Monday 30 September 2024

Plaka in Milos




Plaka is the capital of Milos and the largest village. It's a typical Cycladic settlement with whitewashed houses, narrow lanes, churches and a medieval castle on top of the hill.




A small church near where the bus dropped us off



it's quite a haul to get to the old part of the village




so we started walking










views of the village of Tripiti from here







and we continued climbing




This is the way to the castle but we heard whilst on the bus that there was a church fair on that day and we were keen to take part in that




so we continued towards the main square




and still climbing




I love these arches





We got to the main square




which is full of bars, cafes and restaurants




but more seating was being set up in preparation for the fair which was due to start at 9:00




views of the top of the hill, its church and the castle, and also, lower down, Archondula, the taverna where we ended up eating








even though it was still early, lots of people were eating. This is also Archondula, the sister taverna to the one above










Fun ceramics in one of the shops we went into




Up the stairs and a door to the balcony







It was getting sunset time, so down this alleyway




to the Utopia cafe, the best place to watch the sunset in comfort with a drink in our hand.




But, things have changed since eight years ago, and everyone knows about Utopia now, so absolutely no places to sit, and a long queue of people waiting. I said to the waiter: 'I presume that as in the past, once the sun disappears everyone will get up and go?' He said: 'yes, some of them queue for two hours to get a seat, but once the sun is down you should be ok'.



So we went to the church, 




where, from its balcony you can watch the sun setting 




over the sea and the end of the bay which used to be the volcano's crater




I sat on the ledge, and enjoyed...














We then moved on




found this shop 




where the guy took the most amazing photographs




and his colleague made beautiful jewellery







The square was getting quite busy by then




But we chose to go to Utopia, found a table right by the front




and enjoyed the view until it got too dark to see anything.





By then it was time to eat, and we tried Archondoula, but no tables available for a long time





So we tried the other Archondoula and by a miracle, found a table. Our waiter, when he came to serve us said: 'do you realise how lucky you were?' and I said,  we did indeed.  Lucky in more ways than one, 




as right in front of us, the festival was in full swing.




The band played right in front of us




and we could see all the people dancing





By then the whole of the village square was packed, people standing listening to the band and watching the dancing.







The children started first




and they were later joined by the adults.

It was such a fun evening.



Three days later we went back to Plaka and chose Diporto for our evening meal.