Milos - Cyclades (Greece)
Milos, also called Melos, a Cyclades island in the southwest of the Aegean Sea. It is the fifth largest island of the archipelago (151 km2/58mi2). It has a coast length of 120 kilometers (75 mi). Milos is best known for the statue of Aphrodite (Venus) that was found here and can be admired in the Louvre in Paris. Though Milos is more than the home of "Venus de Milo." Milos is a very special island due to the diverse geological nature. The island is of volcanic origin, which is clear to see during a visit to the island. Either by car, bus or boat you will discover amazing, impressive natural phenomena.
Boat trips around Milos are especially popular, and highly recommended! Discover the island in this excellent way – you easily explore places unreachable by car or on foot, and in a manner of speaking, you can see all the highlights of the island in one single day. There are boat trips that last from 9:00am to 7:00pm. The prices for these cruises start from € 30 for adults.
The island has three large villages. Those are Adamas (Adamantas), Milos and the mountain village of Plaka, which is also the capital of Milos. Adamas, the largest village, has the port of Milos. This is the arrival location for ferries from Piraeus (Athens) and other Cycladic islands, and also cruise ships that bring tourists to the island each day. In high season the area becomes crowded but remains very cozy.
All the way to the northeast you will find Pollonia, and possibly the most popular resorts after Adamas. Both Adamas and Pollonia have many nice restaurants, cafes, bars, shops and hotels. Plaka, the capital of Milos, is located three kilometers (2 mi) from Adamas on the slopes of a mountain. Plaka is located next to the village of Trypiti. As a result of modern construction, the two villages have grown together.
Quaint fishing villages of Milos
On Milos you’ll find some very quaint fishing villages with a fairytale appearance. The houses in these villages are hollowed in soft rocks, and sport brightly colored doors. In the last century, fishermen put their boats in these houses to protect them from the wind and waves. The houses consist of two floors - the boat was placed on the lower floor, and the top floor was used as the living room/bedroom of the fishermen. Usually, these were outside cottages the fisherman used for work. Nowadays, these houses are rented as apartments in the summer. These villages are Klima, Fyropotamos, Mandrakia and Mytakas.
Beaches Milos
There are many nice beaches on the island, some organized, others not. Several times daily, buses drive to some of these beaches from Adamas and Pollonia.
Some beaches are accessible only by boat.
- Beaches on the west coast: Kalogria, Agathia, Triads, Amoudaraki, Aghios Ioannis
- Beaches on the south coast: Gerontas, Psathadiko, Kipos, Aghios Sostis, Provatas, Firiplaka, Tsigkrado, Kalamos Agia Kyriaki, Psarovolada, Paliochori.
- Beaches on the east coast: Kastanas, Tria Pigadia, Kolimbisionas, Agali, Rema, Paliorema and Thiorichia.
- Beaches on the north coast. Fyropotamos, Mandrakia, Sarakiniko, Mytakas, Pachena, Papafrangas and Milos
- Beaches in the Bay of Milos: The beaches in Adamas (Lagada and Papikinou) and the beach Chivadolimni where there is also a campground and a lake.
How to Get to Milos
Milos is especially popular among island hoppers. Daily, in the summer, several boats connect Milos with Piraeus (near Athens). The boat from Piraeus stops at Kythnos, Serifos and Sifnos to then Milos. The duration of the cruise (with ordinary boat, not the fast boat) is about seven hours and a round trip boat ticket is available from € 72 (2014 prices). Milos is also reachable via other Cycladic islands such as Santorini.
Milos Airport is used only for domestic flights. A flight from Athens to Milos lasts about 25 minutes.
Kimolos - Cyclades (Greece)
Kimolos is a small mountainous island north west of Milos and southwest of Sifnos. The island is situated 13 kilometers (8 mi) from the north coast of Milos and covers an area of 39 square kilometers (mi2).
Kimolos is a less touristy island. It has not been discovered yet, but that does not mean it is not pretty. It is a quiet, volcanic island, white as chalk, to which it owes his name. Kimolia is the Greek word for “chalk.”
There are very nice small sandy beaches, a perfect place for people seeking peace and quiet.
Several times a year there are great festivals like that of Profitis Ilias on July 20, Aghios Panteleimon on July 27, Osia Methodias on October 5 and Taxiarchis on November 21.
The capital of the island is also called Kimolos or Kimolos village (Chorió Kimolos). The locals call their capital Chora. Ninety percent of the population of the island lives here. Notable are the white houses and the many flowers found here. The most beautiful beaches for swimming are Psathi and Kalamitsi.
Sights Kimolos
- The ruins of the medieval capital Zefyra.
- The few remains of the ancient city Ellinika.
- Paleokastro at an altitude of 358 meters (1,200 ft) in the north of Kimolos.
Beaches Kimolos
- In the west, the beaches Fykiada, Dekas, Mavrospylia, Lakos, Kakou Potamou.
- In the north, the Stranden Therma, Agioklima, Soufi, Monastiria and Vromolimnos.
- In the east, the beaches of Aghios Georgios, Loutra, Pigados, Livadaki, Klima, and Psathi.
- In the south Alyki, Bonatsa and Kalamitsi.
How to get to Kimolos
Kimolos is connected by ferry with the ports of Piraeus (Athens), Folegandros, Kythnos, Milos, Paros, Serifos, Sifnos and Syros.
Serifos - Cyclades (Greece)
The name Serifos is derived from the Greek "sterfos," meaning infertile or dry, but none of this is true. The island has lots of greenery and water. Even gold and iron have been extracted here in the past.
When arriving on Serifos, people initially think it looks like a big rock in the middle of the sea. Yet Serifos probably has the best beaches in the Cyclades. The island is ideal for hikers and people who want to avoid the big crowds.
The capital of Serifos is Chora. Locals also call their capital Serifos. Chora is built on a steep mountain.
The port of Serifos is called Livadi and is located on the eastern side of the island. You definitely should visit the monastery Moni Taxiarchon near the village Galani (here you can see wall paintings).
The most beautiful beaches on Serifos are: Mega Livadi, Aghios Sostis, Psili Ammos, Aghios Ioannis, Koutalas and Sikamia.
Serifos Town (or Chora) is built on steep rock in Cycladic architecture style. Whitewashed houses, windmills, narrow alleyways and stunning views are characteristic of the town. Venetian castle is located at the top of the steep rock.
Sights Serifos:
How to get to Serifos?
Serifos is connected by ferry with the following harbors: Piraeus (Athens), Folegandros, Ios, Kimolos, Kythnos, Milos, Paros, Santorini, Sifnos, Sikinos and Syros.
Sifnos - Cyclades (Greece)
Sifnos is a Greek island in the southwest of the Aegean Sea. It lies between the islands of Serifos, Milos, Kimolos, Paros and Antiparos, and belongs to the Cyclades Islands. It is a fairly arid, mountainous island, with low mountains and hills. The highest point of the island is Mount Profitis Ilias (678 m/2,300 ft). The second highest mountain is Aghios Symeon, which is 530 meters high (1,700 ft).
At the western and southern coast of Sifnos are deep bays, such as Kamares, Vathy and Fykiadat. Platys Gialos is in the south. On the eastern coast there are several smaller bays, but it is difficult for boats to moor at these.
Though Sifnos seems to be a dry island, it is actually a very fertile island. The inhabitants of the island are mostly farmers, fishermen and certain crafts, such as ceramics art, are practiced as a profession on the island. There are olive groves, vineyards, lemon and orange trees growing on Sifnos.
Sifnos is an island with a dozen villages. The capital of the island is Apollonia, built on three hills. In recent decades Sifnos has been discovered by foreign tourists, resulting in greater prosperity and employment on the island.
Sights and tips Sifnos
- On Sifnos many archaeological discoveries have been made, especially in the southern part of the island. In ancient times there were several settlements and religious temples. Most of the temples honored the Greek god Apollo.
- There are many churches on Sifnos - more than three hundred!
- Kastro: the castle of Sifnos.
- The Mycenaean Akropolis of Aghios Andreas.
- The impressive Panagia Chrisopigi on the peninsula.
Sifnos beaches
- Kamares, Faros, Vathy, Mykonos Town, Seralia, Glyphosate, Fasolou, Apokofto, Vroulidia
History of Sifnos
In ancient times Sifnos was one of the richest islands of Greece. That was because of the many mines that were on the island. Gold, silver and iron were obtained from the earth by mining. The buildings on the island were built with marble from Paros, further proof of the great prosperity on the island. This affluence lasted until the 5th century when the metal stocks on the island ran low.
The island’s history parallels that of other Cycladic islands. Sifnos also came into the hands of the Byzantines, Venetians and Turks. In the year 1821, the island participated in the revolt against the Turks.
How to get to Sifnos
There is no airport on Sifnos. Sifnos is connected by ferry with the ports of Piraeus (Athens), Folegandros, Ios, Kimolos, Kythnos, Milos, Paros, Santorini, Serifos, Sikinos and Syros.
Περιφερειακή Ενότητα Μήλου
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Δήμος Κιμώλου
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Δήμος Μήλου
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Δήμος Σερίφου
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Δήμος Σίφνου
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