Milos

General Information on Milos

Milos is well known as the place where the famous statue of Venus –now in the Louvre Museum in Paris– was discovered. The island is located in the southwestern Cyclades with a surface area of 151km² and a population of 4,720 – 2001 census. It is an island with a magnificent gulf, providing a natural harbor, probably the largest in the Mediterranean. Due to its volcanic origin, Milos is one of the most unique Cycladic islands with spectacular rock formations, superb beaches (more than 70), white houses and multicolored cliffs. Tourism in Milos has only recently developed and the island remains untouched by hotels chains and package tourism.

History of Milos

According to legend reports, Milos was the name of the first emigrant who was sent by goddess Venus to the island. During the Neolithic Age (8000 – 4000 B.C.), Milos developed more rapidly than other neighboring islands because of obsidian veins – a hard black volcanic glass suitable for making tools. Obsidian made the island rich. During the Minoan and later Mycenean rule, obsidian was traded all over the Mediterranean.

When the Peloponnesian War started, Milos remained neutral. Yet, the Athenians besieged the island and, when the Milians surrendered, they massacred all men of fighting age. The Milians that survived left the island and returned after the war. Milos prospered again, especially during the Hellenistic Period. In the Byzantine Age, pirates found Milos was an easy target, because of its isolation in the Aegean. Later, the Venetians took control until 1566, when the Turks seized all of the Cyclades. Milos was one of the first islands that took part in the Revolution of 1821 against the Turks.

Towns & Villages in Milos

Plaka is the capital of the island, just 5km uphill from Adamas. The village took its name after the flat land on which it was built. In this village, most of the civil service offices are located, as well as the folk and archaeological museums.

Pollonia is a well known village that is now the second largest holiday resort of the island. The name of this village comes from the temple of Apollo, which was once placed at the point where the lighthouse of Pelekouda now stands.

Adamas is a seaside village. It is also a tourist center and a port. This village combines peace with entertainment and an enticing nightlife. Mytakas is a quiet little fishing village.

Triovassalos and pera Triovassalos are two villages merged into one. The churches of Agios Georgios and Agios Spiridonas are worth a visit. In these two villages, visitors can find a few shops.

Zefiria is the old capital of the island and it is located at a distance of 5.5km from Adamas. Only few residents remain today, but the old Cathedral of Milos Virgin Mary of Portiani is worth seeing.

Beaches in Milos

Lagadas is a sandy beach next to Adamanta with clear waters.

Papikinou beach is located 5min away from Adamantas. It is an organized, non-crowded beach without taverns or bars.

Hivadolimni is a very big sandy beach with easy access.

Fatourena is a quiet beach in the southern side of Adamanta gulf.

Rivari is a beach located in the gulf of Adamanta with unique landscape.

Empourios is a small beach, not organized, with only one tavern by the sea.

Triades is actually three beaches side by side. None of them is organized, but all of them have amazing white rocks.

Gerondas is a small beach with difficult access on foot, as the path passes through a quarry.

Xilokeratia is a small rocky beach on the southwest of the island, next to Gerondas beach. Access is not easy but the landscape will reward you.

Kipos is a beach with easy access and a restaurant.

Provatas is an organized beach with golden sand, shallow waters and fish taverns.

Firiplaka is one of the best beaches south of the island. It is organized with easy access and a great view.

Tsigrado is a small, though crowded, beach with white sand, light blue waters and an impressive sand hill.

Ag. Kiriaki is an organized, crowded beach with fish taverns and beach bars.

Paliohori: in this area there are three beaches. The biggest one is perhaps the most popular.

Milos sulphur mine: this is one of the most beautiful beaches on Milos. The abandoned buildings of the mine are on the beach. You can still see wagons on the tracks and old rusty tools from 1960 when the mine closed.

Papafragas: in this place you may find a small beach and three small caves, which were used by pirates during Byzantine times.

Ag. Konstantinos is a non-organized beach in the north side of the island. Sarakiniko is an astonishing white beach that reminds of a moonscape. It is not organized and always crowded.

Mandrakia is a nice beach not organized with small pebbles.

Plathiena is a non-organized sandy beach at the entry of the gulf of Milos.

Top Things to Do in Milos

1. Papafragas: Is one of the most impressive places on the island with deep dark sea caves. On a calm day with no wind, you can swim in the crystal clear waters of those caves. On windy days, you can stand above the caves and marvel at the sea rushing into them making a hollow sound.

2. Sarakiniko: About 2 kilometres along the coastal road east of Adamantas, there is one of the most photographed scenes in the Aegean, Sarakiniko, whose name is of Arabic origin. It is a lunar landscape, truly unique. White, elongated, almost horizontal rocks reach out forming steps towards the sea. Rocks that have been eroded by saltwater create holes of all sizes.

3. Southwest of the village of Tripiti and 150m above sea level, on a steep hillside are the catacombs of Milos. This was the meeting place of early Christians. Here, they held religious ceremonies and buried their dead, out of sight of the pagans of that time.

4. The cave of Sikia in the southwest side of the island is extraordinary. Inside the cave, there is a wonderful small beach. The only way to visit Sikia is by boat.

How to Reach Milos

By ferry: during summer, there are a few daily sailings from Piraeus to Milos. Off-season, there are two or three sailings on a weekly base. The direct trip lasts 5 hours, but if the ferry stops at other ports, it lasts 7 hours. Milos is also connected to Kimolos, Sifnos, Serifos, Kythnos, Paros, Crete, Santorini and Syros.

By airplane: there are daily flights from Athens to Milos. During high season (May – October) there are more flights. The journey takes 30min and the airport in the island of Milos is 4.5km from Adamas.

Getting Around in Milos

The road network of the island is good. Central routes are asphalt-paved and the others are, for the most part, easy dirt roads. Buses leave Adamas to Plaka and Trypiti every hour. To Pollonia, Paleoxori and Provatas, there are daily routes.

You can also Rent a Car in Milos using Greece.com's Milos Car Rental Engine.

Weather in Milos

The weather of Milos is typical of the Mediterranean with a lot of sunshine during the hot months of the summer and few rainfalls during the mild winter.

Like most of the other Cycladic islands, summer in Milos is connected to the seasonal north wind, the Meltemi, which blows from the middle of July until the middle of August.