Milos

Island in South Aegean

Its volcanic nature offers stunning rock formations and colorful terrain variations, accessible mainly through boat tours, will leave you speechless.

Natural arch and raw sea at the coast of the island of Milos, Greece.
photo: Marco Verch / CC BY 2.0
What To Do?
How To Go?
Where To Stay?

Milos Attractions

The spectacular sunset of Milos between the walls of the Venetian Castle in Plaka.
photo: Wikigrafeis / CC BY-SA 4.0
hidden gem

Venetian Castle of Milos, Plaka

Built by the Venetians in the 13th century to avoid pirate raids, it is located at the Plaka hill and blessed with spectacular sunsets.

A picture of the Catacombs near the village Tripiti of the island of Milos.
photo: Klearchos Kapoutsis / CC BY 2.0
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Catacombs of Milos

Early Christian monument - essentially the first Christian cemeteries and worship areas between the 1st and the 5th centuries AD.

A panoramic picture showing the Ancient Theater of Milos with the spectacular view of the sea in the background.
photo: Kostas Limitsios / CC BY 2.0

Ancient Theater of Milos

Well-preserved theater initially built in the 3rd century BC and renovated later by the Romans. Visit in the evening aiming at a great sunset.

A sign at a rural road that informs about the area of the discovery site of the Venus of Milos.
photo: Chris Brooks / CC BY-ND 2.0

Venus of Milos Discovery Site

The great statue that is hosted in the Louvre Museum was discovered in 1820 by a Greek peasant at this spot. There is not much else to see here.

Milos Things to Do

Milos Museums

Milos Beaches

An overview of the Sarakiniko Beach on Milos island.
photo: Kostas Limitsios / CC BY 2.0
must visit

Sarakiniko Beach

A small sandy beach and countless smooth rocks by the sea, compose an island trademark of a unique lunar-like landscape of white volcanic rocks.

An image showing huge cliffs, caves, and turquoise waters of Kleftiko.
photo: Zde / CC BY-SA 4.0
hidden gem

Kleftiko Caves

The complex of small bays and grey-white volcanic rocks accessible by boat. You can enter the caves swimming and take outstanding pictures.

An overview of the Tsigrado Beach of Milos where the vertical wooden staircase used by the visitors is visible.
photo: Kostas Limitsios / CC BY 2.0

Tsigrado Beach

Tiny sandy beach between steep cliffs that someone can reach it by going down a steep narrow passage that ends to a vertical wooden staircase.

A picture showing a part of the Provatas Beach on the island of Milos.
photo: Kostas Limitsios / CC BY 2.0

Provatas Beach

By the homonymous settlement, a sandy beach with easy access and shallow waters, while the local restaurants are famous for the fresh fish.

A bunch of people at the beach Agia Kiriaki on Milos island.
photo: Kostas Limitsios / CC BY 2.0

Agia Kiriaki Beach

Sandy and small white pebble beach that has relatively easy access and is protected from the north winds since it is located in the south.

An aerial photo of the beach of Agios Ioannis on the island of Milos.
photo: Marco Verch / CC BY 2.0

Agios Ioannis Beach

A remote beach located in the western part of the island. Difficult to reach but the beauty of the landscape compensates every visitor.

Milos Settlements

Questions & Answers about Milos

Why Visit Milos?
  • The Venus de Milos statue, hosted at the Louvre Museum was found on the island.
  • Exotic landscape with nearly 70 colorful volcanic beaches with blue-green waters.
  • Best European Island 2019 for the US travel magazine readers "Travel and Leisure".
What is Milos, Greece?

It is a Greek island that is the fifth-largest of the Cyclades island complex. Milos is one of the most charming destinations in the country, offering unique landscapes and amazing views. Today is one of the major tourist destinations in our country, offering unique geological landscapes, beaches with rare colors, and a rich underwater world. The island's beauties are depicted in the 2011 movie "Nikostratos the Pelican," a Greek-French-Belgian film, starring Emir Kusturica. Someone can travel to Milos either by plane or by ferry boat from Piraeus, Crete, and other islands of the Cyclades.

What is the origin of the name of Milos, Greece?

According to the legend, the name of the island derives from Milo the son of the river Scamander, that settled on the island at the urging of the goddess Venus. Based on another speculation, the island's name derives from the "vilos" which in antiquity was the word for sheep, and the island in accordance with findings hosted herds of sheep.

Was Milos, Greece a mining island?

Thanks to its important mining wealth, Milos flourished from prehistoric times to the extraction of opsidanos, a black stone looking like glass, which was sought after for making tools and weapons.

Who were the rulers of Milos, Greece?

During the Hellenistic period, Milos flourished and Venus de Milo, the famous statue is a reminder of that era. After the Roman era when Christianity was spread, and the catacombs were built. While they were considered by historians the most significant, after those of Rome. Milos was part of the Byzantine empire and later occupied by the Crusaders. Then it fell under the Venetian and Ottoman rule, a period that the island has maintained a relative autonomy. Following the history of the Cyclades, Milos became part of the first Greek state in 1830.

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