Milos is a volcanic island in the western Cyclades, horseshoe-shaped around a large natural bay. In prehistory it was famous for obsidian, volcanic glass traded across the Aegean; mines still extract bentonite and perlite. In 1820 a farmer found the famous Venus de Milo here, now in the Louvre. In recent years Milos has become one of the most sought-after islands thanks to its extraordinary beaches.
What to see
| Place | Why |
|---|---|
| Plaka | The hilltop main town, with its castle and sunsets from the Kastro |
| Trypiti | Village with windmills, near the Early Christian catacombs and the ancient theatre |
| Klima, Mandrakia, Firopotamos | The syrmata, fishermen's houses with colourful doors carved into the rock at the water's edge |
| Catacombs | Greece's most important, 1st-5th century |
| Venus find-spot | A sign marks where the statue was found, below Plaka |
Beaches
- Sarakiniko: white tuff rocks sculpted by the wind, like a moonscape.
- Kleftiko: arches and caves of white rock in the south-west, reachable only by boat; once a pirates' lair.
- Firiplaka and Tsigrado, with colourful cliffs; at Tsigrado you climb down a ladder.
- Papafragas: a small inlet between rock walls.
- Paleochori, with water warmed by volcanic springs.
A boat trip round the island is the best way to see the coast.
Getting there
The airport has flights from Athens. Ferries from Piraeus take 3-7 hours to the port of Adamas; there are connections with Sifnos, Serifos, Kimolos and other Cyclades. Boats leave Pollonia for neighbouring Kimolos.
See also Sifnos and Cycladic civilisation.