In the colorful fishing villages of Milos tradition meets authentic beauty.
Milos, the island of Aphrodite with its stunning beaches and beautiful Cycladic settlements, is on travelers lists from all over the world. Every summer, the island welcomes visitors from Greece and abroad who are eager to discover its beauties, enjoy its sunsets, taste the local cuisine, and dive into its famed beaches with turquoise waters. However, Milos also stands out for its strikingly colorful fishing villages, which take visitors back to earlier times.
The «syrmata» of Milos
Among the most distinctive sights of Milos are the famous syrmata, an exceptional example of vernacular architecture. These are, usually, rock-hewn dwellings where fishermen and boatmen would haul their boats inside with wires to overwinter or to escape bad weather. In many cases, they were formed by the volcanic makeup of the terrain.
On the lower level of these houses they stored the boats, while on the upper floor there was usually the boatmans lodging. The variety of colors on their exteriors resulted from the paints used to paint and care for their fishing vessels. Each one would even choose a different color so they could distinguish their own from afar. Today, many of them have been converted into accommodations rented by the islands visitors so they can experience authentic island life.
Fishing villages straight out of a postcard from another era
You will find syrmata in the islands fishing villages and seaside settlements, the most popular being Klima, considered one of the most beautiful villages in the Cyclades, just 5 km. from Adamas. Thousands of photographers have visited and continue to visit the village to capture these houses in the natural rock-hewn caves of the cliffs, with vividly colored doors and windows at the waters edge, which give a distinctive look to the villages traditional landscape.
Also well known to the wider public is Mandrakia, just 10 minutes from the popular Sarakiniko beach. In its small harbor, the traditional syrmata dominate and the contrast of the seas green with the white of the houses and the colorful doors and windows creates an image that immediately transports you to another era. The church that towers at the top of the harbor and the all-white steps complete the picturesque scene that enchants visitors.
On the northern side of the island near Mandrakia lies Fyropotamos, a settlement with a beautiful beach, among the best known of Milos. Among the rocks, there are also a few colorful syrmata that today have been converted into accommodations for visitors, while above them stands the church of Agios Nikolaos.
One of the smallest seaside fishing villages of Milos is Agios Konstantinos with the chapel of the same name near Pollonia. Its beach is rocky and the waters deep blue, while there are also two caves to explore.
To the northwest you will also encounter Empourios, which today has only a few houses and a taverna. There are very few syrmata in Areti and nearby Fourkovouni which both have very small harbors.
