As you bump down the steep track, it’s clear you’re heading towards a place that few visitors reach. Below you, there’s a teeny fishing village where a handful of whitewashed shacks with brightly painted doors line the shore; around you, a dramatic landscape of jagged, red cliffs is blanketed in wild plants; ahead of you, an astounding 180-degree view of the shimmering Aegean unfolds. No wonder the rich and famous come here to hide from the world.
These hideaways are the brainchild of Nausika Giorgiadou, a savvy Greek hotelier who set out to create an exclusive retreat without compromising the pristine beauty of this rugged landscape. Her immaculate villas are on a cliff edge overlooking Milos Bay. Constructed from local stone and glass, they blend seamlessly into their wild surroundings. Step inside, and the view takes your breath away. Each has a wall of glass that frames a spectacular vista of wild herb gardens and olive trees, backed by glittering sea. Everything – bed, sofa, veranda - is carefully positioned to make the most of that view, and the décor is glossy and minimalist, all clean lines, greys and whites so as not to distract. Steps lead down to a private dock. Aside from a passing boat, there’s not a speck of civilisation in sight. An architectural masterpiece, and pure escapism at its very best.
Highs
- The sense of absolute seclusion and privacy - ideal for couples or honeymooners
- Those views! Each villa gazes out towards an untouched wilderness of wild plants, olive trees and the Aegean
- The inside-outside feel thanks to outdoor kitchens, outdoor showers and an entire wall of floor-to-ceiling glass doors that fold back
- Watching the mesmerising sunsets from the villas' private verandas
- The island of Milos is an untouched gem, home to ancient ruins, protected nature reserves and over 70 beaches, many of which are inaccessible by road; these villas have a private boat for exploring
Lows
- Full pre-payment required at the time of booking. There's also a security deposit (refundable if no damages incurred) taken on arrival, and an end-of-stay cleaning fee
- The 1km track leading to the villas is steep, bumpy and unlit. We'd advise hiring a 4x4
- There isn’t anything going on in the area, and no pool, though you can swim in the sea below the villas. You'll need to drive out for restaurants, bars and shops (10 mins)
- The kitchens don't have ovens or barbecues for cooking dinners, but there is a hob
Best time to go
The property is open from mid May to mid October, which coincides with ferry schedules to and from the island. Any month during this time would be lovely. We think May would be a particularly pleasant month to visit, when the landscape is covered in wildflowers and temperatures aren't too blistering (plus rates are lower). September will bring warmer seas and fewer crowds.
Our top tips
Pick up a detailed map of the island when you arrive in Adamas (our GPS wasn't good enough), and stock up on self-catering supplies for your first dinner and breakfast.
- Boutique Villas
- 7 villas for 2-4
- Self-catering. Restaurants a drive away
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car essential
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Concierge Service
- Laundry Service
Rooms
There are seven separate villas, all similar in style but varying slightly in size. Each has pure white and grey walls, concrete floors, glass floor-to-ceiling doors, outdoor kitchens and verandas with deckchairs. Don’t expect jazzy interiors; the theme is minimalist but ultra high-spec. Kingsize beds are piled with fluffy pillows (there are aromatherapy cushions for keeping them fresh!), and sofas come in neutral tones. These double as extra beds in Villas Olive, Lavender and Pistachio. The three Caper villas only sleep 2, but one can be interconnected with Lavender for families.
All furniture is carefully positioned to gaze out to sea. Waking up to the sight of the gentle waves was glorious. Olive and Caper villas face south so enjoy plenty of sunlight throughout the day, but it’s Lavender that steals the show thanks to its west-facing position: perfect for watching the most mesmerising sunsets.
Each villa has a bathroom with Grohe rain showers and Korres toiletries, and there’s a second rain shower outside for bathing beneath the stars. Other luxuries include individually controlled air-conditioning, Nespresso machines and Bose speakers.
Features include:
- Hairdryer
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Each villa is equipped with an outdoor kitchen for preparing breakfasts and simple meals. There’s a hob, a fridge, tea- and coffee-making facilities, cooking equipment, plenty of crockery, and a table and chairs for alfresco dining. Basic provisions (salt, pepper, oil etc) are provided. You can pick up other necessities from nearby Adamas (5km), Milos’ port town, where there are plenty of supermarkets (be aware that most close on Sundays – we got caught out by this).
The kitchens are fairly basic (no oven or BBQ) so you’ll probably want to head out for dinner on some evenings. Klima, the next little village along the coast, is home to delightful Astakas, which excels in tasty seafood, glittering sunsets and shimmering sea views. Adamas is known for its fish restaurants that line the seafront; we picked Mikros Apoplous and gorged on freshly caught sea bass and parrot fish, crispy prawns, warm pitarakia (cheese pies) and Greek salad with cheese from the island. Just on from Adamas you’ll find O! Xamos, a popular spot among locals who flock here for its fresh meats and cheeses, and its lovely garden setting.
Features include:
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- Hob or stove
Activities
- Explore Milos’s beaches - there are over 70 of them. We loved those on the south coast: Firiplaka is stunning and has a little beach shack for refreshments; neighbouring Tsigrado is equally spectacular, but not for the faint-hearted; it’s accessed via a rope ladder! The lunar-like landscape of Sarakiniko in the north is also a must-see
- Take to the water on the private RIB boat. Explore the island’s many beaches that are inaccessible by road, and stop to go snorkelling in the crystalline waters
- Go hiking. It is thought that Milos has the largest network of walking paths in the Cyclades, which pass through archaeological sites, volcanic landscapes and myriad beaches
- See the remains of a Roman amphitheatre at the ancient site of Milos, where the Venus de Milo statue was found
- Just a few metres on from ancient Milos you’ll discover some early Christian catacombs: 200 metres of caves that once housed 5000 bodies. There are also catacombs nearby that you can swim to
- There are all sorts of watersports available on the island: windsurfing, kitesurfing, paddleboarding, sailing, kayaking, fishing and scuba diving – Navsika can help with arrangements
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Caves
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Kayaking
- Kitesurfing
- Sailing
- Scuba diving
- Snorkelling
- SUP
- Swimming
- Watersports
- Windsurfing
Kids
Children are welcome here, but it’s not set up for youngsters. There’s very little for them to do here and the surrounding landscape is wild, with a cliff edge in front of the villas so you'd need to keep an eagle eye on little ones. Best for babes in arms/older children.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Villa Pistachio is the largest, and can sleep 3 kids (or 2 adults) on sofabeds. Olive villas have a sofabed for 1 extra guest plus space for a baby cot. Lavender has a double sofabed for 2 extra guests plus space for a baby cot. Caper villas sleep a maximum of 2; one of these can be interconnected with Lavender.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The villas are set above a tiny fishing village 5km from Adamas, the main port town on the island of Milos in the Cyclades islands.
By Air:
Fly to either Athens or Santorini and then catch a domestic flight to Milos.
By Sea:
There are ferries and hydrofoils to Milos from Athens' port, Piraeus, which is connected to Athens airport by bus/metro. Most vessels leave Piraeus in the early morning or mid afternoon; ferries take 6-7 hours while hydrofoils take only 3.5-4 hours but cost more.
Alternatively, you can catch a ferry from Santorini (2 hours). We advise that you check boat timetables (see GTP) before confirming your booking.
By Car:
A 4x4 is essential for reaching the villas, and for exploring the island generally. You can rent a car from Milos' port and airport - see our car rental recommendations or ask Navsika.
Airports:
- Milos Airport 7.0 km MLO
- Athens International Airport 200.0 km ATH
Other:
- Beach 0.5 km
- Shops 1.5 km
- Restaurant 1.5 km