Tilos (Telos), Dodecanese Islands

In brief

One of the Dodecanese that lacks neither physical allure nor historical eminence. It has preserved its immemorial name down through the centuries and carries it today with pride. Foreign attempts to change it to "Piscopi” did not find the desired response from the locals and so failed.
Its mass rises up between Rhodes and Kos, roughly in the middle between these two islands.
 

General Information
Although small, this island situated to the south of Nissiros captures the imagination of anyone interested in paleontology, for here there once lived a prehistoric dwarf elephant, whose skeletons were found in one of its caves.
The capital of Tilos is Megalo Horio (literally Big Village), located in the interior to the north of the island. It is built like an amphitheater on a hillside topped by a ruined castle erected by the Knights. The village occupies the site of the ancient town, whose remains can still be seen scattered among the houses.
Some 2.5 km west of Megalo Horio, you can visit the monastery of Agios Antonios, while 6.5 km to the northwest is another monastery – with guesthouse – dedicated to Agios Panteleimon. Lush greenery surrounds this walled, 18th century edifice.
Tilos’s main port is Livadia, southeast of Megalo Horio.
 

Sightseeing 
The 15th century monastery Agios Panteleimon is abandoned, but worth a visit, since it is very beautiful and has some interesting icons.
You can also visit the Castle of the Knights, where the Knights of St. John had a base in the 15th century.
There are many little churches on the island, and the church of the Archangel Michael is probably the best known. It is situated in Megalo Horio.

Beaches

Sandy Eristos beach and pebbled Lethra will charm you as well as Agios Antonios beach, Plaka, Livadia and Skafi. You can also try a day-trip caique tour and visit Tholo and Agios Sergios beaches.

Useful Information
How to get there

By sea from Piraeus

Piraeus Port Authority: +30 2104226000-4, +30 2104114005

Useful telephone numbers
Area Code: +30 22460
Municipal Office: 44212
Police: 44222
Port Authority: 44350
Health Center: 44210

http://www.tilos.gr

Milos, Cyclades Islands

In brief
Milos, is a nice volcanic island with spectacular geological and rock formations and super beaches. Milos' port Adamas is located in the flooded interior of an old caldera and is one of the safest natural harbours in the Mediterranean.

General Information
Milos is the most southerly island in the Western Cyclades. It is notable for its volcanic soil and for the rich deposits of minerals that lie beneath. It has a distinctive horseshoe shape.
The civilization of Milos is considered to be as ancient as that of Crete, and spans a period of at least 5,000 years.
Its fame spread throughout the civilized world thanks to the masterpiece of the Venus de Milo, a statue found buried on the island in the 19th century and now in the Louvre's Museum in Paris - a plaster copy can be viewed at the island's archeological museum.

Adamas, one of the safest natural harbours in the Aegean, is a particularly charming spot, with whitewashed houses, cobbled alleys, balconies crammed with flower-pots and fragrant tamarisks which have been extolled by the poets.

Milos or Plaka, capital of the island today stands on a hillside overlooking the sea at the foot of the castle. It is a most attractive town, with architecture in the characteristic Cycladic style.
Among the most notable of its churches are those of Our Lady “Korfiotissa”, Our Lady “Thalassistra” and Our Lady “Messa Panagia”.

Milos Island has a long history and claims to have the oldest town in Cyclades at Phylakope. It became rich from trading obsidian and exporting weapons made of it. Numerous finds are exhibited in the Island's Archaeological Museum, and in the Museum of Athens, but the most important find is Aphrodite of Milos (Venus de Milo), a Hellinistic work of about 150 BC -was discovered in 1820. A plaster copy of this master piece of art can be seen in the island's Archaeological Museum, while the original is in Louvre museum in Paris.

At the north-eastern extremity of Milos is the modern resort of Pollonia or Apollonia. Close by (3 km.) is Phylakope, the most important centre of population in Minoan times; the ancient city was built in three phases. Next to the archeological site is the spectacular Papafranga cave. The sea-cave called Kleftiko is at the south end of the island.

However, the most important monument on Milos is the island’s famous catacombs, now open to the public. They are located at the village of Tripiti, 2 km. from the main town of Plaka and they are among the most important of Early Christian monuments.
The extensive infrastructure for tourism of Milos, its clear waters and its fascinating monuments are helping to attract more and more visitors to the island.
The nearby islets of Antilmilos, Arkadies and Glaronissia are also of interest, each in its own way.

Sightseeing
In Plaka, Milos' capital, there are quite a few things to see. You can visit the archaeological museum where various findings from the excavations on the island are displayed, as well as a copy of Aphrodite of Milos.
The Historical and Folklore Museum has a collection of folk artefacts, samples of the island’s minerals, photographs and historical documents of the greatest interest.

The church dedicated to the Virgin Mary has many icons and here you will also get a wonderful view. The Venetian Kastro is also worth a visit.
Just above Klima there is a big archaeological excavation site, and here you will see many ancient ruins, as well as the spot where Aphrodite of Milos was found.

At Sarakiniko the ancient town Fylakopis is being excavated, and the landscape here resembles the moon. It is believed that this is where the first settlers lived, and there are traces of Minoan civilization here as well as a Roman theatre from the 2nd century PC.
The Christian catacombs from the 1st to 3rd century where about 2000 people were buried are definitely worth a visit.
In Milos' harbour, Adamas, there is a mining museum, as well as an ecclesiastical museum.

Beaches
There are more than 50 different beaches on Milos Island, offering tourists all kinds of setting for a delightful swimming exeprience. Hivadolimni Beach is the longest beach of the island about 1 kilometre. The rest of the beaches are starting from North are Sarakiniko, Papafragas, Kapros, Pachena, Alogomantra, Konstantinos, Mitakas, Mantrakia, Firopotamos, Nerodafni, Lakida, Plathiena, Fourkovouni, Areti, Pollonia, Gourado and Filakopi. South beaches are Firiplaka, Paliochori, Provatas, Tsigrado, Agia Kyriaki, Psaravolada, Kleftiko, Gerontas, Gerakas, Agios Sostis, Mouchlioti, Katergo, Spathi, Firligos, Pialothiafes, Kalamos, Krotiraki, Psathi, Svoronou and Sakelari.Western beaches include Agios Ioannis, Cave of Sikia, Agathia, Triades and Ammoudaraki and Eastern beaches include Voudia, Thalassa, Paliorema, Tria Pagidia and Thiafes.In the Bay Area you may find Hivadolimni, Lagada, Papikinou, Fatourena, Klima, Skinopi and Patrikia. The North and South and the bay beaches are tourists attraction. The east beaches are very quiet and the west are also quiet and lonesome beaches.

Useful Information

(Area 160 sq. km. Distance from Piraeus 87 nautical miles)
How to get there
By air from Athens 
Olympic Airways: +30 2103550500
By sea from Piraeus
Piraeus Port Authority: +30 2104226000-4, +30 2104114005

Useful telephone numbers
Area Code: +30 22870
Municipal Offices: 21370, 21249
Police: 21378
Port Authority: 23360
Olympic Airways, Milos: 22380
Milos airport: 22381
Health Center: 22700, 22701, 21755
Archaeological Museum: 21620
Historical and Folklore Museum: 21292

http://www.milos.gr