Delos

Description

Delos, sometimes spelled Dilos, was the most important Panhellenic sanctuary, and, according to mythology, the birth place of Apollo and Artemis. The first signs of habitation on the island date from the 3rd millennium B.C., and important remains of the Mycenaean period have been uncovered in the area of the sanctuary. In the 7th century B.C. Delos was already a known Ionic centre because of its religious importance as the birth-place of Apollo. The Delos archaeological sanctuary is listed by Unesco as one of mankind's most important cultural and historical sites.

A narrow channel separates Delos from the island of Rhenia, where there is an important burial ground.

The Cyclades received their name in antiquity because they form a rough circle (κύκλος/kyklos in Greek) round the sacred island of Delos. History of Delos 

 

Get in

There are daily boat excursions from Mykonos except Monday, because the archaeological site is closed that day. Boats leave at 9AM, 10AM and 11AM from the pier at the west side of the harbour, right behind the little church of Agios Nikolaos. The boat trip takes about 30 minutes. Boats return at 12:15PM, 1:30PM and 3PM. Boat trips to Delos are also organized from Platys Gialos and Paranga Beach. The excavations are open from 8:30AM to 3PM, so have an early start if you really want to see it all. The cost is €17 for the boat trip plus €5 for entrance (though free for students and €3 for those over 65). A guided tour, departing at 10AM from the pier in Mykonos, will cost € 40 (including boat trip and entrance fee).

The Cyclades are notoriously windy. As the boats going from Mykonos are relatively small, boat trips can be cancelled due to strong wind.

In summer routes are also available from Tinos, Naxos and Paros.

Only some small cruise ships dock at the commercial Delos port of call.

Get around

You will get a good map with different coloured tours. You can walk around by yourself or explore the exhibits with a guide.

You can buy guidebooks at the ticket booth at the entrance of the excavation. Some shops in Mykonos sell the same books for double the price.

See

Archaeological sites cover almost the entire island, starting from the harbour at the west side. The most important ruins in this district are:

  • The temples of Apollo: the three temples dedicated to Apollo;
  • The Altar of Dionysos: remains of a huge phallic monument;
  • The Lion Terrace: the famous lions of Delos, gift from the Naxian’s;
  • The sacred lake: the place where Artemis was born;
  • Cleopatra’s House: a building (2nd century BC), which took its name from the two headless statues of Cleopatra that where found in it;
  • The theatre: built in 2nd – 3rd century BC, it could seat 3,000 to 5,000 spectators;
  • House of Dionysos, House of the Masks and House of the Dolphins, all of which contain marvellous mosaics.

The Museum of Delos has sculptures of the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods, together with a collection of vases from various periods. Open from 8:30AM to 3PM. The entrance is free (fee included in the entrance ticket of the site).

Address


Delos Mykonos
Grecia

Lat: 37.396263123 - Lng: 25.268941879