- We had the luxury of extra time on this trip, taking a six week holiday rather than the usual four. Decided to spend a full week on a Greek island and chose Milos in the Cyclades.
- Most people would only know of Milos because of the famous statue in the Louvre in Paris, the Venus de Milo. In fact the island has very interesting geology which makes for amazing beaches (the most of any Greek island) and stunning coastline.
- We rented an apartment right on the waterfront in the port town of Adamas. Took a boat trip, caught the bus to Pollonia, hired a car to explore the island, and wandered between Adamas and the hilltop twin towns of Plaka and Trypiti. All in all we found Milos to be an ideal island for a chillout week.
- We’re not sailors but we like it on the water, so boat trips are something we always seek out. If you’re in a place for a few days it’s generally good to check out the local offerings at the port, see the boats, the crew, who’s getting on and off.
- We did a great, day-long boat trip out of Adamas along the west coast of Milos, as far as Kleftiko and back. This part of the island is largely inaccessible due to poor roads, and prevalence of the Milos viper. There were maybe twenty passengers on the boat and the crew had a dinghy to ferry us into caves and swimming spots. Great fun.
- We chose to stay at the port to be close to amenities. Just 5km uphill is the gorgeous little town of Plaka, which morphs into the equally lovely Trypiti as you descend. We bussed/ walked up and back a few times, for wandering and eating at the excellent tavernas. We had a great time on Milos. In hindsight, if we’d have changed anything it would be to reverse this order i.e. stay in Plaka/ Trypiti and head down to Adamas for amenity.
- For a change of scenery one day, we caught the bus to Pollonia which lies at the north east tip of Milos. It’s quite a chic little place and we spent a pleasant day moving from beach to taverna and back again.
- Milos has about 45 beaches so we hired a car one day to check out some of the most iconic ones.
- Drove to Paleochori on the south coast which has beautiful coloured cliffs and thermal activity. In places the sand is way too hot to stand in, and in spots the water is also warmed. This is probably great in the cooler months but no more than a curiousity in summer.
- Drove further west to Provatos Bay where we ate in a nice taverna overlooking the ocean and had a swim after lunch.
- Headed back to the north coast of the island to Sarakininiko, perhaps the most iconic of all Milos beaches. You swim in an inlet carved out of gleaming white rock, backed with a valley created by seasonal water flows. Mine tunnels have been excavated deep into the surrounding cliffs. All in all it’s a surreally beautiful landscape.
- From here we timed our run to visit the Christian catacombs carved in soft rock just below Plaka.
- Drove on to Mandrakia which is another beautiful little coastal village.
- Finished the day at Fyropotamos where white buildings with blue trim draped the rocky coastline, and chilled beats oozed from the beach bar as we enjoyed an end of day swim. Nothing more to say.
