Milatos

Milatos is a small village on the north coast of Crete that has not been affected by the development of tourism in the area. Nevertheless, the majority of the inhabitants in the bay of Milatos live from tourism. It has remained quiet and tranquil. Many day trippers from the nearby mega tourist resorts Malia, Hersonissos and Agios Nikolaos come to Milatos in summer for a few hours by rental car. Another small beach town named Sissi is not far away.

More than 10 taverns and some cafés, especially on the banks, now offer their services. Prices are still remarkably low. The nice locals always have time for a little entertainment.

The official name of the place described on this page is Paralia Milatou. Translated this means "Beach of Milatos". The actual village Milatos is about 1.5 kilometers away from the settlement at the sea inland. One drives through if one arrives by car. In tourism, however, the name Milatos has become established for the meanwhile much larger village by the sea.

If one comes on the only bigger road to Milatos, one reaches automatically the central place at the sea (see picture above). If one drives left along the shore, one is almost 200 metres later the harbour. Most of the taverns and cafés of Milatos are either around the main square or around the harbour.

Some fishermen are still working at the harbour. You can sit down in a cafe and watch them.

Beaches Milatos

One reason why Milatos did not develop as stormily as Malia, about 12 kilometres away, is the lack of good beaches. One beach is a sandy beach not even 50 meters long directly in the harbour (picture below). In summer some sunshades and sunbeds are put up. If there are more than 50 people at the harbour beach, the mini beach is already overcrowded.

Another beach is about 200 meters east of the town center. An asphalted road leads to this pebble beach. It is clearly longer than the beach in the center. However, the "pebbles" are partly as big as a fist. This is probably not everyone's thing. At least the big stones are neither pleasant when lying down nor when walking.

Taverns Milatos

We ate well in the tavern Socrates. You will find it after about 100 meters when you turn right at the shore. So you don't go left to the harbour, but right towards the gravel beach. The landlord buys the fish and seafood from the fishermen in the village. Also the Cretan lamb from the charcoal grill tastes delicious.

In the tavern Meraklis at the main square you sit directly at the sea. For dinner there is a wonderful view and the sound of the sea for free. The extremely nice, older owner always has time for a little talk. On the one hand, there are many simple, inexpensive dishes such as omelettes from 4 euros or white beans (delicious) as a main course. When it comes to fish, a strict distinction is made on the menu between somewhat inexpensive frozen fish or fresh fish from the fishing boat of Milatos.

Overnight stay in Milatos

Many tourists make a day trip to Milatos, but more and more stay also some days or the whole holiday. The number of accommodations has increased in recent years

An ideal accommodation is Kiveli Apartments in the centre of the quiet village of Milatos, just a few metres from the small harbour and the mini beach described above. There are 7 apartments and holiday flats in different sizes with up to 3 bedrooms. All studios and apartments have a cooking facilities, the internet via WLAN is fast. Some apartments have a view of the sea from the balcony, others have a view of the mountains. The hospitality and friendliness of the owners of the nice, small holiday resort Kivili Apartments is praised again and again.

300 meters further east, near the gravel beach of Milatos is Socrates Studios & Apartments. There are also 7 apartments available in different sizes. The above mentioned tavern Socrates also belongs to the complex. Also here you get a well-kept accommodation for a low price. Lovable and friendly hosts!

Approach Milatos

From Agios Nikolaos leave the New Road towards Iraklio at the junction for Malia. A few kilometres before Malia, turn right towards Sissi and Milatos. Follow the signs for Milatos.

From Heraklion you also leave the highway (direction Agios Nikolaos) at the Malia exit. Pass through Malia and a few kilometres later take the same turn-off from the other direction as described above.

The easiest way to get to Milatos from Chersonissos is to take the country road towards Malia (just follow the main road through Chersonissos). A few kilometres after Malia, turn left as described above.

In former times there was a partly unpaved road along the sea between Sissi and Milatos. This road now seems to be closed for motor vehicles (traffic sign red ring).

Not far away is the monastery Selinari, which can be partly visited.