Sarakiniko Beach – Like Walking on the Moon

Wind, rain, waves, and time – lots of time. Sarakiniko Beach on the island of Milos, Greece, is one of the most striking and otherworldly coastal landscapes I have ever seen. Sarakiniko is often described as a lunar or Martian landscape. Its unique appearance comes from ages of volcanic activity, erosion, and wind-carving.

The beach is made up primarily of white volcanic ash and pumice stone, part of Milos’ volcanic geology. These soft sedimentary rocks, especially the compacted volcanic ash – called tuff, has been sculpted into smooth, undulating shapes, crevices, and shallow pools.

The sea and the strong northern winds are constantly reshaping the coastline, smoothing the rocks and carving natural formations like arches, cliffs, and caves. You will find very little sand in the traditional sense, although a few small sandy patches do exist near the waterline. Instead, the surface is a hard, chalky white rock that looks like frozen waves.

The only real sandy beach is shown at the bottom of this inlet.

We were visiting in May and so the summer heat and the summer crowds had yet to descend upon Milos and the other nearby Greek Islands. Our first visit to Sarakiniko was in the morning and it was uncrowded and the temperature was perfect for climbing around and exploring the unique landscape.

We came back a couple of days later in the mid-day sun and it was much more crowded and the intense sunlight reflecting off of the white rocks made it very bright and extremely hot. Though we didn’t try it, I imagine that it’s too hot to walk on the rocks while barefoot.

Sarakiniko is one of those spots, like the Grand Canyon or Arches NP, where the landscape is constantly changing colors as the light of the sun moves across the sky. I would have liked to have seen it at sunrise and sunset but there was lots to see on Milos and we only had 4 nights.

There’s a small cove with turquoise water that is ideal for swimming.

There are also small sea caves and tunnels at the northern end. You can wade, swim, or even snorkel around them.

Adventurous visitors often jump from the low cliffs (2–5 meters high) into the sea. 

The smooth white rocks are great for laying out, though they can get hot so it’s best to bring towels or mats.

We didn’t get a chance, but stargazing or hiking during full moons are also popular. At night, they say the moonlight reflects off the pale rock, giving the whole place an ethereal glow.

The name “Sarakiniko” likely comes from the “Saracens,” Arab pirates who raided the Cyclades during the Byzantine era. The cove’s hidden, cave-filled geography would have been ideal for pirates to hide their ships or ambush targets. One local legend says pirates buried treasure in the caves, leading to stories of hauntings and lost gold.

If you do visit keep in mind there are no facilities, very little shade, and only one food truck up near the parking area. So bring water, snacks, and sun protection along with decent footwear. The surface is rough in some areas and slippery when wet. Water shoes or sturdy sandals help.

Sarakiniko Beach is a must-see on Milos — not for lounging on a sandy beach but for immersing yourself in the alien seascape carved by nature. It’s a place where you can jump off rocks that look like the moon into the crystal-clear blue Aegean Sea.