The island of Milos is famous for a perfectly chiselled, 6-foot-tall goddess. Before you get the wrong idea, we’re talking about a statue of Venus, sculpted 2000 years ago, and unearthed 200 years ago (minus her arms) just near this windmill. She may have moved to Paris, but there are still plenty of reasons to visit her birthplace. Gnarled sea-cliffs, turquoise waters, smugglers’ coves, hot springs, picturesque villages and old churches all vie for your attention on an island which only recently started to register on the tourist radar.
On the rocky ridge above Venus’ resting place stands a string of windmills, one of which has been converted into a holiday rental. It is - unsurprisingly - a circular building with 1 room on each of the 3 levels: a kitchen-diner on the ground floor, 2 ensuite bedrooms above. Outside is a shaded terrace, and a patio overlooking the attractive village of Tripiti and the sea beyond. Next to it are two small 1-bedroom outhouses, which can be rented individually or with the windmill to accommodate larger groups. Owned by a meticulous Greek engineer Gerasimos and managed by his English-speaking sons Antonios and Timotheos, this is a unique and unfancified little hideaway, which you won't find on other websites. It's ideal for more adventurous families or groups of friends who are keen to explore a little-known but stunningly beautiful Greek island.
Highs
- We loved sleeping in a Cycladic windmill, clambering up ladder-steps and looking out of tiny windows at the old wooden spokes
- It's a great option for families and groups of up to 8, using the 2 outhouses for overflow
- The village of Tripiti is very quaint, with pretty houses and a handful of restaurants all poised to take in magnificent views
- Sunsets from the windmill can be spectacular
- Great value for money (though note the payment policy)
Lows
- It can be windy due to the hilltop location
- There’s no pool and the nearest beaches are a short drive away
- You'll need a car to reach the windmill, and the road up to it is very narrow
- They could do with some sunloungers and a BBQ in the yard
- If you're only booking one of the houses and the others are taken, you won't feel very private
Best time to go
For us, April and May are the loveliest months, with green hillsides, a profusion of wild flowers, few tourists, and the added benefit of Easter, one of the biggest festivals in the Orthodox calendar. But the sea is still quite cool. We also like late September and early October, when the sea is much warmer, but the crowds have left. Midsummer does get busy.
Our top tips
Don't miss the caique (fishing boat) tours of the island's spectacular coastline, coves and rockstacks. They leave from Adamas every morning - weather permitting - in summer, and are the highlight of any trip to Milos.
- Windmill Rental
- 1 windmill for 4-5, 2 cottages for 2
- Basic self-catering (+ walk to restaurants)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
Rooms
In all the houses, rooms are sparsely but tastefully furnished, with typically Greek décor: white-washed walls, wooden floors and furniture, painted shutters, canvas chairs and nooks filled with books.
On the ground floor of the Windmill is a dining room with a quiant little kitchen corner: you get an oven with 3.5-ring hob (the small ring is for Greek briki coffee pots), a fridge, a filter-coffee machine and adequate cutlery and crockery for simple meals. Going up, you come across a double bedroom with an ensuite shower bathroom. Up again, via some very steep steps, you'll find a second ensuite bedroom, which we took to be the master. If you prefer twin beds, the mattresses on the bed-platform can be slightly separated, or there is a sofa which can be used as an additional bed.
There are also 2 outhouses, the White House and the Stone House, whose exterior, as you may imagine, are white-washed and natural-stone respectively. Each is spread over one level and located about 50m from the mill. You get a double bedroom, a shower room, a simple kitchenette (1.5-ring hob, fridge, and cutlery and crockery) and a terrace with stunning sea views.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Hairdryer
- Radio
- TV
- WiFi
Eating
All houses have simple cooking facilities, which are great for whipping up snacks and light meals, though you would struggle to produce a hearty supper. For breakfast, you'll find a sack stuffed with coffee, milk, biscuits and brioche rolls, but you'll need to pop out if you want something more substantial.
Luckily, there are plenty of tavernas and cafés around. A 5-minute walk brings you to picturesque Tripiti village, which has some lovely restaurants with flower-strewn terraces. Ergina occupies a beautiful spot and offers traditional Greek fare paired with magnificent views. Alternatively, walk down to the sleepy fishing village of Klima. There's only one restaurant, Astakas, but the locals sing its praises for the array of fresh seafood on offer.
If, like us, you're visiting slightly out of season, you may find that local village restaurants are closed. Worry not, simply drive down to the main port Adamas, where there are dozens of great fish restaurants. At Mikros Apoplous we sat beside the water and tucked into a feast of freshly caught sea bass and parrot fish, lightly fried prawns, warm pitarakia (cheese pies) and Greek salad with local cheese made on the island. If you can manage dessert, pop to a patisserie to try the local speciality koufeto, made from baby marrows in syrup.
Features include:
- Coffee maker
- Fridge
- Hob or stove
- Kids' meals
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Milos has some truly unique beaches and coves: our favourites include Sarakiniko - a secluded bay among white, lunar-like rocks; Papafraga - a deep inlet with a smugglers’ sea-cave; Firopotamos - a small fishing cove; Firiplaka and Tsigrado - accessed via a rope ladder!
- A short walk below the windmill is the ancient site of Melos, with its Dorian walls, fragments of column and remains of a Roman amphitheatre. This is where the Venus de Milo statue was found; you can see a replica in Plaka’s archaeological museum
- Near Melos are some early Christian catacombs, 200m of tomb-lined caveways which once housed 5000 bodies - well worth a visit
- Visit Plaka, the former capital of Milos, with pretty alleys, a 19th-century cathedral, a Venetian castro and a hilltop chapel of Thalassitra (a great spot to watch sunset)
- Take a day trip on a fishing boat to explore other beaches, many of which are inaccessible by road
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Scuba diving
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
- Windsurfing
Kids
A lovely place for a family holiday. The windmill itself makes an original and imaginative bolthole for 4-5, and with the 2 outbuildings, you can bring the parents, or give teens a bit more privacy. You will need to self-cater or eat out (most options involve a short drive), so it's ideal for more enterprising families.
Best for:
Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
The windmill is perfect for a family, with a double bedroom on the first floor and another up at the top, which can be made up as a twin and has a single sofabed as well.
Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms
Children's meals:
It's self-catering here, with a basic kitchen with oven and fridge but no microwave or dishwasher. You can hire the cooking services of a local cook if you fancy a night off, or head to the many local tavernas, bakeries and pie shops.
Kids Activities nearby:
- Explore secret beaches, sandy coves, smugglers caves and fishing villages along the coast
- Take to the water in a fishing boat and see the island from the sea
- Visit the ancient site of Melos, where the Venus de Milo was discovered
- Visit the Christian catacombs near Klima
Families Should Know:
The stairs in the windmill are extremely steep, especially those leading to the top floor. There is no hospital on the island, just a health centre in Plaka (open 24 hours) and doctors' surgeries in Adamas and Pollonia. Bring everything you think you'll need with you.
Distances:
- Airport: 10 minutes (Milos)
- Ferry: 4-6 hours from Piraeus by highspeed ferry
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Milos Windmill is on the island of Milos in the Cyclades island group. It's in the small hamlet of Tripiti (also written Trypiti) near Plaka, and a few miles above the main port of Adamas.
By Air:
Fly to Athens and then take a short domestic flight to Milos airport (10km from the windmill).
By Sea:
From Athens' main port Piraeus, which is connected to Athens airport by bus/metro, there are ferries and hydrofoils to Milos. Most vessels leave Piraeus in the early morning or mid afternoon; ferries take 6-7 hours while hydrofoils take only 3.5 hours but cost more. Or, during the summer months, you can catch a hydrofoil from Athens' easterly port, Rafina , which is a short taxi ride from Athens airport. We advise that you check boat timetables (see GTP) before confirming your accommodation dates.
On the Island:
It's probably worth hiring a car to explore the island - see our car rental recommendations. The more adventurous could take a transfer from the port or airport, and then use local buses to explore the island; there's a bus stop 300m away, and a few shops in walking distance.
Detailed directions to the windmill itself will be sent when you confirm your booking.
Airports:
- Milos 10.0 km MLO
- Athens Eleftherios Venizelos 60.0 km ATH
Other:
- Beach 3.0 km
- Shops 2.0 km
- Restaurant 1.0 km