Milatos Holidays

A blissfully quiet little seaside resort, Milatos is the perfect destination for a relaxing holiday in the sun in eastern Crete. You can stroll around the pretty streets of the old village, or head down to the waterfront to see the fishing boats in the harbour. The beaches here are small and mainly pebbly, but the waters are crystal clear and ideal for snorkelling. There are some wonderful walks through the hills and olive groves, and you can also visit the Milatos Cave, an important historic site and landmark. If you fancy a spot of shopping or clubbing, you could head to Malia, just a 15-minute drive away.  

Milatos has got a couple of delightful little beaches, and this gorgeous rocky coastline is pocked with tiny coves to explore. The most central beach is located near the harbour, and has some sun beds and parasols for hire, plus easy access to some traditional tavernas for food and drink. The main beach is located further east, and overlooks dazzling blue waters. Like most beaches along this stretch of coast, it is pebbly, so it’s worth packing some beach shoes. There are some facilities, including sun beds, plus a couple of relaxed beach bars. About 1 kilometre west, you’ll find Volakias beach, which is a manmade beach with good facilities.

Milatos is a tiny place, but it still offers a good choice of places to eat and drink. Many of them, especially those clustered around the seafront, specialise in the fabulously fresh seafood brought in daily to the harbour. There are lots of other Cretan delicacies to try, including the famous lamb dishes. These might include tsigaristo, which are piece of lamb tossed with onions and olive oil in a frying pan, or the succulent lamb with stamnagathi, Cretan wild greens, and lemon. You can also enjoy Greek classics like moussaka or Greek salads, and you won’t want to miss out on the wonderful array of locally produced cheeses.

The biggest attraction of Milatos is its sleepy, old-world Cretan charm. Not a lot happens in this quiet town, and that is the key to its appeal. You can enjoy a drink at a beachfront bar or tavern, watching the sun set and listening to the waves, but you won’t find anything in the way of big bars or clubs. If you’re looking for wild nightlife, you’re in luck: two of the biggest party resorts on Crete are just a short drive away. Malia and Stalis (also called Stalida) are famously hedonistic resorts with scores of fantastic night spots where you can dance the night away.  

Milatos is a perfect destination for a family holiday if you’re looking for quiet, old-fashioned Greek charm. The beaches are pebbly, so bring some beach shoes, but the crystal-clear waters are great for swimming and snorkelling. Adventurous kids will enjoy exploring the rocky coastline and discovering the secret coves. Malia, the biggest resort in this part of Crete, has sandy beaches and a host of water sports, and is only a 15-minute drive away. There are plenty of child-friendly restaurants and cafés in Milatos, and you’ll find lots of charming picnic spots and easy hikes in the surrounding hills. Other family-friendly attractions in the area include the Amazonas Animal Park, where kids can feed the monkeys and visit aviaries full of exotic birds.

An idyllic spot for a quiet and romantic holiday in Crete, Milatos has lots of old-fashioned charm. Take a stroll around the harbour and perhaps stop to enjoy the day’s catch in one of the inviting local tavernas. You can laze on the beach, working on your tan, or snorkel around the rugged coastline to find an intimate cove. There are some beautiful walks in the hills, and you could bring some supplies and enjoy a romantic picnic. If you want to enjoy some nightlife, you can head to nearby Malia, one of the liveliest resorts on Crete, which has a huge choice of places to party, whether you want to hit a traditional pub or dance all night with your feet in the sand.

Milatos is a quiet little village, but you’ll find plenty of activities to get the adrenaline flowing in the local area. There aren’t a lot of water sports available in the town – although some of the hotels rent out kayaks or paddle boards – but you’ll find every conceivable aquatic activity in Malia, about a 15-minute drive away. From parasailing to jet-skiing, and from diving excursions to flyboarding, you’ll find it all in Malia. Crete is an outstanding hiking destination, and the hills behind Milatos are full of wonderful hikes and walks, including one to the famous Milatos Cave.

The biggest cultural sight in Milatos is the Milatos Cave (also called Rapas Cave), which holds an important place in Cretan history. It was here in 1824 that Turkish soldiers massacred hundreds of Cretans who had taken refuge here. The cave contains a small chapel, erected in 1935, and an ossuary containing some of the bones of the victims of the massacre. Other historic sights within easy reach of Milatos include the ancient Minoan palace at Malia, which is located just outside the resort of the same name. The original palace, built around 1900 BC, was torn down and replaced with an even grander construction in about 1650 BC, and was the largest on the island after those at Knossos and Phaistos.