DESCRIPTION

Milos is largely an undiscovered island, with perhaps the most interesting coastline of any other island this size in the world. A volcanic island, Milos is known as the island of colors, mainly because of its spectacular, colorful rock formations. Milos is the southwesternmost and 5th largest island of the Cyclades archipelago. It is located west of Santorini, right between Heraklion, Crete and the Greek mainland. Its 5,000 inhabitants earn their living primarily through tourism and mining, and to a lesser extend through fishing, farming and agriculture.

THE ISLAND OF LOVERS

Milos is also known as "the island of lovers" because it is the discovery site of the famous statue Venus de Milo, the ancient Greek Goddess of Love and Beauty, and every July and especially August it is the favorite destination of thousands of young and not-so-young lovers. The island has few visitors in June and September, and is practically deserted in April/May or October/November, even though the weather is still very good.

HISTORY

The island is proud of its fascinating history. The famous statue of Venus de Milo was discovered here in 1820, its early-christian catacombs are older than Rome's, the ancient Greco-Roman theater is among the few marble theaters in Greece with such a spectacular, elevated view, and boasts of an 11,000-year mining history. Most exhibits in the Cycladic wing of the National Archaeological Museum in Athens are findings from Milos.

WHAT TO DO IN MILOS

On the island itself, several interesting museums (Archaeological, Folklore, Ecclesiastical, Mining, WWII Exhibition, Photographic Panorama of Milian History, etc.) are open to visitors, who can also enjoy the island's spectacular landscapes, romantic sunsets, white-washed quaint tiny churches and sugar-cube houses, and incredible local as well as Greek traditional food. Milos is also very popular because of its multitude ( 70+) and diversity of beaches, more than any other island in the Cyclades.

Milos is ideally suited for outdoor activities such as sea-kayaking, scuba diving, sailing, mountain bicycling, distance swimming and windsurfing in the island's protected bay, one of the largest and safest natural harbors in the Mediterranean. It is not surprising that Milos is becoming increasingly popular for weddings and honeymoons as well.