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You'll find pumice beaches on Kimolos. Actual volcanic pumice mixed with white sand, creating some of the most unusual coastlines in Greece.
This isn't your typical Cycladic postcard. While most Greek islands promise blue domes and whitewashed villages, Kimolos adds volcanic moonscapes, abandoned mining tunnels, and beaches that feel like nowhere else in the Aegean. I've visited twice now, and it still feels like I'm exploring a secret that most travelers haven't discovered yet.
The island sits half an hour by boat from Milos, but the two could not be more different. Where Milos draws crowds, Kimolos stays quiet. Where other islands have reorganised themselves around tourism, this one still has working fishing boats, a single bus and traditions that feel genuinely unchanged.
If you like the idea of Kimolos but want a bit more life in the evenings, Folegandros sits on the same western Cyclades ferry line and pairs a cliff-edge Chora with a proper restaurant scene. See our Folegandros travel guide.
Folegandros is the obvious pairing on this route, and there is more to fill days with there: see our 14 things to do in Folegandros.
Why Visit Kimolos
Kimolos offers some of Greece's most distinctive beaches alongside authentic island culture that hasn't been polished for Instagram. The volcanic coastline creates swimming spots you won't find anywhere else - think white pumice cliffs, turquoise lagoons, and sand so fine it squeaks under your feet.
The island's mining heritage adds fascinating layers to explore. Old quarries have filled with seawater, creating natural swimming pools. Abandoned tunnels wind through cliffs. The main village, Chorio, clusters around a medieval fortress that locals still call home.
What really sets Kimolos apart is the complete absence of tourist crowds, even in summer.
Perfect for: Beach lovers seeking unique coastlines, photographers wanting dramatic landscapes, travelers who prefer authentic Greek culture over resort experiences, couples looking for romantic isolation
Skip if: You need nightlife, extensive shopping, or luxury amenities - Kimolos is beautifully simple, which isn't for everyone
Quick Facts
- Best time to visit: May-June and September-October
- How many days needed: 3-5 days
- Budget estimate: €45-85 per day
- Getting there: no airport. Fly or ferry to Milos, then 20–30 minutes by local boat from Pollonia (about €3, no advance booking). Direct from Piraeus takes 5h40–8h.
- Vibe: Peaceful, authentic, beach-focused with volcanic landscapes
Best Time to Visit Kimolos
Spring (April-May): Perfect weather with temperatures around 20-25°C. Wildflowers bloom across the volcanic landscape, creating stunning photo opportunities. Most accommodations and restaurants open by May 1st. This is my favorite time - warm enough for swimming but cool enough for hiking the mining trails.
Summer (June-August): Peak season brings 28-32°C temperatures and the most reliable ferry schedules. July-August see the most visitors, though "crowded" on Kimolos means you might share a beach with five other people instead of having it completely to yourself. Book accommodations early as options are limited.
Fall (September-October): Excellent choice with warm sea temperatures (perfect for swimming) and fewer tourists. September often has the calmest weather. October can be spectacular but some restaurants close mid-month, so check ahead.
Winter (November-March): Most tourist facilities close, and ferry schedules become irregular. The dramatic volcanic landscape looks incredible in winter light, but you'll need to be self-sufficient for meals and activities.
How to Get to Kimolos
From Athens, by ferry: Kimolos is served direct from Piraeus by Aegean Sea Lines and Fast Ferries, and the crossing takes between 5 hours 40 minutes and 8 hours 10 minutes depending on the vessel and the route it takes through the western Cyclades. There is no high-speed service on this route — if a booking site shows you five hours, check the vessel. Fares start around €43. The cheaper mainland option is Lavrio rather than Piraeus, from about €20, though sailings are less frequent.
The honest answer for most people: do not sail direct from Athens. Go to Milos — which has an airport and frequent fast ferries — and cross from there in under half an hour. Compare the Piraeus and Milos routes on Ferryscanner before you commit to a long day at sea.
One thing to know that trips people up: you cannot book the Pollonia crossing in advance. There is no online reservation for it. Tickets are sold on the day at the small offices at each port — Pollonia on the Milos side, Psathi on the Kimolos side. Bring cash as well as a card; the card readers are unreliable. Advance booking only applies to the long Piraeus and Lavrio sailings, and those do need booking in July and August, particularly with a vehicle.
Via Milos, the local ferry: the Osia Methodia, a small solar-powered boat, runs between Pollonia on Milos and Psathi on Kimolos. The crossing is 20 to 30 minutes depending on the wind — not ten, whatever you have read — and there are roughly seven round trips a day in summer, clustered between 8am and 1pm and again in the evening, with a long gap in the early afternoon. Foot passengers pay about €3 one way, or €4.50 on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. A car costs roughly €9–15.
There is also a larger-ferry connection from Adamas, Milos's main port, which takes around an hour and runs on selected days. It is worth knowing about if you are arriving into Adamas from elsewhere and want to continue straight on, but for a simple hop from Milos the Pollonia boat is faster and far more frequent.
By air: there is no airport on Kimolos and no plan for one — the island is 36 square kilometres of volcanic rock. Fly to Milos (MLO), which takes domestic flights from Athens in about 40 minutes, then drive or taxi across to Pollonia on the northeast coast and take the boat. Allow a comfortable margin between landing and the last sailing; missing it means an unplanned night on Milos.
Before you book, compare Greece flight prices on Kiwi.com to make sure you're getting the best deal. Had a disrupted flight getting to Greece? You could be owed up to €600 — check your eligibility with AirHelp.
Where to Stay in Kimolos
Best Areas
Psathi (Port Area): Most convenient for ferry arrivals with several accommodation options within walking distance. You'll hear some ferry noise but gain easy access to waterfront restaurants and the inter-island boat to Milos. Best for travelers without cars.
Chorio (Main Village): The atmospheric hilltop village offers the most authentic experience. Stay within the medieval Kastro (fortress area) for ultimate charm, though you'll need to walk or drive down to beaches. Perfect for photographers and culture enthusiasts.
Near Prassa Beach: A few scattered accommodations offer beach proximity and stunning sunset views. More isolated but incredibly peaceful. Rent a car if staying here.
Browse Kimolos hotels on Booking.com, or compare prices on Agoda for the best deal.
Budget Options (€40-80)
Room availability on Kimolos is limited compared to larger islands, so book early. Most budget accommodations are simple but clean rooms or apartments run by local families. Expect basic amenities but genuine Greek hospitality.
Look for rooms in Chorio's traditional houses - many retain original stone architecture and offer terraces with sea views. Several family-run places don't advertise online, so ask at the port café when you arrive.
Mid-Range (€80-150)
Boutique guesthouses and renovated traditional properties dominate this category. Many feature stunning terraces overlooking the Aegean and include breakfast with local specialties.
The best mid-range options combine traditional Cycladic architecture with modern comforts like air conditioning and private bathrooms. Some include kitchenettes, essential for preparing fresh fish from the port market.
Splurge Options (€150+)
Luxury is relative on Kimolos - even high-end accommodations maintain the island's authentic character rather than resort-style amenities. Expect beautifully restored captains' houses with premium locations, often featuring private terraces, sophisticated design, and personalized service.
The most expensive properties offer exclusive access to hidden beaches or private boat trips, justifying higher prices through unique experiences rather than standard luxury amenities.
Things to Do in Kimolos
Explore Klima Beach and the Volcanic Coast
The most distinctive beach experience in the Cyclades. Klima combines white pumice sand with turquoise water, creating an almost otherworldly swimming environment. The beach sits beneath white volcanic cliffs that provide natural shade.
The pumice creates incredibly soft sand that's unlike anything you'll experience on other Greek islands. Swimming here feels like floating in a natural spa. Bring water shoes for exploring the rocky areas where hot springs occasionally bubble up.
Wander Through Chorio's Medieval Kastro
The fortified village center dates to the 15th century and remains remarkably intact. Local families still live within the fortress walls, hanging laundry between medieval archways and tending small gardens in ancient courtyards.
The Archaeological Museum sits in Chorio opposite the church of Panagia Odigitria, and it is small — two rooms of pottery and household objects, some of it going back to the 7th century BC, drawn from the island's ancient settlements. Entry is a couple of euros. Hours are short and seasonal, so check locally rather than turning up on spec.
Don't miss the sunset from the Kastro's highest point - it's one of the best vantage points in the Cyclades.
See the Painted Boathouse Doors at Goupa
Kimolos's most photographed thing is not a beach. At Goupa, a tiny fishing settlement on the northeast coast near Rema, generations of fishermen cut syrmata into the soft volcanic rock at the waterline — garage-sized caves where a boat is winched up out of the winter sea. Each one has a wooden door, and each door is painted a different colour, so the whole cove reads as a line of red, blue, green and yellow rectangles set into grey rock.
They are working boathouses, not a display, and people live above some of them — photograph from the water's edge and do not wander in. There is a small beach beside them and a taverna. It is about ten minutes by car from Chorio, and the light is best in the morning when the sun comes over the water onto the doors.
While you are on that side, the windmills on the Xaplovouni ridge above Chorio are worth the short climb at sunset. None of them turn any more, but they are the island's landmark and the view takes in both Kimolos and the north coast of Milos.
See Kimolos and Poliegos from the Water
The one catch: this cruise departs from Milos, not Kimolos. Since most people reach Kimolos on the 10-minute hop from Milos anyway, it slots naturally into an arrival or departure day rather than a day trip from Chorio.
Navy Blue's small-group yacht tour runs five hours on an open yacht and covers more coastline than the standard day boats — €170 per person, rated 4.8 across 122 reviews. A chef-prepared Mediterranean lunch, open bar with local wine and beer, snorkelling gear, paddleboards and towels are all included.
Three routes exist and the captain chooses on the day based on wind — you'll get your embarkation point and route confirmed 48 hours before departure. The Round Cruise is the one that reaches the Kimolos–Poliegos side, with Kleftiko, Sarakiniko, Blue Bay, Sikia Cave and Glaronisia among its stops. The North and South cruises swap in alternative stops when south or north winds prevail. Stops within each route can shift on the day too, so treat the list as likely rather than promised.
Morning and sunset departures are both available. Several reviewers rate the sunset slot the better of the two — swimming stops in the same water, then the run home with the light going. The one recurring criticism is pacing: a handful of travellers wanted longer at each stop, which is the trade-off for covering this much coast in five hours.
Not suitable for wheelchair users. Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead, and you can reserve without paying now.
Hike to Skiadi Rock Formation
A stone mushroom standing alone on a bare plateau in the northwest of the island, roughly ten metres across the cap. It is wind, not water: the softer rock at the base has been sandblasted away over millennia while the harder cap survived, and it is listed in the Atlas of Geological Monuments of the Aegean.
Getting there takes longer than most guides suggest. On foot from Chorio it is 70 to 90 minutes each way, part of the 8km marked Route 2 that continues past Skiadi to Mavrospilia. The shortcut is to drive the rough road out towards the two Profitis Ilias chapels, park between them, and walk the last 30 to 35 minutes on the arrowed path — blue arrows for Skiadi, red for the Paliokastro acropolis, which is worth the detour if you have the legs.
There is no shade at any point, so go in the first or last two hours of daylight. Late afternoon is better: the rock takes the low sun and the view runs across the whole southwestern coast — Ellinika, Mavrospilia, Athinia — and over to Milos. Take more water than feels necessary and wear real shoes; the path is loose volcanic grit.
Swim at Bonatsa Beach
The most accessible beach from Chorio, featuring the island's famous pumice sand and crystal-clear water. Natural rock formations create several small coves, each offering different experiences from completely secluded to semi-social.
The leftmost cove often has the calmest water and finest sand. Snorkeling around the volcanic rocks reveals colorful fish and interesting underwater formations. No facilities, so bring water and snacks.
Explore the Abandoned Mining Tunnels
Kimolos produced chalk and pumice for centuries, leaving behind a network of abandoned quarries and tunnels. Some have filled with seawater, creating unique swimming holes with mineral-rich water.
The most accessible site sits near Rema village, about 20 minutes from Chorio. Local guides can show you the safest areas to explore - some tunnels extend deep underground and shouldn't be entered alone.
The industrial archaeology here tells fascinating stories about island life before tourism, when mining supported most families.
Visit Prassa Beach for Sunset
The island's longest beach offers dramatic sunset views across to Milos. The sand here mixes traditional golden color with white pumice, creating beautiful patterns as waves recede.
Several small tavernas operate during summer, serving fresh fish and local wine. The beach faces west, making it perfect for evening swimming when the water catches golden light.
Rent a scooter or car to reach Prassa easily - it's about 15 minutes from Chorio along a scenic coastal road.
Day Trip to Polyaigos Island
Uninhabited Polyaigos offers some of the Aegean's most pristine beaches. Local fishermen run small boats from Kimolos port during calm weather, typically charging €20-30 per person for transport.
Blue Bay (Galazia Nera) features impossibly turquoise water surrounded by white cliffs. No facilities exist on Polyaigos, so bring everything you need including plenty of water and sun protection.
The trip depends entirely on weather conditions - ask at the port the evening before to check if boats are running.
Where to Eat & Drink in Kimolos
What to order: ladenia is the dish Kimolos is known for — a flat bread base with tomato, onion and olive oil, closer to a pizza than a pie, and every bakery and taverna makes its own version. Atherinopita is a pie built around whole atherina, the small silver fish, layered with onion. Look also for kolokithenia, the pumpkin pie, and tyrenia, the spicy cheese one.
The two cheeses to look for are both local and neither travels: xino, a sharp fresh skim-milk cheese, and manoura, a hard cheese matured in grape must and skins, which is what you want with the island's dry wine. Kimolos also produces very good capers, tomato paste and honey — the small shops in Chorio sell all three, and they are the sensible things to take home rather than a souvenir.
Chorio: The main village has three traditional tavernas, all serving similar menus of grilled fish, Greek salads, and house wine. Prices are remarkably reasonable - expect €12-18 for a full meal with wine. The taverna near the central square offers the best sunset views from its terrace.
Psathi Port: Two waterfront restaurants serve the freshest fish on the island, bought directly from boats that dock outside. The family-run place on the right (facing the water) specializes in grilled octopus and has the island's best wine selection.
Budget Eating: Buy fresh bread from the single bakery in Chorio and combine with local cheese, tomatoes, and olives from the small grocery stores. A feast costs under €8. Several beaches have natural shade where you can enjoy picnic lunches.
Drinking: Nightlife is minimal and locally-focused. The main café in Chorio serves excellent Greek coffee and stays open late for conversation. Beach bars don't exist - bring your own drinks for sunset viewing.
Getting Around Kimolos
Rental Car: The best option for beach access and exploration. The island has about 30km of mostly unpaved roads connecting all major sights. Rental costs €25-35 per day from the single agency near the port. Book ahead in summer as they have limited vehicles.
Scooter/ATV: Perfect for solo travelers or couples. Costs €15-25 per day and handles the unpaved roads well. No license required for smaller engines. Helmets are provided but bring your own if you prefer.
Walking: Chorio is entirely walkable, and several beaches can be reached on foot. The hike to Klima beach takes about 30 minutes from town center. Bring sun protection and plenty of water - there's limited shade along most walking routes.
Local Bus: A single bus connects the port to Chorio and some beaches, running 3-4 times daily in summer. Cost is €1-2 per ride. Schedule is posted at the port but can be irregular.
Taxi: Two taxis serve the entire island. They're expensive (€8-15 for short rides) but reliable for airport transfers or reaching beaches without rental transport.
Insider Tips for Kimolos
- Transportation: Rent wheels for maximum flexibility - the island's best beaches require driving on unpaved roads that buses don't service regularly
- Best Times: Visit Klima beach before 10am to have the volcanic coastline completely to yourself - it's magical in morning light
- Money-Saving: Stock up on groceries in Chorio's small markets rather than relying entirely on restaurant meals - fresh local ingredients make simple meals spectacular
- Hidden Gems: Ask fishermen at the port about weather conditions for reaching Polyaigos - they know which days offer the calmest crossings to the uninhabited island
- Food & Drink: Try the house wine at every taverna you visit - quality is consistently excellent and prices are extremely reasonable compared to more touristy islands
Sample 3-Day Kimolos Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Chorio Exploration Morning: Arrive via ferry at Psathi port, check into accommodation in Chorio, walk through the medieval Kastro fortress Afternoon: Lunch at a traditional taverna in the main square, visit the Archaeological Museum, explore the fortress walls Evening: Sunset dinner at the taverna with terrace views, early rest after ferry travel
Day 2: Beach Day and Volcanic Landscapes Morning: Drive or hike to Klima beach for swimming in the pumice sand coves, bring picnic supplies from Chorio Lunch: Beach picnic at Klima with local cheese, bread, and wine Afternoon: Hike to Skiadi rock formation for dramatic volcanic scenery and photos Evening: Dinner at Psathi port for the freshest seafood, caught that morning by local boats
Day 3: Island Hopping and Departure Morning: Take the inter-island ferry to Milos for a few hours of exploration, or join a boat trip to Polyaigos if weather permits Lunch: Return to Kimolos for final meal at your favorite discovered taverna Afternoon: Last swim at Bonatsa beach, pack and prepare for departure Evening: Ferry back to Athens or overnight ferry connections to other islands
Budget Breakdown
Budget includes basic rooms, taverna meals, walking/bus transport, and free activities. Mid-range adds car rental, nicer accommodations, and some paid activities. Comfort includes premium stays and private boat trips.
For more detailed Greek island budgeting, check out our complete guide on how much a Greece trip costs.
Final Thoughts
Kimolos won't overwhelm you with attractions or nightlife options. Instead, it offers something increasingly rare in Greek tourism: genuine authenticity combined with spectacular natural beauty that hasn't been optimized for Instagram.
The volcanic beaches alone justify the journey, but it's the combination of unique landscapes, warm local hospitality, and complete absence of tourist crowds that makes this island special. I've recommended it to friends seeking peaceful Greek island experiences, and every single one has thanked me.
If you're planning a broader Greek adventure, Kimolos works perfectly in 7-day or 10-day itineraries as either a peaceful contrast to busier islands or a gateway to exploring the lesser-known Cyclades.
The island rewards slow travel and simple pleasures. Bring a good book, comfortable walking shoes, and an appetite for fresh seafood. You'll leave refreshed and probably already planning your return.
Ready to plan your perfect Greek adventure? Try our AI Greek Trip Planner to create a personalised itinerary based on your preferences, travel style, and available time.
Written by
Athens-born engineer · Coordinates a 5-expert Greek team · 50+ years combined field experience
I write every article on this site drawing on real, first-hand expertise — mine and that of four colleagues who live and work across Greece daily: a Peloponnese tour operator, a transfer specialist across Athens, Mykonos & Santorini, a Cretan hotel owner, and a Northern Greece hotel supplier. Nothing here comes from a single visit or desk research.
Informed by 5 Greek experts
Every destination we cover has been visited and vetted by at least one team member — not for a review, but as part of their daily work in Greek tourism.