Muir Woods National Monument is filled with glorious Coastal Redwoods and is perfect for exploring. I published a post last May titled California Dreaming, which highlighted multiple national parks on our trip. This post is an expansion of that to highlight Muir Woods specifically. Through this more detailed post, I hope to give you all the info you’ll need to make a trip of your own to Muir Woods.
We visited Muir Woods in December 2019 as part of our larger California adventure. The goal of the trip was to see as many national parks or protected areas as possible, so it felt essential to see Muir Woods while we were in Northern California. This protected area is an easy day trip from many locations around the Bay Area.
Muir Woods Basics
The old growth coastal redwoods in Muir Woods will easily enchant you. The park is located in the middle of the redwood range from the California-Oregon border all the way down to Big Sur. There are many different types of plants, animals and birds within it that are all worth exploring. However, the giant coastal redwoods found throughout really steal the show. The climate in the coastal redwood forest is usually cool and dry during the summer and wet in winter months.
Walking the trails at Muir Woods National Monument.
Muir Woods requires you to purchase a parking permit prior to arrival. I booked our parking pass a few months out to be safe. When reserving, you chose a 30 minute window to arrive. I would recommend getting your parking pass as soon as possible once you know your trip dates. Additionally, you can book shuttle passes and your entrance ticket to the park through the same company.
To enter you will need to pay the entrance fee, which is separate from parking. You can also enter using your America the Beautiful pass. This is what we did.
Breathtaking views around the trails of the park.
Getting There and Away
Muir Woods is located in the San Francisco Bay Area in the city of Mill Valley. The parkcan be accessed via car from most areas, as well as by shuttle bus from Sausalito, Marin City and the Pohono Park and Ride. Due to it’s popularity, you will need to book your shuttle and parking reservation ahead of time at gomuirwoods.com.
What to Do
Go on a Hike!
Trails around Muir Woods National Monument.
The most obvious and fun thing to do in Muir Woods is to walk around the trails and view the beautiful coastal redwoods. There are a few easy trails from the park entrance that range in time and distance. According to the park page, there are three loops, each one a half hour longer than the next for a total of 6 miles and one and a half hours.
Trails within the park are well marked and follow along the redwood giants. If you would like to hike for longer, there are options to break out to adjoining trails that offer a birds eye views of the area. Plan to bring some snacks and spend half a day hiking around and breathing in the fresh air.
Yosemite National Park is a wonderful place for hiking, exploring and camping. I published a post last May titled California Dreaming, which highlighted multiple national parks on our trip. This post is an expansion of that to highlight Yosemite specifically. Through this more detailed series, I hope to give you all the info you’ll need to make a trip of your own.
We visited Yosemite National Park in December 2019 and loved seeing the park in winter. Yosemite is one of those places that lives up to all the hype that you hear about it. While we only got to spend three days and two nights in Yosemite, I could have easily spent weeks there. It is truly mesmerizing. I recommend at least one visit, but hopefully many.
Views of Yosemite Valley.
Yosemite National Park Basics
The 1,200 square mile park is California’s most popular national park and there is no question as to why. It is located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in central California and sits 195 miles from San Francisco, 176 miles from Sacramento and 313 miles from Los Angeles.
Yosemite is well known for the ancient and majestic sequoia trees that populate the park. Not to mention the dome rocks that tower over you as you enter the valley floor alongside the many waterfalls and meadows found throughout. Elevation in the park ranges from about 2,000 feet to 13,000 feet. Yosemite experiences large amounts of precipitation from October to May, with snow covering the park throughout winter.
There is an entry fee to visit the park, or you can use your America the Beautiful parks pass for covered entry. During the 2021 season you will need a reservation to enter. Make your reservation on Recreation.gov well in advance as the time slots are likely to be booked up quickly.
You can drive to Yosemite via the south, west and north. The most common routes are from the San Francisco area, as well as from the Los Angeles area. It is advisable to use the park shuttle bus once you are inside the park due to all the traffic. Note that the shuttle is not running in 2021. There is also a YARTS bus that can also take you from Yosemite to the train station. YARTS travels east to Mammoth Lakes, west to Fresno and north to Sonora.
Crossing the Tejon Pass going north.
For our trip, we drove north to Yosemite from Los Angeles. There can be a lot of traffic, so we planned to leave by 5am to avoid it. Even though a 4am wake up call sounds rough, it is highly advisable if you are leaving from Southern California.
We drove out on the empty darkened LA freeways and hit the Tejon Pass by dawn. As we climbed the pass, daylight started to creep in, exposing the snow covered hillsides along the highway. We had lucked out, the pass was just a few days out of being shut down completely from a snow storm. The car crested the ridge and we rode into the valley below as the storied California farmlands fanned out on both sides. This eventually made way to a mountainous forested area that meandered into the national park.
Where to Stay
Our cabin in the Curry Village at Yosemite NP.
For our visit to Yosemite, we opted to stay inside the park in one of their lodges. While they are a bit more pricey, it was very much worth it to be able to reach the trails from your door. If you stay outside the park, you will have to queue up each day with a long line of cars. We stayed our first night in a cabin in Curry Village and our second night at the Yosemite Valley Lodge. Both were beautiful in their own way, with Curry Village more rustic and Yosemite Valley Lodge a step up in decor and price.
There are 13 campgrounds in the park, which you can review here. You will need to make a camping reservation on Recreation.gov well in advance of your stay. Those looking to splurge should check out Yosemite’s most famed lodge, the historic Ahwahnee.
What To Do
There is much to be said about Yosemite’s many opportunities for adventure that can’t all fit here. The most common activities are taking a hike, going on a wilderness tour and a whole range of active sports such as trail running, biking, fishing and horseback riding. I have highlighted what we did below.
Mirror Lake, Yosemite National Park
Go for a Hike
Prior to heading to Yosemite, I recommend looking up some of their trails and hikes. There is a great transit system that drops off visitors at most trailheads throughout the park, making everything more accessible without a car. The Yosemite Conservatory also offers tours that can take you to see some of the key highlights.
Since we were there for such a short time, we ended up doing trail runs on hiking trails to see more of the park. We checked out the Valley Loop Trail, Lower Falls Trail, and Mirror Lake Trail. Also, it was winter when we visited so a number of the trails were closed. Before you go, check out the park’s hiking page, which has a ton of information.
Go for a Run
Our first trail run was on the Mirror Lake Trail, which offered an enchanting setting around a lake and allowed us to leave from our doorstep in the Curry Village. We did an 8 mile trail run, but you can also do much shorter hikes from the trailhead. See our Strava outline below.
Mirror Lake Trail out and back run from Curry Village.
Yosemite trail running
On our second day, I ran solo around the Valley Loop Trail. This trail was mostly paved, with parts of the run in more remote areas of the valley. I was petrified the entire time that I would come across a bear, but thankfully that did not happen! Even still, it was a great way to check out the valley in the early, misty morning while most people were still sleeping. See the Strava route below.
Yosemite valley loop trail solo run.
On our last morning, we took a run around the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail. We got out early to avoid the tour buses and crowds at the falls. Because of this, we were completely alone. Such a treat in this often crowded park! It felt special to have the place all to ourselves with the valley dew in the air.
Take Some Photographs
Us posing awkwardly at Yosemite Valley Falls.
There are a lot of opportunities for beautiful photography in Yosemite. Ansel Adams Gallery offers photography classes and some of the other tours also offer chances for great photography. We took a lot of photos just walking around the Lower Yosemite Falls trail, which is a popular spot for visitors. But really, just get out there in the park and you will find so many inspiring views.
What Next?
Running the Mirror Lake Trail.
If you want ideas for outdoor places to visit, read my other posts to see what adventures await nearby. If you are in California, I highly recommend you making Joshua Tree National Park part of your trip. I recommend reading my posts about the beautiful state of New Mexico, the Grand Canyon or about Rocky Mountain National Park.
As we slowly start thinking about traveling closer to home, I have created a series that includes some outdoor places that are perfect for hiking, camping and exploring. Joshua Tree National Park is one of those places that hits all the boxes. I had originally wrote about Joshua Tree in a longer post that I published last May titled California Dreaming. I am expanding upon my earlier post to highlight this national park and give you all the info to make a visit.
When we visited Joshua Tree in December 2019, I hadn’t been in many years and I had forgotten just how magical it was. This park is a must see in California and you should definitely try to make a trip here. Not only is it beautiful, but visiting will change how you feel about the desert.
Exploring the trails of Joshua Tree National Park.
Joshua Tree National Park Basics
Joshua Tree National Park is an 800,000 acre park that is located just 140 miles east of Los Angeles in Southern California. The park sits where the Mohave Desert and the Colorado Desert meet. It is filled with cacti, trees, shrubs, lizards and other desert dwelling plants, birds and animals. More information about the history and make-up of Joshua Tree can be found here and here. There is a fee to enter the park or you can use your America the Beautiful parks pass for entry.
I recommend arriving early if you are visiting during the winter season. There are limited parking spots at the popular trail heads and you will want to beat the crowds. There are not many water facilities inside the park, so bring lots of water. It is essential to prepare yourself with all you will need in the park and pack layers of clothing. When we visited in December, the temperatures were quite cold and we wore our jackets the entire time.
Joshua Tree National Park is located about 140 miles east of Los Angeles, 175 miles from San Diego and 215 miles from Las Vegas. It is accessible via car and you can fly to one of the nearby cities and drive from there. There are three entrances to the park. The west entrance is at Joshua Tree Village and the north entrance is at Twentynine Palms. There is also a south entrance at Cottonwood Springs.
Joshua Tree National Park
Where to Stay
There are two small towns in Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms where most of the lodging is located near the park entrances. I would recommend staying in the Joshua Tree area, as that was where most of the restaurants and amenities were. We stayed both nights at an Airbnb in a fairly remote location on the outskirts of Joshua Tree. You can also stay farther out, but it will make beating the crowds at the park entrances much harder.
Additionally, there are five campgrounds within the park that offer basic camping options and can be reserved in advance at Recreation.gov. There are also a number of camping options outside of the park.
What to Eat
I was surprised to see that there are a decent amount of food options in the area despite being in the middle of the desert. Some top restaurants are in Joshua Tree, as well as a few in Twentynine Palms. We ate at Pie for the People! and were surprised how much we loved it. You can also try some hot spots around the park. Since we visited over the holidays we had less options, but in general there are many yummy choices to choose from.
Sunset over the park.
Joshua Tree Hiking and exploring
Joshua Tree is huge and there are lots of things to do, including many great hikes for all activity levels. While we weren’t able to do any trail runs in Joshua Tree, we did a series of short and easy hikes on our visit. We went to the following places based on various recommendations.
Hidden Valley Nature Trail
We started at the Hidden Valley Nature Trail. This mile loop trail was an easy and beautiful hike. It is great for the whole family and didn’t take too long to complete.
Hidden Valley Nature Trail hike.
Miguel at the Hidden Valley Trail.
Barker Dam Trail
The Barker Dam Trail was another easy 1 mile loop hike. We took this hike easy and we got to see the historic Barker Dam. Overall it was a very relaxed hike with some cool views.
Joshua Tree National Park hiking on the Barker Dam Trail.
Ryan Mountain Trail
The Ryan Mountain Trail was a slightly more difficult three mile out and back hike up Ryan Mountain. It was was moderately strenuous with spectacular views and a must see if you are up for it.
Views from the Ryan Mountain Trail.
Skull Rock Trail
We stopped by the Skull Rock Trail, which is an easy loop directly off the park road. We did a quick pitstop here and we didn’t hike the full trail. It felt like more of a highly overrated IG hype location and not necessary to stop.
Skull Rock
Cholla Cactus Garden
The Cholla Cactus Garden is near the north entrance of the park. It offers an easy walk around the unique cacti and was one of my favorite areas that we visited. It was a bit of drive from the other hikes, but it was completely worth it. There is a partly paved path that follows a short trail around the garden. It is very popular, i.e. crowded, but for good reason.
Miguel in the Cholla Cactus Garden.
What Next?
If you are in the Southern California area, I highly recommend you making Joshua Tree National Park part of your trip. If you want ideas for outdoor places to visit, read my other posts to see what adventures await nearby. I recommend reading my posts about the beautiful state of New Mexico, the Grand Canyon or our trip to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Standing near the Twentynine Palms entrance to the park.
This past summer, we were lucky enough to spend some time at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. This national park hadn’t been on my radar, but it was a perfect detour on our way back home. I’m so grateful we took the time to see such a stunning national park.
Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is located in north central Colorado on 415 square miles of breathtaking wilderness. It is truly one of the most spectacular natural settings I have ever seen. I highly recommend visiting it to anyone in the area. Rocky Mountain National Park is located on Cheyenne and Ute land.
The mesmerizing views of RMNP.
Rocky Mountain National Park Basics
RMNP is one of the most popular national parks in the country. In 2020, it was the fourth most visited park with 3.3 million visitors. We felt those numbers while we were there, even amid the pandemic that kept many people at home. I recommend visiting during spring or fall when the crowds are slightly reduced. Summer was a little bonkers, but still really cool to visit!
To ensure our safety and the safety of others, we were very careful to maintain our distance and keep masked. All national parks are now requiring that visitors wear masks and maintain physical distance from others. Here is more info about the COVID-19 measures in place at RMNP.
Miguel posing at the Grand Lake entrance to the park.
To get into the park we had to make a reservation through a timed entry system. This system will be in place for the 2021 season as well. To enter, the park releases specific time intervals for reservation in two hour windows. The entry times are released each month prior for the following month. Since this is such a popular park, you will need to book your entry as far in advance as possible. In addition to an entry time, we used our yearlong America the Beautiful Pass for entrance to the park.
Getting There and Away
Beautiful mountains for days!
The park is located within 66 miles of Denver, making it very accessible by road and plane. There are two main entrances used for entry into the park, the town of Estes Park in the east and Grand Lake in the west. Estes Park is by far the more popular side of the park with various options for food and lodging.
Where to Stay
There are tons of hotels and Airbnbs in the area near Rocky Mountain National Park. The lodging options are mainly in Estes Park, as well as the smaller community of Grand Lake. There are also five campground options within RMNP, as well as the option to do wilderness camping with a permit.
Since I had booked our trip so late, we stayed at an Airbnb in Grand Lake and really enjoyed it. The Airbnbwas perfectly located near the Grand Lake entrance and was well situated with great views and comfortable amenities. We even had the option to add on delicious breakfast or dinner meals for a fee. Note that if you stay in Grand Lake, you might have longer drives to get to some of the more popular trailheads.
What to Bring
The weather in the park can be really variable. It is advisable to dress in layers and be prepared for colder temps as you go up in elevation. I learned this the hard way when we did the Mt. Ida hike. Rookie mistake that I won’t make again! In addition to bringing lots of layers, always make sure to pack lots of water for your hikes. This is something I can’t stress enough.
RMNP is also known for it’s lightning storms during summer. Practice extreme caution when planning an outing if a storm is in the forecast. Monitor the weather and make sure to not be on exposed trail if a storm does come in. Here are some guidelines from the park about safety.
I recommend staying somewhere that you can prepare your meals and pack food to bring with you into the park. We packed snacks and lunch each day to bring along with us on our hikes. It is better to have more than enough water and food with you than to underestimate your needs while hiking.
Trailhead near Bear Lake.
Things to Do
Take a Drive
The Trail Ridge Road bisects the park and gives you access to the various key trails within. Driving on this road was easily the most spellbinding and scary road that I have ever driven on in my life. The 48 mile road crests over 12,000 feet in elevation and connects the two park entrances of Estes Park and Grand Lake. The best part is that the road takes you from the forrest meadows at the base up to alpine tundra at the peak. It gets a little dicey on the windy roads near the top where there is little to no space between the road and the steep drop off down the mountain. Despite some harrowing moments, I’m happy that we got to take the famous drive.
Views from the top of the Trail Ridge Road.
Go on a Hike (or many)
Rocky Mountain National Park has over 355 miles of trails. Hiking is one of the most popular activities and there are trails for all ability levels. There are many lists you can turn to about the best hikes in the park. Here is a link to the various trail maps within RMNP. I’ve detailed below the different hikes that we took.
Emerald Lake/Nymph Lake/Dream Lake
Views of Emerald Lake.
Our first hike was to Emerald Lake, starting from the Bear Lake Trailhead. The 3.5 mile round trip hike passes by both Nymph Lake and Dream Lake, both beautiful lakes to behold. This heavily trafficked trail was an easier out and back hike.
Nymph lake views en route to Emerald Lake.
On our way to Emerald Lake.
Alberta Falls Hike
Alberta Falls.
We also took a hike to Alberta Falls, an easy out and back trail totaling a little over 2 miles. We added this on after our hike to Emerald Lake since it left from the same trailhead. Due to it’s location near Bear Lake, it was a very crowded hike filled with lots of hikers. I would recommend hitting this trail in the early morning or later afternoon when less people are present.
Mt Ida Hike
Miguel at the Mt. Ida peak.
On our second full day in the park we set out before sunrise to hike up to Mt. Ida. This 9.5 mile out and back hike was much more strenuous and crossed multiple terrains. In total, we gained around 2,300 feet of elevation, with the peak at 12,889 feet. We left from the Poudre Lake Trailhead in the early morning in order to beat the afternoon thunderstorms. The trail is very exposed when it reaches the subalpine tundra so you have to be careful not to get caught exposed if a storm passes through. For this reason, we started early and we still barely missed a storm on our way back down.
Sunrise coming up over the Poudre Lake Trailhead as we started our hike.
Views of the glacial lakes on the hike up to Mt. Ida.
Bouldering at the end of the hike. There were lots of loose rock.Views from near the top of Mt. Ida.
Strava stats from our Mt. Ida hike.
Check out the Wildlife
We did not see much wildlife, though we did get some great close-ups of marmots on the alpine tundra. Wildlife sightings can be quite common within RMNP and that is something to look forward to on your visit.
Marmot along the peak of the Trail Ridge Road.
Go Kayaking outside the Park
On our first day we took a kayak trip on Shadow Mountain Lake near our Airbnb. This ended up being a really amazing experience since we got to see osprey and other local birds. We rented our kayaks at Trail Ridge Marina, which provided us with directions to see the early morning tranquility of the lake. If you stay in the Grand Lake area, it is definitely worth it to take some kayaks out to see the local wildlife.
What Next?
After a trip to RMNP, you might be asking what next. Check out my other travel posts to see what other adventures await nearby. I recommend reading my posts aboutthe beautiful state of New Mexico, the Grand Canyon or our road trip in California.
New Mexico is a magical place. It is somewhere that I always find peace and grounding. When I visit, I get to spend time with my family and explore countless trails amid diverse desert, forest and alpine terrains. From the endless skies to the electric sunsets, and the unending views everywhere you look, New Mexico is truly an enchanting place.
This post is a smattering of outdoor adventures from my recent trip to New Mexico. There is so much to do within this wondrous state, with so many diverse landscapes. What I am outlining doesn’t come close to covering all that you can see and do here, but let it inspire you to see for yourself.
Walking the Rio Grande Gorge West Rim trail in Taos.
Before You Go
New Mexico has many natural wonders throughout the state. Most trails are accessible via car depending on where you are based and there is a lot of good information out there on sites like AllTrails, Hiking Project and Outdoor Project.
It is important to plan ahead before you head out on your hike/walk/run/bike. Bring plenty of water, especially during the warmer months when the sun can be brutal. Be aware of storm or lightning warnings, as this can be a big issue and you don’t want to be caught out in the middle of a lightning storm. I also always recommend letting someone know where you are headed before you embark on your adventure.
Taos Area Outdoors
Miguel at Williams Lake.
The Taos area is a place of unbelievable beauty. There are so many trails to explore via hiking, walking, camping, trail running, biking and horseback riding. I found the Taos Hiking Guide by Cindy Brown to be really helpful to plan out and look up hikes in the area. There are also some helpful trail guides on AllTrails, the Taos Ski Valley website and the Hiking Project.
Below are just a few of the trails around Taos that we got to check out on this trip, with many more to explore next time.
Hike, Run or Walk the Taos Foothills
Trail running in the foothills of Taos.
Since we were staying just outside of town, we were lucky enough to be located right along the foothills. Each time we went out for a hike or trail run, we enjoyed the smells of piñon and the views of the mountains in the background. There are a bunch of trails to choose from in the lower foothills and canyons near Taos. Here is a link to some trails that start near the Taos pueblo.
Williams Lake Trail
The start of Williams Lake trail from the Taos Ski Valley.
The Williams Lake Trail is one of the most popular hikes to do in the Taos area, and with good reason. It is a relatively easy to moderate hike for four miles roundtrip that takes you through some stunning scenery to reach Williams Lake. We had done this hike in snowshoes during winter on a previous trip and it was lovely to explore this route again in summer when everything was green. It is one of my favorites in the area and I would recommend it to anyone with a few days to spare in Taos.
Williams Lake sits at an elevation of 11,040 feet. The breathtaking views of Williams Lake.
Devisadero Loop Trail
Reaching the top of the Devisadero Peak.
We did our first longer trail run in Taos by leaving from the foothills and taking a few connector trails to reach the Devisadero Loop Trail. This trail had some great views and was difficult as a trail run, but we enjoyed it nonetheless. It is fairy exposed, so remember to bring plenty of water.
Running the Devisadero Loop Trail and connecting trails.
Devisadero Loop Trail Run on Strava. Check out that elevation gain!
Views of Taos from the Devisadero Loop trail.
Manzanita Canyon Trail
There were many creek crossings on the Manzanita Canyon Trail that posed a fun adventure.
The longest hike we did in Taos was on the Manzanita Canyon Trail. It was a total of 8.3 miles roundtrip, with very steep elevation gain on the way up and down. Our total elevation gain was 3,429 feet. Whew! The views from the ridge just below the Lobo Peak were absolutely stunning. And the nice thing about this trail is that it was only lightly trafficked, allowing us lots of time to ourselves.
Strava stats for the Manzanita Canyon Trail.
Views from just below Lobo Peak on the Manzanita Canyon Trail.Backside of the mountain and views for days.
Rift Valley Trail
Trail running the Rift Valley Trail.
We tried out the Rift Valley Trail for a trail run on two different occasions. This trail is a beautiful, fairly easy one with limited elevation gain that winds around the Rio Grande and provides great views of the gorge, shrubs and valleys in the area. It is very exposed with hardly any trees, so bring lots of water. We tried both the Rift Valley Loop Trail and the Traders Trail here on two different runs and enjoyed both of them.
Headed out on the Traders Trail.Views of the Rio Grande Gorge.
West Rim Trail
Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.
We hiked the Rio Grande Gorge West Rim Trail, which is a fairly easy and flat trail that takes you along the west side of the Rio Grande River. It is an out and back trail, so you can decide how long you want to go. We hiked it for just over four miles roundtrip. Note that there is a rest stop with bathrooms at the start and the trail is very exposed, so bring some water.
Miguel contemplating the views.Views of the gorge. Amazing views of the Rio Grande.
Amole Canyon Hike
Amole Canyon Hike
We enjoyed a low key hike on the Amole Canyon Trail towards the end of our stay in Taos. There are a bunch of linking trails in Amole Canyon so you can hike various distances, but due to an impeding set of storm clouds, we kept it pretty short.
Checking out Amole Canyon.Views of the Quaking Aspen trees, which lined the entire trail.
Albuquerque Area Outdoors
I have spent the most time in Albuquerque over my years visiting New Mexico. There is a lot to see and do here, both in the city and in the surrounding area. Here are just a few trails we checked out this time.
One of my favorite places to visit in Albuquerque is the Bosque Trail that runs along the Rio Grande River. There are paved trails for biking and running, as well as many smaller trails right along the river, such as the one above. The trails along the river are nicely shaded and allow a slight respite from the hot summer days. You can walk, bike and run to your hearts content on this trail and there is always something new to explore.
Explore the Sandia Mountains
We did a trail run into the Sandia Mountain Wilderness on the Embudo Trail. It was a hard one, with a steep incline on the way up, but great views out towards Albuquerque once you reached the top.
The first mile of this trail run was pure incline and it was brutal!But the views of Albuquerque from above made it all worth it!
Strava stats for the trail run.
Headed back down the trail.
We didn’t get to do my favorite Sandia Mountain trail on this trip, the La Luz Trail. This one is not only my favorite, but one of the most popular when you are visiting Albuquerque. I highly recommend it as an addition to your next New Mexico trip.
Jemez Area Outdoors
Located around an hour and a half from Albuquerque, Jemez Springs has some amazing beauty and a plethora of outdoor adventures to offer. There are many trails to check out in this area. On this trip we tried out the Las Conchas Hike and really enjoyed it.
The Las Conchas Trail near Jemez Springs was a beautiful one. You take a fairly easy route along the river and you are allowed to bring your dogs along on leash. You can also extend the hike by trekking through the river, which we did and loved getting a bit wet and messy.
Overall, this trail was a lovely one, but be aware of weather warnings, especially impending storms. We started heading back when we saw clouds, but we still found ourselves stuck in a pretty nasty hail and lightening storm, which I would much rather avoid next time! We waited it out until it was safe to make a run for it and return to our car for safety.
Hiking through the river in the Jemez Las Conchas Hike.
Santa Fe Area
This was the first time that I had done some hiking up in the area near Santa Fe and I was really impressed by the diverse views and trails. There are a lot of trail options that you can check out near Santa Fe.
We camped at the Black Canyon Campground just outside of Santa Fe on the way up to the Santa Fe Ski area. From our campsite, we could hike directly up to a loop trail that took us up to a ridge that looked out on the surrounding valleys. It was a fairly easy hike with some great scenery.
Nambe Lake Hike
Miguel being touched by the sun on our hike up to Nambe Lake.
The Nambe Lake hike is a total of 6.5 miles roundtrip, with a steep incline on the way up to the lake. You start the hike from the Santa Fe Ski Area and wind through various types of trees and forest as you make your way to the top. This hike was a tough one, but well worth it, especially if you bring some lunch to picnic around the lake when you finally make it.
Views from the Santa Fe National Forest on the Nambe Lake Trail.
Make a Plan to Visit
If you can’t tell by now, New Mexico is a place you should place high on your outdoor adventure list. There is so much to see and do here, with endless trails to explore each time you visit.
Check out some of my other travel adventures on my destinations page.
Amsterdam is such a charming city. Don’t believe the stereotypes that it is only good to visit for the ‘coffee’ shops or checking out the red light district. That is just plain wrong. Instead, see it for yourself. Explore the wide canals, experience the vibrant bike life, dabble in the expansive cultural opportunities and taste the diverse food scene.
This post outlines our brief trip to Amsterdam last June. It is not meant to be exhaustive by any means. There are so many things you can see, do and eat within this beautiful city. I will highlight just a few of the things I enjoyed and would recommend.
Trip Planning: Before You Go
Amsterdam wasn’t in my original plan for our larger Greece trip. But as I was researching flights to Greece, I found a cheap direct flight from NYC to Amsterdam and decided to add it in as longer layover.
Before we arrived, I booked our flights and our lodging. I’d recommend getting both ahead of time since it is such a tourist destination. Since Amsterdam is so easy to navigate, I didn’t rent a car. If you are planning on taking a train out of the city, you can get your tickets beforehand or upon arrival.
I would, however, recommend booking your museum tickets ahead of time. For example, the Anne Frank House is nearly impossible to get tickets to once you are there. I also made a reservation before we left for the Van Gogh Museum since it is quite popular.
Canal views.
Getting There & Around
We flew into Amsterdam directly on a Norwegian Air flight from JFK. It was about 6-7 hours total. There are a number of airlines that offer direct flights to Amsterdam. Note that most of them leaving US airports will take off later in the evening and arrive in the morning. This can make you quite groggy upon arrival depending on your ability to rest on the plane.
Once we arrived in the city, we were able to take a train directly to the neighborhood where we were staying. Amsterdam has an excellent public transit system to get to basically anywhere you need to go, including the airports and train stations. In addition, once there, we walked almost everywhere. If you are not into walking, you can also rent a bike, or take a train.
Amsterdam Basics
Amsterdam is the capital and the most populated city within the Netherlands. It has a population of around 900,000 in the city proper, with over a million in the urban area. It is known as the ‘Venice of the North’ and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Amsterdam is known for its canals, museums, red light district, cannabis coffee shops and its vibrant bicycle culture. The official language is Dutch, but most people speak fluent English, as well as one or two other languages. The currency is the Euro and ATMs are widely available.
Where to Stay
There are so many options for lodging in Amsterdam. You can pick from budget hostels, mid to high level hotels, to a range of Airbnbs.
We stayed at a fairly basic, but cute Airbnb north of Vondelpark. We enjoyed the location near the park and the many restaurants in the area. It was also very walkable to other parts of the city. When booking, I would recommend looking for the top places you want to visit and finding a place that is within walking or biking distance.
WHAT TO EAT
Some yummy ramen from Betsubara.
There are so many food options in Amsterdam. We hardly hit the iceberg of where and what to eat and I’m sure we could have tried so many more places. We stuck mostly to restaurants in our neighborhood and tried some snacks while we were out and about. One of the things you should definitely try are the Dutch pancakes. We tried them at Pancakes Amsterdam, which is a chain located throughout the city.
In our neighborhood we had amazing Ethiopian food at Lalibela Restaurant, yummy Thai at the Golden Brown Bar and delicious ramen at Betsubara. I’d guess that there are amazing food options in pretty much any neighborhood you are in.
I don’t think we are capable of exploring any city during summer without trying the ice cream.
What to Do
There are so many ways to occupy your time while you are in Amsterdam. If anything, you will need a repeat visit to fit everything in. Here are just a few ideas that I recommend.
Visit Vondelpark
Vondelpark, for me at least, was a highlight of both of my trips to Amsterdam. It is a beautiful park with nice trails to run, bike, or walk. In summer there are tons of people out enjoying the nice weather and spending time with friends and family. I loved running around the park, as well as strolling through it en route to some other city destination. There are an abundance of little walkways that lead to ponds, fields or unique art pieces. I recommend getting yourself lost in Vondelpark at least once.
Check out the Markets
Flowers at the Albert Cuyp Market.
There are markets galore in Amsterdam. We visited the Albert Cuyp Market in the de Pijp neighborhood and it is filled with all types of food, flowers, produce, souvenirs and clothing for sale. It’s fun just to wander around the markets for an afternoon, especially if you are hungry!
Explore the Museums
There are many museums to choose from in Amsterdam. On my first visit, I spent one full afternoon visiting the Rijksmuseum. This is probably the most popular museum in Amsterdam and it is filled with a diverse collection of exhibits and artwork.
My dream library at the Rijksmuseum.
On my second visit to Amsterdam, I made sure to plan ahead. I booked tickets to visit the Anne Frank House, which I had missed out on the first time around due to it being sold out. This is a must see historical spot within Amsterdam and it is extremely powerful to behold. I highly recommend it.
Anne Frank House.
The Van Gogh Museum is another must see while you are in Amsterdam. There are many other museum options, this is just what we had time for. If you want to see other museum recommendations, check out this page.
Van Gogh Museum
Wander the Canals
I think one of the most refreshing and lovely things to do in Amsterdam is simply to wander around the canals. This might just be my opinion as an outsider, but taking in all the townhouses lined up along the canals, the houseboats in the water, and the people strolling by, is magical.
Take a Detour to Haarlem
We took a short afternoon trip from Amsterdam out to Haarlem to see my friend Norman. It is a city about half an hour train ride from downtown Amsterdam. It’s a lot quieter than Amsterdam, but filled with impressive architecture and cute streets calling your name to explore.
My friend Norm and I in Haarlem.
Running in Amsterdam
Running is a lot of fun in Amsterdam. There are so many options for routes among the vibrant parks, lanes and canals. We were lucky enough to be based very close to Vondelpark, so we did all of our runs through there or to nearby adjoining parks.
Running through Rembrandtpark in Amsterdam.
Run through Vondelpark and Rembrandtpark.
Getting Away
We took a flight from Amsterdam to our next stop in Santorini. We flew the budget airline Transavia and it was a relaxed trip out with no issues. There are many options to travel into and out of Amsterdam. You can travel by train, car, and airplane depending on where you are looking to go.
Corfu is a stunning island. After spending time in the Cycladic Islands and then heading to Athens, Corfu was quite the pleasant surprise. As an island, it has a much more lush and thriving landscape full of mesmerizing sights. While the other islands we visited were gorgeous, the greenery and abundance of Corfu took the cake.
Last year we took our first trip to Greece and we loved it. This post will detail our final stop in Greece to the island of Corfu. I will share highlights from our trip to Corfu and all of the remarkable places we visited around the island. The first post in the series was about Santorini, followed by Milos, Naxos and Athens.
Views of Agios Geogios Beach.
Trip Planning: Before
We came to visit Corfu as a bit of an accident. I had read about the Ionian Islands in my Greek research, but I wasn’t sure if I could fit them into our itinerary. During my planning, I found a cheap flight on Norwegian Air back to NYC from Corfu via London. Even though it was far from the other islands, I found a way towork in a few days on the island before flying home.
In addition to booking our flight to and from Corfu, I reserved a rental car to get around the island. There isn’t much public transit on Corfu and you’ll need a car to reach many of the beaches. Lastly, since Corfu is such a tourist destination, I booked my Airbnb ahead of time.
Views from the walk down to Rovinia Beach, Corfu.
Getting There
We took a flight on Olympic Air from Athens to Corfu, which was under an hour. Upon arrival in Corfu, the rental car agencies are located in the airport parking lot, making it easy to pick up your rental. There are also a number of ferries between the mainland and nearby islands that travel to Corfu daily. Also, you can take a ferry to Bari, Italy.
Corfu Basics
Corfu, or Kerkyra, is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea located off the northwest coast of Greece. It is part of the Ionian Island Group. Corfu is 592.9 square kilometers in size, about 64 km in length and 32 km at it’s largest width. The island sits very close to Albania on it’s northeastern coast, and Italy on the western coast. The island was under Venetian rule for four centuries, so both the architecture and the cuisine have a heavy Venetian influence.
The population of Corfu is over 100,000 people. It has a mild Mediterranean climate that is pleasant year round. There is a large tourist presence on the island, with many tourists from nearby European countries. There are many extraordinary beaches located throughout the island, as well as a large mountainous region in the northern part of the island. In addition to the natural wonders that Corfu has to offer, there are also tons of cultural opportunities and museums to visit.
Beautiful hike to Porto Timoni Beach.
Where to Stay
We stayed at a basic Airbnb, where we rented a room in someone’s house just outside of Corfu town. We appreciated our passionate host who gave us great ideas about where to visit in our limited time on the island. There are a lot of options to stay in Corfu town, as well as around the various parts of the island. I would recommend staying near one of the island’s coasts, especially in the north or the western side of the island. There are a lot of options on Airbnb, as well as on Booking.com.
What to Eat
There are a lot of food options in Corfu, from elegant restaurants in town to basic food shacks along the beaches. There really is something for everyone. We ate at a few random restaurants during our stay, which held yummy gyros and delicious pizzas. I’d recommend exploring where you are staying for the best food options and you are likely to be impressed.
What to Do
There are so many things to do in Corfu. Most of activities we did centered around the natural beauty and the abundant culture of the island. Here are a few things that I recommend from our short time there.
Go to the Beach
One of the main reasons to visit Corfu are to visit some of the jaw-dropping beaches. Many of the beaches we went to were suggested to us from our host. Since not everything will be on the tourist lists, ask a local for advice. Despite the tiny, windy island roads we took to find some of these beaches, they were all well worth it.
Rovinia Beach
On our first day in Corfu, our host recommended an off-the-grid beach on the west of the island. He painstakingly described directions to us using Google Earth and then sent us on our way. While it was an adventure to take the one-way dirt roads to get there, the beach turned out to be a hidden gem. After paying to park in a small dirt lot, we walked down about half a mile amid olive trees to find the secluded cove of Rovinia Beach. The small pebbled beach has clear turquoise waters and it will feel like you are taking a page out of paradise. Also, bring everything you need because there are no amenities once you get there.
Loggas Beach
Loggas Beach was highly recommended on a number of places that I researched and it did not disappoint. We took a number of small country roads to get to this northwestern beach. Once there, we found a large parking lot and an easy walk down to the beach. There are a few shops and a restaurant above the beach that you can purchase snacks and food at. The beach itself is a long, narrow stretch of soft sand with lapping waves.
Hike to Porto Timoni Beach
This beach was the highlight of our beach trips in Corfu. To get to Porto Timoni Beach, you drive to the small town of Afionias up in the hills of the northwestern part of the island. After parking, you follow a small rocky path for about thirty minutes to reach the beach. The hike is moderate, but short. You can also access the beach via boat from nearby Agios Georgios Beach.
After hiking down to the beach, you are greeted with back to back coves with crystal clear waters. The beach is made up of lots of pebbles and rocks, so it is not smooth sand but still nice to lay out on. There are no amenities once you get down to the bottom. Bring lots of water for the hike and snacks, beach towels and an umbrella for the beach.
Overall, we loved the adventure of hiking to the secluded beach. It was one of our top memories from the entire trip. I definitely recommend it!
Visit the Old Venetian Fortress
On our last full day in Corfu, we explored the Old Venetian Fortress in Corfu Town. It was an interesting, if hot, view into some of the history of the island. The fortress is worth a solid hour or two of exploring, ideally accompanied with a walk into Old Town. After getting sweaty from all of that walking, we found our way to the Faliraki Bathing Beach. While it wasn’t as beautiful as some of the other beaches of our trip, it was a cool break within the city. There is also a small restaurant here where you can order drinks and snacks while you lounge around.
Views of the fortress from the Faliraki Bathing Beach.Views of the harbor from the fortress.
Walk around Corfu Old Town
I highly recommend setting aside some time for exploring Old Town. There are tons of interesting shops, cafes and restaurants to visit in this area. We enjoyed walking among the ancient cobblestones and viewing the historical architecture of the ancient city.
Running Corfu
Strava view of Corfu running.
Running in Corfu was a bit of a challenge. It was hot and there was a lot of traffic on the roads near where we stayed. Nonetheless, we made due. We were able to utilize the sidewalks along the water and that kept us pretty safe. I suspect you’d have better luck getting some runs in the smaller country roads outside of the main town.
Goodbye Greece
I’m so grateful that we got to visit this gorgeous country and all the amazing islands within it. Corfu was a wonderful ending to our Greek adventure. I would love to return to Greece some day, as well as return to the Ionian Islands to explore them some more.
Athens is both parts mesmerizing and chaotic. Wevisited Athens last year expecting it to be a short but necessary stop in between Greek Islands. What we found instead was completely different than we had anticipated. From the ancient Acropolis looming above the city, to the cute courtyard cafes spilling out onto alleyways, to the culture you can find at every turn, Athens is a true wonder. Believe me when I say that you don’t want to miss this fascinating city.
Last year we took our first trip to Greece and we loved it. This post will detail our third stop to the capital of Greece: Athens. In it, I will share highlights from our very brief visit to Athens. The first post in the series was about Santorini, followed by Milos and then Naxos. The final post of the series will be about our last stop to the Ionian Island of Corfu.
Trip Planning: Before
I spent a lot of time planning for my trip to Greece.My focus was on creating an itinerary that showed us various islands at a good pace. For Athens, I planned it as a stopover on our way from the Cycladic Islands to our last stop on the Ionian Island of Corfu.
Prior to arriving in Athens, I booked our two nights of lodging in a central location that was accessible via public transportation. I also booked our flight out of the city. Since there is good public transit in the city, we didn’t rent a car.
Getting There
We took a large ferry from Naxos to the Athens port, which was a smooth ride. I booked the ferry directly through Sea Jets. From the port, we took a subway to our hostel downtown. The subway was fairly easy to navigate once we figured out how to buy a subway ticket. Once at our hostel, we walked everywhere.
Aside from the many ferry options arriving into Athens, there is also a large airport with many daily flights to nearby islands and European cities.
Athens Basics
Athens is the capital of Greece and it’s largest city. The recorded history of the city spans over 3,400 years, with the earliest human presence between the 11th to 7th millennium BC. It’s size is around 15 square miles and there are more than 664,000 people living in the Athens metro area, with over 3 million inhabitants in the greater Athens area.
The city is fairly easy to navigate on foot, but also has a workable, while dated, subway system. ATMs are abundant and most places in the popular tourist districts offer English language information and menus.
Where to Stay
There are a lot of options for lodging in Athens. We stayed downtown in the Psirri neighborhood so that we were in walking distance to the main sights, including the Acropolis. I booked us a private room at the City Circus Hostel, which had a small, but clean room and some great common spaces. When you book directly through the website, they include breakfast in the price.
What to Do in Athens
Visit the Acropolis
With only one full day to explore Athens, we spent our time visiting the Acropolis site. We first took a run around the Acropolis, which was very impressive in the early morning. Later in the day we made a visit to enter the Acropolis. Even though it was an extremely hot visit, I am very happy that I got to see such an iconic piece of history.
This article outlines how best to visit the Acropolis and how you can buy your tickets in advance. To avoid the lines, I highly recommend getting your tickets ahead of time, as well as making your visit early in the day. Since we didn’t get our tickets beforehand, we were met with a long line. Luckily, we were able to figure out how to purchase our tickets online and got to skip the ticket line.
Inside the Acropolis it was very crowded and there were lots of people vying for good photo spots. There is also hardly any shade in the Acropolis complex, so dress appropriately if you go in summer. I also recommend bringing plenty of water with you.
Wander the Neighborhoods and Shops
The nearby neighborhoods around the Acropolis are filled with lots of shopping and food options. We meandered around the shops and got some gifts for family. Even though it was very crowded, we found it to be an interesting experience.
If you are able to spend more time in Athens, there are lots of other recommended places to visit. I have heard great things about the Acropolis Museum, as well as many of the other famous ancient structures around town. There are extensive articles about what to do in Athens. You can find some of them here or here.
What to Eat
We din’t get to fully explore Athen’s food scene due to our limited time, but there are A LOT of food options. I would recommend walking amongst the many sidewalk cafes and restaurants to see what looks good, as well as asking locals for advice.
On our second day, we tried food from TsiknaBoom, a small local restaurant that was recommended at our hostel. It had a very low-key feel and the souvlaki were amazing.
Here, here and here are a few articles for food suggestions in Athens.
Running in Athens
Running in Athens is a mesmerizing experience. As you run around, you are likely to bump into various ancient temples, artifacts or monuments. Our only run while in Athens allowed us to literally circle the Acropolis. That was definitely one of the more epic travel runs we have ever done! It was hilly and hot, but inspiring to run in the presence of such history.
Strava run in Athens.
Getting Away: Next Stop Corfu
We took a subway from our hostel to the Athens airport, which was fairly easy to navigate. We then boarded a short plane flight from Athens to the island of Corfu, which was our final stop in Greece. Once we arrived in Corfu, we were able to pick up our rental car right outside of the departure gates and head to our Airbnb.
The next stop on our Greece trip was to the beautiful island of Naxos, which is the largest and greenest of the Cycladic Island Group. Naxos has a lot of charm within it’s ancient alleyways, natural wonders and local delicacies. Since our stay in Naxos was fairly short, we focused ourselves in the capital of Chora, also known as Naxos City. We explored the ancient castle and old alleyways on foot and wandered around tasting food at different cafes. I hope to one day return to Naxos to explore the other parts of the island.
Last June we took our first trip to Greece and we loved it. This post will detail our third stop in Greece to the island of Naxos. My first post in the series was about our stop in Santorini, followed by my second post about Milos. Follow up posts will outline our stops in Athens and the Ionian Island of Corfu.
Trip Planning: Before
As I mentioned in my Santorini and Milos blog posts, I did a lot of research before visiting Greece. My main focus was to build a good itinerary that didn’t feel too rushed. Specific to Naxos, I made sure I had our transportation booked ahead of time, as well as our lodging. Since we would be in Naxos for only two nights, I did not book us a rental car for our time there. In hindsight, I wish I had booked a car for at least one day to explore the island.
For lodging, I looked at places on Airbnb and booking.com that were located in Naxos City. My main goal was to find something close to the beach and within walking distance to the ferry port. I also booked our ferries ahead of time, both coming from Milos and then leaving for Athens.
Getting to Naxos
As mentioned in my Milos post, we took a very rough ferry ride from Milos to Naxos. Thankfully that was a one time event and our other ferry rides were uneventful and smooth. The majority of visitors appear to arrive to Naxos via ferry, but there is an airport that you can access as well. Upon arriving at the ferry port, it was a short walk to where we were staying. Since we didn’t rent a car, we walked or ran to get around the island.
Naxos Basics
Views of Naxos City.
Naxos is the largest of the Cycladic Islands at 165 square kilometers. The island is known for its lush valleys, beautiful beaches and ancient villages. The climate of Naxos brings mild winters and hot summers. The island is considered to be more fertile due to a stable water supply, which allows it to support a bustling agricultural sector. In total, the population of Naxos is around 19,000, with a large portion concentrated in the capital.
Upon entering the main port, you will see the Portara, which is the doorway to the ancient Temple of Apollo. Beyond this magical site, the city expands up the hillside. It is a bustling city filled with hotels, restaurants and shopping. There are plenty of ATMs and it is easily navigated on foot.
Checking out the shops in the Naxos alleyways.
Where to Stay
Sunset views from our Airbnb.
We stayed at a cute little family run hotel that I found through Airbnb. It was a clean room with a balcony, a refrigerator, AC and breakfast was included.
Our Airbnb was in a good walkable location to downtown Naxos, where we spent a lot of time. We could also venture out to the Agios Georgios Beach directly from our hotel. We enjoyed having a balcony and being so close to the beach.
Since we didn’t have a rental car, we were limited to staying near the ferry port in Naxos. There are many other options in other parts of the island that might feel more private. For our needs this place was great, but review what you need and let that guide where you choose to stay.
What to Eat
While we were pretty low key with our meals, we did have one amazing dinner while we were in Naxos. We ate at Doukato Naxos, which sits in a small courtyard in the middle of old town. We found the food to be spectacular, the service amazing and we were overall very impressed. I definitely recommend it if you are in Naxos. We also ate a lot of ice cream while we were there, to beat the heat of course!
Courtyard view of Doukato Naxos.
What to Do
There are many notable things to see around the island, including some beautiful beaches, ancient villages, as well as Zas Mountain. Since we were located only in Naxos City, we didn’t get to explore much of what the island has to offer. I will outline what we did get to do below.
Explore Naxos Old Town
We spent most of our time walking around Naxos, especially the old town area where the castle is located. The maze-like alleyways are filled with impressive architecture, tourist shops and small cafes. This was a fun place to wander around in to experience some of the city’s charm. There are also some really delicious restaurants located in this area.
Go to the Beach
Relaxing on Agios Georgios Beach.
We lucked out that the Agios Georgios Beach was right below our Airbnb. We spent our second day laying out on the beach and relaxing under the sun. This beach is nothing spectacular, but has a nice array of chairs and umbrellas for rent and little restaurants that you can order from while on the beach. If you have a car, I recommend you check out some of the more picturesque beaches on the island.
Visit the Temple of Apollo
Temple of Apollo with Naxos City in the distance.
The Temple of Apollo at the entrance to Naxos is remarkable. It sits on a strip of land jutting out from the capital near the ferry port. The temple is the only remaining piece of an unfinished temple created in 530BC. There are four remaining parts of the temple, each weighing about 20 tons. It is an easy walk from downtown and worth a visit.
Views looking back at the city from the Temple of Apollo.
Naxos Running
Naxos has more options for running in comparison to some of the other islands. This is mainly because there are a number of empty rural roads that you can safely run on. The first run that we took was along some rural roads near our Airbnb that lead out of town. From this vantage point, we got to see another side of Naxos by running through the farmlands outside the capital.
On my second run in Naxos, I headed to check out the Temple of Apollo on a route near the water. Since I went early, I was rewarded by having the beautiful ruins mostly to myself.
Strava Temple of Apollo run.
Reading on Naxos
We stopped by an adorable used book store called Papyrus Jewellery and Used Books to stock up on some reading material while we were in Naxos. The bookstore has a large selection of used books at good prices to re-up your book supply while you are in town.
Papyrus Used Books.
Getting Away: Next Stop Athens
Boarding the very large ferry to Athens.
With a decent amount of apprehension we took our last ferry ride to Athens on Seajets. It was a huge boat, as you can see from the photo. Thankfully we had smooth sailing on calm seas into the Piraeus Ferry Port in Athens. The ferry port is about 14km south of the city center, so you will have to take the subway or a taxi to your final destination in the city.
The island of Milos is spectacular. It feels like a hidden gem, though it is starting to get more recognition recently. In fact, it wasn’t even on my radar when I first started planning our trip to Greece. After reading about it on a few travel blogs, I decided to add it to our itinerary. I am so grateful that I did. If you are visiting the Cycladic Island Group, or Greece in general, I strongly urge you to add Milos to your trip. It was by far my favorite island in the Cyclades and it is one of the most enthralling and relaxed places I have ever visited.
Last June we took our first trip to Greece and we loved it. This post will detail our second stop in Greece to the island of Milos. My first post in the series was about our stop in Santorini. Follow up posts will outline our other stops on the trip. This includes the Cycladic Islands (Santorini, Milos and Naxos), Athens, and the Ionian Island of Corfu.
Trip Planning: Before
As I mentioned in my Santorini blog post, I did a lot of research and planning before visiting Greece. My main focus was on building a good itinerary that didn’t feel too rushed. Specific to Milos, I made sure I had our transportation and lodging booked ahead of time. I researched anything related to Milos that could help me understand the island better. A few articles that helped me are here, here and here.
For transportation, I booked our ferry and rental car beforehand. Most of the islands in the area are not too far apart, so ferry hopping is easy to do. For lodging, I looked at a lot of hotels and Airbnbs, but ended up picking an Airbnb that was affordable and in a great location. I generally leave the day to day activity planning until once I have arrived.
Getting There & Around
We took a short two hour ferry from Santorini to Milos. I booked my tickets by looking at schedules on this site and then booking directly with Seajets. On the ferry you have assigned seats and you can purchase food on board. There is also an airport on Milos with direct connections to Athens.
Once we arrived at the Adámantas port, we were able to take a short walk to the car rental agency. We used our car to get everywhere and we were grateful to have it. If you’re not planning on renting, many hotels and Airbnbs offer to pick you up from the ferry port or airport. It’s important to note that there are limited public transportation options on the island. Due to how spread out everything is, I’d suggest you rent a car for at least part of your visit to experience the picturesque villages and unique beaches.
Milos Basics
Catching the sunset in Pollonia, Milos.
Milos is the fifth largest Cycladic island, at a size of roughly 58 square miles. The population is just under 5,000 people. The main language spoken on Milos is Greek, with many people also speaking English. Most of the menus at restaurants are in both Greek and English. ATMs are widely available and many places take credit card.
Milos can feel like you are on another planet with it’s otherworldly landscapes and geological formations. It was created from a series of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, which explains the lunar looking surfaces and dramatic coastlines. There are large swaths of the western part of the island that are inaccessible to tourists, with rugged terrain in some areas that should be avoided in a rental car.
The weather in Milos is hot and sunny in the summer. It was hot during our visit, so we spent most of our time at the beach to avoid the heat. We were grateful to have AC at our lodging in the evenings. Due to the location of the island, it can get quite windy at times. This is something to consider when traveling by sea.
The picturesque Zoodokos Pighi church on Milos.
Where to Stay
View from our Airbnb balcony.
There are a lot of options for lodging on Milos, with most of it located on the northern part of the island. The main lodging areas are the port of Adámantas, the main town of Plaka, and the smaller villages of Klima and Pollonia. Where you choose to stay depends a lot on where you want to be on the island. Some like to be closer to the port or in town, but we opted to be in a more tranquil village setting in close proximity to the beaches.
We stayed at a basic, but cute little Airbnb in Pollonia, which is a charming fishing village on the northeast part of the island. The village has an intimate collection of houses and fishing boats mixed in with tourist lodging and seaside restaurants. Our Airbnb had AC, a small refrigerator and a balcony looking out onto the water. Our host was very knowledgeable and gave us great advice for food, beaches and what to do with our time. We couldn’t have asked for more during our stay.
The Food
We had some amazing food on Milos. We lucked out that our Airbnb host gave us a great list of places to eat at and all of her recommendations were spot on. Even better, so many were within walking distance from where we were staying.
Seafood is everywhere on Milos.
On our first night, we visited the Armenaki Restaurant in Pollonia, which had some really yummy selections. The restaurant has outdoor seating along the beach and a staff with a sweet personal touch. Armenaki also has an extensive cellar collection of wines from all over Greece.
On our second day there, we ate at a hidden gem called Ergína’s Restaurant. It is located on a hilly perch in Trypiti with great views out to the sea. The food at Ergina’s was amazing and the salads were some of the best we had during our entire trip. I highly recommend making a stop there for lunch or dinner.
Delicious salad at Ergína’s in Trypiti.
We stopped by the Kivotos ton Gefseon bakery and restaurant repeatedly for their delicious bakery and breakfast items. The restaurant sits at the entrance to Pollonia and it is an easy stop on your way out of town. It has delicious and well priced food and baked goods with an adorable back courtyard. This place is well worth a visit for a meal or some baked goods.
In the courtyard of the Kivotos ton Gefseon bakery.
Kivotos ton Gefseon
Kivotos ton Gefseon
What To Do
Milos is relatively spread out and there are many things to do with your time. You won’t regret taking a drive around the island and visiting some of the smaller villages, churches and restaurants. Aside from the beaches, there are some cool points of history to check out. One of the most popular are the Milos Catacombs. We tried to make a visit there, but it was unfortunately closed when we went.There is also a mining museum and an archaeological museum if you are up for that type of activity.
Go To The Beaches
Papafraga Beach & Caves
The Papafraga beach and caves are more of a geographical wonder to gawk at than they are a beach to swim in. The rock and cave formations are very unique and worth checking out, even if briefly. You can hike down the craggy rocks to the water to see the underside of the cave area. Many people do go swimming, but we opted to take some pics from above and move on to the next spot.
Algomandra Beach
The Algomandra Beach is very beautiful cove-like setting with a small beach and crystal clear turquoise water. We were able to lay out on a small area of the beach and take a dip in the cool and refreshing water.
Relaxing at Alogomandra beach.
Sarakiniko Beach
The Sarakiniko Beach feels like you are on the moon. The lightly hued rock formations are in stark contrast to the emerald blue water and sky. There is an inlet of water that enters the rocks where most people fan out to swim or lay out. This area doesn’t seem so much like a beach, but more like a rocky swimming hole. I recommend making a stop here to check out the fascinating rock formations and taking a quick swim.
Sitting on the rock formations of Sarakiniko.
Paliochori Beach
The Paliochori Beach was the largest, most typical feeling beach that we visited while on Milos. It has some really cool colors due to the geothermal rock formations. The water is a beautiful dark turquoise that nicely contrasts with the orange red hue of the sand and rocks. There are chairs and umbrellas for rent all along the beach that offer protection from the sun. The water was chilly, but it helped beat the heat. We enjoyed our time here and I would recommend making a visit.
RUNNING ON MILOS
We took all of our runs in Milos on the roads around Pollonia and directly outside of town. Since Milos is not super crowded like Santorini, we felt safe enough running on the main roads. We were vigilant about cars and ran opposite traffic. Due to the heat, we took our runs in the evening, which was a lot cooler. The sunset views on our runs were absolutely incredible.
Running around town in Pollonia.
Strava run on Milos island roads.
Getting Away: Scary Ferry to Naxos
We took a ferry to get to our next stop of Naxos. The morning we were due to head out, our Airbnb host warned us that the wind was bad and that the sea would be rough. We proceeded as planned to our ferry. During the 4-5 hour ride, we were tossed around as if we were in a washing machine. It was an extremely unpleasant experience, but I learned a lot from it. Mainly that you should always pay attention to local advice. If it is very windy out and the sea is rough, change your plans accordingly. Thankfully, our next ferry ride to Athens was extremely smooth sailing.
Visit Milos
In short, we loved the chill atmosphere, stunning beaches and scrumptious food of Milos. I hope to return again some day and I recommend that you add it to your next trip, too.
