Your visit to Milos won't be complete without a stop at the Ancient Roman Theater of Milos, the well-preserved, and perhaps most significant archaeological find on the island.
The History Behind the Ancient Roman Amphitheater
Located close to the village of Trypiti, the theater is a great place to visit during your stay. Nestled on a hill, facing the Southside of the island, the acoustics and the views over Milos Bay are perfect.
The Roman theater dates back to the Hellenistic period in 3rd century BC. It was destroyed during Roman times and rebuilt out of marble. And to put it simply, it's remarkable.
The theater, at least the portion that's been excavated so far, remains incredibly well-preserved.
Along with a stage and a few ornamental monuments, seven rows and five stairwells of marble have been carefully restored.
Walking around was delightful! I loved being able to take it all in, take a seat and imagine how grandiose it was at its peak.
In my experience, important historical monuments like this are usually sealed to the public. However, you'll be able to freely roam around, sit on the marble steps, take in the view and explore the various areas, including parts of the remaining stage.
The Milos Amphitheater held as many as 7,000 people during performances, however, in its present condition, it can only fit around 700.
To get a sense of how massive the Roman theater was during its prime, take a look at the illustration below. The seven rows you can see today are shown by a darker shade of grey.
It's still quite impressive, I can only image how grandiose it was back in the day.
Fortunately, the theater is still being put to good use and opened from time to time for musical and theatrical performances.
Despite being one of the most historically important landmarks on Milos island, the ancient Roman amphitheater isn't swarming with tourists
People trickle down from Trypiti and stop by on the way to the Catacombs but it usually happens slowly during the day. You might get lucky and get the theater to yourself for a while.
Getting There
The Roman theater is relatively close to major villages in Milos:
- 1 km from Trypiti (4-minute drive or a 15-minute walk)
- 1.1 km from Plaka (5-minute drive or 14-minute walk ) and the Venetian Kastro Castle
- 2.5 km from Klima (20-minute drive as you have to take the roundabout roads, or a 30-45 minute walk downhill on a hiking path)
- 4 km from Adamas (15-minute drive or 1-hour walk, but it's mostly uphill!)
- 12.6 km from Pollonia (21-minute drive, not walkable unless you have 2.5 hours to kill)
It's also a 700-meter walk from the Catacombs of Milos, which are just down the street.
There's a dirt road parking lot available for both sites. From there, leaving the parking lot through the western path will lead you to the Roman theater, and following the eastern path will take you to the Catacombs.
On the dirt road toward the theater, you will come across other artifacts discovered in the area.
Fun Fact
On the way to the amphitheater, keep an eye out of the signpost showing where the “Aphrodite of Milos” statue was found. Also known as “Venus of Milos,” the famous statue now resides at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
It was discovered near the Ancient Theater in 1820, and it's also believed to be from the Hellenistic period.
The statue depicts the Greek goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite.
The site where Aphrodite of Milos was discovered. 
Aphrodite of Milos statue at the Louvre Museum.
Related: 9 Unique Facts You Should Know About Milos, Greece
If you're planning a trip to Greece and are considering a visit to Milos island, check out everything you need to know in my Comprehensive Travel Guide to Milos. I have two other guides you may find useful while in Milos: a guide to the top 20 beaches on the island and a foodie's guide to the best restaurants, cafes, and bars in each village.
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