Everything you need to know about visiting the impressive archeological site on Delos from Mykonos, Greece.
If you are looking for spectacular ancient Greek archeological sites then a visit to Delos should be added to your list. Delos, Greece is a small island located off the coast of Mykonos and is easy to get to. It’s the perfect day trip from Mykonos, as most visitors only spend a couple of hours exploring the island.
Delos is considered to be the most sacred of all the islands in ancient Greek culture. In Greek mythology, Apollo was born on the island. This caused the island to attract pilgrims from all over Greece. The archaeological sites on Delos are exceptional and I highly recommend a visit to it if you have the time.
If you are planning a trip to Mykonos you may also be interested in this post. It shares what you need to see in Old Town. We were able to explore both Old Town Mykonos and Delos on our port day.
Getting to Delos
It takes about 30 minutes to get to Delos from Mykonos on a boat. You can purchase round-trip tickets for the boat ride to Delos at the kiosk at the base of the dock in Old Town. They take cash or credit cards. If you are prone to motion sickness, the boat ride to Delos can be very rocky.
A word of warning: the dock situation in Mykonos was the worst experience we had on our entire three-week trip. When the boat arrived everyone just swarmed towards the gangway instead of forming a line. There was a huge mob including pushing and shoving. It was just a complete disaster.
When you arrive on Delos, you will need to purchase admission tickets to the archeological site.
What to See on Delos
Terrace of the Lions
Around 600 BC a row of stone lions was built across from the lake (now dry) where the Greek God Apollo was said to be born in his honor. The lions currently on display are replicas. The original five statues out remaining of 12 are located inside the Archaeological Museum of Delos.
Terrace of Foreign Gods (Temple of Isis)
The Temple of Isis is located at the base of Mount Kynthos. This area is one of the quieter spots on the island because most tour guides do not bring their groups up. The Temple of Isis is one of the most beautiful ruins on the island with its Doric columns. There is also a headless statue located inside the temple. This spot on Delos offers beautiful views of the island and the port.
Floor Mosaics
There are several beautiful mosaics in the ruins of residential homes on Delos. Some of them include the House of Dionysos, the House of the Dolphins, the House of the Masks, the House of Cleopatra, and more.
Tips
- There is virtually no shade on Delos, so be sure to wear sunscreen and bring plenty of water.
- You will be hiking over uneven/rocky terrain, so be sure to wear appropriate shoes.
- Make sure to note the boat return times to Mykonos. Therefore, you can time your departure and catch one without having to wait on the dock for awhile.
