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Mykonos Town: Archaeological Site of Delos Guided Day Trip
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The sacred island of Delos is a small rocky strip of land a few miles off the west coast of Mykonos. Delos is one of the smallest islands of the Cyclades but was always considered by the ancients to be the hub of the archipelago.
Declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1990, the island of Delos according to mythology was the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis and today is a vast archaeological site rich in important monuments that attract thousands of visitors every year.
Delos was an important religious and commercial centre, thanks to its strategic location at the centre of the maritime routes. After defending itself in the Persian wars, it fell to the Athenians in 454. With the advent of Alexander the Great it regained its independence and economic power. It was the hub of eastern Mediterranean trade and a cosmopolitan centre.
The Romans also recognised the island’s status as a free port, but in 88 Mithridates, king of Pontus, attacked this Latin colony severely and twenty years later pirates deported the few survivors as slaves. The island decayed and by the 7th century was completely abandoned. Only in 1873, thanks to the French school of archaeology, did Greece allow the opening of archaeological sites.
The island of Delos can be reached daily from Mykonos and in summer from the islands of Tinos and Naxos.
The priceless archaeological site, second in importance only to Delphi, covers almost the entire island: from the harbour, a majestic sacred way leads to the Sanctuary of Apollo, where there are temples and altars. To the north is the sacred lake, with the famous Terrace of the Lions, and the Agora of the Italians. Some of the houses still display magnificent mosaic floors. The monuments cover a time span from the Archaic period, through the Classical period, to the Hellenistic period and are divided into four main areas: the maritime district, the theatre, the Sanctuary of Apollo in the centre of the site north of the harbour and the Lion district.
The island appears to have stood still in time and still resembles the original, not least because a curious tradition, stemming from an oracle’s response, dictates that no one is allowed to be born or die in this sacred place. Currently, only archaeologists are allowed to stay overnight on the island.
From the sacred port, where the ancient delegations sent to religious ceremonies docked, passing by the houses of Dionysus, Cleopatra and the Trident, one arrives at the ancient theatre. From here the view is divine.
In the House of the Masks and the House of the Dolphins one can admire wonderful mosaics. From here one reaches the top of Mount Kynthos and can contemplate the splendid landscape over the islands of Naxos and Siros to the north, Tixos to the south and Mykonos to the east. As you descend, you pass the cavern of Heracles and the terraces of the foreign gods (Syrian and Egyptian). Further down is the house of Hermes with its large impluvium.
At the landing stage, from the Agora of the Completaliasti one arrives at the quarter of the sanctuaries. Walking along the Avenue of Processions, one sees the Stoà of Philip and the Agora of the Deli, a square-shaped market square. Crossing a blue marble square you come to the House of the Nassi, the colossal statue of Apollo and the keraton, an altar in honour of Apollo, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
One also recognises the sanctuaries of Dionysus and the Bulls. Before the agora of the Italians is the Sacred Lake (drained in 1925). To the left is the main attraction of Delos, the terrace of the Lions, of which only the bases remain, however, having been transported inside the museum at the end of the path.
Admission to the island of Delos is subject to a fee. There are several ways to visit the island, buying a ferry ticket from Mykonos and then purchasing the ticket locally, with guided tours that include admission and a guide, or perhaps in combination with a cruise or a visit to Rhenia.
However, what we recommend is that you book a tour online following questa pagina, given the crowds of visitors during peak season.
We recommend that you bring a hat to protect yourself from the sun during the queue at the entrance. The tour is quite long and packed.
The most common solution, the guided tour allows you to learn all about the history of the Delos archaeological site. Choose the guided tour that suits you, whether it is a morning or evening tour, ferry and Delos tickets are included and you will avoid all the queues.
From Mykonos the boat trip takes just over 45 minutes. It is possible to book the transfer online, thus avoiding queues at the ferry ticket offices, but once you arrive on the island of Delos you will have to buy the ticket.
If you don’t want to miss anything, choose a cruise from Mykonos to the islands of Delos and Rhenia for a day of sea and cultural sightseeing.
The island of Delos is part of the Cyclades archipelago and is located close to the island of Mykonos, from which it can be reached by sea.
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