Pastrikou Aikaterini

Pastrikou Aikaterini is a pharmacy located in Plaka, the hilltop capital of Milos, at the address Plaka 848 00. With a 5.0 rating across 44 Google reviews, it serves both year-round residents and visitors who need prescription medications, over-the-counter remedies, sun protection, or basic healthcare supplies during their stay on the island.

Plaka sits roughly in the centre of the island, perched above Adamas — the main port — and is reachable by a short drive or the island's local bus. If you're staying anywhere in the central or northern part of Milos, this is likely your nearest pharmacy. Having the address and phone number saved before you need it is worth the ten seconds it takes.

The pharmacy operates on a standard Greek split-day schedule: a morning session, a midday break, and an evening session. On Sundays the hours are shorter, so plan accordingly if you need to visit at the weekend.

What to Expect

Pastrikou Aikaterini functions as a full-service community pharmacy serving a small island population, which means the pharmacist is often familiar with repeat customers and can offer attentive, personal service. For visitors, that typically translates to practical assistance: help identifying a local equivalent for a medication you've run out of, advice on treating a sunburn or jellyfish sting, or pointing you toward the correct antihistamine.

Stock will cover the essentials you'd expect from any Greek island pharmacy: prescription and over-the-counter medications, sunscreen, insect repellent, after-sun products, bandages and wound care, electrolyte sachets for rehydration, and basic cosmetics and toiletries. Greek pharmacies are also authorised to dispense certain medications — particularly antibiotics — that require a prescription in other countries, though you should always confirm this directly with the pharmacist.

Communication is generally not a barrier. Pharmacists in Greek tourist destinations routinely handle requests in English, and having the name or active ingredient of any medication you need written down is always helpful if there's any ambiguity.

Because Milos is a relatively small island, Plaka's pharmacy serves a wide geographic catchment. During peak summer months — July and August — foot traffic increases significantly as the island's population swells with visitors. Arriving early in the morning session or shortly after the evening opening is a practical way to avoid any queues.

How to Get There

Plaka is accessible from Adamas, the ferry port, by the island's KTEL bus service, which runs regularly in summer. The journey takes around ten minutes by car and slightly longer by bus. If you're staying in Pollonia in the north or in the villages near Sarakiniko, a car or scooter is the most practical option — the pharmacy is a short drive once you reach Plaka.

Parking in Plaka itself is limited, particularly in high season. There is a small car park at the entrance to the village; from there, the pharmacy is reachable on foot within a few minutes. The main road through Plaka is narrow, so arriving early avoids the worst of the daytime congestion.

For those on foot or using the bus, the stop in central Plaka puts you within easy walking distance of the pharmacy's Plaka 848 00 address.

Best Time to Visit

The pharmacy keeps predictable split-day hours throughout the week, with the exception of Sunday, when it opens only for a brief midday window (11:00 AM – 1:30 PM). If you anticipate needing anything over a weekend, it's worth stocking up on Saturday, when the pharmacy is open both morning (9:00 AM – 2:00 PM) and evening (6:30 – 10:00 PM).

Weekday mornings — particularly early in the 8:30 AM opening — are typically the quietest time to visit. The evening sessions, running until 10:00 PM Monday through Saturday, are convenient for visitors returning from a day at one of Milos's beaches. In peak summer, the evening session can be busier as day-trippers and holidaymakers converge on Plaka.

For non-urgent needs like sunscreen top-ups or travel toiletries, any session works. For a specific prescription or a medication you're unsure about, calling ahead on +30 2287 021405 during opening hours to confirm stock is worthwhile.

Tips for Visiting

• Call ahead for prescriptions. If you need a specific medication refilled, phone +30 2287 021405 before making the trip to confirm it's in stock. Island pharmacies carry core inventory but may not hold every product.
• Write down active ingredients. If you're looking for a medication you use at home, note the international non-proprietary name (INN) or active ingredient, not just the brand name — Greek pharmacies stock local equivalents that may have different trade names.
• Sunday hours are short. The Sunday window of 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM is easy to miss. If you realise you need something on a Saturday evening, don't leave it until Sunday morning and expect the same flexibility.
• Bring your EHIC or travel insurance documents. EU citizens with a valid European Health Insurance Card may be entitled to reduced-cost medications. Have your documentation with you.
• Stock up on sun and sea essentials early in your stay. Sunscreen, after-sun lotion, and insect repellent are widely available here, but in peak season a well-stocked pharmacy visit on your first or second day avoids a frustrating last-minute trip.
• The evening session is convenient for beach days. Hours until 10:00 PM on weeknights mean you don't have to cut short a day at Sarakiniko or Tsigrado to pick up supplies.
• Allow time for Plaka while you're there. The village is worth the trip in its own right — the Kastro, the Archaeological Museum of Milos, and several good cafes are all within a short walk of the pharmacy.

Practical Information

Address: Plaka 848 00, Milos, Greece

Phone: +30 2287 021405

Opening hours:

Day	Morning	Evening
Monday – Friday	8:30 AM – 2:30 PM	6:00 – 10:00 PM
Saturday	9:00 AM – 2:00 PM	6:30 – 10:00 PM
Sunday	11:00 AM – 1:30 PM	Closed

No website is currently listed for this pharmacy. The most reliable way to confirm current hours or stock is to call directly, particularly around Greek public holidays when hours may differ from the standard schedule.

For emergency medical assistance outside pharmacy hours on Milos, the island's health centre (Kentro Ygeias Milou) in Plaka handles urgent cases. In a serious emergency, dial 166 (Greek ambulance) or 112 (pan-European emergency number).