Discover Cyclades
Discover Cyclades
De complete reisgids voor Kimolos: 10min van Milos, Prassa strand & Skiadi rotsen. Insidertips, seizoenstips en verborgen geheimen van het eiland voor 2026.
It's a pristine island of white cliffs, turquoise coves, and completely unspoiled charm
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Kimolos is a small volcanic island in the Cyclades right next to Milos. It's known for its dramatic white clay cliffs, quiet sandy beaches, and a picturesque medieval Chora. You can reach it via a short ferry from Milos, or directly from Piraeus in 4 to 5 hours. It's a beautifully quiet escape in the western Cyclades.
Kimolos is one of the smallest and least visited islands in the Cyclades, sitting just a nautical mile from the northwest coast of Milos in the Aegean Sea. With fewer than 800 year-round residents, this quiet spot has escaped mass tourism entirely. It's the kind of Greek island that offers you a rare glimpse of authentic life, showing what these islands felt like decades ago before the crowds arrived.
The island's geology is incredible. You'll see white chalk cliffs sculpted by wind and waves, volcanic rock beaches in shades of gold and black, and the famous Skiadi mushroom rock standing alone on a hillside. The waters here are among the clearest in the Aegean Sea, fed by natural hot springs beneath the seabed that keep the sea warm and clean.
Life here revolves around Chorio, a lovely village of whitewashed houses and beautiful churches clustered around a medieval castle. You'll still see locals baking bread in communal wood-fired ovens, fishermen mending their nets at the port of Psathi, and a pace of life that follows the tides rather than the clock.
Kimolos is what the Cyclades used to be; it's pure, wild, and wonderfully unhurried.
Kimolos offers distinct neighborhoods for every trip style. Compare areas and live rates on our Kimolos hotels page or the detailed where to stay in Kimolos guide.
Handpicked hotels with exceptional reviews and local character.
Detailed breakdowns of every neighborhood and village.
Expert Recommendation
For the first-time visitor, staying in the main Chora provides the best balance of accessibility and atmosphere.
Kimolos is part of the Milos volcanic arc, and ancient eruptions shaped its unique landscape. These events produced the white chalk, or "kimolia gi", that gives the island its name. In antiquity, this chalky earth was highly prized for cleaning and bleaching fabrics.
In the 14th century, locals built the Kastro, a fortified settlement in Chorio where the outer walls of the houses formed a defensive barrier against pirate raids. Parts of this medieval castle still stand today, blending right into the village's architecture.
Kimolos and neighboring Milos were once busy mining centers. Miners extracted silver and other minerals from the volcanic rock. The island's bentonite and perlite deposits are still important today, though mining is done on a much smaller, sustainable scale.
While other Cycladic islands saw massive tourism booms, Kimolos was largely overlooked. That's turned out to be a blessing. The island keeps its traditional customs, unique architectural style, and close-knit community, welcoming the few travelers who make the trip.
Explore the heart of Kimolos
The island's capital and only real village is a classic Cycladic settlement built around a medieval castle. Whitewashed houses, bougainvillea-draped balconies, and tiny churches create an amazing atmosphere. You'll find a handful of tavernas in the main square, which acts as the heart of the island's social life.
This tiny port is where you'll arrive and where fishing boats bob in the harbor. A few tavernas line the waterfront, serving fresh catch. The colorful syrmata, or boat houses, carved right into the shore rocks give the port a very distinct look.
A tiny hamlet east of the port, Goupa is famous for its beautiful syrmata. These are traditional boat shelters carved into the shoreline rock and painted in bright colors. It's easily one of the most photogenic spots on the island.
Don't confuse this with the famous Klima on Milos. This Klima is a quiet cluster of houses on the western shore, known for its spectacular sunsets over the open Aegean. It's a peaceful spot where time stands still.
Boutique villas, cave hotels, and sea-view suites — all in one place.
The best shores of Kimolos
A wide arc of fine white sand lapped by impossibly turquoise water, framed by white chalk cliffs. It's often called the best beach on Kimolos.
A long sandy beach on the south coast. It's got natural shade from tamarisk trees and a small church nearby.
Dark volcanic rock meets emerald water in a series of small coves. You'll find natural hot spots here from underwater thermal springs.
A remote beach on the west coast with golden sand. It's surrounded by dramatic rocks and is rarely visited, even in peak season.
A small sheltered cove on the east coast. Its calm waters are protected from the meltemi wind, making it perfect for relaxed swimming.
Explore every beach and hidden village at your own pace.
Rustic island cooking featuring goat cheese, fresh seafood, and recipes passed down through generations
A traditional flatbread topped with tomatoes, onions, and olive oil. It's the island's signature dish, baked in wood-fired ovens.
Fresh soft cheese made from local goats. Since they graze on wild herbs, it's got a wonderfully aromatic flavor.
Wild capers harvested from the volcanic hillsides. They're fried to crispy perfection and served as a delicious meze.
Freshly caught octopus dried in the sun and grilled over charcoal. It's served simple with vinegar and olive oil.
Sun-ripened Cycladic tomatoes mixed with herbs and fried into crispy balls. We love them as an appetizer.
Small-batch wines and raki produced by island families, shared generously at tavernas and homes.
From sunrise to sunset in Kimolos
Trek to the island's most famous landmark: the Skiadi, a massive mushroom-shaped rock formation carved by wind erosion. Standing alone on the hillside, it's a unique geological formation.
2.5-3 hoursSail to Polyaigos, the largest uninhabited island in the Aegean. Its pristine beaches, sea caves, and turquoise waters are accessible only by boat, and you might spot a monk seal.
4-5 hoursSpend the morning at Kimolos's finest beach. The white chalk cliffs and crystal-clear turquoise water create a stunning scene. Bring a snorkel to explore the rocky edges.
3 hoursWander the beautiful lanes of Chorio, discovering medieval castle walls, tiny churches with painted interiors, and the local Folklore Museum.
1.5 hoursWalk from Psathi to Goupa photographing the colorful syrmata: traditional boat garages carved into the volcanic rock at the waterline.
1 hourDiscover the underwater thermal springs near Mavrospilia. The warm water seeping through the volcanic seabed creates natural warm pools among the rocks.
2 hoursWalk the trail along the western coastline from Klima, watching the sun dip into the Aegean. The white volcanic landscape glows orange and pink as evening falls.
1.5 hoursEnd the day at one of Psathi's waterfront tavernas, enjoying freshly grilled fish, ladenia flatbread, and local wine as the fishing boats rock gently in the harbor.
2.5 hoursSailing trips, sunset cruises, diving, cooking classes and more.
Find the perfect time for your Kimolos trip
Ferry routes and travel connections
Ferry tickets
Search live ferry schedules from Piraeus (Athens) to Kimolos.
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Ferries, hotels, car rental and neighbourhood guides — everything you need after reading this Kimolos guide.
Kimolos connects to 4 nearby islands by ferry. These are the live island-hopping routes from Kimolos, with direct connections drawn from our full Cyclades ferry catalogue.
80+ volcanic beaches including Sarakiniko and Kleftiko, just 20 minutes away.
The gourmet capital of the Cyclades with pottery villages and spectacular hiking.
Curated tours and activities
Sail to the uninhabited island of Polyaigos, exploring sea caves, swimming in crystal-clear bays, and enjoying a seafood lunch aboard.
Guided walk to Skiadi rock and along the scenic trail network, learning about the island's volcanic geology and traditional farming.
Evening sail around Kimolos's western coast with wine and meze, watching the sunset over the Aegean.
Insider tips for your Kimolos trip
Hand-picked Cyclades photography — refreshed weekly from Pexels.
Photography via Pexels — credit shown per image.
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Everything you need to know about Kimolos
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