Firiplaka
Best for. Travellers who want a genuinely easy day on a long, beautiful south coast beach, soft sand, calm shallow water and a sunbed and a bar within reach, without the climb its neighbour demands.
Best spot. The organised stretch under the coloured cliffs for a sunbed and the small bar, or a walk along the sand to the quieter eastern end for more room and the same clear water.
Know this. Toilets and changing are limited and the sunbeds fill in August, so arrive early or come in June or September. For seclusion and a thrill, neighbouring Tsigrado is the adventure.
Firiplaka is the south coast beach that gives you the Milos drama without asking anything of you in return. A long, broad sweep of soft pale sand runs below cliffs streaked in white, ochre and rust, the water is clear and shelves so gently that it stays shallow far out, and a small bar and a row of sunbeds sit at one end for those who want them. After the lunar rock of Sarakiniko and the rope descent next door at Tsigrado, this is the beach where you simply arrive, lay down a towel and stay. For most travellers it is the easiest beautiful day on the island.
The honest read is that the ease is the whole point, and the limits are small. The bay faces south and the cliffs shelter it, so it is usually calm and well suited to a careful family swim, and the organised section means you can have a sunbed and a cold drink without planning ahead. What it does not have is much in the way of toilets or changing, and in the first weeks of August the sunbeds and the car park fill early and the long beach can feel busy in its middle. Walk east along the sand and the crowd thins quickly, with the same clear shallow water and more space to yourself.
Come early or come in the shoulder months and Firiplaka is close to ideal. The light on the striped cliffs is loveliest in the softer hours, the water is at its calmest in the morning before any afternoon breeze, and a sunbed is yours without a scramble. If you crave the secret cove thrill, Tsigrado lies just over the headland down its famous ladders, but bring your full beach day here, where the sand is long and the sea is kind. Treat any sunbed price as to be confirmed, since the concession sets it.
An easy organised day on the sand
Firiplaka carries a small beach bar and a concession of sunbeds and umbrellas at one end, which is all most people want here. Names, opening and prices are set by the operators and change by season, so we list what is typically there and mark the rest to be confirmed. See the Milos beach clubs guide for the full run.
Photo: Krstivoje via GoogleThe sunbeds and the small beach bar
At the western end Firiplaka has an organised area of sunbeds and umbrellas for hire and a small beach bar serving drinks, cocktails and simple food through the day. It is relaxed rather than a scene, which suits the beach. The rest of the long sand is free for your own towel. Sunbeds tend to go early in August, so arrive in good time, and treat any rate as to be confirmed, since the concession sets the price by season.
On the south coast near Tsigrado
Firiplaka sits on the south coast of Milos, a short drive from the main port town of Adamas and right beside the hidden cove of Tsigrado over the headland. It is well signposted with a car park above the beach, from which steps lead down to the sand. A hire car or scooter is the easiest way to reach it, and the south coast position means it is usually sheltered when the north wind is up.
The organised section has sunbeds, umbrellas and a small bar, but toilets and changing are limited, so come prepared with water, sun protection and a hat, since the cliffs offer little shade. Arrive in the morning for the calmest water, a free sunbed and a quieter beach, and pair the day with the rope descent at Tsigrado next door or the warm sand of Paliochori a little further east.
Photo: Krstivoje via GoogleBook a beach club
Tell us your dates and party size and we can arrange a sunbed at Firiplaka or another organised Milos beach to match your day, from a calm family swim to a quiet couple's afternoon. We reply by email.
We are an independent editorial resource. Booking requests are passed to clubs and operators, and some may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Prices, availability and opening status are set by the venue and are to be confirmed at the time of booking.
Common questions about Firiplaka
Is Firiplaka beach good for families?
Yes, Firiplaka is one of the easier south coast beaches for families. The bay is sheltered by its cliffs, the sand is soft and the clear water shelves gently and stays shallow a good way out, which suits a careful swim with young children. There is a small bar and sunbeds for hire, though toilets and changing are limited, so come prepared. There is no lifeguard we can confirm, so watch children closely and judge the sea for yourself.
Does Firiplaka have sunbeds and a bar?
Yes. The western end of Firiplaka has an organised area with sunbeds and umbrellas for hire and a small beach bar serving drinks, cocktails and simple food through the day. The rest of the long beach is free for your own towel. The sunbeds tend to fill early in August, so arrive in good time, and treat any price as to be confirmed, since the concession sets it by season.
What is the difference between Firiplaka and Tsigrado?
They sit side by side on the south coast but feel worlds apart. Firiplaka is a long, broad, organised beach with soft sand, calm shallow water, sunbeds and a bar, reached by steps from a car park, which makes it easy for almost anyone. Tsigrado is a tiny hidden cove reached only by a steep descent down ladders and a rope, with no facilities, which makes it a thrill for the adventurous. Many visitors do both in a day.
When is the best time to visit Firiplaka?
Come in June or September, or early in the morning during high summer. The water is calmest before any afternoon breeze, the sunbeds are free rather than full, and the central beach is far quieter than in the August peak. The coloured cliffs look their best in the softer light of morning and late afternoon. Conditions are typical and never guaranteed, so check the forecast for wind.
Is Firiplaka beach sheltered from the wind?
Usually, yes. Firiplaka faces south and its cliffs shelter the bay, so it tends to stay calmer than the exposed north coast beaches when the Meltemi blows from the north. That said, a strong southerly can still bring waves, so check the forecast before you go. On a windy north coast day, the south coast at Firiplaka and Paliochori is often the comfortable choice.
