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CYCLADES
SIGHTSEEING - MILOS
 Milos
(pronounced "Meelos") is found on the Southwestern part of the
Cyclades and has a surface area of 161 square kilometers. Volcanic
in origin, the island has two peaks, Prophet Elia at 722 meters and
Hontro Vounσ, at 523 meters.
Milos has been a
significant center of Cycladic civilization and has had an important
growth thanks to its natural, safe harbor and its rich mineral
deposits.
One such mineral was
"opsidianos", a kind of volcanic rock useful in the
construction of weapons and tools which the Milians traded with the
islands and mainland Greece.
The civilization of
Milos is considered to be as ancient as that of Crete, and spans a
period of at least 5,000 years.
 After
the Peloponnesian war the Athenians destroyed the island, which
during the Hellenistic period went through a second period of
prosperity during which the Aphrodite of Milos was created.
Milos has gained an
important position in the tourist activities of our country thanks
to its idyllic beaches and peculiar forms carved by the salt at its
coasts.
Milos' beaches are
rated among the best in the Aegean, many in number with crystal
clear waters and white sand.
Plaka is the island's
capital and is known for its fabulous sunsets, which are best
enjoyed from the Venetian castle. Visit the archaeological museum
where you can see the copy of the famous statue, Venus of Milos (the
original is now in the Louvre in Paris).
 From
Plaka you can walk down to Klima and Tripiti. Halfway you can see
the location of Milos' ancient city with ruins of the foundation of
a temple and the roman theater. It was at this theater that the
statue "Aphrodite of Milos" was discovered in 1820 by a
local farmer.
At the Gulf of
Adamantas you can swim at Chivadolimni, one of the finest beaches of
the island with a sea-bed of shells.
On the southern coast
of the island is "Smaragdenia Spilia" (the emerald cave)
or sikia. It can be visited by boat and offers a phantasmagorical
sight as the central section of its roof has been demolished and the
beams of the sun thus shine in, coloring the walls with fabulous colors.
SIFNOS,
ANDROS,
AMORGOS,
DELOS,
IOS,
KEA,
KYTHNOS,
MILOS,
MYKONOS,
NAXOS,
PAROS,
ANTIPAROS,
SANTORINI,
SERIFOS,
SIKINOS,
SYROS,
TINOS,
FOLEGANDROS
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