If you are looking for a small Greek island with beautiful beaches, turquoise waters, delicious traditional food and a much more relaxed atmosphere, Kimolos might be exactly what you are looking for!
Located right next to famous Milos in the Cyclades island complex, Kimolos is often visited as a day trip from its famous neighbour. And while a day trip is absolutely possible, after spending several days here myself, I would definitely recommend staying longer if your itinerary allows it.
Kimolos is small, peaceful and easy to fall in love with. You will find colorful fishermen’s houses right by the sea, beautiful beaches, traditional tavernas, incredible sunsets and one of the best boat trips you can take in the Cyclades: Polyaigos.
In this Kimolos travel guide, I’m sharing everything you need to know to plan your trip, including how to get there, whether you need a car, the best beaches, where to eat, where to watch the sunset and the experiences you shouldn’t miss!
Where is Kimolos?
Kimolos is a small Greek island in the Cyclades island group, located in the Aegean Sea right next to Milos. Unlike many Greek islands, Kimolos doesn’t have several large villages. Chorio is the island’s main village and the heart of Kimolos, while Psathi is its main port. Around the coastline you will also find small seaside settlements and the island’s characteristic fishermen’s houses known as syrmata.
Kimolos doesn’t have an airport, so you will need to arrive by ferry.
How to Get to Kimolos
Kimolos has no airport, but getting there is easy:
- From Athens: Take a direct ferry from Piraeus and Lavrion → Kimolos. Routes run on selected days.
- Via Milos: Fly or take a ferry to Milos island, then:
-Take a SeaJets ferry from Adamas → Kimolos (but only 1 per day usually 60-80 euros per person)
-Drive/take a taxi to Pollonia village on the North side of Milos and catch the small local ferry to Psathi port, Kimolos (~25 min/4,5 euros pp). There are around 7 ferry connections per day to Kimolos depending on weather conditions. You can find the timings here and you can book when arriving there.
Angel’s tip: You can book your ferry tickets here from Athens to Milos or Kimolos and support my site at no cost to you:)
Angel’s tip: You get your ticket for the local ferry in Pollonia on the spot (from Milos to Kimolos) , you cannot book it in advance. Important if you are travelling with a car: during high season, arrive early. The local ferry has very limited capacity for vehicles (around 30), so space can fill quickly and cars are generally boarded according to availability (1st come, 1st served).
Ferry routes and schedules can change depending on the season and weather, so always check the latest timetable before travelling. Check this site.
Can You Visit Kimolos Without a Car?
Yes. Kimolos is doable without a car.
There are local buses, taxis and transfer options on the island, so you can certainly visit Kimolos without renting a vehicle. However, if you want to explore as much of the island as possible, I personally recommend having a car. It gives you much more freedom to move between beaches, stay until sunset and reach places that are not conveniently served by public transport. Some of the more remote beaches also involve dirt roads, which is something worth keeping in mind.
Where to Stay in Kimolos
Kimolos is a small island, so distances are relatively short and most areas make a good base for exploring.
- Chorio – The main village and capital. Best for restaurants, cafés and evening strolls. Keep in mind that you can’t drive or park inside the village, so you’ll need to leave your car in one of the parking areas outside.
- Psathi – The port. Convenient for the ferry and a good option if you’re visiting without a car.
- Rema & Goupa – Perfect for a peaceful seaside stay. You can even stay in a traditional syrma, a fisherman’s boat house right by the sea, like I did.
- Aliki & Bonatsa – Good options if you prefer to stay close to the beach and you have a car.
Angel’s tip: Prassa is, in my opinion, the most beautiful beach on the island, but it’s more remote, so I wouldn’t personally choose it as a base. Definitely visit it for a beach day!
Angel’s tip: One of my favourite parts of this trip was actually my accommodation. I stayed at Rema Beach in a traditional syrma, just a few steps from the Aegean Sea.
What is a syrma? Syrmata are traditional fishermen’s buildings constructed directly beside the sea. They were originally used by local fishermen to store and protect their boats during winter. Some are still used for their original purpose today, while others have been beautifully converted into unique seaside accommodation. If you have been to Milos, you may already recognise them from places such as Klima, Mandrakia and Fyropotamos. I had stayed in one in Milos the previous year and loved the experience so much that when planning Kimolos, I knew I wanted to do it again. Waking up just a few steps from the water was easily one of the highlights of my stay. Angel’s tip: The one I chose this time was Blue Boat House Kimolos.
Read more about Milos island here.
How Many Days Do You Need in Kimolos?
You can take an idea of Kimolos in one day. But I would recommend 2-4 days if you have the time. I stayed for 6 days and I wanted more to be honest!
With 3 days, for example:
- Day 1: Arrive in Kimolos in Psathi port → Rema & Goupa Kara → Prassa beach → explore Chorio in the evening.
- Day 2: Beach hopping → Bonatsa / Kalamitsi beaches → Mavrospilia for a last swim and sunset.
- Day 3: Full-day Polyaigos boat trip → dinner in Chorio.
Angel’s tip: If you have only 1 day: I recommend Goupa Kara area → Prassa beach → Chorio 
BEST THINGS TO DO IN KIMOLOS
1. Explore Chorio
Chorio is the island’s main village and the capital! Expect whitewashed Cycladic houses, narrow alleys, little squares, churches and the traditional castle area. One detail I particularly loved was discovering the open lending libraries around the village, where books are freely available for people to borrow. Chorio is particularly beautiful later in the day, when the temperature drops and its restaurants and bars start filling up.
2. Discover Goupa and the colorful Syrmata
One of the most photogenic areas of Kimolos is Elephant spot in Goupa Kara(or just Goupa), with colorful syrmata built right beside the sea. This is one of those places where you don’t necessarily need a long list of things to do. Walk around, swim, photograph the fishermen’s houses and enjoy the scenery. Nearby you will also find Rema pebbly beach, making it easy to combine the two areas.
3. Swim in Kimolos’ crystal clear waters
Despite being a small island, Kimolos has an impressive variety of beaches. These were some of the beaches and coastal areas that stood out to me.
- Prassa Beach: My favorite! If you are looking for that incredible turquoise-water moment, Prassa should be high on your list.The combination of bright water and pale surroundings creates some of the most striking colours on the island. It is one of the beaches I would definitely include on a first trip to Kimolos. Angel’s tip: You can find only one small canteen – no sunbeds.
- Goupa Kara : It is less about a classic sandy beach and more about its beautiful setting. Come here for the colorful syrmata, crystal-clear water and rocky coastline – one of the most characteristic landscapes in Kimolos. There’s no traditional beach here; instead, you can jump straight from the rocks into the clear Aegean waters.
- Karras is a rocky swimming spot as well with crystal-clear water, perfect if you prefer jumping straight into the sea rather than a traditional sandy beach. Close to Goupa Kara but quieter.
- Rema Beach: Rema is a small unorganized pebbly beach next to Goupa Kara, and it’s also where I stayed during my time in Kimolos. It’s well protected from the winds, making it a great option on windier days but with big pebbles so not my favorite. Being able to walk straight from my accommodation to the water though was one of those simple Greek-island moments I could happily repeat every summer.
- Kalamitsi Beach: Another beach worth adding to your list with many trees for shadow. The water is generally shallow and the beach can be a good choice when the northern winds are strong. Angel’s tip: You can combine your swim with lunch by the sea at Kalamitsi restaurant – one of my favorite on the island.
- Bonatsa: Bonatsa is another popular option if you prefer an accessible beach with beach bars (20-25 euros per set) and a more relaxed day by the water. Its sandy coastline and relatively shallow water make it a good choice for spending several hours rather than simply stopping for a quick swim.
- Ellinika Beach: On the western side of Kimolos, combines a beach day with a little bit of history. The area is associated with the remains of ancient Kimolos, some of which are submerged offshore. Ellinika can easily be combined with nearby Dekas and Mavrospilia. Angel’s tip: Beach is famous for free camping too / not organized.
- Dekas Beach: Another western beach, not organized and a good stop if you are spending the day exploring this side of the island. Because several beaches sit relatively close together here, beach hopping is a great way to spend the afternoon before heading towards Mavrospilia for sunset.
- Mavrospilia Beach – One of the Best Sunset Spots in Kimolos. If you love sunsets, save Mavrospilia for later in the day. Located on the western side of Kimolos, it is one of my favourite choices for combining an afternoon swim like I did with sunset. Angel’s tip: It has a beach bar with sunbeds.
My ideal plan would be: Ellinika → Dekas → Mavrospilia → sunset there.
- Soufi Beach –Soufi was the beach that got away. A local recommended it to me as a hidden gem, particularly because of its protection from certain winds and I really wanted to visit. However, reaching it involved a long dirt-road drive. I drove for around 25 minutes, but the road became increasingly isolated, I had little to no phone signal and I wasn’t confident enough about continuing alone in case I had a problem with the car or a tyre. So I eventually turned around. Υοu arrive in Monastiria beach, you park you car and you need to walk for 10-15 minutes in order to arrive in Soufi! My advice? Consider reaching Soufi by boat, or only attempt the drive if you are comfortable with rough roads and have a suitable vehicle. Sometimes travel is also about knowing when to turn around!
4. Watch a movie at Cine Kalisperitis during summer
One evening while walking around Chorio, I unexpectedly came across an open-air cinema screening. It turned out to be Cine Kalisperitis, an initiative by Kimolistes, a volunteer group based on Kimolos. They organise atmospheric outdoor film screenings in different locations on Kimolos from June to September and occasionally elsewhere in the Cyclades. There is something incredibly special about watching a film outdoors on a Greek island on a summer evening. I hadn’t planned it at all, which made discovering it even better.
If you are visiting during summer, check whether a screening is happening during your stay.
5. Taste the traditional delicious food
Don’t miss the local specialties:
Ladenia – Kimolos’ signature dish: a traditional flatbread topped with tomato, onion & olive oil.
Tirenia – A traditional savory cheese pie.
Manoura – Kimolos’ local cheese, often aged in wine sediment.
Definitely add it to your Kimolos food list.
Restaurants & nightlife
Despite its small size, Kimolos has plenty of great places for breakfast, traditional Greek food, seafood, drinks and something sweet. These are some of my favourites and the places I recommend adding to your list.
Breakfast
- Raventi – A lovely option for breakfast, coffee and pastries in Psathi port. Also a great stop when you’re craving something sweet.
- Synantisi – Another good choice to start your morning with breakfast and coffee.
- Kalamitsi – Breakfast by the sea! A great option if you’re heading to Kalamitsi Beach and want to combine the two.
- Μπαρbe – A nice option for coffee and breakfast, which also turns into a great spot for drinks later in the day.
- Nikos Bakery for local pies
Where to Eat
- To Kyma in Psathi port: One of my favourite settings for lunch in Kimolos. Fresh fish and seafood served literally by the sea, with your table and feet in the sand. This is exactly what a Greek-island lunch should feel like!
- Sardis : A good choice for traditional Greek dishes, fresh fish and seafood.
- Prasonisi: A great option for Greek flavours with a more modern approach. Combine it with a day at Prassa Beach for an easy beach-and-lunch plan. Angel’s tip: Try Barbounomakaronada.
- Bonatsa Restaurant : Located right at Bonatsa Beach, with a beautiful seaside setting. It’s a little more upscale – and more expensive – than some of the traditional tavernas on the island.
- Kalamitsi : One of the places I really loved. Seaside Greek food right at Kalamitsi Beach, making it perfect for a long beach day followed by lunch by the water.
- Kali Kardia : Head here in Chorio for homemade local dishes and a more traditional Greek dining experience. Angel’s tip: No reservations accepted.
- Gefsidelia: Perfect when you want homemade food to take away. You’ll also find traditional pies, making it a great option for grabbing something before heading to the beach.
- Palaia Agora: A casual option in Chorio for souvlaki and an easy dinner.
- Chalk: Save this one if you love crepes – I had some of the best crepes here!
Where to Go for Drinks
For an evening drink in Kimolos, head to Chorio, where you can find several little bars and spots that come alive after sunset. Some options to check out are
- Agora
- Laikon and
- Μπαρbe.
- Also Feeling is an after club that organizes many festivals and has live music many days of the summer.Check their Instagram for announcements.
Sweets & Ice Cream
- Stavento in Chorio: Perfect for ice cream, waffles and desserts while wandering around Chorio in the evening.
- Chalki for delicious crepes.
- Raventi in Psathi : Another good stop when you’re craving something sweet, especially if you’re around Psathi port.
Angel’s tip: One of the best things about eating in Kimolos is combining your restaurants with your beach plans. Prassa beach + Prasonisi restaurant, Bonatsa beach or Kalamitsi next to it + Bonatsa Restaurant or Kalamitsi restaurant are some easy combinations that mean you don’t have to interrupt your beach day just to find somewhere for lunch.
6.Experience a traditional Greek Panigiri
If you’re visiting Greece in summer, keep an eye out for a panigiri in every place you are either in the mainland or the Greek islands – panigiri is a traditional Greek celebration usually connected to a religious feast day, with live music, local food, drinks and plenty of dancing! Same with Kimolos. Dates and locations vary, so check online before your trip or look for posters around the island once you arrive.
I was lucky to experience one on the evening of August 14th at Feeling club, and it was such a fun way to experience a different, more local side of Kimolos. If there’s a panigiri happening during your stay, definitely add it to your plans!
Angel’s tip: If you visit Kimolos around August 15, you may also experience the island’s religious celebrations for the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. On the evening of August 14, I watched a procession of an icon through Chorio accompanied by locals. Experiencing local traditions like this is one of the reasons I always recommend spending at least a few nights on smaller Greek islands rather than visiting only for the day.
7. Take a Day Trip to Polyaigos
If there is one day trip I strongly recommend while visiting Kimolos, it is Polyaigos. Polyaigos is one of Greece’s largest uninhabited islands and lies close to Kimolos and Milos. Its turquoise water genuinely looks unreal. Boat trips from Kimolos usually include several swimming stops around the island, allowing you to reach coves and beaches that are otherwise inaccessible.
On my trip, we sailed around the island with around 4-5 swimming stops, with a light lunch, beers and soft drinks included.
There are different boat-trip options departing from Psathi port, including traditional boat excursions and fishing experiences. Some fishing tours also combine swimming around Polyaigos with the experience of seeing the fishing nets being hauled in. Unlike the small ferry between Milos and Kimolos, I recommend arranging your Polyaigos excursion in advance during busy periods, as spaces on the boats are limited. If you are staying in Milos instead, don’t worry: many Polyaigos boat trips also depart from Pollonia.
Kimolos as a Day Trip from Milos?
Can you visit Kimolos for a day from Milos? Absolutely.
The short ferry crossing from Pollonia makes it one of the easiest day trips you can add to a Milos itinerary. You could arrive in the morning, explore Chorio, see the syrmata, swim at one or two beaches, have lunch and return to Milos later in the day. But would I recommend only spending one day here? Not if you have more time. Kimolos deserves at least a couple of nights if you want to experience its slower pace, visit several beaches and enjoy the island after the day-trippers have left. If you are planning a longer Milos trip, I would seriously consider splitting your stay between the two islands.
Angel’s tip: If you are there for just 1 day: I recommend Goupa Kara area → Prassa beach → Chorio 
Practical Tips for Visiting Kimolos
- Car: Recommended in my opinion if you want maximum freedom.
- Getting around: Local buses, taxis and transfers are available, particularly during the summer season. Angel’s tip: Check above for local bus timetable.
- From Milos: Take the small ferry from Pollonia port in Milos to Psathi port in Kimolos. The crossing is approximately 20-25 minutes.
- Taking a car on the ferry: Arrive early during high season because vehicle capacity is limited. Tickets there – you cannot book online.
- Polyaigos: Book your boat trip ahead during busy summer periods.
- Wind: Check the wind before deciding which beach to visit. The best beach for the day can completely change depending on the direction. Angel’s tip: I check windy app.
- Sunset: Head towards the western coast, particularly Mavrospilia beach.
- Food: Don’t leave without trying ladenia and tyrenia.
Kimolos offers something that is becoming harder to find on the most famous Cycladic islands: beautiful scenery without feeling like everything has been designed purely for tourism.
It is close enough to Milos to visit easily, yet it has its own personality. Come for the turquoise beaches and colorful syrmata, but stay for the slow mornings, Chorio evenings, local food, unexpected outdoor cinema screenings and sunsets by the sea. And whatever you do, save one day for Polyaigos.
Kimolos works perfectly as a day trip from Milos.
But if you ask me? Stay a few days.
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