Milos is the westernmost island in the Greek Cyclades, and has suffered from over five million years of volcanic activity which has left the island with a mix of tangled rock formations, geothermal springs and beaches consisting of yellow, red, and black sand, which has resulted in the island being known as the "Island of Colours".

The main port of the island is Adamas, which due to its upmarket feel has become popular with well healed holidaymakers from Athens. the waterfront as you may expect is lined with cafes and tavernas, and all the shops you will need. Visitors who arrive here will be pleased to hear that there is a good bus service with links to the main tourist beaches and the nearby hilltop town of Plaka.

Built on the hill overlooking the Gulf of Milos, Plaka is the most characteristic town on the island, with narrow streets lined with houses built in the Cycladic style, and a few shops and tavernas. Well worth a visit is the old Kastro, the Archaeological Museum and the Folk Museum, plus a number of old churches. Plaka was partially constructed using materials salvaged from the Ancient Hora after it had been abandoned.

Apollonia, once just a sleepy fishing village has developed, thanks to its superb beach, into the second largest tourist centre on the island. The name of the village stems from the Temple of Apollo that was once situated here.

Kleftiko beach is the location of striking group of huge white rocks that stand out dramatically against the blue waters of the bay. A popular tourist attraction, the area is easily reached by taking one of the many boat trips on offer from a number of the surrounding villages. It is said that pirates would seek refuge in the submarine caves when having to hide from their enemies.

Situated to the southwest of the small village of Tripiti are the Catacombs of Milos. Discovered in 1844 and thought to have been constructed towards the end of the first century, these Christian cemeteries are amongst the most important archaeological sites on the island. The underground complex consists of three interconnected chambers which were also used as places of Christian worship during the time of the Roman persecution.

History

There is evidence that the island has been inhabited since the Neolithic Age and over many years grew prosperous through the presence of a glass-like volcanic material known as obsidian. The islanders manufactured tools and weapons from this material and exported them throughout the area. Later Milos was settled by the Dorians who built a city which stood where the present day village of kilma now stands. In the Persian wars the islanders fought on the side of the Athenians, but chose to remain neutral during the Peloponnesian War in an attempt to protect their independence. Milos was besieged for two years but still refused to join the Delian League led by Athens.  The siege was finally successful and the Athenians destroyed the city, killing all of the men and selling the women and children into slavery. During the Hellenistic Period, Milos again entered a period of prosperity, under Macedonian rule, then the Antigonids followed by the Ptolemy’s of Egypt. During this time superb works of art were created, such as the statue of Poseidon and the equestrian general, and the Venus of Milos. Throughout the Roman Period the island experienced a time of peace and prosperity, with the growth of the mineral trade. Christianity spread rapidly on Milos, and after the Roman empire declined came the Byzantine Period. There is very little evidence for this period but the island suffered from numerous pirate raids. In 1204 after the fall of Constantinople to the Franks, the island came under Venetian control and was ruled by Marco Sanudo, whose dynasty continued until 1361, when the pirate Barbarossa took over the island. In 1566, the Cyclades came under Turkish rule, with the administration of the island being given by Piali Pasha to a Jewish banker, Joseph Nazis, after whose death, Milos came under the rule of Sultan Mourat III. During the years of Turkish rule Milos was never physically occupied by the Turks, who simply kept an eye on the island and collected taxes. 1675, saw the arrival of a local pirate, George Kapsis, who was named king by the islands inhabitants but due to his anti-Turkish stance, was arrested by the Turks in 1678 taken to Constantinople and hanged. In 1771 Milos came under Russian rule but was re-conquered by the Turks three years later. The island of Milos participated in the revolution of 1821 against the Turkish occupation, and one of the first naval battles of the war took place in the waters close to the island. After the revolution, Milos was used by both the British and French forces during the First World War as a naval base. May 1941, during World War II, German forces invaded Milos, whose residents resisted the German occupation and finally raised the Greek flag again on May 9th 1945. After the war many of the inhabitants if the island left to seek their fortune elsewhere, but the coming of the tourist industry has resulted in a revitalisation of the islands economy.