Milos Archaeology and Sarakiniko Guided Island Tour

Papafragas, the volcanic swimming pool

The tour begins at Papafragas, on the north coast near Pollonia. Here the sea has cut a long, narrow inlet into soft volcanic rock, enclosed by pale cliffs and joined to the open sea by a low arch. Inside, the water is calm and clear, and from the top of the cliffs you look straight down into its turquoise depths, which is why locals call it a volcanic swimming pool.

Your guide explains how eruptions, ash and the sea shaped Milos, giving the island its strange colours and its many caves and coves. In the past fishermen and pirates used Papafragas as a hiding place. A short path and steps lead down towards the water, and the group spends some time admiring the view and taking photos before driving the short distance to Phylakopi.

Phylakopi, a Bronze Age town of the Cyclades

Phylakopi is one of the most important prehistoric sites of the Aegean. On a low headland by the sea, people built three successive towns here from the early Bronze Age, and the settlement stayed active until around 1000 BC. Excavations revealed houses, streets, a fortification wall and a shrine with clay figurines, showing close links with Minoan Crete and the Mycenaean mainland.

The wealth of Phylakopi came from obsidian, a sharp black volcanic glass found on Milos and traded across the Aegean for thousands of years to make tools and blades. Today part of the site has been washed away by the sea, but walkways help you read the remains. The guide brings the ancient town to life, explaining why tiny Milos played such a big role in the prehistory of the Cyclades.

Sarakiniko, the lunar landscape

A short drive takes you to Sarakiniko, perhaps the most photographed landscape in the Cyclades. Layers of white volcanic ash and pumice have been carved by the wind and the sea into smooth waves, ledges and gullies, so the shore looks like the surface of the moon. A deep blue inlet cuts through the rock, and the brilliant white makes the water look even more intense.

The group walks down into the inlet to experience this unique place and take photos from the best spots. Sarakiniko is open at all hours, but the light is softest early or late in the day, and there is no shade, so a hat and water are essential. Many visitors call Sarakiniko the reason Milos is worth visiting, and seeing it with a guide adds the geological story behind the beauty.

Plaka and the terrace of Panagia Korfiatissa

From Sarakiniko the road follows the north coast to Plaka, the capital of Milos, spread over a hilltop high above the bay. Its narrow cobbled lanes, whitewashed houses, small chapels and flowering courtyards are a fine example of traditional Cycladic architecture. Cars stay outside the centre, so the village is pleasant to explore on foot.

The highlight is the church of Panagia Korfiatissa, set on the edge of the cliff with a wide paved terrace overlooking the west coast and the sea. From here you can see why Plaka is the favourite sunset spot of the island. Your guide also points out the old Kastro hill above the village and the location of the archaeological museum, which you may want to visit on your own later.

The marble Roman theatre above the bay

The last stop is the ancient theatre, on the hillside between Tripiti and the fishing village of Klima, where the ancient city of Milos once stood. First built in the Hellenistic period and rebuilt in marble in Roman times, it looks out over the great bay, a superb setting for performances then and for photos today. Nearby, a sign marks the field where a farmer found the island's famous marble statue of Aphrodite in 1820.

Close by are the early Christian catacombs of Milos, among the most important in the Mediterranean, which can be visited separately. The best time to visit Milos is from May to October, and the island is reached by ferry from Piraeus in about three to seven hours or by short flight. After the theatre, the vehicle brings you back to your hotel.