Slow, Solo Time in Kimolos

Agios Georgios Beach

is probably the most popular beach — soft white sand, impossibly blue water, and even a bookshelf on the beach!

I think Kimolos might be my favorite island in Greece. I came here in August, right in the middle of peak season, when every hotel and guesthouse was supposedly full — but somehow, the island never felt crowded. Some beaches I had completely to myself, which felt like magic.

I had been in Milos with friends who left a few days before me, and since I was working remotely, I decided to stay on. After exploring just about every inch of Milos, I asked a local at my hotel where I should go next. Without hesitation, she said, “Go to Kimolos.” It’s only a short boat ride away, but it feels like a different world — calm, untouched, and blissfully under the radar.

Kimolos has beaches just as beautiful as Milos, but without the chaos or the Instagram crowds. Time moves slower here. My days fell into a peaceful rhythm — mornings at the beach, afternoons reading or eating somewhere shaded, evenings working quietly with the sound of cicadas in the background. It was the perfect reset.

I stayed about a week and split my time between two different parts of the island. The first was at Hotel Psathaki, a tiny boutique hotel with just a few rooms. The owner was unbelievably kind — she would drop by with fresh-baked goods and homemade pizza, always checking in to make sure I was okay. Even a month after I left, she sent me a WhatsApp message just to say hello. People here have that kind of warmth.

What I love about Kimolos is how human it feels. Waiters take their time to talk to you. Shop owners remember your name. On one of the beaches, there’s even a little bookshelf where travelers leave books for others to pick up. It’s the kind of small gesture that says everything about the island.

I rented a scooter to get around, waking up early to catch the sunrise and always making sure to end the day watching the sunset. My favorite spot for that was Mavrospilia Beach — there’s something special about sitting on the rocks there, watching the sky turn pink and gold. I meditated one evening as the sun went down, and it was one of those moments that just settles into you.

Agios Georgios Beach is probably the most popular one — soft white sand, impossibly blue water, and just enough life to keep it interesting. After swimming there, I had lunch at Prasonisi and ate the best ceviche I’ve had in Greece. Movatnia Beach was harder to reach — a bit of a ride and a short hike — but when I arrived, I was completely alone. Just me, the sound of the sea, and a stretch of perfect, empty coastline.

Later in the week, I moved closer to Rema Beach, which had such an easygoing vibe — people sitting under trees, playing quiet music, drinking beers, laughing softly. It was the kind of place where hours drift by without realizing it.

In the evenings, I spent time in Chorio, the main village. I’d find a little bar, order a drink, read my book, and just watch the world go by. Sometimes other travelers would start chatting. One night, someone even sent over a drink and we talked for a while — one of those fleeting travel moments that feels both small and meaningful.

One of my favorite days was taking a boat trip to Polyaigos, the tiny uninhabited island nearby. I don’t think I’ve ever seen water that blue in my life — jumping off the boat into that endless turquoise felt unreal. It was one of those rare, pinch-me kind of days.

Kimolos really is a place to take it slow — to eat well, swim, read, talk to strangers, and do nothing at all. It’s still so underrated, and I hadn’t even heard of it before coming here. Now it feels like a secret I almost don’t want to share.