Kimolos: Our Mini-Guide
30th April 2026
Your Insider’s Guide to Slow Island Life
If Milos is the island where you explore, Kimolos is the island to discover the true essence of slow living. The island is confident in its simplicity. No large tourist buses or all-inclusive resorts to be found here. After all, the land area of the island is just under 40 square kilometres. Instead, you’ll come across chalk-white houses, empty beaches even during the high season, and a pace of life that pulls you into stillness. This is where you come when you want Greece without the fanfare.
Where to stay
Accommodation in Kimolos is limited by design. The island is small and intends to stay that way. Most options are near Chorio, the main village.
For a stay with real character, go for The Windmill Kimolos, a restored 19th-century grain mill perched on a hillside between Psathi port and Chorio. Five compact rooms tucked inside thick stone walls and a cylindrical tower, each one different, each one named. It’s intimate and unhurried, a family-run property that’s a genuinely unique experience rather than your average hotel, and not trying to be. The terrace is the heart of the place, with Polyaigos lit up across the water in the evenings.
For something with more polish, Espera Suites is the island’s newest hotel and its first five-star. Eighteen Cycladic suites on a hill above Kalamitsi Beach, clean lines, natural materials, and an infinity pool that drops toward the sea. Three of the suites have their own private pools. The on-site restaurant, Amoni, is open for breakfast through to dinner, and the beach is a six-minute walk below. It’s the kind of place where you feel content to stay, yet you end up leaving anyway, drawn out by the pull of Kimolos.
Where to swim
Kimolos rewards those willing to explore. Its coastline is raw and sculptural, shaped by volcanic history. The island is small enough that you can explore all its top beaches during your stay, or instead simply choose your favourites and savour the slower pace of island life.
Goupa Kara
Where fishermen once kept their boats, Goupa Kara now consists of several hidden coves where turquoise waters lap against smooth volcanic rocks. Be sure to leave your car at the top of the hill, as the road leading down to the water is quite narrow. Likewise, there is no organised beach bar or canteen, so if you’re planning to spend some time here, arrive early in the morning and bring shade and refreshments along with you. Lastly, don’t forget to spot the famous “Elephant”, an elephant-shaped rock that is making its rounds on Instagram.
Rema Beach
Tucked to the side of Goupa Kara, Rema Beach is perfect for a late afternoon swim. Natural shade is provided by a few large tamarisk trees, making it an ideal spot for lingering with a book or a quiet picnic. This is also a great beach for families as the water is calm and shallow. A few limited parking spots are available, so arriving early is key if you want to claim one.
Prassa Beach
Kimolos’s most famous beach, and for good reason. The water is so clear it feels filtered, and the sand is white and soft. Although there is no beach bar, a few trees sporadically dot the coast, offering natural shade. You may also stock up on refreshments and snacks from the beach canteen. Planning on staying a while? Be sure to grab a book from the makeshift library made from an old wooden fishing boat.
Bonatsa Beach
Bonatsa Beach is a long stretch along the island’s south coast. Its gentle, shallow waters are perfect for long, unhurried swims. Whether you settle under a tamarisk tree for natural shade or claim a sun bed at one of the two beach bars, the beach always feels spacious and never crowded.
Where Lunch Turns Into Sunset
Meals in Kimolos aren’t rushed; they unfold, linger, and often become the highlight of the day. Most eateries look just as you’d hope: a handful of simple tables set on or along the beach, serving the day’s freshly caught fish.
To Kyma: This spot sits right by the water in Psathi. The squid risotto and the lobster pasta are the dishes people come back for, and the ladenia (Kimolos’s traditional tomato bread) is some of the best on the island. Lunch here often stretches into the afternoon.
Prasonisi: Perched above Prassa Beach, Prasonisi pairs a more refined approach to seafood with views across to Polyaigos. The red mullet pasta and the grilled octopus are worth the drive out.
Sardis: A local favourite, on the road to Aliki Beach. Bemba’s kitchen is the draw: her tomato balls, the lobster spaghetti, and whatever the fishermen brought in that morning. Go for the traditional dishes, but trust the daily specials.
Kalamitsi Tavern: A seaside favourite right on the beach. The moussaka and the keftedes are signatures dishes here: simple cooking, generous portions, and a setting where shoes feel optional.
Exploring the Island
Kimolos may be small, but that’s precisely why it draws you in. The island invites you to follow your instincts, wander without a plan, and discover its corners. Stroll through Chorio’s narrow alleys, where doors are left ajar and life spills into the streets. Stop for a coffee that turns into a conversation at Kampos, a traditional kafeneio in the town’s square, or grab a homemade ice cream from Stavento.
One of the best ways to explore the island is to drive without a destination and pull over whenever the coastline catches your eye. Don’t miss the Skiadi rock, a natural stone mushroom shaped by the wind over centuries. A quiet, almost surreal landmark that says everything about this island’s character.
For something more adventurous, take a boat around the island or to Polyaigos, the neighbouring uninhabited island. Hidden caves, untouched beaches, and that feeling of discovering something entirely on your own.
In the evening, you may catch a movie at one of the pop-up outdoor cinemas. Between June and September, screenings are set up throughout the island, including at the Medieval Castle, Goupa Kara, and village squares. And no trip to Kimolos is complete without a drink at BarBe or Agora Cocktail Bar.
Flow of the Island
How to get to Kimolos
Ferry: The most common route is via Milos. From there, it’s a short 20-minute ferry. Otherwise, you can reach the island via Piraeus Port (5.5–8 hours), departing daily during the summer season.
Plane: Fly into Milos via Athens, then continue by ferry. There is no airport in Kimolos.
Helicopter: For a direct arrival, private helicopter transfers can take you from Athens, with a striking aerial introduction to the Cyclades.
Getting Around
Car rental: A car is ideal for reaching the island’s beaches. Roads are simple, distances are short, and it’s all very manageable.
Boat trips: Highly recommended. Seeing Kimolos from the water reveals its most beautiful side: hidden caves, dramatic rock formations, and complete isolation.
Walking: In and around Chorio, walking is all you need. The island invites you to slow down, and this is the best way to feel it.
Length of Stay & Best Season
Ideal stay: 3–4 days. Enough to explore without rushing, and still leave wanting more. Best paired with a stay on neighbouring Milos.
Best season: Late May to early July, and September. Kimolos at its warmest and most alive, but never overwhelming. August is vibrant, but if you want the island at its calmest, come just before or just after.
Ami is a Thessaloniki-based photographer whose visual guide, Urban Wanders, follows her eye across Greece, from hotels to hidden corners of the city she calls home. Her photography work spans hotels and travel brands across the country.
@urban_wanders