Milos - island of the Cyclades, Greece

Milos is a volcanic Greek island in the Aegean Sea, just north of the Sea of Crete. Milos is the southwesternmost island in the Cyclades group.

The island is famous for the Venus de Milo, a statue of Aphrodite, now in the Louvre.

Talk

Aside from Greek, there are also many English-, French-, and Italian-speakers. If you're lucky, you may even find a few Spanish- or German-speakers. The official 2008 Milos tourist guide was provided in Greek, English, French, Italian, German and Spanish versions.

Get in

By plane

From Athens, there are 2 flights every day, year round, that go to Milos, all with Olympic Air (dead link: January 2023).

By boat

Several ferries go to and from Milos mainly from Athens. Some possibilities:

• Piraeus-Milos-Crete (Anek)
• Piraeus-Kythnos-Serifos-Sifnos-Kimolos-Milos (Ventouris Sea Lines)
• Piraeus-Milos-Folegandros-Sikinos-Ios-Santorini (Lane)

Schedules can be found at or

Get around

Bus Schedule

• From Tripiti to Adamas w/stops at Plaka and Trivasolos-06:30, 07:50, 09:50, 10:50, 11:50, 13:40, 15:50, 17:50, 19:50
• From Adamas to Tripiti w/stops at Trivasolos and Plaka-07:30, 08:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 15:00, 16:30, 18:30, 20:30
• From Adamas to Pollonia w/stops at Pachania and Filakopi-06:45, 14:00
• From Pollonia to Adamas w/stops at Filakopi and Pachania-07:10, 14:30
• From Adamas to Zefyria-06:45, 14:00
• From Zefyria to Adamas-07:10, 14:10

See

Milos' most picturesque village is Plaka, also known as Chora, perched on a rocky outcrop above the main port of Adamantas. A path leads up to the Venetian castle at the top, which is also home to the Church of Panagia Skiniotissa. On the way you will pass the gorgeous Church of Panagia Thalassitra. Catch the wonderful sunset from the castle, or from a balcony overlooking the sea at the Church of Panagia Korfiatissa.

The island's Archeological Museum is housed in a building designed by Ernst Ziller, with a reproduction of the Venus de Milo gracing the entrance (the original is in the Louvre in Paris).

Trypiti is a traditional settlement with white houses and windmills, ideal for a quiet afternoon stroll. Nearby is the site of a series of catacombs, among the largest in Greece, hewn from the volcanic rock in early Christian times.

At Klima, you'll see samples of syrmata, traditional fishermen's houses, where the basement is dug out of the soft rock and serves as a winter mooring site, while the main part is upstairs on ground-floor level.

Other villages that still have syrmata include Schinopi, Areti, and Fourkovouni, all beautiful locations almost untouched by tourism.

Little survives of the ancient city of Milos apart from an impressive Roman-era theatre, which is under conservation. It was near here that a farmer dug up the Venus de Milo in 1820.

Near Adamantas, the Mining Museum (http://milosminingmuseum.com) presents a 11,000-year history of mining in its rich collection of audiovisual material, ore samples, maps, and tools. On the road to Pollonia you will see the ruins of the ancient city of Fylakopi, an important settlement during the Cycladic period.

The Bay of Paliorema in Theiafes was used by a local sulphur mine company until 1957. Today you'll see ruins of the quarry's installations and a yellow-pebbled beach.

• Klima village, Klima (take the steps down the hill from Plaka to the water.). A very colorful seaside village, with similarities to Procida, Italy.
• Sikia cave. Get there by boat.

Do

• Sailing around Milos with Polco Sailing, Adamantas port, +30 697 8248 217. See Kleftiko, Gerakas, Kimolos, and other places in Milos that aren't accessible by car. 2021-09-11

• Go windsurfing, at some beaches.

• Horseback riding, on a beach.

• Excellent yachting, Adamas & Pollonia, +30 6982251638, info@e-y.gr. Offers a daily cruise to Kleftiko, Polyaigos, etc., to more days at sea and have fun with many activities such as safari snorkeling tours, scuba diving, cave exploring, barbeques.

• Horizon Yachts Milos (Milos boat tours), Adamas main port (by foot), 36.72446°, 24.44543°, +30 22870 24083, horizonyachts1@gmail.com. 09.00.to 21.00. Explore the beauties of Milos with our boat excursions. Take a peek at the gems of Milos island with your family or friends. Boat tours around Milos island with a sailing yacht or motor boat. 2022-10-08

Beaches

1. Achivadolimni - At Adamantas Bay. Fine white sand; turquoise, shallow waters. Many aquatic activities, plenty facilities.
2. Agathia - Isolated but colorful beach on the Northwest side of the island.
3. Agios Ioannis - On the west coast. Sandy with rocks. Shallow and unspoiled.
4. Agios Kyriaki - White, pebbly stretch, unspoiled, clear waters.
5. Agios Sostis
6. Ammoudaraki - On the west coast. Sandy with rocks.
7. Fatourena - Quiet, undiscovered beach.
8. Fyriplaka - Massive flat rocks off the beach.
9. Fyropotamos - Nestled in small bay against backdrop of impressive cliffs. Beautiful blue-green waters. Occasionally wavy. Rocky surface similar to Sarakiniko on one side.
10. Gerakas - Small but shallow beach near Ayia Kyriaki.
11. Kleftiko - Snorkelers destination. Colorful, crystal clear waters. Reached only by boat.
12. Lagada - In Adamantas. Cold, clear waters. Good for resting, as there are many shady trees. Minor activities take place there.
13. Mandrakia - Old-world charm
14. Paleochori - Party beach surrounded by colorful volcanic rocks, has a beach bar
15. Papafragas - Caves, emerald waters, reached by series of steps carved into rock, faces Glaronisia (cluster of volcanic islets)
16. Papikinou - In Adamantas (main port). Clear, shallow waters. Organized beach. Sheltered from northerly winds.
17. Plathiena - Azure waters, fine white sand, view of Arkoudes islets
18. Pollonia - Located in the town of Pollonia; similar to Lagada and Papakinou beaches.
19. Provatas - Unspoiled beach with waters similar to Hivadolimni.
20. Psaravolada - Has many similarities to Ayia Kyriaki, especially since they are next to each other.
21. Rivari - Famous beach with breathtaking golden sand.
22. Sarakiniko - White rock, moon-like surface. The best-known beach in Milos.
23. Sykia - Hidden in a sea cave, volcanic atmosphere. Near Kleftiko.
24. Triades - On the west coast. Sandy with rocks.
25. Tsigrado - Very remote but worth the effort. Sandy beach with caves and shallow, colorful waters.

Northern coast beaches

Few amenities, sometimes blasted by northerly winds

1. Alogomandra
2. Agios Konstantinos
3. Mytakas - Unspoiled and quiet; crystal-clear waters.
4. Pachena

Buy

• Haralambakis, Pachena. Local cheeses such as manoura (preserved in olive oil)
• Glykofilema, Adamantas. Local sun-dried tomato paste, capers, glyko koufeto (white pumpkin spoon sweets) and other fruit preserves.
• Paradosiaka Edesmata, Adamantas. White pumpkin spoon sweets, sun-dried tomatoes preserved in olive oil, capers, kritamo (sea fennel), preserved grape hyacinth bulbs and homemade sesame snaps.

Eat

In Adamantas, Tripiti, and Polonia, there are many restaurants that serve fresh seafood, Greek cuisine and local delicacies (pitarakia, karpouzopita).

• Gyalós, Pollonia, +30 099643960. Great fish, sea food, and traditional Greek cuisine with a twist of originality. Good service and the table are right in front of Polonia beach giving a romantic atmosphere.
• Flisvos, Adamantas. Well known to tourists, located across the street from the port of Adamantas. The food is delicious but prices are increasing due to the fact that it's well known.
• Giakos, Adamantas. Famous restaurant, one of few restaurants in Milos that is open year-round. Known for its gyros and is often referred to as a fast food restaurant, due to its quick service.
• O! Chamos, Adamantas, +30 22870-21 672. Local dishes ranging from courgette and goat cheese fritters to slow-roasted suckling pig in grape must and mustard.
• Empourio, Empourio village, +30 22870-21 389. Traditional fare such as goat roasted in a wood oven and rooster in a red wine sauce.
• Archondoula, Plaka, +30 22870-21 384. Traditional and fusion with recipes such as Greek-style coq au vin and pot-roasted goat and artichokes.
• Fatses, Plaka, +30 22870-21 740. Try the sausage cooked with honeycomb and balsamic vinegar cream, moussaka, thin-crust pizza and homemade lemon liqueur. Live music nightly.
• Palaios, Plaka, +30 694 691 6905. Local sweets, the best mille-feuille on the island, and homemade ice cream.
• Enalion, Pollonia, +30 22870-41 415. A family-owned taverna that makes the loveliest pitarakia (small fried cheese pies) on the island, octopus in honey sauce, traditional kakavia (fish stew), slow-marinated lamb in tomato sause, with vegetables from the family garden. They also have an excellent store of Greek wines featuring 50 labels.
• Belivanis, Triovasalo, +30 22870-22 115. Excellent grilled meat, hamburgers, liver and souvlaki.
• Ergina, Trypiti, +30 28870-22 523. Proper traditional family-style food with an amazing view over the Bay of Adamantas. Specialties include the onion and anevato (soft goat cheese) pie, beet root salad, and goat cooked in sun-dried tomato paste.

Drink

• Akri, Adamantas. Elegant bar with great music and beautiful balcony with a view.
• Mikro Cafe, Adamantas. Excellent cocktails and balcony with view over the port.
• Aragosta Milos.
• Bakaliko, Plaka. A quiet atmosphere.
• Utopia, Plaka. A quiet atmosphere.

Sleep

In Milos, there are many hotels, rooms, and apartments. In Tripiti, there are windmills, in which you can sleep in.

• Chronis Hotel and Bungalows, Adamas 84801, +30 2287022226, hotelchr@otenet.gr. Situated in an orchard with banana, lemon, bouganvillea and pistachio trees near the town beach; standard are shower-wc, air-condition, tv, mini-bar, direct dial call (ISDN), hair dryer and a balcony or terrace with garden view, breakfast room, lounge, bar, snack-bar, safe box, fax, e-mail, laundry, ironing and parking. Exceptional breakfast spread. US$40-80 2017-06-25
• Eiriana Luxury Suites, +30 22870 22730. Environmentally friendly accommodations with a mobile application for android and iOS devices. 2018-04-03
• Portiani Hotel, +30 22870 22940, info@hotelportiani.gr. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Hotel Portiani is in Adamas and it is very close to the island port. Prices from €70.
• White Pebble Suites & Spa, Pollonia, 36.76776°, 24.5253°, hello@whitepebblesuites.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Twelve sea view adult only suites. Courtyard swimming pool and private plunge pools on terraces of some suites. EUR 220 2021-02-03

Stay safe

Milos is a very safe island for tourists.

Go next

Ferries are available to Anafi, Athens, Chalki, Folegandros, Heraklion, Ios, Karpathos, Kasos, Katapola (Amorgos), Kea, Kimolos, Koufonissi, Kythnos, Lavrio, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Rhodes, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Sitia, Syros, and Santorini.