages to having a car.
First of all, summer in Milos can be extremely hot. When you are travelling between beaches under the strong Greek sun, having an enclosed, air-conditioned car is a major advantage. You can escape the heat between stops instead of spending the entire day exposed to the sun.
A car is also much more practical if you are travelling with more than two people. An ATV is generally better suited to one or two travellers, while a car allows families or groups of friends to travel together comfortably.
There is another simple advantage that is easy to overlook: luggage. Beach towels, bags, food, beach equipment and other belongings are much easier to carry in a car. If you are staying on Milos for several days and travelling with suitcases, the extra storage space can make your holiday considerably more comfortable.
For these reasons, although ATV rental is certainly worth considering, we would generally recommend renting a car in Milos.
Can You Drive a Rental Car to the Beaches?
One thing to keep in mind is that you should not expect to drive your rental car directly onto every beach.
Milos has many beautiful beaches surrounded by rugged and undeveloped landscapes. Some roads leading towards the beaches can become narrow, rocky or unpaved, and the final section may need to be completed on foot.
This is perfectly normal.
You do not need to drive your car directly onto the sand to enjoy the beaches. In most cases, you can drive reasonably close to your destination, park in a suitable area and walk the remaining distance.
In fact, this is one of the reasons why a car works so well on Milos. You can comfortably cover long distances around the island while still having the freedom to stop whenever you find an interesting viewpoint, small village or beautiful coastline.
The local population lives on the island year-round, so the roads are naturally designed to accommodate cars. Milos is not an island where driving a normal rental car should feel unusual or impossible.
Of course, you should always pay attention to road conditions and follow the rental company’s restrictions regarding unpaved or difficult roads.
Where to Rent a Car in Milos
When we visited Milos, we rented our car right in the main port area, close to where the ferries arrive in the island’s main settlement.
This was a very convenient option because the port is one of the first places you are likely to visit when arriving in Milos. Picking up the car there meant that we could collect the vehicle and start exploring the island without spending additional time arranging transportation.
You may also rent a car in Milos Airport.
Pro tip: You may rent a car in Milos main port and drop in Milos Airport. Both places are to close to eachother.
If you are travelling during the summer season, we strongly recommend booking your rental car in advance.
Milos becomes particularly busy during the high season, and demand for rental cars can increase significantly. Waiting until you arrive may leave you with fewer vehicle choices, higher prices or, in some cases, no suitable car available at all.
Booking a Rental Car in Advance
For our trip, we booked our car in advance through DiscoverCars.com.
This was particularly useful because we wanted to avoid the possibility of arriving in Milos during the busy summer season and discovering that rental cars were unavailable or significantly more expensive.
DiscoverCars.com compares rental options from different suppliers, which makes it easier to see the available cars and prices before your trip. The platform also recommends booking early because prices can generally increase as the rental date approaches.
Our experience was straightforward. When we arrived in Milos, we were able to find our rental car without difficulty. The price was also consistent with what we had booked, so we did not encounter an unexpected surprise when collecting the vehicle.
That is one of the main reasons we would recommend arranging your rental before arriving on the island, especially if you are visiting in July or August.
Tips for Driving in Milos
Driving around Milos is relatively straightforward, but there are a few things worth remembering.
The island has a mixture of paved roads and rougher tracks. Not every road is suitable for every type of vehicle, so check the rental conditions before driving onto unpaved roads.
Drive carefully around narrow sections and bends, particularly when exploring less developed parts of the island. During the summer, there can also be considerably more traffic around the most popular beaches and villages.
It is also worth remembering that you are on a Greek island, not a large mainland city. Distances may look short on a map, but winding roads and mountainous terrain can make journeys take longer than expected.
Most importantly, do not rush. One of the best things about having a rental car in Milos is the freedom to explore at your own pace.
Final Thoughts: Car Rental Is the Best Option for Most Visitors
Milos is an island made for exploring. Its beaches are spread across different parts of the island, and some of the most interesting places are away from the main tourist areas.
An ATV can be a fantastic choice if you are looking for adventure and are travelling as a couple or alone. The island’s rugged terrain makes ATVs particularly popular, and they can certainly add a fun element to your holiday.
For most visitors, however, a rental car is the more comfortable and practical option. It protects you from the intense summer heat, gives you space for luggage and beach equipment, allows more than two people to travel together and makes it much easier to explore different parts of Milos in a single day.
Milos Island Car Rental Prices
We rented our car directly in the port area and booked it in advance through DiscoverCars.com. This allowed us to avoid the risk of higher summer prices or limited availability. When we arrived, the car was ready, the process was easy and there were no unexpected additional prices. We paid about 50 Euro per day for our car in high season. Normally it is cheaper.
If you are planning a summer trip to Milos, our advice is simple: book your rental car before you arrive, choose a vehicle that suits your group, and leave plenty of time to explore the island. You do not need to drive directly onto every beach. Being able to get close, park safely and continue on foot is more than enough to experience the incredible landscapes that make Milos such a special destination.
