Miliou, Cyprus: village guide near Paphos and Agioi Anargyroi
About the place
Checked: 25 October 2026.
Miliou at a glance: a small village with springs north of Paphos
Miliou (Greek: Μηλιού) is a small village in the Paphos district, north of Paphos and off the road to Polis. At the 2021 census it had 58 residents. The village is surrounded by citrus groves, almond trees and vineyards, which have plenty of water thanks to abundant springs. Beside the springs stands the restored monastery of Agioi Anargyroi, now home to a spa hotel.
Miliou lies in a valley near the villages of Giolou, Akourdaleia and Simou. On the Visit Cyprus ‘Back to Nature’ driving route, the road from Skoulli follows the signs to Akourdaleia and on to Miliou, then leaves the village down the hillside to the main road at Giolou.
The village is known for several things: its local tradition linked to the Holy Unmercenaries, Saints Cosmas and Damian; its sulphur springs; the nightingales that nest in the valley; and the annual Orange Festival. For many travellers Miliou is a quiet stop on the way between Paphos and Polis.
History of Miliou: the Holy Unmercenaries and the monastery by the springs
The name of the monastery and church of Agioi Anargyroi means ‘the Holy Unmercenaries’. In Orthodox tradition this is the title of the healer saints who treated people without payment, and in Miliou the saints venerated are Cosmas and Damian. According to local tradition, these saints are linked with the sulphur springs of the area.
According to Visit Pafos, a church was built by the springs in 1649, and a small monastery later grew up beside it; the monastery was abandoned in the 19th century. Visit Cyprus also links the year 1649 with the monastery of Agioi Anargyroi. Today the former monastery has been restored and is used as a spa hotel.
The church of Agioi Anargyroi stands at the entrance to Miliou and is closely bound up with the veneration of Cosmas and Damian. The village marks the saints’ feast days on 1 July and 1 November. We give the traditions about the springs as part of local history and make no promises about any health benefits of the water.
What to see in and around Miliou
The church of Agioi Anargyroi at the entrance to the village is the main stop for anyone interested in the history of the place. The site of the former monastery by the springs is now occupied by a private spa hotel, so the hotel itself sets the terms of access.
On the northern edge of neighbouring Giolou, in the valley between Giolou, Miliou, Simou and Akourdaleia, stands the old Kouyiouka watermill. According to the University of Cyprus’s watermill database, it was fed by the stream of the same name, and its water tower is about 7 m high.
Another historic structure in the area is the medieval Skarfos bridge near Simou, on the Stavros tis Psokas river, also known as the Saramas. Old watermills survive near the bridge. Sources disagree on the date of the bridge, so we do not give one.
Miliou traditions: oranges, orchards and festivals
Miliou’s most notable festival is the annual Orange Festival, organised by the community council. According to Visit Cyprus, it takes place in the village square next to the old school. Stalls sell food, drinks and orange-based products – such as liqueur, beer and marmalade – and the programme includes traditional music and dancing.
In recent years the festival has been held in September, but the date changes from year to year. Check the exact day and programme with the Miliou community council or in the Visit Cyprus events calendar shortly before your trip.
The village’s church feasts are linked to the Holy Unmercenaries: Cosmas and Damian are commemorated on 1 July and 1 November. The orchards around Miliou – citrus, almonds and vines – belong to local owners, so please do not pick fruit from the trees without permission.
Nature: nightingales, the valley and the ‘Back to Nature’ route
Visit Cyprus recommends Miliou for long walks in the countryside and birdwatching: the village is a nesting site for nightingales. Miliou has wide views over the mountains and the valley, and spring water keeps the surroundings green.
The village is on the Visit Cyprus driving route Cyprus Authentic Route 7, ‘Back to Nature’. It is a circular route of about 135 km starting in Paphos. The drive takes about 4.5 hours, but the route’s authors suggest spreading it over two days.
The route passes through Kathikas, the villages near the Akamas peninsula, Polis and Chrysochou and, after Miliou, through Giolou and Stroumpi back to Paphos. Along the way there are vineyards, citrus groves and fields, so Miliou makes a convenient stop on such a day.
Getting to Miliou and planning your visit
The easiest way is to drive from Paphos towards Polis and then turn off for Giolou and Miliou. From the Polis side you can come via Skoulli and Akourdaleia, as the Visit Cyprus route suggests. The final stretch of the road runs along a hillside, and Visit Cyprus advises taking it slowly.
Public transport to such small villages is infrequent or non-existent. If you are travelling without a car, check with the Paphos district bus operator whether there are services to Miliou or nearby villages and how to get back.
An hour or two is enough for the village itself, but it combines well with the mill at Giolou and the Skarfos bridge. If you are going for the nightingales, plan your trip for spring and go early in the morning, when the valley is at its quietest.
What to check before visiting Miliou
It is best to check the opening hours of the church of Agioi Anargyroi with the community council or the parish. Clothing for visiting the church should cover the shoulders and knees. If a service is taking place, please do not disturb those praying and do not take photographs without permission.
The spa hotel on the site of the former monastery is a private business. Ask the hotel itself about the terms for visiting and for using the springs. We make no recommendations about any therapeutic effect of the sulphur water: for health questions, consult a doctor.
Miliou is a very small village with fewer than 60 residents. Park so as not to block the narrow streets or driveways, keep noise down early in the morning and late in the evening, and do not walk into private gardens. Please check the dates of the festival and other events in advance.
Continue planning
Official sources
- 2021 Population Census — Cyprus Statistical Service (CYSTAT)
- Cyprus Authentic Route 7 'Back to Nature' — Visit Cyprus (PDF)
- Agioi Anargyroi Church, Miliou village — Visit Pafos
A traditional house in Miliou · Photo: Yosef Ben Melamed · CC BY-SA 4.0 · converted to WebP and resized.
