Sarakiniko Beach, Volcanic beach in Milos, Greece.

Sarakiniko is a beach on the north shore of Milos, about 5 km from Plaka, where wind and north-driven waves have eroded greyish-white volcanic rock into smooth, rounded ridges and shallow hollows around a winding inlet. The sandy beach itself is only about 10 metres long, set between the white rock formations, with a couple of trees giving shade at the back. Caves run along the coast, and the site is often compared to a moonscape.

The beach took its name from Saracen pirates who used the natural caves as strategic hideouts during raids across the eastern Mediterranean centuries ago. This history ties the location to a period of maritime conflict that shaped the region's past.

The name Sarakiniko comes from Saracen pirates who sheltered in the sea caves carved by the waves. Today the site is one of the most photographed landscapes in the Aegean, and scenes of Yorgos Lanthimos's 2025 film Bugonia were shot here.

The beach has no facilities, so bring water, food, and sun protection for your visit. The white stone formations offer little natural shade but do provide shelter from wind in certain spots.

On the east side of Sarakiniko, away from the white rock, the wreck of the ship Africa lies on the rocky shore; it ran aground here in 2003 and becomes visible when the waves pull back. The site also appears in Yorgos Lanthimos's 2025 film Bugonia.