Milos

Milos is a volcanic Greek island in the Aegean Sea, north of the Cretan sea, and is thought to be the most exotic island in the Aegean sea. On the beaches you will find rocks in shades of red, orange and pink, due to the volcanic activity on the island. The famous statue of Aphrodite of Milos, which is now in the Louvre museum in Paris, was found in 1820 in Milos while its copy is in the archaeological museum of Milos in Plaka.

Proof of human presence on the island dates back to the 8th millennium BC. The antiquities that have been discovered on the island cover the three great periods, those of the Cycladic civilization, the Minoan civilization and the Mycenaean civilization. The eruption of the volcano of Santorini, however, obliterated the traces of the Minoan civilization. The island has been under Ottoman, Venetian, Russian and German rule and occupation thoughout its history. During the 20th century, Milos was used as a place of exile for left-wing or opponents of the state, such as Alexander Svolos.

The catacombs of Milos are definitely one of the most interesting sights of the island, and they are also unique in Greece. They are near the village of Tripiti, in caves that are 150 meters above the sea. In 2009 the Holy Synod proclaimed Milos a sacred island, because the Catacombs constitute the most ancient monument of christianity and one of the most famous Christian monuments in the world.

Also impressive is the Venetian Castle on the hill of Prophet Elias, which offers unobstructed, spectacular views of the bay of the island and the sunset.

The Kleftiko is a set of grey-white rocks with strange shapes and formations, with caves and hollows which were created over the centuries by the wind and sea. It is only accessible by boat or sailboat, and years ago it was used as a refuge and base of operations for pirates, from which it took its name (Kleftiko = Theft).

The ancient Roman Theatre also deserves a visit. It is built of parian marble, and with wonderful bas-reliefs. Located in a prominent position on the slope of the hill, it has magnificent views to the port, as well as very good audio.

On the island of Milos the red, orange, yellow and dazzling white rock of the volcanic soil are spectacularly combined with the blue-green and turquoise waters, offering a unique landscape to visitors.

The beach of Sarakiniko is the most famous beach of the island, thanks to its unique lunar landscape. White volcanic rock formations offer a unique feeling and form a small natural harbour with a sandy beach and green-blue waters.

The beach Thiorihia is located in the small bay of Paliorema and has a coast with yellowish pebbles and crystal clear waters, while in the background there are the ruins of the installations of the old mines of sulphur which operated until 1956, with the wagons on the tracks, the old rusty tools and the unused spare parts in the hardware store.

Another beautiful beach is the Firiplaka. It is accessible down a dirt road and it is a huge beach with crystal clear water, while on the background rise rocks of various colors. The Firiplaka beach features a beach bar with sun loungers and cushions. Going down the same dirt road and turning left you will find the beach of Tsigrado, which to reach you will need to do abseiling, to get off with a rope and some stairs, that lead, ultimately, to the white sand and the emerald waters.

Some of the most representative dishes of the traditional cuisine of Milos are the "pitarakia", which are pies filled with peppered dry cheese or cream cheese with mint, the "karpouzopita", which is a traditional sweet pie with watermelon, and, of course, the "gliko koufeto" made from kernels of sweet pumpkin with honey and almonds. The latter is traditionally served at weddings and engagements by the mother of the bride. The honey symbolizes the sweet life ahead of the couple, while the almonds sumbolize the fertility. You will find plenty of options for food in the numerous restaurants, tavernas, grill houses and wine of the island and you can taste from fresh fish and local cuisine to international cuisine.

In terms of nightlife, you will find several options on the island. There are bars and cafes, suitable for a relaxing, romantic evening overlooking the sunset or the island under the light of the moon. For the younger or those who want a more intense night, there are bars that offer a variety of drinks and dance music to spend a pleasant and carefree evening. The island is also famous for its festivals organized in the churches and chapels during summer. In the festivals of the island you will have the opportunity to taste traditional delicacies and local wine of Milos, as well as to dance and enjoy the sounds of traditional island music.

You can arrive in Milos by ferry to and from the ports of Piraeus, Cyclades and Heraklion. There is also an airport on the island, which serves flights to and from Athens with a duration of only 35 minutes.

For your transportation inside the island, there are city buses that serve certain areas of Milos, while during the summer the schedules are quite frequent, while you could also use taxis.

The phone number prefix of Milos is (+30) 22870.