Tourism to Milos Set to Soar with Cruise Stops, New Routes 

Tripiti, Milos island © Maria Theofanopoulou

Some 28 cruise ships are set to approach Milos by October 17, according to the Municipal Port Fund, with new ferry links making the Cycladic island even more accessible this summer and fall.

Island professionals are expressing their satisfaction with the forecasts of increased tourism and an extended season which are backed by Theodore Kontes, president of the Union of Cruise Ship Owners & Associated Members. Celestyal Cruises has already made its first summer approach with its Celestyal Crystal.

“With the efforts of the municipal authority, Milos has worked hard to be included on cruise companies’ programs so that it can in turn promote the beauties of the island in the Western Cyclades,” said Kontes.

At the same time, the launch on July 5 of Minoan Lines’ Knossos Palace and Festos Palace will offer additional access to the island through to September 9. The ferries will depart every Thursday and Sunday from Piraeus and Heraklio, respectively, and the trip will last three hours and 15 minutes.

“We are making concentrated efforts to achieve the maximum possible tourist development of the island,” said Milos Mayor Gerasimos Damoulakis, adding that the strategy is now paying off, “thanks to the diversity of the island’s tourist product… the travel market is showing us its trust”.

The island’s famed “lunar” beach, the Sarakiniko, was selected by European Best Destinations as one of Europe’s most beautiful beaches in 2018.