“A simple but charming converted windmill (sleeps 4-5) and two outbuildings (for 2) on an underrated Greek island with spectacular coastlines”
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 (2 ensuite bedrooms, 1 kitchen-diner), a shaded terrace outside 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, it's not sold outside Greece through any other channels. A very special place, ideal for families or groups of friends who are keen to explore a little-known but still very 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 pretty outhouses for overflow
- The local village of Tripiti is very quaint, with pretty houses and a handful of excellent restaurants all poised to take in magnificent views
- Sunsets from the windmill can be spectacular
- Great value for money
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
Our top tips
- Windmill Rental
- 4
- Basic self-catering (+ walk to restaurants)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- WiFi
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Beach Nearby
- Off-street Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- 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 kitchen-dining room, fully equipped with an oven, 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 (hob, fridge, and cutlery and crockery) and a terrace with stunning sea views.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- CD player
- Coffee / tea making
- Extra beds
- Fridge
- Hairdryer
- Hob or stove
- 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:
- Children's meals
- Coffee / tea making
- Fridge
- Hob or stove
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- A short walk downhill brings you to 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, but all you can see now is 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
- Explore some of Milos's 50-odd beaches. Just a short drive away you'll find Sarakiniko - a secluded bay among white, lunar-like rocks; Papafraga - a deep inlet with a smugglers’ sea-cave; and Firopotamos - a small fishing cove. We also loved Firiplaka and Tsigrado - accessed via a rope ladder!
- Take a day trip on a fishing boat to explore yet more beaches, many of which are inaccessible by road
- 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)
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.
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
