Mandrakia

While touring the northern coast of Milos Island it is worth making a stop in this adorable fishing port. The charming village with the white houses and 'syrmata' (the places, that are dug into the volcanic rocks, for the storage of small boats) with their colorful doors, is one of the best villages on Milos Island. In the back of the village there is an Instagram-worthy Bay, probably the most photographed spot of the village. During the winter the small wooden boats find shelter in 'syrmata' in order to be repaired and protected by the raging waves of the Aegean Sea. At the top of the village stands the church of Zoodochos Pigi overlooking the endless blue.

There are a few hotels in Mandrakia but most of them are boutique. There is also a small tavern which tends to get very busy, especially during July and August. Mandrakia doesn't have a beach but in less than 4 km (2.5 miles) each way, you'll find two of the most popular beaches in Milos. On the west side, there's Firopotamos beach while on the east side, you'll come across Sarakiniko beach. A few minutes away from the village, lies the well-hidden beach of Tourkothalassa. It is off-the-beaten-path and only a few people can find their way there. The village is positioned about 5 km northwest of the capital of Milos, Plaka and is a must-see thing on the northern side of Milos.