Greece in 10 Days: A Travel Story Through Milos, Sifnos & More

“It takes a lifetime to discover Greece, but it only takes an instant to fall in love with her.” —Henry Miller

Hats off to Henry— I couldn’t of said it better myself! We’ve just arrived back home from a trip I’ve been planning for well over three years. I’ve mulled it over and over in my head, and alas, our Greece trip came and went. Le Sigh.

When people ask me how it was, it’s hard to put into words or narrow down my favorite thing about it. But for those of you who are reading, I’m here to take you on a journey of our time in this beautiful land. So pack up— we’re heading across the Atlantic!

Our flight from JAX had one stop in Boston, and then we were all set for our 9-hour journey into Athens, Greece! New passport stamp secured!

Welcome to Athens

The first part of our trip was landing in the ancient city of Athens, home to over 3.1 million people. What surprised me from the start was how lush the city was. Hanging from windows and balconies were gorgeous bushels of bright bougainvillea.

We were welcomed with a dry heat that reminded me of the desert in a way I didn’t expect. It was a bustling city, with motorcycles squeezing in between cars while graffiti art laced old, crumbling buildings; a unique juxtaposition between calm and chaos, all colliding into one vibrant city.

During our first few hours post-arrival, we got to see one of my dear friends, Tessa —who I haven’t seen in SO many years! Tessa and I met during our Rotary Youth Exchange program in Italy when we were just 17 years young. It’s amazing seeing friends across the globe — a sweet reminder that we’re never too far away from those we love.

Off To SEA

After 24 hours in Athens, it was time to embark on our first ferry across open waters.
**Our ride:** The Speed Runner Jet via SeaJETS ( see photo)
**Our destination:** Milos
**Time to Destination:** Approx. 3 hours
For being first- timers, SeaJets was awesome! Their process is super rinse-and-repeat (*no pun intended*). They take this route daily, making two stops along the way, and although the boat wasn’t anywhere near capacity, you could tell they’re used to handling large groups of people and vehicles.
**Pro-tip:** If the budget allows, buy the platinum tickets on SeaJets. It’s not much more, but seats are nicer!

Milos, Greece

Our arrival in the little port of Adamantas was such a warm welcome into Greek hospitality. The owner of the car rental company was waiting for us outside the ferry with a sign that said ILSA in all caps. She kindly brought us to their office and got us set up with an “automatic” car. We drove about 20 minutes from the port to the lovely Bed & Breakfast I had read so much about: Tania Milos.

I remember our first morning waking up in Milos— I was up at 6:05 a.m., absolutely ready to go. The sun was shining, and let me tell you—my mind was on a roll! Breakfast could not come soon enough. We were there at 8:00 am on the dot, and the sweet staff at Tania Milos looked a bit surprised to see guests up that early on a Saturday morning.

You see, I was still on my every-hour-on-the-hour schedule. My hyperactive mind was struggling to adapt to the slower pace of the island. Sometimes, the first thing we learn when going away is just how fast we move in our day-to-day lives. And when we finally pause, our mind wants to rush into “doing”. It reminded me of what I tell my Yin students, “just let the busy mind flutter — notice don’t judge. Eventually, the fluttering will subside and we’ll start to enjoy the space around us without all the noise.” Yes, relaxing isn’t always easy. Sometimes, it’s a steady practice we grow into.

Exploring Paliochori Beach

During our stay, the weather was true spring— temps hovered around the high 60s and 70s. And since we’re now considered Floridians, we naturally sought out the heat. I found this beach on the southern side of the island that’s known for its warm sand and tempered winds.
Paliochori beach has sulfur components in the sand, which makes it nice and warm — turning the cool water into a refreshing bath. When we first arrived, I eyeballed a section of the coast that looked untouched, private, and rather mysterious. I was determined to traverse as far as we could around the bend to get to it.
When we reached the end of the main beach, I asked Joe to scope out the rocks that divided the two inlets. He returned a few minutes later and told me our journey would be challenging—but we were capable. Of course, we were about to scale jagged black rocks, backed up to a cascading drop-off, just to get to the other side.
Why relax on the main beach when you can scale the cliffs?
After quite the hike over.. ahhh, such relief—we had our very own private beach! Time to dive chest-first into the crisp, cool water. Pebbles galore!

What’s a beach day in Greece without fresh grilled shrimp—eyes still on! Yes, we stopped at the little taverna on the side of the road, because that’s what you do. You explore.

A 31st Abroad

Our 3rd day in Milos was my 31st birthday. That feels weird to say, but it’s true—31 years young. And guess what?! On the morning of my 31st birthday, I kid you not, I found my first WHITE hair. I could practically hear God laughing from above. Not funny!

Oh well, I brushed it off— such is life.

For my birthday we explored two little towns that were perfectly dreamy. Here they are…

Oh hey, Mandrakia

Didn’t even realize we were pulling up on some picturesque little town—but how glad I am that we did. We ended up here solely because I was willing to venture to a “new” lunch spot, and we stopped at Mendusa.

Now, if you are planning on visiting Milos, you may have heard of Mendusa— its a hot spot, especially since celebrities like Justin Bieber and others have visited. And trust me, there are places that are not worth the hype… and then there are. This was one of those places.

The vista alone was insane. If you see the first photo our table was on the edge of this hill, overlooking waves crashing into lava rocks. No big deal!

The baffling part? This place isn’t some luxury high priced venue- it’s not Nobu. This is a $7 dollar rose’ with the kindest service you’ll find. And that’s just normal in Greece. It could be the most incredible view you’ve ever seen, with the freshest ingredients— and yet unpretentious, it’s real, it’s Greek.

The rest of the town was quiet. Little fishing homes with bright-colored doors, with water running right up to their doorstops. It felt like something out of a picture—one that I could stay in for a long, long time.

Plaka, you capital you

In the evening, we visited the hilltop town of Plaka. This beautiful village is quintessential Greece, and it’s the capital of Milos. The intricately lined tile flooring, the narrow passageways, the textured white buildings— it all felt so surreal.

As we walked through the town, we wandered down quiet alleys, and kept our voices down so as not to disturb those who lived nearby. In the city center, it was lively and although it was the start of the season, the little shops were open and beginning to welcome visitors.

We stopped in one that I had read about called Milopetra Art. The owner was there and proudly shared the story of his shop with us. His father was the main painter, and his work was displayed throughout the studio—paintings inspired by the sweeping vistas from the Plaka.

You could also find fine pottery and, to my glee, earrings made by a local artist—complete with bright blue sardines and all.

Birthday Dinner- Greek Style!

For dinner, I wanted to return to this gem of a restaurant we had found the night before— Archontoula. This is the kind of place where grandma is wrapping your fresh bread in her hand-stitched napkins. A true gem in Plaka.

Our waitress got word it was my birthday, and when we had finished our meals, the lights in the taverna started flashing off and on. Everyone began gathering around our table and singing Happy Birthday while bringing out a chocolate tarte with a single candle onboard.

They yelled, “Make a wish! Make a wish!” I tried—and to my surprise, the flame kept rekindling! Laughter overtook me when I realized it was a trick candle.

After a few attempts, I was finally able to blow the candle out, and the applause erupted. This is sure to be one of my favorite birthday memories.

Last Day in Milos

To cap off our time in Milos, we decided to end with a boat ride. As many say, it’s a unique way to see the island. We booked Daneri Yachts Sunset Tour , as we didn’t want to devote our whole day to being out on sea—just a few hours to enjoy. It was 100% worth it!

Prior to departure, the skies looked a bit mixed. Our captain said the water would actually be quite calm, though we might get a bit of rain. Rain didn’t hold us back! The catamaran had two levels and a covered dining/seating area you could move about during the journey to Kleftiko Bay.

Milos is known for its unique rock formations throughout the island, and Kleftiko is no exception. Its dramatic arches and white cliffs contrast beautifully with the turquoise blue of the sea. It’s so majestic!

That evening, we began to pack our bags for the morning departure to Sifnos. Four days had come and gone, and we both felt the same—we would miss Milos. Its people, its beauty and its energy were unforgettable. I knew Milos had called to me for some reason.

You may just have to visit to understand.

To Sifnos and Beyond

Choosing which Greek island to visit had been no easy feat! Joe and I have this inside joke from a time when I insistently kept asking him which two island combinations we should go with. I went on and on about my findings—why this, why that—until he finally yelled out in desperation “*I DONT CARE, YOU PICK!*”
So Milos & Sifnos it was!
With my extensive research, I chose Sifnos as the second island to visit after reading this beautifully written article from a travel blogger who shared her time on this quiet foodie island.
In addition to being a food lover’s paradise, Sifnos is also known for its extensive hiking. People from all over Europe travel to Sifnos for its well-marked trails that cut across sweeping vistas.
As you can see in this photo, the distance from Milos to Sifnos is quite close— just a 45-minute ferry ride from port to port. But for being so near, I didn’t realize how vastly different the two would actually be.
If there’s one thing I learned about Greece since arriving, it’s to expect the unexpected— and the land of Sifnos was no exception.

Wildflowers and All

Upon arriving at the hilltops in Sifnos, the atmosphere was quiet—just the whispering wind welcoming us into its landscape. It was different here. Rocky terrain, brush-covered mounds.

We took a little walking path below our hotel to experience it first hand and feel our feet against the land. The pathway was laced with new-budding flowers—some even had prickly little cacti on them, which my long dress thankfully protected me from.

On our descent down the hill, we found an immaculately white church with a blue cap. It seemed unoccupied but perfectly kept, as if waiting for its holy guest.

At the bottom of the trail was the sea—reminding us that she was here all along.

A Serene Paradise

*Verina Astra* was our home for our 4 days in Sifnos. It was everything I had hoped for—and more. From the moment we arrived to this hilltop haven, we were in awe.
For some, where you stay when you travel may just be a place to rest your head. But for me, I believe discovering new places starts with where we stay. Everything from the little details, to the people you meet, to the inspiration of design, to the feeling it brings you.

The Stairway to Profitis Ilias

As many of you may know, I love a good hike. It’s an invigorating way to explore and see the landscape. I love using AllTrails to scope out my hike options.

I’ll say— I did ask Joe what hike he wanted to do, and he left me to my own devices. So yes, I chose the hike to the tallest peak in Sifnos: Profitis Illias.

The day was stunning for a hike—mid 60s with clear skies and a steady breeze. I imagine this route could be dangerous in the summer, with little shade, it would be easy to underestimate the heat. But in May, it was just right.

The first part of the hike was lined with wildflowers and bushels of sage—nice, easy, and rather deceiving. Then next came what I called “the stairway to heaven”, but literally: the stairway to 2,238 feet. It was TOUGH!

When we finally arrived at the top, there were goats! Not kidding- all these funny billie goats with bells around their neck. But there was also beautiful chapel and fellow hikers were sitting, eating there snacks, and taking a well-deserved break.

What amazed me was how well-kept and maintained the church was. We went inside, and it looked like it could have been ready for a service right then and there. I wondered who made the weekly hike to keep it preserved and clean, as there were no roads, only the gravel path up the mountain.

Inside the chapel, I lit a candle for my Lita—who, though hundreds of miles away, was on my mind— I placed it in the sand, and whispered a prayer, hoping she felt it, even from afar.

Ceramics of Sifnos

One of our other memorable moments in Sifnos was experiencing our first pottery class. I may have known about the hiking, but what I hadn’t known was that Sifnos is historically known for its deep roots in pottery.

When we arrived at Apolsoldis Ceramics, I didn’t know what to expect, I imagined spinning the potter’s wheel, but it was so much more!

In typical Greek fashion, we were warmly welcomed by a local Sifnos man wearing flip-flops on, navy sweats (which he may have slept in), a Pink Floyd t-shirt, and holding a freshly lit cigarette. He was awesome— and taught us SO much.

He started from the very beginning, explaining how Sifnos’ ceramics tradition began with the quality of its rich soil. The island’s red clay and iron deposits created a material that could withstand high temperatures during production. He walked us through how rigorous and physically demanding it was to create this malleable clay in the past. Pottery wasn’t a hobby—it was a families livelihood.

The master potter would teach his son at a very young age how-to expertly spin the wheel for hours upon hours, learning to transform a ball of soil into everyday household essentials: cooking pots, chimney stoppers, water carafes, even toilet pots. For years, this was the island’s main export, with Sifnian pots being shipped to many nearby countries.

But over time, Sifnos’ pottery industry was impacted by the invention of newer materials and production from competing lands. Abandoned workshops became more common, and many had to find alternate jobs to support their families.

Then, in the 1970s, something changed. A tourist picked up one of the chimney toppers and said they wanted to buy it—not to put on their chimney, but as art for their home. ART you say?!

Potters in Sifnos had never before considered that their work could be valued as art. Until then, pottery was made solely for practical use. This shift started a domino effect. A rebrand! Generations of potters now began to reshape their thinking and craft on the wheel in a whole new way.

So yes, we gave the wheel a spin—but the best part was watching the master potter and learning this rich, layered history.

And at the end? We gave ourselves full permission to buy all the goods that we could fit in our suitcase- to bring a bit of Sifnos back home with us.