The island of Milos in the Cyclades: what to see and the secrets of the sea of ​​Venus

The island of Milos is a jewel created from the lava of a volcano millions of years ago. Then the volcano went out but the soul of Milos continues to be alive. The beaches who dive into turquoise sea and the spectacular volcanic rocks that change color under the rays of the setting sun form a unique landscape, different from that found elsewhere in the splendid archipelago of the Cyclades. And on the other hand an island that she kept for so long in her belly goddess of love it can only be magical. Nature has given the island a special charm and maybe it’s nice to think that it really was Aphrodite has to inherit these divine beauties. Here they are lunar landscapes and splendid beaches, villages that look like paintings, caves and cliffs, natural pools and a pleasant life that makes you fall in love. In short, Venus could not have chosen a better place.

Milos island: the view from above

The country of Plaka is the capital of the island of Milos and is situated on the north side of the island, high on a hill. The beautiful settlement represents the classic dream of the Aegean with traditional white masonry houses, flower-filled courtyards and labyrinthine alleys. Today again Plaka looks like one of the most intact villages of the Cyclades And Plaka offers panoramic views of the surrounding areas. The highest point of Plaka is known as kastro and is a network of alleys between white houses and narrow passageways that eventually emerge from high above the sea. Once at the top, visit the church of Panagia Korfiatissa and enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets in Milos.

The catacombs of the island of Milos constitute the oldest monument related to Christianity on the island and due to their presence Milos is considered a sacred place. They were the meeting point of the first Christians and, later, also a cemetery. The catacombs are located near the village of Tripiti at over one hundred and fifty meters above sea level and are formed by three underground galleries that lead through hundreds of meters into the mountain with a long row of niches dug into the tuff. In some places there is even a trace of the color used to decorate these cells.

The pirate shelter

Another of the unmissable wonders of the island of Milos is Kleftikoa stretch of volcanic rocks sculpted by the wind and the sea located on the southwest side of the island. It is a very famous natural sight and photos of these sculptures are everywhere. But not only nature: what they are now stone pinnacles of a thousand colors that emerge from the turquoise sea it was once a pirate haven. And who knows what stories and what tales they could make even if today they are limited to being the backdrop for the swims of tourists with masks. These unique geological formations are perfect for lo snorkeling and are accessible only from the sea thanks to a daily service boat trips which depart from the port.

Do you want to discover more rocks on the island of Milos? Then you face a long dirt road and arrive as far as the bay of Paliorema where you have the incredible opportunity to swim in the middle of a sulfur mine. The sand is very white and impalpable – it is practically pumice powder – and around it there are yellow walls and transparent water. This was one sulfur mine active until 1956 and you can see why there are still i binaries hey wagons, pieces of machinery and holes dug in the rock by miners. You bring a drink with you and enjoy the silence: it will be one of the most unforgettable baths of your life.

This is an island inhabited since ancient times: and it shows: here you can visit too the ancient theatre built by the inhabitants of the city of Climateprobably during the Hellenistic period. But the ancient one is a history of battles: the theater was destroyed after the arrival of the athenians and so during the Roman era it was put back on its feet by exploiting the foundations and enlarging it thanks also to the marble arrived from Paros. It is said that it could accommodate 5,000 spectators and excavations have continued since 1989 to clean it up and make it usable for some shows as well. Today is an unmissable stop in your discovery of the island of Milos.

The island of Milos: walking on the moon

Sarakiniko it is one of the most iconic landscapes of the Aegean. Also because where else would it be possible to swim by diving from the moon? Located on the northeast side of the island, Sarakiniko, which takes its name from the Saracen pirates who had a base here for their raids towards Siphnos And Kimolos, is a stretch of coast formed by very white rocks that plunge into a dark blue sea. According to geologists, Sarakiniko is formed by layers of volcanic ash accumulated over the millennia and is unique for the absolute lack of vegetation and the very strong reflection. This is one of the places to swim both day and night as the white stones reflect the moonlight and form a very suggestive landscape. Advice: don’t come when the wind is blowing melt me, the north wind. The water could be very rough.

There Venus of Milos it is one of the most famous sculptures of ancient Greece even if it is located in Parisin the halls of the museum of Louvre. It was discovered in April 1820 by an inhabitant of the village but the news of the discovery reached the ears of a French naval officer who reported it to the Marquis de Rivièrethe ambassador of France for the Ottoman Empire. Needless to say: the statue was immediately taken to France and offered to the king Louis XVIII. On the island there is a copy made by the laboratory of Louvre at the entrance of archaeological Museum.

The island of Milos: its villages

The main village of the island is to Adamas and develops in a large bay which is also the port. It was founded in 1824 by Cretan refugees escaped to Milos after the bloody failed revolution against the Turks and is home to a thousand inhabitants. It is a fairly quiet country where the greatest concentration of tourist services as well as bars, restaurants and rooms for rent. In the summer it is full of life, while out of season it is very sleepy.

The village of Climate is one of the most charming villages of Milos and is located on the north side of the island. The charm is given by the presence of the old fishermen’s houses of a thousand colors built on and around natural caves that the locals call syrmata. Here you can admire one of the most beautiful sunsets of Milos. But don’t stop there: even the villages of Areti, Fourkovouni and Mytakas resemble the architecture of Climate and are small fishing settlements now given a new life by tourism. The ancient city of is also worth a visit Fylakopione of the most important prehistoric settlements in the Aegean.