The tiny 'island of colours' in Greece where it's 24C in October

The Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea have arguably become the most popular Greek island group, attracting millions of tourists every year with their iconic white and blue architecture, beautiful beaches and delicious local cuisine. Yet, most tourists still only seem to choose a select few of the 24 islands as their holiday destination, namely Mykonos, Santorini and Naxos.

In reality, the archipelago is brimming with diverse cultures and landscapes, with many hidden gem islands on offer. One such island is Milos, located in the southwest of the Cyclades. Only 94 miles from Santorini, it might as well be a world away with how uncrowded it is compared to its neighbour. October is a fantastic time to visit, when it is still pleasantly warm with daytime highs between 22C and 24C, and a sea temperature still comfortable for swimming. Milos boasts over 70 beaches, each with its own unique personality. Sarakiniko is the island's most iconic, where smooth white volcanic rock forms a lunar-like setting against turquoise seas.

For those brave enough for a bit more adventure, Tsigrado beach is only accessible by climbing down a rope ladder. For a quieter escape, head to Agia Kyriaki or Paliochori, where colourful cliffs rise dramatically above the shoreline.

Speaking of colours, Milos is often called the "Island of Colours" thanks to its incredible variety of landscapes shaped by volcanic activity.

The island's mineral-rich soil and rock formations create striking contrasts - white, red, yellow, black, even green - in its cliffs, beaches and villages. Sarakiniko looks like a white moonscape, Paliochori has fiery red and orange cliffs and Fyriplaka blends grays and ochres against turquoise seas.

Milos is not just naturally colourful, either. Traditional fishing villages like Klima and Mandrakia are famous for their brightly painted syrmata (boat houses) right on the water's edge, adding splashes of blue, red, green and yellow to the shoreline.

Plaka, the hilltop capital, is a maze of cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses, and bougainvillea spilling from balconies. At sunset, the view from the Venetian castle is breathtaking, as the Aegean glows in shades of orange and pink.

The food on Milos will also leave your mouth watering. Traditional tavernas serve fresh seafood, grilled octopus, and local specialities like pitarakia (cheese pies) and caper salads. Pair your meal with a glass of ouzo or a local wine, and don't skip the island's honey-soaked desserts.

For the history lovers, Milos is also the perfect choice. It was here that the famous Venus de Milo statue was discovered, now housed in the Louvre. Visitors can explore the ancient Roman theatre, wander through catacombs that date back to early Christianity, or visit the Mining Museum to understand the island's geological heritage.

Milos has a small airport, Milos Island National (MLO), which connects to major Greek hubs like Athens (ATH). Multiple airlines, like Aegean, easyJet and Ryanair fly from UK cities to Athens. From Athens, you can catch a domestic flight to Milos. SKY Express and Olympic Air often operate this route. As an alternative, fly to a nearby Cyclades island (Paros, Naxos, Santorini) and then take a ferry to Milos. On Skyscanner, some routes from London to Milos show one-way fares around £146.