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Milos: a pearl of the Cyclades
Milos, a gem nestled among the Cyclades Islands, is a destination that fascinates every visitor with its natural beauty and unique atmosphere. Located southwest of the other more famous islands, such as Mykonos and Santorini, Milos stands out for its volcanic landscape, its breathtaking beaches and a history rich in myths and legends.
Milos is characterized by its unique geological profile, the result of its volcanic origin. The white cliffs and spectacular rock formations, such as those of Sarakiniko, are among the most popular natural attractions. Here, the white rocks create a surprising contrast with the intense blue of the sea, giving a scenery that seems to come from another planet. But Milos is much more: sea stacks, caves, abandoned mines and mountains sculpted by the wind enrich this uncontaminated paradise.
The island boasts one of the largest natural ports in the Mediterranean. Its irregular shape resembles a horseshoe and is no more than 20 kilometers long. In every corner of the island, nature expresses itself in a palette of extraordinary colors: from the yellow of the sulfur mines, to the black of the obsidian, to the lunar white of the kaolin. If you are a nature and geology enthusiast, Milos will amaze you in every shade.
Here you can find a particular endemic species protected by the European Union for its danger of extinction, the viper Macroviepro Schweizeri commonly called the Milos Viper. It is found only here and on the islands of Kimolos (in front of Milos to the east) and the island of Polyaigos (to the right of Kimolos).
Milos is not only nature: its history is steeped in mythology and ancient legends. According to tradition, the island owes its name to Milos, a young close friend of Adonis, who in despair at his death took his own life by hanging himself from an apple tree. The goddess Aphrodite, moved by the tragedy, transformed Milos into a fruit and his wife into a dove.
Among the most important historical treasures of Milos is the famous Venus de Milo, one of the most famous statues in the world. Although today it is in the Louvre (even if it should by nature remain in Milos), the statue was discovered on the island, in the small village of Plaka, by the inhabitant Yorgos Kentrotas in 1820, who digging in his field noticed a small cave and intrigued he entered finding half of the statue that he decided to keep hiding it. Unfortunately the fact came to the attention of some Turkish officers who confiscated it. Thanks to a French naval officer after long and difficult negotiations, it was ceded by the Ottomans to the Marquis of Rievere who participated in the mediation.
Milos also offers precious testimonies of its past with the Christian Catacombs, unique in their kind in Greece, and the Ancient Roman Theatre, still used today for shows thanks to its perfect acoustics.
The beaches of Milos are a feast for the eyes and the soul and nowhere else will you be able to find them. The most famous, Sarakiniko, is a true symbol of the island, with its formations of white perlite volcanic rocks that plunge into the sea. But there are also other spectacular beaches, such as Firiplaka, with its golden sand and turquoise waters, and Tsigrado, a small bay reachable only with an adventurous descent between the rocks.
Each beach has a unique characteristic, but they all share the pristine beauty and crystal clear waters that make Milos an unmissable destination for those seeking authentic contact with nature.
You must see the Catacombs of the Christian period, unique in all of Greece, once used as a refuge to hide from persecutors, or the Ancient Theater of the Roman period near the village of Klima with perfect acoustics still working today for performances.
The capital Plaka to the northeast with its Archaeological Museum where the finds from the excavations of the island and a perfect copy of the Venus are preserved, and also the Kastro, the fortress of the Venetian period, the church dedicated to the Virgin Mary with a collection of beautiful icons and from which you can enjoy a crazy view.
Then moving on to the village of Pollonia to the northeast, a typical fishing village that in recent decades has modernized a bit with its excellent fresh fish taverns and a beach with magical colors. In Klima, where the most famous statue in the world was found and where archaeological excavations are still underway that owes its particularity to the famous “Syrmatas” in the past boat storages with doors colored in different tones to identify the families who owned them that today have almost all been transformed into beautiful accommodations where you can spend your holidays.
Then continue to Pachena one of the quietest places in Milos three kilometers from Pollonia where you will find the cliffs of Papafragas with its caves carved between the volcanic cliffs and its three channels where you can make spectacular dives and from above you can enjoy a panorama to immortalize in the perfect photo.
If you are a geology enthusiast then you cannot miss the old sulfur mines in Thiorichia in a south-east direction that getting there is a real adventure and a quad or jeep is essential. Once a source of income for Milos, they were abandoned in 1956 and are a place of absolute peace where you will meet only a few daredevils like you because the road is truly hell. However, you can repay yourself for the efforts with a nice swim in the beach that is located just below, generally almost deserted.
Finally Adamas point where you land. Village of white houses that get lost in narrow and labyrinthine alleys full of souvenir shops, traditional taverns, cafes and places to stay late at night. From here you can rent a dinghy and go to discover the coast of Milos or rely on one of the many tourist agencies and organize an unmissable excursion to Kleftiko or to the islands of Polyegos, Glaronisia or to the roofless cave of Sykia.
You can’t talk about Milos without mentioning its cuisine, a riot of Mediterranean flavors. The island is famous for its fresh fish dishes, such as the traditional octopus salad or fish soup. In the local restaurants you can also taste traditional Cycladic dishes, such as “pitarakia”, small puff pastry filled with cheese, and sweets made with honey and almonds.
Here you will find uncontaminated nature, unique beaches, a thousand-year history and a cuisine that will conquer you. Ideal for a relaxing and regenerating holiday, Milos will make you fall in love with its tranquility and its timeless beauty. In Milos there are no large resorts, the administration has always opposed these solutions for tourism precisely so as not to distort its beauty and offer visitors a different experience in close contact with traditions, habits and customs.
If you are wondering how to get to Milos, the island can be reached both by plane and by sea, with regular connections from the main Greek ports and airports.
Where to stay in Milos
First of all, we tell you that Milos being small and in great demand, the accommodation reservation must be made as soon as possible to have a choice both from an economic point of view and for everything else. The most suitable areas for families with small children are Adamas as it has all the necessary comforts and services as well as being right where you arrive by ship. As a second option Pollonia, a former fishing village with its beautiful beaches on both sides of the bay where the little ones can have fun in safety and you can relax in style. The only downside is that being right on the north-east corner it is far away if you want to tour the island. Remember that ferries to the island of Kimolos leave from here, a nice day trip to do.
For couples instead we suggest Klima, the village where the emblematic colored houses called Syrmata are located. Once simple boat sheds, today they have been transformed into exclusive holiday homes and with a certain cost too. Here you will witness romantic sunsets among the most beautiful of your holidays in Greece and if you are adventurous, go up to the chapel of Profiti Ilias on the top of the hill overlooking the village at dusk to enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view.
Another part of Milos suitable for a couple’s holiday is Plaka. Get lost in its maze and around the corner you will discover an intimate tavern where you can taste the local delicacies and spend an evening making plans for the future. Do we want to talk about the view of the gulf at sunset?
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