Milia

Top choice in Hania Province

LoginSave

One of Crete’s ecotourism trailblazers is the isolated mountain resort village of Milia. Inspired by a back-to-nature philosophy, 16 abandoned stone farmhouses were transformed into ecocottages sleeping one to four, with only solar energy for basic needs. Milia is one of the most peaceful places to stay in Crete, but it’s also worth visiting just to dine at the superb organic restaurant.

Milia makes a great base for those who wish to unwind and see the Innahorion region. The cottages have antique beds, rustic furnishings, and fireplaces or wood-burning stoves. Since it's all solar powered, it’s best to shelve the laptop and hairdryer.

To reach Milia, follow the signposted turnoff north of the village of Vlatos. The narrow access road becomes a drivable 3km dirt road.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Elafonissi beach with pink sand on Crete.

    Elafonisi

    11.97 MILES

    Tucked into Crete’s southwestern corner, this symphony of fine pink-white sand, turquoise water and gentle rose dunes looks like a magical dreamscape. As…

  • Turkish medieval fortress at Ancient Aptera in Chania, Crete, Greece.; Shutterstock ID 1575956149; your: Barbara Di Castro; gl: 65050; netsuite: digital; full: poi 1575956149

    Aptera

    27.48 MILES

    The ruins of the ancient city of Aptera, about 13.5km east of Hania, spread over two hills that lord grandly over Souda Bay. Founded in the 7th century BC…

  • Chania, Greece - April 15, 2017: Exposition of Archaeological Museum of Chania, Greece. 651422344 exhibition,greek,art,past,aegean,exhibits,heritage,history,people,building,crete,interior,mediterranean,greece,museum,culture,archaeology,archaeological museum,exposition,chania

    Hania Archaeological Museum

    21.14 MILES

    The setting alone in the beautifully restored 16th-century Venetian Church of San Francisco is reason to visit this fine collection of artefacts from…

  • Chania, crete greece - 05 12 2022: Venetian harbour of the pittoresk cretan town with colorful old houses; Shutterstock ID 2227253445; your: Barbara Di Castro; gl: 65050; netsuite: digital; full: poi 2227253445

    Venetian Harbour

    21.15 MILES

    There are few places where Hania's historic charm and grandeur are more palpable than in the old Venetian Harbour. It's lined by pastel-coloured buildings…

  • 1486751192

    Moni Agias Triadas

    28.9 MILES

    Akrotiri Peninsula’s major cultural site, the impressive and beautiful 17th-century Moni Agias Triadas, is an active monastery with a rich library and is…

  • Manousakis Winery

    Manousakis Winery

    12.81 MILES

    A family-run business for over 25 years, this pretty winery in the village of Vatolakkos – 16km southwest of the centre of Hania – is well worth a visit…

  • A man walks down to the water at Balos Lagoon. 1306866043 background, balos, bay, beach, blue, chania, coast, coastline, crete, crystal, destination, europe, freedom, fun, gramvousa, gramvoussa, greece, greek, happiness, happy, health, holiday, idyllic, island, lagoon, landmark, landscape, lifestyle, mediterranean, nature, outdoor, panorama, panoramic, paradise, relax, sand, scenic, sea, sightseeing, summer, sun, sunny, tourism, travel, trek, tropical, vacation, view, water, white

    Balos

    12.4 MILES

    The rugged Gramvousa Peninsula cradles the lagoon-like sandy beach of Balos, whose shallow, shimmering turquoise waters draw huge crowds in summer. This…

  • Beautiful Falassarna beach on Crete, Greece 894988932 falassarna, coast, famous, view, relax, rock, scenic, seaside, beautiful, stone, paradise, natural, leisure, european, sandy, falasarna, tropical

    Falasarna

    7.3 MILES

    This broad sweep of beach has magical-looking pink-cream sands and teal waters and is known for its stunning sunsets. Along with superb water clarity,…

View more attractions

Nearby Hania Province attractions

1. Agia Sofia Cave

0.95 MILES

Just south of the village Koutsomatados, and after a narrow tunnel on the way from Hania, the Agia Sofia cave contains evidence of settlement from as far…

2. Topolia Gorge

1.49 MILES

Three kilometres south of Voulgaro, the main road towards Elafonisi reaches Topolia, a lovely village clustered with whitewashed houses overhung with…

3. Polyrrinia

3.14 MILES

The wonderful mountaintop ruins of the ancient city of Polyrrinia lie about 7km south of Kissamos (Kastelli), above the village of the same name. Sea,…

4. Voulgaro

3.46 MILES

Idyllic Voulgaro is located 9km southeast of Kissamos (Kastelli) on the inland road towards Elafonisi. Its name (by allusion, ‘Bulgarian village’) is said…

5. Elos

3.82 MILES

Elos, near the south of the Innahorion region, is the area’s largest town and the centre of the chestnut trade – hence the annual chestnut festival,…

6. Perivolia & Kefali

5.04 MILES

Two and half kilometres west of Elos, atmospheric Perivolia leads to Kefali, with its 14th-century frescoed church. Kefali has a handful of tavernas…

7. Kambos

5.38 MILES

Good hiking, beach access and decent accommodation can be found at Kambos, a tiny village at the edge of a gorge along the Innahorian region’s winding…

8. Pappadiana & Amygdalokefali

5.47 MILES

The western Innahorion villages that line the coastal road enjoy a stunning location between mountains and ravines. First is the hamlet of Pappadiana,…