Villages and Beaches

Sarakiniko

The enchanting site of Sarakiniko arouses noble sentiments that are not infrequently imprinted on the rocks by visitorsAbout 2 kilometres along the coastal road east of Adamantas, we turn north in the direction of Apollonia and we meet one of the most photographed scenes in the Aegean, Sarakiniko, whose name is of Arabic origin. It is a lunar landscape, truly unique. The scene is somehow unreal and leaves the visitor speechless. White, elongated, almost horizontal rocks reach out forming steps towards the sea. Rocks that have been eroded by the salt water, as though chiselled by the hands of an artist, create hollows large and small.
About a kilometre later, another small road leads to Mytakas, a quaint little fishing with "syrmata", fishermen's houses right on the sea with gaily painted doors on the ground floor where the boats are kept.The fishing village of Mytakas

The sandy beach of Aghios KonstantinosA little further on is Aghios Konstantinos, another small, quiet coastal hamlet as well as Alogomandra beach ,Pahena beach and Kapros, another small bay with white rocks that reach out into the sea, forming coves, small bridges, caves and sandy beaches.
Papafragas, another idyllic landscape, is one of the most impressive places on the island, with its deep dark sea caves. Starting at the foot of the rock the visitor descends to a tiny strip of beach. From here begins a long, narrow fjord, like a swimming pool between high rocks leading to the open sea. The crystal waters change colour according to the weather and light. Next to it is closed cave. It is beleived that the previous fjord was once enclosed too, but that its roof caved in as a result of either erosion or earthquake. It is considered likely that this was one of the places pirates used as a hiding place.View of the Papafragas cave
Views of the Papafragas cave. This phenomenon was the result of the upheavals of the Milian land

The ancient town of Phylakope was built just a few metres away. It was first inhabited in the Neolithic period and is the most ancient city on the island. Although part of it is now underwater, this town was the hub of island life for at least 15 centuries.

View of Pollonia from PelekoudaThe road ends up at Apollonia, one of the well-known fishing villages which is now the second largest holiday resort on the island. Apollonia owes its name to the temple of Apollo which was once situated at the point where the lighthouse of Pelekouda now stands.

Pelekouda is another sight worth visiting, to the left of the bay. It is a small rock in the shape of a chair, at the water's edge, looking out the sea. According to an old saying, couples in love who sit on it will be together forever.

The windmills at Tripiti teach the charm of simplicity

Not far west of the main town of Plaka, short drives will take you to the island's west coast, where there are many interesting sights to see. The village of Tripiti is built on a hill sloping down to the sea. Small white houses, narrow streets and a panoramic view of the sea and of the opposite side of the island are the main features of this village. Its church Aghios Nikolaos, built around 1888, can be seen from far away. At the highest point of the village some scattered windmills have been preserved and today some of them have been converted into comfortable and elegant rented rooms.Aghios Nikolaos at Tripiti

Klima is the most picturesque fishing village on the islandKlima is the most picturesque fishing village on the island. What makes Klima so graphic is its "syrmata", - fishermen's houses right next to the sea that have been carved out of the rocks or built, where boats used to be pulled up to protect them from rough seas. The name syrmata, (wires) is derived from the fact that the Milians used to pull their boats onto the land with wire. The doors, brightly painted in blue, red or brown, are locked in winter but wide open in summer. Fourkovouni, Areti, Skinope are fishing villages in the same architectural style as Klima.

From Plakes, a little village that is gradually becoming one with Plaka, the capital, a narrow street leads to the coastal settlement of Firopotamos which was in earlier times a summer resort for the occupants of Plakes. Mandrakia is another summer resort with the familiar "syrmata".Mandrakia

Firiplaka

TsigradoDicovering the southeastern Milos, you must start from Zefiria, a town that prospered greatly in former times, and continue on to the beach of Paleochori, which has a variety of materials and colours to satisfy even the most demanding visitor.

Tsigrado, has a small beach with crystal-clear water that is recompense enough for the visitors for the slight difficulty of access to it. Next to it is another superb beach. This is the exotic beach of Firiplaka, which is reached by a long walk on a path of white earth. The beach is very popular with holiday makers and is always crowded.

The beach of Gerontas is a landscape for those who love nature. The ten-minute walk down to the beach is amply rewarded by the rugged beauty of the place. Other beaches that are ideal for swimming are Triades, Angathia, Fatourena, Rinari and Achivadolimni.Gerontas: landscape for those who love nature
Achivadolimni and its sandy beachAchivadolimni is a very large beach, with light-coloured sand and shallow blue water.An ideal place for those who love windsurfing. On the other side is the lake of the same name, which was once strewn with countless clams (achivades).


Photos and text taken
from "Milos - The art of nature"
(Toubis Editions)
Toubis Editions



Places to stay in Milos Island
Places
to stay

About the Island
About
the Island
Message In A Bottle
Message
in a Bottle
A Trip around the Island with Caique
A Trip around the
Island with Caique
A Trip to the nearby Island: Kimolos
A Trip to the nearby
Island: Kimolos
Detailed Map
Detailed
Map

 
Practical Information
Practical
Information