Delos is the reason many people come to Mykonos at all. The small, bare island just off the west coast was, in Greek myth, the place where Leto gave birth to Apollo and Artemis, and from the tenth century BC it was one of the holiest sanctuaries of the Ionian world. Athens later took control and purified it twice, in 540 BC and again in 426 BC, when the graves were moved to neighbouring Rhenia and births and deaths on the island were forbidden. Under the Romans Delos became a busy international port, home to merchants from Italy, Egypt and Syria, before raids in 88 BC began its decline. It was finally abandoned in the sixth century AD. French archaeologists have been excavating here since 1873, and what they uncovered is one of the most complete ancient townscapes in Greece: temples and treasuries, a stadium, a theatre, streets of houses with mosaic floors and the famous row of lion statues. The site museum, opened in 1904, holds the finest sculpture and finds.
How it works
Boats to Delos leave from the small quay opposite the church of Agios Nikolaos on the town beach of Mykonos, at the Old Port end of Chora. The crossing takes around half an hour. You buy the boat ticket at the kiosk by the boats shortly before departure, and the site and museum ticket separately at the entrance on Delos. Nobody is allowed to stay overnight, so every visit is a day trip, and the last boat back sets the length of your stay.
Season and dates
Delos is a seasonal visit. Under the Cyclades Ephorate’s published schedule the site is open daily, with hours that shorten through the autumn: from 08:00 to 19:30 in early September down to 08:00 to 16:00 in November. It then closes from 1 December to 31 March, with visits only by written request, and it reopens in spring, so confirm the first day of the new season before you plan an April trip.
Boats from Mykonos run in season, weather permitting, and the municipality warns that access can be impossible on rough days. Check the timetable at the kiosk the day before, keep a spare day free, and in July and August take the first boat, because the island is hot, shadeless and busy by late morning.
Making the most of it
Delos has almost no shade or facilities, so bring water, snacks, a hat and good shoes. Start at the museum to see the original lions and sculptures, then walk the Sacred Way, the sanctuary of Apollo, the Terrace of the Lions and the theatre quarter with its mosaic houses. If you have the energy, climb Mount Kynthos for the view over the Cyclades. A guide or a good guidebook makes the ruins far easier to read.
What to expect
The experience
A short public boat ride from Mykonos Town followed by a self-guided or guided walk around an open archaeological site and its museum.
Best time
An early boat on a calm morning. April, May, June, late September and October are cooler than July and August, and the site is closed from 1 December to 31 March.
How long
Plan on three to four hours on Delos itself, plus around half an hour on the boat each way.
Tips
Check the boat timetable the evening before, carry water, snacks, a hat and sun cream because there is almost nothing to buy or shade, and keep a spare day in case the wind cancels the boats.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Anyone with an interest in ancient Greece, and every first-time visitor who wants to see more of Mykonos than its beaches.
- Families
- Older children enjoy the lions, the mosaics and the boat ride, but there is little shade and a lot of walking, so it suits school-age kids better than toddlers.
- Couples
- An early-morning walk through the ruins before the day-trip boats fill up, with the sea all around, is one of the most memorable things you can do in the Cyclades.
- Pair with
- The Archaeological Museum of Mykonos near the Old Port, which holds the finds from the Rhenia purification pit, before you go or on a day when the boats are not running.
- Time needed
- A half day, or most of a day if you climb Mount Kynthos and linger in the museum.
Good questions
How do you get to Delos from Mykonos?+
Boats leave from the small quay opposite the church of Agios Nikolaos on the town beach, near the Old Port of Mykonos. The crossing takes about half an hour, and you buy tickets at the kiosk by the boats.
When is Delos open?+
The site is open daily from spring to the end of November, with hours that shorten through the autumn, and it is closed from 1 December to 31 March. Confirm the spring reopening date, and note that boats run only when the weather allows.
Is the Delos entry ticket included in the boat fare?+
Usually not. The boat ticket and the site ticket are paid separately, and the site ticket also covers the museum on the island.
Can you stay overnight on Delos?+
No. Delos is protected by the Ministry of Culture and overnight stays are not allowed, so every visit is a day trip timed around the return boat.
How long do you need on Delos?+
Three to four hours lets you see the museum, the sanctuary of Apollo, the Terrace of the Lions and the houses with mosaics. Allow longer if you want to climb Mount Kynthos for the view.
