ROUTES & ATTRACTION IN MILOS

The capital of Milos Island is Plaka, it was created around the 1800s and was named Plaka due to the flat terrain were the houses were first built. The folklore architecture is very dominant here, with the white washed buildings, the graphical narrow alleys and the paved roads.

In the center of Plaka, in a very beautiful Neoclassical Building, the Archeological Museum of Milos is housed since 1985. At the entrance of the museum there is a replica of the fantastic "Aphrodite of Milos". The Museum houses pottery, very well preserved with detailed presentations, figurines, statues, anaglyphs and coins.

Very nearby is the Historical and Folklore Museum. Here the everyday life of the people of Milos is exhibited. Included in the exhibits are embroideries, local costumes, handmade textiles, utensils and old photographs. Right across it, is Panagia Korfiatissa. A road away is Panagia ton Rodon (of the Roses).

In the center of the castle there are reservoirs for the collection of the rainwater. The church of Mesa Panagia or Skiniotissa is according to tradition the position were the icon of Panagia was found in a lentisk on the crest of the castle. The castle offers a panoramic view of almost all the island to its visitor. In fact when the atmosphere is clear somebody can even see some other islands of the Aegean. During sunset this is where the colors of bright red, gold and purple interchange.

When someone first enters the harbor, the town of Adamandas welcomes him. Adamandas has been inhabited since approximately 1824 when the desperate Cretans arrived from Sfakia. Very quickly they settled together with the people of Milos and thus Adamandas came to know great development. The harbor is very deep and well protected from the Northerly winds. Adamadas played a very important role both during the 1st and 2nd World War.

The houses at Adamandas are ascended on a small hill; they have snow-white walls, flower filled gardens and simple architecture. Its alleys are narrow. Today it constitutes the economic, social and tourist center of the island. It is slowly obtaining the entire necessary tourist infrastructure in hotels, rental rooms, restaurants, taverns and others. In Adamanda like many other areas, one can find many Orthodox and Catholic churches. Between them the church of Koimisis of the Theotokos and Agios Charalambos, stand out. Another sight worth visiting in Adamanda is the Museum of Minerals that opened its doors to the public in May 1998.

Adamandas has two beaches. Langadas with its warm baths and healing spa's and Papikinos that has been awarded with the blue flag of the European Union in 1993. Here is also were you will find the transportation means to lead you to the various areas of the island. In Milos you have the possibility to follow four routes. The first route has as its starting point Adamas and includes Sarakiniko, Mitaka, Agio Konstantino, Papafranga, Pollonia and Voudia.

Sarakiniko is the first village somebody meets and is faced with lunar scenery. There are white longitudinal almost horizontal rocks, spread out everywhere, forming open and flat areas having direction towards the sea. The rocks are eaten from the saltiness and look like they are carved and create small and large cavities. There in between them a very exquisite small beach is created.

A little further down we come across the village of Mitakas, which is basically a fishing village and immediately after that the village of Alogomandra, one of the most beautiful beaches of the island. You will find a few rental rooms at the village of Pachaina and immediately after that we reach Kapros with its white rocks that form bridges, capes and caves. Continuing on our excursion we meet Papafranga with its deep and dark sea caves.

A little further down is Filakoti, which was initially inhabited during the Neolithic era and is the oldest city of the island. After that, the road end ups at Pollonia which got its name from Apollo. The houses here are snow-white and in the area around it, houses are built with island architecture and operate as rental rooms and apartments. From Pollonia there are daily services to Kimolos (duration approx. half an hour). There are also excursions to the Glaronisia (Seagull islands) from here.

On the east side at a close distance from Pollonia are the Voudia, a beautiful gulf with fine pebbles. There the industrial establishment of largest mineral company of Milos A.E.E. Silver and Varitini is located.

Our next route is directed towards the northwestern Milos. The village of Tripiti is built amphitheatrically on a slope that descends to the sea. It got its name from its soft soil that looked as though it had holes in it, originating from volcanic minerals. On the height of the village some windmills survived. Today some of those are rental rooms with all their amenities.

We meet Klima when we go towards the sea and it is a beautiful fishing village. Here we come across the fantastic ProChristian catacombs that are included between the most remarkable worldwide. The ancient theater from the Roman times is located very near here. And very near here, in 1820 the fantastic statue of Aphrodite of Milos was accidentally found by a farmer.

Ascending from Adamanda we meet Plakes, which with their small snow white houses and their narrow alleys, give you the impression of an island village. A narrow road leads us to the coastal village of Firopotamos. Very near it are the villages of Triovasalos and Pera Triovasalos.

They got their name from their first resident Andreas Vasalos. At the road that connects the two villages of Triovasalos, every Easter a very big celebration takes place, the tradition of gunpowder, which originates back to the time of the revolution of 1821. Here the young men of the two villages compete as to who will make the most noise, by throwing dynamite far away. This area there has a spectacular view and many rental rooms. A small road on the right leads us to Mandrakia. It is a vocational settlement with fish cottages.

For our next route, our first stop is the village of Zefiria. On the 15th August of each year a very beautiful and large festival takes place. From Zefiria we go on to Palaiochori, one of the most beautiful beaches of the island. Another dirt road from Zefiria leads us to the beach of Agia Kiriaki with its snow-white small pebbles.

After the airport we start towards Tsingado, which compensates us with its crystal clear waters. Right next to it is the exotic beach of Firiplakas and we can only reach it by taking a trail of white ground.

During our next route we take the direction towards Axivadolimni and our first stop are the beaches of Provatas. Right across is the beach of Agios Sostis. Based on tradition this is where the icon of the Saint was found. The beaches here are shallow and protected from the wind. Leaving behind us Provatas we continue, the road ascends high. Near the mines we meet the beach of Gerondas that gathers a lot of people. You have to descend for approximately 10 minutes until you reach the beach but undoubtedly it is worth your while.

Going on we come across the area of Kipos where the oldest church of Milos is located and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Crossing the southwestern part of the island we move away from the sea and we set eyes on Halaka, with its dark brown and black rocks. Continuing we reach the historical monastery of Agios Ioannis Siderianos.

The day of celebrating the Saint, a very big festival takes place that lasts several days. The temple and the cells of the monastery are preserved in very good condition. The beach that has the same name is available to those that want to swim on their own and enjoy its transparent waters. Going on we reach the lagoon of Rivari.

After that come the scenic Emporio, an old small harbor that used to service the island. Today in this area you will find a few rental rooms and one picturesque tavern. The return is again through the monastery of Agia Marina. The road leads to Xivadolimni or Axovadolimni. It is a very large beach, with blond sand and shallow waters that stretches alongside the road.

Nevertheless the best way to get to know the unique natural beauties of Milos is to take a daily tour of the island with a trawler boat, is really worth it. It is a rare experience during its duration one can relax, see and enjoy the countless beaches and the improbable color contradictions of the various rocks. Every morning from the port of Adamanda safe trawler boats and other more modern vessels start of here to embrace the island. It is a route with beautiful sights and exquisite elements, that compose the gifted by nature island. During the length of is coasts, many beaches stretch out, each one with its own unique beauty.

The scenery interchanges continuously, playing with colors, creating very unusual formations of the volcanic terrene, creating unique combinations that charm and move every visitor. This route is advisable for those that do not have the luxury of time and at the same time wants to get to know the largest part of island as fast as possible. This excursion is enjoyable and very interesting. Here you can find, hotels, rooms to let, apartments to rent, travel agencies, restaurants, cafe bars, shops, ad rent a car.