Amid a surge in tourism investment on the island of Milos in the Aegean Sea, Greek authorities have ordered the suspension of the controversial construction of a luxury hotel on one of the island’s world-famed beaches.
“We cannot accept this development at this specific area,” Thodoros Skylakakis, Greek Minister of the Environment and Energy told Proto Thema, noting that the ministry has sent a document to the National Transparency Authority to check the legality of the construction permit.
Meanwhile, according to the ministry, construction work will be suspended until it becomes clear what the relevant permits that have been granted entail. In an email to Greek Reporter, the office of the Environment and Energy Minister confirmed the suspension of the hotel’s construction.
As part of the Cycladic islands, Milos has been growing in popularity. The number of tourists has jumped in recent years, fueling a significant investment interest in tourist accommodations, with many new development projects under works. As locals anticipate a boom in luxury hotel construction, Milos’ Mayor Manolis Mikelis has said that while he welcomes this growth, the municipality prefers sustainable, low-impact development and smaller hotels. Sarakiniko is one of the most famous and photographed beaches in Greece and has been voted the seventh most beautiful place on the planet by Conde Nast Traveler and the fifth best beach in the world by Lonely Planet.
The decision to halt the hotel’s construction came on Tuesday, February 4, the same day Proto Thema news outlet reported that the area of Sarakiniko has been taken over by excavators and trucks that are digging in the coastline destroying the unique volcanic rocks that have been formed over millions of years.
Plans to build the 5-star luxury hotel near Sarakiniko beach on Milos has sparked outrage on the Greek island. Mayor Manolis Mikelis has denied that the local authority has given permission to the construction of the hotel and vowed to fight for a suspension of all construction permits until the special urban plans are approved. The Municipality, moreover, has requested that no work be allowed in a zone 100 to 150 meters from the shore, in areas such as Sarakiniko.
According to Proto Thema many Milos residents are angry with the plan and have already begun to organize themselves to prevent the construction of the hotel near the famous beach.
The hotel under construction near Sarakiniko is being developed by the company Unique Developments ATEE. It plans to build a “new two-story hotel complex with a basement and swimming pools” with a surface area, according to its building permit, greater than 2,000 sq m.
According to the plan, it will create four rows of cave villas with separate/private pools and one that will be the central part of the hotel complex with a large pool.
Sarakiniko Beach on Milos is renowned for its lunar-like landscape
Sarakiniko Beach, located on the northeastern coast of the island of Milos in Greece, is one of the Cyclades‘ most iconic and striking natural attractions.
It is renowned for its unique lunar-like landscape, characterized by smooth, white volcanic rock formations that create an otherworldly appearance.
The beach is formed by eroded volcanic rocks sculpted by wind and waves over millennia. Its bright white rocks contrast starkly with the deep blue of the Aegean Sea, creating a dramatic visual effect.
The area is relatively small and does not feature a traditional sandy shoreline but rather a combination of flat rocks and small coves.
Lonely Planet describes Sarakiniko as a set of “sun-bleached volcanic rocks that dip into a small deep turquoise stretch of the Aegean,” highlighting its caves, alabaster cliffs, and suitability for sunbathing and snorkeling.
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