While the summer holiday season may be well and truly behind us, Brits looking for some early winter sun won’t to travel to too far to find it.
Greece’s iconic islands are known for their stunning beaches, ancient ruins, and vibrant culture. While they can be very bust during the high season, by autumn the bustling summer tourist season winds down, leaving the islands refreshingly peaceful.
Visitors can enjoy exploring popular spots without battling crowds, making it easier to soak in the beauty of Greece’s landscapes and history, and the warm but pleasant weather is ideal for sightseeing.
READ MORE: ‘I had a beach holiday with turquoise lagoon and 30C heat in September’
One lesser-known island offers some of the region’s most impressive beaches that remain uncrowded and utterly beautiful during the shoulder season. Agathia Beach on Milos Island is a tropical paradise often overlooked by travellers following the usual tourist trail.
Floating majestically in the Aegean Sea, Milos Island is part of the Cyclades group of islands, known for its rich history, natural beauty, and unique geological features.
While Milos may be smaller than some of the better-known Greek islands, its cultural significance cannot be understated. The Venus de Milo, the Poseidon of Melos and the Asclepius of Milos were all found on the island, as was an archaic Apollo now in Athens.
Agathia Beach
Tucked away on the uninhabited west side of Milos, the most remote of the Cyclades Islands, Agathia Beach is a golden crescent with shallow turquoise waters.
Unspoilt and undeveloped, there are no facilities on the beach, but it is that authentic feeling that makes it the perfect spot for sunseekers looking for their very own peaceful Greek idyll.
The beach can be reached by a long dirt track, but most who make the journey to discover this quiet corner of the world, do so by boat. Organised boat trips are available throughput the Cyclades.
Beach lovers who have made the journey to Agathia have left incredible reviews on Tripadvisor, praising the remote location for its ethereal beauty.
One visitor said: “I bet you’ve never heard of this beach. Neither had I. Well, thanks to a local gentleman who insisted I visit, I now know where the best beach on the island is. A long dirt road will make you think you’re lost, but persist and you’ll be rewarded.”
Another who visited in the autumn described it as the “perfect beach”, adding: ” We went to this beach at the end of September, and no one was on the beach. The road to this beach was very rough, and there was not much space to park the car, but it was worth visiting! Our favourite beach!”
A third simply summed it up: “One of the most beautiful beaches i have ever visited in Greece with great quality of sand and amazing blue-turquoise waters. You can either go with a taxi boat from Agios Nikitas Beach which was a big plus during the hot days of August . Definitely would come again.”
Not too far from the peace and tranquillity of the beach is the traditional village of Plaka. The capital of Milos, this historic settlement is known for its narrow streets, panoramic views, and sunsets. It also has a folklore and archaeological museum, restaurants, cafes, and a traditional pastry shop.
Milos is a small but stunning island. It only takes one hour to drive from the north of Milos to the south, but the island is packed with varied attractions including the colourful fishing village of Klima, the Milos Mining Museum and of course, the stunning beaches.
In October the temperature rises to around 23C, and there is very little rain. Milos Island has it’s own airport, with regular flights to mainland Greece.