sarakiniko
Milos is from the greek islands less popular with the throng of tourists and, for this reason, it is precisely here that we can find the **authenticity of Greece**.
Known for having been the home of the famous sculpture the venus de milo , the volcanic island of Milos It is the westernmost of the archipelago of the cyclades . The most notable characteristics of the Mediterranean converge in it, of turquoise waters and landscapes crowned by some green , with those of his abrupt volcanic nature.
Mandrakia, Milos
This Cyclades is special for being the one that counts with more kilometers of coastline , among which beaches of all kinds are distributed, some only accessible from the sea.
Away from the overcrowding of its neighbors, the popular ** Santorini and Mykonos **, Milos is a discreet and ideal island for those looking to relax in the most genuine Eden of Greece.
STARTING POINT TO KNOW MILOS
Pollonia and Adamas are the main points to stay on the island. The first, on the north coast, is an old fishing village invaded by tourism. Adamas, on the other hand, stands out for having more services and several shops and restaurants, although, even so, it is a place quite quiet and with unremarkable beaches.
In Adamas is where the main port of Milos, to which the boats that communicate the cyclades islands each other and with Athens . The restaurants that surround it vaguely animate the nights in Milos, offering placid dinners by the sea. It is the case of Navagio , 10 minutes walking from the town center.
An ordinary day in Milos, walking through its streets
BY CAR BY MILOS
Renting a car will be the best option to tour the island, although always reserve it in advance, as availability is limited, especially during the summer months. We also have to take into account that roads are characterized by their curves , and that there are areas of the island with dirt roads to which access by car is difficult or not recommended.
We get on the road and head to the n north of Milos, specifically to Sarakiniko , a quiet cove surrounded by the hypnotic white rock formations that define the island. We can bathe and explore the nearby caves and the wild but impeccable rock configurations that will guide us to impossible creations.
sarakiniko
We continue until mandrake . The first little fishing village on our itinerary is characterized by white piers with blue doors.
In Firopotamos , next stop, we will feel even more bucolic. From its idyllic cove , where we can enjoy one of the best baths on the island, we can see some ruins and fishermen's houses, from which octopuses hang drying in the sun. A fabulous picture that introduces us to the rich Greek gastronomy.
To regain strength and taste the cuisine of Greece , we resume our journey heading to Plaka, the capital of Milos. plaka It is a charming little town with white houses and blue doors with some mermaids painted at the entrance as if they were doormats.
In the labyrinthine streets of the center of the town, with cobbled floors, we can spend hours getting lost among charming clothing and craft shops or eating in **various taverns and cafes such as Palaios**, an ideal refuge for an ice cream or a homemade cake during the hottest evenings in Milos.
Within Plaka, which embodies the most representative picture of Greece, some windmills stand out, struggling to beat time, and the church of Saint Nikolaos , located in the center of the town and a point from which beautiful sunsets can be seen.
Another place to enjoy the best sunsets on the island is the Plaka Kastro , which we will reach by climbing a steep hill. It is a 12th century Venetian fortification And that hides inside a church and one of the best views of Milos.
We go down the winding road to Trypiti to visit an old theater recently restored and some Christian catacombs dating from the 1st century . This path indicates the point where a farmer discovered, in the year 1820, the famous Venus de Milo . Currently the Aphrodite of Milo is one of the jewels exhibited by the Louvre Museum in Paris.
Saint Nikolai in Plaka, Milos
We continue the descent to the small Klima, a colorful fishing village that seems to be embedded in the mountain that protects it. The syrmatas or wharf-houses, with its brightly colored doors and windows, it is one of the most photogenic corners of the Cyclades. With a short walk down its only street bathed in the most intense blues of the Aegean Sea we will feel, for a few seconds, owners of the island.
We continue our route to the south stopping at kanava . This beach is not pretty at all, especially if we look towards the coast where the industrial part appears. Here the attraction lies in looking for the hot water currents of the thermal points that emerge from the sea.
To the south there are wide beaches of fine sand such as Provatas, Paliochori or Firiplaka. The latter is guarded by huge rocks that outline a landscape typical of another planet.
In the south, beach bars, Balinese beds and hammocks are more present than in the rest of the island, although at certain times of the day it is still possible to enjoy the beach alone.
Firiplaka
THE MILOS COAST BY SAILBOAT
Another essential way to get to know Milos and get to where the roads do not allow it is embarking on a sailboat or catamaran along its coasts. These excursions are around 100 euros and depart from the port of Adama s, if they go only to the south, or from Pollonia, those that reach other nearby islands and surround Milos.
Sailing tours are perfect to access the beaches of Papafragas and Tisigrado or visit the nearby islands of Glaronisia, Kimolos and Poliegos, east of Milos.
kimolos
Without a doubt, the most special area of Milos is Kleftiko, a bay full of caves and impressive rock formations sculpted by the erosion of the wind and the sea , which centuries ago was a refuge for pirates. They say that in one of the caves there is even a hidden treasure. Although the best treasure is to discover such a wonderful place that, luckily, has not yet been invaded by mass tourism.
In this magical place we will swim to conquer lonely beaches, we will snorkel and we will enter by boat through caves and secret grottoes. To end up falling in love with Milos, Sykia's cave It will frame us among one of the most extraordinary formations on the island with direct views of the sky.
Kleftiko Caves