Milos is found in the south-western utmost of the Cyclades. It is the island that became famous from the eminent statue of Venus. Milos is an impressive island, with unique nature and rich history. Its volcanic past, astonishing white, red, yellow or black rocks that you don’t meet elsewhere in Hellenic space, and a crystal clear sea that centuries now sculpts its coasts and caves, create a fascinating combination with landscapes of astonishing beauty: Kleftiko, the cave of Papafragka, Sarakiniko, Arkoudes. Moreover, Milos is found in the centre of an archaeological and religious world of interest thanks to her famous Catacombs and Fylakopi with Venus.
Capital of the island, built at a height of 200 metres above the gulf of Milos, is Plaka, one of the most picturesque settlements of Cyclades, with whitewashed houses and balconies full of flowers. A castle and many churches exist in Plaka.
The port of Plaka is Adamas, one of the safest and larger harbours of the Mediterranean, well protected in the gulf of Milos, with beautiful houses and narrow streets. The church of Koimisis of Theotokos, the catholic temple of Agios Nikolaos, the Museum of Minerals and the Ecclesiastical Museum, that is accomodated in the one thousand year old church of Agia Triada are included in the sights of Adamas. At a small distance from Adamas, the coast Papikinou will give you the occasion to enjoy swimming but also sea sports.
On the north-eastern utmost of the island Apollonia or Pollonia is found, a beautiful summer centre with taverns where you will find abundant fresh fish and seafood. At the centre of east Milos Zefyria or Hora is found. It was the medieval capital of the island until 1767, when it was destroyed by earthquakes and various illnesses.
The best way to get an acquaintance with the enormous natural and cultural wealth Milos is to walk in the old paths of the island. The most virgin region is western Milos, which the visitor can get to know through hiking routes of small or medium difficulty.
Another way to get to know Milos by combining your vacations with adventure, are the dirt roads. The network of dirt roads of Milos is the largest in Cyclades and it offers a chance for visitors to get to know unknown corners of the island and to come in contact with the wealth of its nature.
Sights
Adamas
Adamas is the central harbour of the island. It began to be inhabited in 1824 from Cretan refugees, who reached there from Sfakia. Adamas at an early date acquired a great strategic importance, because of its harbour, that is one of the largest and safest natural harbours of the Mediterranean. The church of Koimisis Theotokou, the catholic temple of Agios Nikolaos, the Museum of Minerals and the Ecclesiastical Museum, that is accommodated in the one thousand year old church of Agia Triada are included in the sights of Adamas.
Plaka
In Plaka, capital of the island, found in the eastern part, there are many and considerabe sights. Among these, the Venetian Castle at the top of the settlement with beautiful houses and views and the churches of Korfiatissa and Panagia Thalassitra are included. The Archaeological and Folklore Museum, with appreciable exhibits also presents interest.
Museums
Milos has very appreciable museums, in which the visitor can admire unique in the world archaeological discoveries, heirlooms that show the course of the island through the years, but also astonishing treasures of nature.
Archaeological museum
In the Archaeological Museum you will admire archaeological discoveries that begin from the Neolithic years, among which, the eminent “Dame of Fylakopi”, statuette of priceless archaeological value. The museum hosts discoveries from the excavations on the island. The dame of Fylakopi as well as figurines and vessels, samples of high art of the island are included in the important exhibits of the museum.
Folklore and Historical museum
It is accommodated in a building of 19th century. Historical documents, objects of traditional art, photo material and old books are exhibited. Here you can watch the daily life of the locals from the 17th century and afterwards.
Museum of Minerals
It first opened its gates in 1998 and presents great interest. A projection of film with the social dimension of mining activity in the island that constitutes at the same time a recording of historical memory is presented. Moreover it hosts each year periodical exhibitions with main subject being natural environment.
Ecclesiastical Museum
The church of Agia Triada in Adamas has exceptional ecclesiastical exhibits of unique value and a small collection of exceptional quality.
Caves
Milos is famous for its caves. It offers to visitors the occasion to see unique landscapes, shelters of pirates and spaces of secret religious adoration. The most interesting caves of Milos are:
The cave of Papafragka is found next to the archaeological site of Fylakopi. It is comprised of three continuous caves. Their visit takes place with boat and presents a unique in originality and beauty picture. They were used as shelters and bases of operations of pirates. The majestic picture is strengthened by the emerging volumes of the Glaronisia islets, which stand precisely opposite to the caves.
The cave of Vromolimni is found in the northern coast of the island. It is the largest of a row of caves carved in the rock and constitutes of an open cave and a second one which is interior, in which however you can enter with difficulty because it is usually submerged in water. This cave is unexplored.
Coastal settlements – Sirmata
Sirmata are coastal buildings, which were used as depots of boats and later as rural residences. Many such settlements exist today in the island, with peculiar architecture and folklore value. The main ones are those in Klima, while several are also found in the regions Skinopi, Areti, Fourkovouni, Fyropotamos, Mantrakia, Agios Konstantinos etc.
Archaeological sites – Historical monuments
Milos has many and interesting archaeological sites, but also historical monuments, with their long historical course of many centuries. The main ones are:
The archaeological site of Fylakopi.
Fylakopi was one of the most important settlements of the Cyclades. Today it is an archaeological site in which many earthen figurines, among which the eminent Goddess or Dame of Fylakopi, have been discovered.
The archaeological site of Klima.
Ceramics and vessels have been found in the ancient city of Klima. Ruins of ancient walls, the catacombs, as well as an ancient theatre, are still preserved.
The Frankish castle in Plaka is one of the most picturesque villages of the Cyclades. The monument is dedicated to the French soldiers that fell in the Crimean War. It is located in the place Mpomparda in Adamas.
Zefyria, was the medieval capital of the island, out of which, only ruins are still preserved today.
Religious monuments-churches
Early Christian catacombs:
The Holy Synod has declaired Milos as a Holy Island cause of the Protochristian catacombs in the region of the settlement of Trypiti. It is a tomb open for visitors monument unique in the Hellenic world, the most ancient of Christianity. It is an extensive underground cemetery, very probably a cemetery of the Christian community of the island, from the 2nd until the 5th cent. A.D. It includes three big underground corridors, each one of which is connected with other smaller ones.
Churches:
The church of Panagia Korfiatissa, where from its courtyard you will enjoy a unique view and one of the most majestic sunsets of the Aegean, is found on the west of Plaka.
The church of Panagia Schiniotissa (18th cent.), as well as the catholic church of Agia Rozaria are found in the castle. Panagia Thalassitra, the protector of seamen is located in the street to the Castle, above Plaka. The blazon of Krispi, dukes of Naxos is placed over the main entrance.
Panagia Portaitissa or Portiani from the 17th century, which is the old metropolis of the island is found in Zefyria. Its iconostasis and icons have been transported to the church of Koimisis Theotokou in Adamas.
The church of Agios Charalampos and the one thousand years old church of Agia Triada, are also found in the centre of the old settlement in Adamas. The Agia Triada is distinguished for her architectural peculiarity. It is one of the most ancient churches that are still preserved in Milos, as well as the catholic temple of Agios Nikolaos, in the flooring of which exist three tomb plates with signs in English, French and Latin.
The churches of Agia Markella, the chapel of Agios Sostis, the church of Panagia tou Kipou, the oldest church of Milos, and the Monastery of Agios Ioannis of Siderianos, which is found near three beautiful beaches in the south-western Milos are all included in the sights Milos. According to tradition, the Saint “ironed” the door of the church in order to protect the faithful from the pirates. In westerner Milos you will find Agia Marina in the middle of the road between the Rivari beach and the highest top of the island, the Profitis Ilias with its little church.Here visitors can enjoy the amazing panoramic view of the harbour, its entry with the two Arkadies islets, as well as the villages of the eastern side.
Old sulphur mines
East of Palaiopoli lies the old sulphur mines that functioned up to 1960. They are found on the slopes of a ravine that leads to the Theiafes beach – an imposing landscape with impressive colorations of rocks.
Marine routes
The tour of Milos will offer pictures of fascinating beauty to those who love marine excursions: In the north-eastern coasts, the marine caves of Papafragka (that owe their name to a catholic priest who secured his boats here) present a unique in originality and beauty picture. The majestic picture is strengthened by the spectacular volumes of the Glaronisia islets, precisely opposite from the caves, which emerge from the Aegean sea, creating an amazing landscape. At south-west, under the monastery of Agios Ioannis, the Smaragdenia Cave is one of the most impressive caves of Cyclades. It constitutes of a chamber of a length of 130 metres, where the central part of the roof has fallen and from the light enters. On the south-western utmost of the island, in the beautiful Kleftiko, cracks of the ground, the wind and the sea have all created a majestic picture: Big white blocks of stone – that pop up through the sea and are set in a semicircle order, shape a marvellous lake between them and the coast. At the end of cape Tourlos, the wind and the waves have created impressive rock formations that the locals call “Arkoudes” or “Venetsianes”. Antimilos is found five naval miles north-west of Milos, a volcanic island with steep slopes that are raised abruptly from the sea to 670 metres. An impressive volcanic crater is found at the top of the island
Beaches
In Milos you will find 70 beautiful beaches that enchant the visitor, with their white and golden sandy beaches and crystal clear waters.
The main ones are:
Lagkada and Papikinos: gold and white sand, crystal clear and shallow waters, near Adamas.
Palaiochori: Coastal settlement in the south-eastern Milos with a beautiful extensive beach with thick sand and pebbles, you will find restaurants, cafeterias, it abstains 8 km from Adamas.
Probatas: Coastal small settlement in the southern side, with beautiful beach with redgolden sand, rocks and shallow waters, you will find restaurants, cafeterias, and it abstain 7 km from Adamas. Next to Provatas, you will find the three small beaches of (Ai. Sostis), which have taken their name from the chapel at the top of the hill.
Fyriplaka and Tsigkrado: crystal clear waters, grey sand and a beautiful landscape. It is found 8 km away from Adamas.
Agia Kyriaki: Beautiful beach with thick sand and white pebbles, you will find a restaurant, a beach bar and various water sports. It is located, 8 km away from Adamas.
Gerontas: One of the most picturesque beaches of Milos with dark thin sand, crystal clear waters and a beautiful landscape.
Plathiena: In the northern part, with thin sand, and crystal clear waters.
Fyropotamos: Also in the northern part, a picturesque gulf that is surrounded by the “sirmata” of the coastal settlement.
Sarakiniko: a small and unsurpassed beach that locals call “seliniako topio”. At the opening of a region with exceptional natural beauties, those were shaped by the frozen lava of a volcano.
Agios Kostantinos, Alogomandra, Papafragka: Beaches with caves, natural arches and small sandy beaches in the northern part of the island.
Tria Pigadia – Komia: on the eastern side, a beach with incredible pebbles of all colorations.
Ai Yannis, Ammoudaraki, Agathia: with thin sand, crystal clear waters, on the western side of the island.
In the gulf of Achibadolimni, you will find a long beach with thin sand, facing north, and a lake further in.
Greek highlights 