The first occupants of the island were either the Kares or the Phoenicians and findings indicate a Cycladic civilization from as early as 7000 – 2800 BC. The island becomes wealthy as a result of the mineral “Opsidiano” which is very hard, black in color and glasslike, hence the name mineral glass.

Filakopi is one of the early settlements, dating back to 2300 BC. During the first period (2300-2000 BC), the stone opsidiano was discovered and trading began. During the second period (2000-1600 BC) the people of Filakopi developed the art of Ceramics. During the third period (around 1600 BC) the Minoans influence brought bigger houses, city walls and a town plan.
Around 1600-1500 BC Filakopi was destroyed by an earthquake and between 1400 and 1100 BC was reconstructed under Minoan influence. In 1100 BC or thereabouts the settlement began to deteriorate and the inhabitants moved to a new place called Milos or Malos near Klima. It was at this time that the art of ceramics reached a peak. The Aphroditi of Milos (the well known statue) being produced some years later.

In the years that followed the island was occupied first by the Egyptians an then the Romans. With the coming of the second century AD, Milos had it’s own coins and Christianity was spreading.

The Byzantine period followed but once Constantinople had been taken by the Franks, Milow and other Cycladic islands were given to the Venetians. The castle of Plaka, now the capital of Milos, was build between 1383 and 1566 AD. Finally, in 1537 the pirate Barbarossa occupied the island on behalf of the Turks, as happened with most of the Cyclades islands.

On 11 April 1821 Milos took active part in the revolution against the Ottoman Empire, with the first sea battle taking place in the port of Adamanta.
In 1832 Milos become part of the newly formed Greek nation.