Summary
A volcanic island characterized by an extensive natural harbor and diverse geological features, Milos has been a site of mineral extraction for thousands of years, yielding materials such as obsidian, sulfur, and gypsum.
The geological composition of the island gives rise to coastal landscapes that are hard to capture accurately in photographs, like Sarakiniko and Kleftiko, featuring breathtaking beaches that evoke awe.
During the Bronze Age, Milos hosted the city of Phylakopi on its northern shore, recognized as the preeminent port in the Aegean at that time.
In later history, Ancient Klima became notable for the discovery of the Venus de Milo in 1820. This renowned masterpiece originated in the 2nd century BC, and a replica cast from the original in the Louvre is exhibited at the Archaeological Museum.
Let us delve into the top attractions in Milos:
1. Kleftiko
Departing from the port in Adamas, you can sail toward the southwestern part of Milos, where one of Greece’s most iconic natural formations lies in waiting.
Kleftiko comprises a remarkable setting of white cliffs and outcrops, accessible exclusively by water.
At the foot of the cliffs, you will discover caves and natural arches, including one cave that you can navigate through, providing a captivating perspective of the layered rocks above.
Like the rest of Milos, these geological features are volcanic in nature, often compared to the cliff-side monasteries of Meteora due to their striking formations.
The term “Kleftiko” originates from the word “to steal,” recalling a time when pirates sought refuge within these caves.
2. Sarakiniko
If you have explored any promotional material regarding Milos, chances are you have encountered images of this surreal landscape along the northern coast.
However, visiting Sarakiniko in person is essential to fully appreciate its extraordinary beauty.
The sea and wind have sculpted Sarakiniko’s stark white volcanic rocks into graceful mounds and columns.
With an absence of vegetation, Sarakiniko resembles a lunar landscape, inviting exploration and captivating photography opportunities featuring the white rocks and the stunning blue-green sea.
A long, shallow inlet provides access to a beach at one end, with tiered white rocks where visitors can sunbathe and dive into the crystalline waters.
3. Firiplaka Beach
As one of a series of attractive beaches on the secluded south coast, Firiplaka is flanked by striking cliffs characterized by shades of red, brown, and yellow.
The sandy shore is fine and pale, gently caressed by mostly calm surf unless strong southerly winds are present.
On calmer days, children can play in the water, which remains shallow for an extensive distance.
A beach bar located on the eastern side offers sunbeds and umbrellas for rent.
The middle section features prominent cliffs that create a natural division of the beach.
Within this area lies a massive rock with a fissure that opens to a cave along the water’s edge.
4. Milos Mining Museum
The island’s mining legacy dates back to the Neolithic Period when it served as a source of obsidian throughout the Mediterranean region.
Later, Pliny the Elder noted that Milos produced more sulfur than any other location in the ancient world, while the island was also treasured for its abundant alum deposits.
This rich mineral history is documented in the museum located in Adamas, which provides an overview of all the rocks and minerals mined here throughout history, such as gypsum, sulfur, baryte, perlite, bentonite, alum, and millstones.
Additionally, the museum features a collection of prehistoric obsidian tools and weapons.
You will also learn about the contemporary significance of these materials in daily life and advance your understanding of 21st-century mining technologies.
In the projection room, narratives from miners spanning different historical periods can be heard.
5. Paliochori Beach
Paliochori offers a unique bathing experience unlike any you may have encountered.
Located southeast of Zefiria, this beach features a blend of dark golden sand and pebbles, bordered by stratified rocks adorned with red and yellow streaks.
These formations contain sulfur ore, giving a light sulfuric scent to the air.
Upon entering the clear water, you may notice its unusually warm temperature, attributed to numerous hot springs that surface near the shoreline.
At Paliochori, you find yourself close to a dormant volcano, where restaurants along the beach serve meals prepared with volcanic warmth.
6. Catacombs of Milos
Similar to the catacombs of Rome and the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, this system of underground passages located near Trypiti serves as an early-Christian burial site.
Dating back to the 1st century AD, the Catacombs were rediscovered in 1840 and subsequently excavated by the notable German archaeologist Ludwig Ross.
Thus far, three sets of tunnels have been uncovered, extending over 180 meters, where approximately 2,000 Christians were laid to rest in wall cavities or burials covered with makeshift stones.
While only two short sections are accessible for visitation, they provide significant insight into the historic context and the chance to decipher inscriptions on the walls dating back 2,000 years.
7. Ancient Theatre of Milos
Situated no more than 200 meters from the Catacombs, this theatre features tiers of immaculate Parian marble seats overlooking the natural harbor and the silhouette of the surrounding hills.
The location itself represents a compelling reason to visit.
Associated with the ancient settlement of Klima, the theatre is believed to have been initially constructed during Hellenistic times in the 3rd century BC, requiring restoration after the city was destroyed by the Athenians in Roman times.
The theatre, carved from the hillside, boasts up to eight excavated tiers of a structure that could originally accommodate 7,000 spectators (compared to 700 today). Be sure to experience the acoustics, and look for remnants of ancient Klima’s walls and towers nearby.
8. Milos Archaeological Museum
From the 3rd millennium to the 12th century BC, Milos boasted the most significant harbor in the Aegean, situated at Phylakopi in the northern region of the island.
Excavations conducted in the late 19th century unearthed remarkable artifacts from the Early Cycladic, Minoan, and Mycenaean periods, many of which are displayed in Room 2 of the archaeological museum.
This collection includes decorated pottery, figurines, a bathtub, and the noteworthy Lady of Phylakopi, a shrine originating from the 14th century BC. In the entrance hall, visitors will find a replica of the Venus de Milo, alongside a burial jar from the 6th century BC, and obsidian tools crafted on the island.
Rooms 3 and 4 showcase later artifacts from the Geometric, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman eras including tools, coins, statues, votive steles, tomb reliefs, and tables featuring the island’s unique “Melian alphabet.”
9. Plaka Castle
Upon arriving at Plaka village on the harbor’s eastern slope, visitors encounter a narrow stairway ascending the hillside.
Although it requires some effort, this ascent leads you to the second-highest elevation in Milos, where a 13th-century Venetian Castle stands.
Historically, Plaka Castle served as a refuge against pirate incursions, and despite the remnants being minimal today, climbing to the summit rewards visitors with panoramic views of the entire island.
As you ascend, you will pass two charming whitewashed churches, Panagia Skiniotissa and Panagia Thalassitra.
The stairway becomes bustling just before sunset as visitors hurry to witness one of the most enchanting sunsets across the Aegean.
10. Paliorema
This beach may be challenging to access, as it requires navigating a dirt path through rugged hills for several kilometers east of Zefiria, but the effort is worthwhile upon arrival.
Paliorema is more than a sunbathing and swimming spot; it is set against the haunting remnants of a former sulfur mine.
This mine operated for approximately a century starting in the mid-19th century, and you can learn about the challenging working conditions at the Milos Mining Museum.
The museum also features tokens used by miners to purchase food from the mine’s shop.
As for the site itself, sulfur seams run through the rocks, and visitors can explore rusting machinery, rails, a loading crane by the waterfront, cave residences, and tunnel entrances.
11. Tsigrado Beach
Situated within a small cove at the base of striking red and yellow cliffs, Tsigrado Beach is not recommended for those with a fear of heights or mobility limitations.
Barring water access, the only route to the beach involves a steep and narrow fissure in the rock.
A rope facilitates descent, while a ladder covers the final few meters.
A warning sign at the cliff’s edge advises visitors to proceed at their own risk.
Nonetheless, dozens of sunbathers make the climb each day, drawn by the stunning beach.
Featuring a substantial stretch of sand, the shimmering waters bathe in a captivating turquoise hue.
You can also wade over to a small cave, where sunlight illuminates the rock walls submerged in the water.
12. Cave of Sykia
Similar to Kleftiko, Sykia is only reachable by boat and is typically a stop on tours heading to its more famous counterpart.
Sykia is a sunken sea cave featuring a small pebble beach nestled within a captivating basin of textured white rock.
The interplay of water and the white stone creates a mesmerizing display of light.
Your boat tour usually waits outside to allow you to venture inside on a smaller craft, where you can swim in the sparkling blue waters and capture photographs of the beach.
13. Trypiti Village
Within walking distance from Plaka and the Catacombs, Trypiti is a traditional village constructed in tiers along the hillside, dominated by the Church of Agios Nikolaos.
These residences were erected on the remnants of Ancient Klima, where the Venus de Milo was uncovered in 1820. Along the ridge in the upper part of the village, a row of historic windmills can be found, formerly built in this elevated position to harness the wind, now repurposed for accommodations boasting magnificent views of the harbor.
Like Plaka, Trypiti offers a picturesque setting to witness the sun setting over the island’s natural harbor.
14. Adamas World War Two Bomb Shelter
In 1941, Milos served as a strategic base for the Wehrmacht during their invasion of Crete, leading to the construction of several bunkers, including this one in Adamas, designed to provide safety for personnel and as storage for resources and equipment.
Adamas houses the largest of these bunkers, which functioned as a refuge for many local residents during an Allied air raid in 1944. For a nominal fee, you can explore the bunker’s extensive tunnels and twelve chambers.
Utilizing the atmospheric environment, the bunker has been transformed into a unique art gallery, featuring graffiti, paintings, and imaginative installations.
15. Firopotamos Beach
Distinct from any other beach on the island, Firopotamos features both a beach and a quaint fishing harbor.
This adds an extra dimension of charm, highlighted by the whitewashed fishermen’s houses that line the water’s edge, complete with blue-painted doors leading to the “syrmata,” where boats are stored.
The beach is a blend of pebbles and fine white sand, and being situated in a cove shielded from the open sea, the water is strikingly clear and exhibits a dreamy light blue hue.
At the headland’s tip on the eastern entrance to the cove, you can find some ruins that provide excellent photographic opportunities.
