Everyone knows Mykonos and Santorini. Both islands are photogenic, well-organised for tourists and consistently full of them. If you want Greece without the queues, there are alternatives. I visited Kimolos, a small island in the Cyclades right next to Milos. Around 500 people live here in winter. In summer that number rises to over 5,000. The Greek themselves have known about this place for years. I discovered all the best hotels, beaches, restaurants and things to do. This is my Kimolos travel guide!

This blog post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission when you book through my website, at no extra cost to you. So thank you if you book through my website!

Introduction to Kimolos – Kimolos Travel Guide

In the heart of the Aegean Sea, Kimolos Island is one of Greece’s best-kept secrets. This tiny little island, part of the lovely Cycladic islands cluster, really is a haven for the type of traveller who craves a genuine, laid back experience. None of that fast-paced tourist nonsense here. Unlike some of its more well-known neighbours, Kimolos has a much more relaxed vibe. Stunning landscapes, quaint whitewashed houses with bright blue doors, narrow alleyways dressed in blooming bougainvillea, and soothing sounds of fishing boats bobbing up & down in the harbour.

This is the real deal: old-school greek island living, unspoiled beaches, crystal-clear sea, and a community that’s all about making you feel welcome. If what you’re after is a place that feels like it’s been left untouched by the modern world, then Kimolos is your ticket to experiencing all the beauty of the Cyclades has to offer.

How to get to Kimolos – Kimolos Travel Guide

From Amsterdam it is a 3.5 hour flight to Athens with Transavia. From Athens you can fly to Milos in 40 minutes, and from Milos a ferry takes you to Kimolos in 45 minutes. It is a short crossing but the ship is impressively large for such a tiny harbour. Watching it dock makes parallel parking in Amsterdam feel like a minor achievement. You can also take a boat directly from Athens to Kimolos, but that takes over 8 hours. The flight and ferry combination is the sensible choice.

WHERE I STAYED IN ATHENS

For getting around on Kimolos and the wider Greek islands, Discover Cars has the best comparison rates for car hire in Greece. On Kimolos itself, a scooter is the better option for exploring; the roads are not always ideal and a local farmer on a donkey overtook us at one point. Old versus new, very typical for this island. Stay connected throughout Greece with an eSIM from Saily.

Monachofolitses | Kimolos travel guide

Best hotels on Kimolos – Kimolos Travel Guide

Kimolos is a small island and the accommodation reflects that: most places to stay in Kimolos are small, family-run establishments, offering a personal, unpretentious atmosphere that’s often been maintained by the same family for generations. Staying in Kimolos for multiple nights allows you to truly experience the island’s relaxed pace and authentic charm. Below are the places I would highly recommend!

– Click on the names for rooms and rates –

Monachofolitses is where I stayed and it felt like a home away from home. Six rooms, a breakfast that changes every day, and an owner called Electra who bakes the traditional ladenia (a flatbread with tomatoes and onions) from scratch. The rooms are light and the bathrooms are modern with a rain shower. Electra and her husband also helped us rent a scooter and took us on a boat trip to Poliegos island. This is the kind of hospitality that makes you extend your stay.

Espera Suites is a good step up in comfort while still feeling in keeping with the island. The suites are well-designed and the views are worth paying for.

Kimolia Gi is a quiet, well-run property with a strong sense of place. Good pick if you want somewhere calm with easy access to the beaches.

Kimolis combines a central location with comfortable rooms. A solid base for exploring the island on foot or by scooter.

ROOMS AND RATES ESPERA SUITES

More recommended Kimolos accommodations

ANEMOLETHE is one of the newer additions to the island. The design is contemporary and the property has a good feel for couples and solo travelers who want something more considered.

PS House Kimolos is a small, personal property with character. Worth considering if you want something intimate and off the main track.

To Rantevou tis Alykis is a rooms and apartments option near the salt lake, one of the quieter spots on the island. Good for longer stays.

Kimolos beaches: what to expect – Kimolos Travel Guide

The beaches on Kimolos are one of the main reasons to come here. The island is home to several beautiful beaches, including Prassa, Aliki, Bonatsa, and Kalamitsi, all known for their crystal-clear waters and golden sand. Kimolos boasts both popular beaches and hidden beaches. Some are  accessible only by hiking or boat and offer a mix of sandy beach stretches, secluded coves, and a rugged coastline shaped by volcanic and chalk formations. These scenic shores are quiet, often accessible only by scooter or on foot, and have the clear water the Cyclades are known for without the sunbeds packed in three rows deep.

THE BEST RENTAL CARS

Prassa Beach

Prassa is the most accessible beach on the island and the one with the only beach club worth mentioning: Kimolia Beach Bar. They run an outdoor cinema in summer months and when we arrived, being apparently the first tourists of the season, the owner offered us free Coronas and paninis. The Greek hospitality on this island is not a performance; it is just how things work here.

Mavrospilia Beach

A darker sand beach in Kimolos with an atmospheric name to match, Mavrospilia Beach is renowned for its spectular sunsets and dramatic scenery. This beach is a popular spot for both locals and visitors, offering a picturesque setting along the rugged coastline with impressive cliffs and unique rock formations. Watching the sunset at Mavrospilia Beach is a must-do experience, with unobstructed views of the town and the shimmering Aegean Sea framed by the rugged landscape. Less visited than Prassa and worth the extra effort to get there.

ROOMS AND RATES ANEMOLETHE

Ellininika Beach

One of the more remote beaches on Kimolos, Ellinika Beach is notable for its beautiful snorkeling opportunities, where visitors can see ancient ruins submerged beneath the water. The beach is also accessible via a scenic hiking trail that leads to the archaeological site of Ellinika, which features these ancient ruins and offers impressive views of the island’s natural beauty. This spot combines the kind of quiet that is harder to find every year on Greek islands with a unique blend of history and scenery.

Bonatsa Beach

A sheltered bay on the west side of the island. Calm water and usually very few people. Take food and water if you go; there are no facilities.

Prassa Beach and Kimolia Beach Bar | Kimolos travel guide

Things to do on Kimolos – Kimolos Travel Guide

Explore the island by scooter

The best way to see Kimolos is by scooter. The island has 400 churches for 500 winter inhabitants, which works out to almost one per person. Most are tiny whitewashed chapels scattered across the hills. The roads are not always paved but that is part of the point.

Small group yacht tour: Kleftiko, Sarakiniko and Poliegos

The most popular day trip from this part of the Cyclades is to the sea caves and rock formations of Kleftiko, the lunar landscape of Sarakiniko and the uninhabited island of Poliegos, where wild goats outnumber visitors. The small group yacht tour to Kleftiko, Sarakiniko and Poliegos departs from Milos and takes in all three. My tip: book early. This is consistently one of the most popular tours in the area.

Full-day catamaran cruise to Poliegos and Kleftiko

For a longer and more comfortable version of the same route, the full-day catamaran cruise to Poliegos and Kleftiko from Milos includes lunch on board and more time at each stop. A good option if you want to spend a full day on the water rather than rushing between spots.

Wander through Chorio

Kimolos has a medieval village called Chorio at the centre of the island. The streets are narrow enough to make you check your elbows and the main square has a couple of good cafés. Worth an hour or two in the morning before the heat sets in.

Follow along for more Greece content on my Instagram 

Best restaurants on Kimolos – Kimolos Travel Guide

The food on Kimolos is honest and good. Fresh fish, local cheese, decent house wine and the kind of anchovy in vinegar that makes you order a second round. These are the places I kept going back to or would go back to.

Breakfast

Ranteboú and To Raventi are both good options for a slow morning coffee and something local to eat.

Lunch and dinner

Taverna Kalamitsi is the classic choice: good fish, good wine, no fuss. Kykládes is where we started with fresh anchovy in vinegar. The owner offered a raki after dinner and had one with us. That is standard practice here and something you should know before you think you are being singled out for special treatment. Postali, The Wave, I Kali Kardia, I Avli tou Samplou and Sardis are all worth knowing about. Ice cream at Stavento Ice Cream is non-negotiable.

Wine and drinks

Stavento is a wine bar that works well in the evenings. Agora Cocktail Bar is the other option. Neither is trying too hard, which is exactly right for this island.

I Avli tou Samplou | Kimolos travel guide

Athens: one night before flying home – Kimolos Travel Guide

Before flying back to Amsterdam we spend one night in Athens. We stay at the 5-star boutique design hotel Bellén Athens. The location and design alone justify the price. Dinner at Bandiera and cocktails at Dos Gardenias. Both were new spots when I went and still worth knowing about. Athens has a good energy and I will go back for a longer stay.

ROOMS AND RATES BELLEN ATHENS HOTEL

Island Hopping from Kimolos

Kimolos is perfectly positioned for island hopping adventures across the Aegean Sea. With frequent ferry routes connecting Kimolos to neighboring islands, it’s easy to turn your stay into a multi-island escape. The short ferry ride to Milos is especially popular, but you’ll also find direct connections to other ports, making it simple to plan your own Cycladic journey. Kimolos is an ideal base for exploring the beautiful islands and remote beaches that surround it.

Kimolos travel guide: frequently asked questions

Is Kimolos worth visiting?

Yes, if you want Greek island life without the crowds. Kimolos is quiet, personal and still runs on its own pace. The beaches are good, the food is fresh and the locals are some of the warmest I have come across. It is not the place for clubs and cocktail bars; it is the place for fresh fish, a good book on a quiet beach and raki after dinner.

How do you get to Kimolos?

Fly to Athens, then fly or sail to Milos. From Milos a short ferry crosses to Kimolos in 45 minutes. The whole journey from Amsterdam takes around half a day if you fly. Book the Athens leg well in advance in summer.

What are the best beaches on Kimolos?

Prassa Beach is the most accessible and has the only beach bar on the island. Mavrospilia, Ellininika, Bonatsa, and Kalamitsi Beach are quieter and worth the effort to reach. Kalamitsi Beach, located near Bonatsa, features beautiful sandy shores and tamarisk trees that provide natural shade, making it a lovely spot for a day by the sea. All four have clear water and very few facilities, so bring what you need.

Also worth reading: my guides to Rome, Cappadocia and Sardinia.

When is the best time to visit Kimolos?

June and September are the best months. July and August are warmer and busier, though still quiet by Greek island standards. Before the end of May many shops are closed and some restaurants are not yet open for the season. We arrived early in the season and had beaches almost entirely to ourselves, which was not a complaint.

What are the best day trips from Kimolos?

The small group yacht tour to Kleftiko, Sarakiniko and Poliegos departing from Milos island is the best day trip in the area, making Milos a popular base for island hopping and excursions to nearby gems like Kimolos. For a fuller day on the water, the full-day catamaran cruise to Poliegos and Kleftiko is the better option.

Flight delayed or cancelled? AirHelp helps you claim compensation, quickly, easily, and with zero hassle. Whether you fly often or once a year, it is worth checking. Click here to see if you are owed money. It takes just a minute. They paid me 600 euros in compensation already!