My Favorite Airbnb: A Dreamy Boathouse on Milos, Steps Away From the Aegean Sea

Beautiful blue waters? Check. Super special swim spots? Check. Excellent gyro shops, family-run fish restaurants, and taverna-style dining that always hits the mark? Check, check, check! But those are just a few of the reasons I love Milos . Ask me my favorite thing about the island, and my answer is an easy one: The abundance of traditional waterfront boathouses, or syrmas, that set Milos apart from any other Greek island I've ever visited. These homes were originally used to house boats, and often acted as fishermen's living quarters in the winters.

Today, many of these spaces have been reimagined and are bookable to call home, even if just for a few days, for lucky island visitors like me. The best part? They sit right on the edge of the ocean, redefining the idea of a “sea view.”

I struck gold with the private syrma Airbnb I stayed in on Fyrmapatamos, which is often described as one of the most beautiful beaches on Milos. It's known for its exceptionally blue waters and the dusky pink clay rock formations that cocoon it. The beach itself is worth venturing to even for a day visit, but staying on this peaceful, postcard-perfect cove had me, pardon the nautical pun, falling hook, line, and sinker for Milos.

Our instructions on how to find the Airbnb arrived via text, or rather a video recording from a friendly local virtually walking us from the parking lot to the property. We followed his instructions down a small alleyway from the road adjacent to the beach. Just a few small steps from the off-road parking lot led to a tiny teal door, the color a reflection of the island's immaculate waters. Beyond the door was a one-bedroom apartment plunked right on the edge of the sea. It was small in a way that felt novel, cozy, and utterly special.

The interiors were chic with organic curves, whitewashed textured walls, and built-in shelves that display tiny, real seashells, all gentle nods to the surroundings that felt curated rather than cliché. The property is split into two sections, and the bedroom upstairs is reached via a very narrow wooden spiral staircase, which was authentic and charming, if not a little precarious. But it's the outdoor space, and your constant proximity to the water, that makes this place so unique.

There's a patio from the kitchen that leads to the best seats in the house: two chairs that sit at the edge of what once would have been a boat dock, perfectly framing the iconic blue and white shutters of fishermen’s huts across the bay. This, I found, was the ideal spot from which to watch the sparkles from the sun dance on the sea, to get lost in a book or two, just one step or a quick splosh away from a cooling, salty dip.

Fyrmapatamos, while frequented by many, is a hard-to-reach cove. Yes, there are buses and road access, but only those sleeping on its shores can experience its beauty from day to night. During sunlight hours, we listened to the sounds we associate with summer beach days: the batting of balls, echoes of laughter, and splashes of water. By night, we swam at golden hour before warming up in our outdoor shower and pouring ice-cold drinks in the comfort of our own private space. If there were ever a time to forego a buzzy cocktail bar, this was it. The night here offers its own kind of sensory immersion: no bright street lights, just a sky full of stars and the gentle lapping of waves as you sleep.

As with most Airbnbs, there's no room service and no fancy amenities, but instead, you get the luxury of an unbelievable view and the chance to experience a cultural, unique stay on an incredible Greek island, one I'll revisit again and again.