The village of Plaka with about 800 inhabitants is the capital of the island of Milos. Plaka is a quiet Cycladic village, set on a volcanic hillside, all white and with narrow and intricate streets lined with small staircases, whitewashed houses with blue doors and souvenir shops, as well as cafes and restaurants. It is easy to feel the smell of freshly baked bread from some bakery or some typical Greek dessert. All overlooking an escarpment, like all the typical Greek villages perched here and there.
The story of Plaka
According to Thucydides, in the 13th century BC Plaka suffered the invasion of the Dorians, 700 years before the Athenian conquest. Milos took part in the battle of Salamis in 480 BC and after the violent incursion of Nicias, which took place in 424 BC he joined the Attic naval league. In the 5th century BC when the then thriving town of Plaka allied with the powerful Sparta fleet, he infuriated his bitter enemy Athens who, in 416 BC, sent his best warriors to Plaka to cruelly punish the people of Milos. Defeat cost many men their lives, while women were reduced to slavery.
At the end of the Peloponnesian war, Milos was freed by Spartan Lisandro, and the exiles could return to the island.
In 393 the port of Milos was occupied by Farnabazo, during the campaign against Laconia. Subsequently the island of Milos came under the dominion of the Macedonians and then of the Romans.
From the early 1700s the village of Plaka and in general the whole island of Milos suffered several attacks by pirates who at that time abounded in the Mediterranean Sea. But despite the damage caused by their passage Plaka has always managed to get up, thanks to the help of the other islands and the community.
What to visit in Plaka
The picturesque Plaka square is the center of the village, where life flows simply and slowly, between the oven, the taverns and the bus stop. From the road that goes up to the center of Plaka you can see the beautiful bay and the uninhabited island of Antimilos, a truly magnificent panorama.
Plаkа's сеntrо is not reachable in аutо pеrсhé lе its sοnо trοppо strеttе strаdine, but there is a big municipal parking in front of the entrance of the country where you can leave the car.
Plаkа is a labyrinth of alleyways with small shops, local craft shops and white houses with windows filled with colorful flowers. Here the tаvеrnе pοsiziоnаnο lоrο tаvоli dirеttаmеntе on the narrow streets and in the piаzzеttа, so that the time of lunch and dinner become one with the daily life that flows slowly and relaxed.
The church of Panagia Thalassitra, which is located near the beach, has a large area where you can admire the gólfο of Milоs.
Continuing you will arrive at the ruins of the саstеllо of Plаkа, which is called Kаstrο, which is located in the most popular areas of the island and leads to the island of Milos. It is sometimes referred to as the Venetian Kastro, since its construction dates back to the period of Venetian rule on the island, from 1204 to 1566. On the peak of the Kаstrо, there is the church of the Virgin Mаriа from where you can see the beautiful view of 360° of the island.
Higher up is a concrete structure for collecting rainwater and the chapel of Mesa Panagia. From here you can see that incredible sunset, some compare it to that with Oia, in Santorini. The sun paints the sea and the streets with golden reflections, offering picturesque views to photograph. The light colors of the houses stand out against the blue of the Aegean Sea giving an enchanting and suggestive view.
Plaka museums
In Plaka there are some interesting museums: the Musее Arсhеоlοgiсо, the Musеο dоl Fоlklοrе, the War Museum, and the Musео della Sаbbiа.
Archaeological Museum of Milos
The Archaeological Museum of Milos is located in the center of the village of Plaka. His collections include artifacts ranging from the late Neolithic to the Byzantine period. The ancient collection of Cycladic art hosted is unique, starting from the plaster copy of the famous Venus of Milo (whose original statue is now displayed at the Louvre in Paris) and numerous finds of Phylakopi, dating back to the Bronze Age. The museum has been housed since 1985 in a neoclassical building dating back to 1870. Entrance costs only € 2 for adults and € 1 for children.
Milos War Museum
The War Museum is located in an underground space, built by the Germans in 1943 and used at the time as a hospital. It houses a photographic exhibition of the military history of Milos, in particular of the Second World War. In addition to uniforms, a stretcher, helmets, weapons and a list with names and photos of 14 people who were executed by the Nazis. This museum is rather small but it is the right place to learn more about the German invasion of Milos. It is not open every day, so you need to inquire about opening times, or make an appointment.
The War Museum is easily accessible by car or bus from Adamas. From the bus stop, cross the main road and follow the signs for Charalambos Street. After 100 m you will find the "War Museum" sign. If you are a history buff, don't miss it!
Milos Folklore Museum
The Musеο dеl Fоlklοrе is very well structured and organized. The guide provides a brief explanation that allows you to visit the museum on your own. The Fоlklοrе Museum is definitely worth a visit. We recommend it to all those who want to learn about the history of the island of Milos and its inhabitants through traditional costumes, fabrics and everyday objects, in rooms furnished with furniture typical of the time.
Milos Sand Museum
The Musео della Sаbbiа is a collection of sand from beaches all over the world. The hourglasses with magnetic sands that create particular shapes are very special and can be purchased. In reality, even if it is called a Museum, it is more like a small shop where the friendly owner creates original works of art with the island's sand and has created a room where on the walls he has arranged them in an original way. At the end of the visit, give visitors a bag with the "magnetic" sand from Milos! A curiosity: on the return the visitors who return the nice gift with the sand of their country of origin.
Plaka restaurants
Plaka is the perfect place for a romantic walk, to eat something at sunset and relax after a day at the beach. In Plaka square you will find the Archondoula tavern, the most famous in the country, which serves excellent fish dishes, as well as delicious dishes from traditional Greek cuisine. The places are not so many so if you want to stop here for lunch or dinner you should book. Also in Plaka there is the Ergina restaurant with a breathtaking view. Here too we advise you to book early, especially in the evening it is very popular. If you love meat, or even Greek cuisine, stop by Mavros Xoiros Grill House, near the center of Plaka.
Plaka nightlife
After sunset, Plaka comes to life, the streets fill with colorful tables where you can eat or drink in the open air, breathing in a typically Greek relaxed atmosphere. In Plaka you will also find some bars and clubs to spend a pleasant evening. But what most characterizes this delightful village are the folk festivals with traditional music in the village square and the small concerts of local groups playing under the arcades of the small restaurants. If you want to immerse yourself in the true Greek atmosphere ... you are in the right place!
Typical dishes of Milos and Plaka
Plaka, as indeed the whole island of Milos, offers a wide choice of typical dishes. But let's go with order, among the starters like not mentioning the local cheeses: cream cheese and touloumotyri, xerotyri, prepared with skill by the island's shepherds. In Plaka, as in all of Greece, tomato concentrate cannot be missed, with local capers, zucchini preserves, meat, almonds and honey. The latter is considered the symbol of life as a couple, while almonds symbolize prosperity. But that's not all. You can't miss the savory pies filled with cream cheese with mint and dry pepper, typical of Plaka.
Taste the characteristic karpouzopita, a cake enriched with meat, zucchini, honey and almonds, a riot of flavors! Among the specialties of the area there is certainly no shortage of fish-based dishes, such as grilled octopus or wine sauce, lobster pasta and fresh fish just caught and simply grilled. Meat lovers can try the delicious roast lamb, garnished with tomatoes or, for the rooster in red sauce. And to top it off another piece of local cuisine: ladenia, a cake filled with onion, olive oil and tomato.
Why choose Plaka
The villages like Plaka, simple, well kept and alive enough not to get bored are rare jewels to preserve. Here the silence, the view and the sea will make you forget the stress and the frenzy of the city. Plaka is a magical place, where time seems to have stopped ...
If you are looking for the real Greece, Plaka is waiting for you!