Milos, the island of Venus and the as soon as upon a time lesser-known jewel of the Cyclades has now turn into the most recent hotspot in Greece. This beautiful island within the Aegean Sea is formed by its sensational panorama and otherworldly enchantment which is the results of the the island’s wealthy volcanic previous.
The seashores listed here are nothing such as you’ve ever seen, the canvas of pure magnificence is totally astonishing and can absolutely take your breath away. Should you want to expertise probably the most lovely islands within the Cyclades, listed here are our 15 causes to go to Milos.
The right way to Get to Milos
Milos is related by a small airport and port that are each positioned in Adamas. There are common flights to Milos from Athens and the flight length final about 25 minutes. Those that want to fly to Milos from one other Greek island should join by Athens.
There are serval ferry firms that join Milos to the Port of Piraeus, the traditional boats take round 5-7,5 hours and the excessive velocity boats between 2,5-4,5 hours.
Uncover our 15 Causes to Go to Milos
1.The historical past of Milos
Over the centuries Milos loved a sequence of developments – evident within the traces of the island’s geological, morphological, historic and cultural exercise. There are a number of legends that describe the place the island received its identify from. In keeping with Greek mythology, Milos was the son of River Skamandros who colonized the island, following the directions of the goddess Venus. The three Olympian Goddesses, – Hera, Athena and Aphrodite might merely not resist his attraction and this precipitated a dispute that Paris of Troy was referred to as to guage. The fairest of all of them was to obtain an apple – that was Aphrodite. In modern-day Greek, milo means apple, whereas in historic Greek it meant sheep. Contained in the prehistoric tombs of Phylakopi, aside from the funerary items, tufts of wool have been additionally found – thus confirming that there was commerce of wool.
2. Discover the Villages of Milos
The principle heart of exercise on Milos is Adamas, the island’s port city is without doubt one of the largest naturally shaped gulfs throughout the Mediterranean. Right here you will see many outlets, cafes and eating places.
The second port of Milos is Pollonia, a small gulf within the north east a part of the island from the place you’ll be able to catch a ship to the close by island of Kimolos. The small vibrant vacationer village additionally has a justifiable share of lodging, taverns and cafes by the ocean. The relaxed vibe of the village can also be ultimate for households holidaying with youngsters.
Pollonia at sundown
Trypiti has maintained its conventional character and is characterised by its windmills which previously have been used for grinding and have since been transformed into lodging. This small village was constructed over the ruins of the classical city of Klima. One of the intensive and fertile terrains of the island, Zefyria was first established by the Venetians within the thirteenth century and shortly turned the capital of Milos.
On the finish of the 18th century following the key volcano irruption on Santorini in 1650 and the huge earthquake of 1738, the village was deserted because the habitants moved to the world of Kastro (Fortress).
3. Go to the Catacombs of Milos
Carved in gentle pumice stone, contained in the pure caverns, the catacombs of Milos that lie between the villages of Trypiti and the traditional metropolis of Klima, are thought-about to be the second most vital Paleo-Christian monument on the planet, after these present in Rome.
The catacombs date from the first to the fifth century and are positioned 150 m above sea degree with an explored size of 184 m. The early Christians used these catacombs as burial website and later as a spot of worship and refuge. Proof exhibits that the primary converts to Christianity on the island of Milos have been Jews and there was a big Jewish neighborhood on the island. It’s mentioned that St.Paul encountered a shipwreck in Milos as he was making his option to Athens from Crete.
Opening hours: Mon – Solar: 9:00 AM — 6:45 PM, the catacombs are closed on Tuesdays.
4. The Well-known Aphrodite of Milos
Venus de Milo, the well-known statue created within the late Hellenistic interval (120BC) is without doubt one of the most famous statues on the planet and the one which received Milos its worldwide fame. The statue of the goddess which is depicted half-naked with a cloak wrapped round her thighs, made her the prototype and ultimate of female magnificence.
The statue of Aphrodite was found by likelihood at first of April 1820 by George Kentrotas who was digging the sphere within the shut proximity to the stadium of the traditional metropolis of Melos. After a protracted journey crusing across the jap Mediterranean it was supplied by the Marquis de la Rivière to the king of France, Louis 18th. In the present day the unique work of the Parian marble, 2.04 meters excessive is housed within the Louvre Museum in Paris.
Within the years that adopted, the repeated looking for antiquities within the space know as area of interest – the place the statue was found clearly destroyed any additional proof that existed. By the top of the Nineteenth century the area of interest was not seen and what was left was merely a pile of stones. In the present day, sadly the exact spot of its discovery is unknown however the exceptional story of this heavenly goddess stays to be an integral a part of the island’s historical past.
5. Take pleasure in sundown and scrumptious dinner in Mandrakia
One of the distinctive options of Milos are the syrmata, small fishermen dwellings that are most often carved into the rock partitions. The phrase syro interprets as to drag, these syrmata is the place the fishermen would pull their boats in, to guard them from the stormy climate. This custom dates again to the mid-Nineteenth century when there was not the concern of Turks and the pirates, and thus the fishermen felt secure to take the seas once more.
The fishermen dwellings at Mandrakia
These small two-storey fishermen homes often had a retreat space on the higher ground the place the fisherman might relaxation, as a substitute of getting to stroll all the way in which residence. Later when swimming turned a standard pastime, the households would use these syrmata as weekend lodging, which have been later used as summer season residences.
A number of notable settlements dot the island of Milos, resembling Klima, Mandrakia, Fyropotamos, Mytakas, Ag. Konstantinos, Fourkouvouni, Areti, Skinopi and Pachena.
Medusa Tavern in Mandrakia at sundown
Mandrakia is positioned shut sufficient to the island port-town Adamas and to the well-known seashore of Sarakiniko. Those that comply with the whereabouts of celebrities would have noticed Justin and Hailey Bieber vacationing right here in the summertime of 2021 – when Instagram photographs of Mandrakia and the Medusa tavern circulated the web.
For a memorable night and once-in a lifetime expertise we advocate coming right here for dinner, simply earlier than the sundown. Each the setting and the meals is spectacular.
6. Discover the historical past of mining on the Mining Museum
Abandones sulfur mines in Milos
The town of Phylakopi developed in the course of the Minoan interval ( round 3000 BC to 1100BC) as a commerce centre of the obsidian, an indigenous rock that could be a naturally produced volcanic glass which is shaped on account of volcanic eruption. It was largely used to provide razor sharp stone instruments and vessels in Minoan Crete and was thought-about to be probably the most vital pre-historic instrument making supplies within the Aegean.
The principle obsidian areas within the Aegean are the Cyclades and the Dodecanese. On Milos there are two obsidian sources, the Adamas – Nychia and Demenegaki which provides the prehistoric communities for roughly seven millennia. The oldest obsidian deposit is positioned at Soros, the southern Antiparos. The Milos Mining Museum is positioned in Adamas, the principle port-town of Milos, and was first established in 1998. It’s a fantastic vacation spot to find and study all in regards to the 11,000 years of the island’s mining historical past.
The museum shows a wealthy assortment of mineral and pure wealth in addition to walks the customer by the extraction course of which has been utilized for the reason that Neolithic Age.
7. Climb as much as the Kastro in Plaka – the capital of Milos
In the course of the 18th century an increase in critical sicknesses within the space of the Outdated Chora which was Zefyria, the settlers have been compelled to relocate to the Fortress which in flip turned the capital of Milos. Because the inhabitants began to quickly enhance, new villages have been shaped round Plaka, Triovasaloi, Trypiti and Plakes.
Sundown view from Kastro
Plaka, the charming capital of Milos, with its slim alleyways that have been constructed for defense in opposition to pirate assaults – can also be recognized to be a fantastic sundown spot. Should you stamina permits it, do make your means as much as the best level of the Kastro (Fortress) that crowns the very tip of the settlement on the peak of 280 m. The view from right here is astonishing.
Within the thirteenth century, the Cyclades and the Aegean have been dominated by the Venetian household Sanoudoi, they have been the primary to inhabit the fortress and used it as a stronghold in opposition to pirates’ assaults.
8. Go to the Archaeological Museum in Plaka
Housed in a Neoclassical constructing constructed by the well-known German architect Ernst Ziller, the Archaeological Museum in Plaka homes reveals from the prehistoric to Roman period. A few of the most notable artefacts discovered within the museum are the mould of the notorious Aphrodite, the tablets depicting the alphabet of Milos from the fifth century B.C, a mannequin of the city Phylakopi, the “Girl or Kyra of Phylakopi” – a ceramic mom goddess, reproduction of a ship and the obsidian assortment.
Visiting hours
Tuesday, Thursday closed
Monday, Wednesday Friday 08:30-15:30
Saturday, Sunday 08:30-15:30
9. Admire the Historic Theatre
The traditional metropolis of Melos dominated a extremely advantageous strategic place and was as soon as the island’s important heart of inhabitants. Its lifespan lasted from the ninth/eighth century B.C to the sixth/seventh century AD throughout which it encountered durations of nice prosperity.
The location of the traditional theatre was first found in 1735 by a Jesuit monk Nicolas Sarrabat who was travelling by the world. The primary excavations began in 1816 and 1817 by the German architect Carl Haller von Hallerstein, who later purchased the theatre on behalf of the inheritor to the throne and later king of Bavaria, Ludwig I who in flip gave it to his son Otto, the king of Greece.
The newest excavations that came about have been performed by the Ephorate of Antiquities for the Cyclades in 1990-1995 and 2010-2015, these have revealed the aspect entrance on the western retaining wall, the orchestra enviornment and the larger a part of the stays of the scene constructing.
The marble theatre which is in a superb situation and among the best preserved historic theatres of the Cyclades which might be admired by guests to at the present time, was constructed on a hillside above the traditional harbor, which is the fashionable village of Klima. The theatre is a luxurious work of the Roman interval (1st-4th century AD) and from proof it exhibits that its development lasted a very long time with doable intervals of redesign. The theatre represents a effective instance of a theatrical construction with options equivalent to these of the Roman and the Romanized theatres of the jap provinces of the Roman instances.
The admission to the theatre is free
10. Wine Tasting at Kostantakis Cave Vineyard
Milos in contrast to another Greek islands doesn’t boast a verdant and wealthy wine historical past, but right here one can discover a pleasant family-run conventional cave vineyard tucked away within the marvellous northern area of Pollonia. For many years Kostas Mallis (Kostantakis) has cultivated and vinified native Cycladic grape varieties. In 2012 he additional enriched and prolonged his household winery, planting solely indigenous Greek varieties that produce unbelievable wines with Assyrtiko, Savatiano, Monemvasia, Roditis, Muscat white, Mandilaria and Mavrotragano.
The cave vineyard is open every day from 17:00 – 21:00 PM.
Tel: +306936644481
E-mail: winerymilos@gmail.com
11. Spend the Day Crusing Round Milos and comply with the route of the Pirates
The beneficial geographical place of Milos proper on the crossroads between the east and the west was as soon as an vital naval base of the pirates within the Aegean. The cosmopolitan port of the Outdated Chora (Zefyria), the quite a few coves like Sarakiniko and Kleftiko and the secure harbor of Pollonia supplied shelter to those adventurous masters of the seas.
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- Polyaigos
One of many prime causes to go to Milos is indubitably its connection to the spectacular water actions and spending a day crusing the pirates route might be by far your most memorable exercise. There are a number of boat firm and routes that take you round Milos and to the far-away locations that may solely be reached by boat.
The total day crusing cruise with lunch takes you all the way in which to Polyiagos (the island of the various goats), and continues the journey passing by Paliorema the place you’ll be able to spot the installations of the previous sulphur mines, persevering with in the direction of Kleftiko, a as soon as well-known pirate den the place you’ll witness probably the most spectacular landscapes of Milos.
At sundown you’ll sail alongside Klima and marvel on the vibrant fishermen dwellings – a very fantastic sight to behold. E book your crusing expertise right here.
12. Swim on the Moon-like Sarakiniko Seaside
This well-known moonscape of Milos with probably the most superb whitewashed rocks that glitter like glowing diamonds with the solar’s reflections is dotted with quite a few pirate’s caves and hovering cliffs ultimate for diving.
Benefit from the spectacular surroundings of Sarakiniko seashore on a sea kayaking journey or just come right here to sunbathe on the graceful rock formations. It is a pure seashore subsequently there aren’t any sunbeds or umbrellas, there’s a canteen obtainable within the parking space that sells refreshments and lightweight snacks.
13. Benefit from the therapeutic advantages of the Sizzling Springs
On account of the centuries of volcanic exercise on the island, Milos is blessed with many sizzling springs which since historic instances have been recognized for his or her distinctive therapeutic properties.
There are a variety of sizzling springs that dot the island’s numerous panorama. On the seashores like Alikes, Provatas, Skinopi, Paliochori, Tria Pigadia, Kanava there are devoted spots with sizzling springs. From the fumaroles, the recent sulphurous gases emerge and the nice and cozy water temperature means that you can get pleasure from swimming all yr spherical.
14. Go Mountain climbing
The astonishing panorama of Milos makes it an exquisite vacation spot for mountaineering lovers. There are a number of marked trails that are pretty simple to comply with and comparatively quick. The mountaineering routes of Milos are scattered throughout the island. A few of the hottest mountaineering routes are:
- Trypiti – Catacombs – Historic theatre – Profitis Ilias – Venus of Milos (2.5 km / 45 minutes)
- Trypiti – Catacombs – Milos theatre – Klima village (2.5 km / 45 minutes)
- Zefyria – Agia Kyriaki seashore (5 km / 2 hours)
- Cape Vani – is positioned 25 km from Adamas and a mud street covers a lot of the route. Depart the automotive on the level that the grime street which results in Agkathia seashore intersects a smaller grime street that results in Vani. After a 40 minute stroll you’ll attain the previous manganese mines passing lush inexperienced environment with juniper forest. (3 km/40 minutes )
Maps with detailed routes can be found for buy on the reward store of the mining museum in Adamas or in native kiosks or bookstores.
15. Be a part of a pottery workshop
Whereas holidaying on Milos how about refining your creative abilities? On the Home of Clay positioned in Adamas you’ll be able to study all in regards to the worth of ceramic artwork in historic Greece and learn to make your personal pottery. The programs are perfect for households and teams, and no particular information is required. The length of the course is 2 hours and is organized upon request. The artwork studio can also be an ideal place to buy some distinctive items so that you can convey again residence.
Tel +3022870 22431
E-mail: thehomeofclay@yahoo.gr
The place to Keep in Milos
Milos is an island which isn’t recognized for large-size resorts, however fairly affords guests a number of smaller family-owned studios and boutique lodging. The port-town of Adamas affords a wide range of smaller properties and its location is a handy base with the intention to discover the island.
Santa Maria Village Resort and Spa
This family-owned 4 star lodge perched on a hill overlooking the Aegean Sea is conveniently positioned, only a few minutes from Adamas. The lodging consists of a number of two storey buildings that are constructed round a well-kept backyard providing concord and rest to the company. The comfy rooms are adorned in gentle colors, impressed by the aesthetics of the Cyclades islands. The resort includes a important pool and spa amenities. Breakfast is served in a soothing, shaded space surrounded by olive bushes. There’s a path that leads all the way in which from the resort to the principle waterfront avenue of Adamas, very handy for company preferring strolling to city. For availability and charges click on right here.
The place to Eat in Milos
The Melian culinary traditions return to the traditional instances, relying solely on the products produced on the island and enriched by the flavours introduced by vacationers. The encircling sea affords freshly caught fish and different pleasant treasures that are served in lots of the family-owned tavernas scattered across the island. It’s nearly onerous to have a really dangerous meal in Greece, however listed here are a few of our favourites which we tried and cherished.
Medusa (Mandrakia)
It is a true gem, positioned within the village of Mandrakia proper subsequent to the fisherman’s dwellings this small taverna with probably the most spectacular view is a quintessential Greek expertise. Tables are restricted and no reservations are accepted. Strive the scrumptious octopus, smoked eel served with fava, tomato fritters and swordfish souvlaki.
Tip: most taverna’s in Greece serve shrimp of their shell, don’t be stunned if you’re require to peel the shrimp.
Oh! Hamos!! (Adamas)
Anybody you ask, will level you within the route of Oh!Hamos! – which interprets from Greek as chaos. That is by far among the best eating places to get pleasure from conventional Melian delicacies and absolutely one of many prime causes to go to Milos.
The meat served on the restaurant comes from the proprietor’s farm and the greens are sourced from Micheko’s backyard. Cheese too is made on the household’s conventional cheese manufacturing unit – every thing you eat right here is made and served with love.
Strive the dishes cooked in clay pots and the superb pies. The seashore in entrance of the taverna is a perfect place to begin your morning, the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from freshly brewed espresso, contemporary juice and Melian breakfast with a unbelievable view.
Nostos Seafood Expertise (Adamas)
Situated proper on the waterfront of Adamas, this contemporary restaurant serves seafood dishes ready utilizing domestically sourced merchandise. A gorgeous minimalistic area, with beautiful sea views and wonderful service. If you’re searching for a extra refined eating expertise, Nostos Seafood expertise is a wonderful selection. The salmon ceviche is very advisable, so is the octopus served on prime of fava.
Mikros Apoplous (Adamas)
Set on the waterfront of the Adamas port this tavern is nice selection for a soothing dinner. The menu consists of contemporary seafood choices, grilled fish, ceviche, fish carpaccio and pasta with seafood or lobster.
Yialos (Pollonia)
A Mediterranean restaurant positioned proper by the ocean within the village of Pollonia, providing nice sundown view. This eating places takes a more-modern strategy to native dishes and the menu consists of a wide array of contemporary fish in addition to meat dishes.
We hope that our causes to go to Milos will encourage you to e book a visit quickly. Have you ever been to Milos? If sure tell us what you appreciated finest within the feedback under.
