The Greek island with hardly any tourists as they all go to Santorini | Europe | Travel

Located in the southwest part of the Cyclades, the island of Milos is overlooked by many tourists because they all favour Santorini instead.

The Greek beauty spot, just 94 miles northwest of Santorini, has a handful of singular natural landscapes contributed by volcanic activity, mysterious rock formations, curious soil colours and numerous jaw dropping beaches.

Besides having countless unique sights to see around the island, it is also the homeland of the renowned marble statue of Venus of Milo seen today in the Louvre Museum.

Santorini and Milos share similar landscapes and geology. But for a long time, Greeks have avoided visiting Milos because of its reputation for being ‘too industrial’. Since the Neolithic era, the island’s main industry was mining.

Santorini is expensive, overdeveloped and crowded because of its notoriety as a port for cruise ships and attraction as an Instagram-worthy destination.

For those reasons, the lesser-known Milos should be on the radar of tourists in search of awe-inspiring rock formations, archeological sites and beaches.

Milos’ volcanic past is reflected by the large number of hot springs, caves and geological formations found around the island.

It also has numerous significant archaeological sites such as the early christian catacombs, the Bronze Age settlement of Phylakopi, and interesting museums, namely the Mining Museum, showcasing Milos’ 11,000-year-old mineral history.

Plaka, the capital of Milos, Adamanta, one of the biggest natural harbours in the Mediterranean, Pollonia, Chivadolimni or Emporio with the small lagoon and iron mines are just a few of the island’s beautiful villages tourists can explore.