delos tours mykonos

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Tickets from Mykonos to Delos

Sunset At Delos

"He who has not travelled to Delos, has never travelled anywhere."

Delos Archaeological Site

Lion Terrace

Seabus Service between the new and old port of Mykonos Town

Daily afternoon departures to Delos at 17:00

Tours and excursions to Delos

For centuries now, the local Mykonian caiques have serviced the route from Mykonos to Delos and from Delos to Mykonos, as there was never a connection between Delos and Piraeus. Since the end of the 19th century, when the systematic archaeological excavation started, the trips over to the island have become more frequent.

"We offer the best value and the lowest prices for guided tours and individual trips to Delos island"

''The beauty of this enchanted site has always attracted a large number of famous but also anonymous visitors. How can an island which gives birth to Gods, be anything less than enchanted?''

"He who has not travelled to Delos , has never travelled anywhere."

"So there is still Beauty in this World. "

''There are few places in this world where someone is able to travel in time. In Delos this dream comes true. With every step you take , the ancient city of the island comes to life before you.''

Agora of the Kompetaliastae

The Temple of Delians

The Agora of the Italians

Tours and itinerarie.

The schedules below may be subject to change, depending on weather conditions.

We therefore kindly ask you to check the timetables again shortly before your travel dates.

  D aily Tours and Excursions to Delos from Mykonos Old port.

Important notice:  .

Delos site remains closed  on 5th (Orthodox Easter) , and 7th (Labor Day) of May, 2024

  Τickets can be used for any itinerary of the vessels of

"Joint- Venture of Passenger Vessels of Mykonos-Delos".

Half-Day Guided Tours to Delos, 2024.

Price:: 65 ,00 €.

Children 6-12 years old: 30,00€.

Children under  6 years old for free.  

The price includes: 

• The whole trip and guide from Mykonos to Delos
• Transportation from Mykonos to Delos and back
• Entrance to the archaeological site in Delos (CURRENTLY, €8,00, per person)
• Certified  tourist guide 
• Wireless tour guide system
• Skip the line at the entrance of Delos site

Kindly pay attention on the days of operation per language: 

• English : Daily at 10:00 am (from (from 05/04) & at 17:00 pm  (from 01/05)
• French : Sunday & Thursday at 10:00 am   from 09/04
• German : Available only as private tour, 
• Italian : Wednesday at 11:30am,  (from 15/05)
• Spanish : Tuesday at 10:00 am  (from 14/05)

Minimum participation, 8 pax.

                         On your phone 

*important notice*,  rates are subject to change due to anticipated fuel and admission fee increments., delos tours tickets office in mykonos.

You may purchase your tickets and exchange your vouchers at the ticket desk directly outside the vessels, half an hour before the time of departure

Contact information

Delos Tours Ticket Office

Old port, Deliana Pier, Chora, Mykonos Town, 84600.

In Mykonos Town, there is only one area which is called MYKONOS WATERFRONT, the Old port.

At one end of this long moonshaped bay, there is the only TILE ROOFED BUILDING in Mykonos.

This is the Town Hall of Mykonos and exactly opposite this building, there is a small blue domed chapel (dedicated to St. Nicholas).

As you walk past these two buildings (having the Town Hall on your left and the chaple on the right), straight ahead there is a pier where you will find Delos Tours Ticket

Kiosk and all the vessels departing for Delos.

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Visiting Delos from Mykonos

Greece › Mykonos › Delos Tours Updated: September 26, 2022 By Santorini Dave

• Best Hotels in Mykonos • Best Family Hotels in Mykonos • Where to Stay in Mykonos • Best Things To Do in Mykonos • Mykonos Travel Guide

The Stone Lions of Delos. A guided tour to Delos is one of the highlights of a Mykonos visit.

The 3 Best Delos Tours from Mykonos for 2023 Guided Boat Tour to Delos Excellent tour of Delos with professional guide. The tour leaves from the Old Port in Mykonos Town but if you’re staying outside of Mykonos Town or at one of the beaches then select with Hotel Transfer as it makes the day much easier. There’s also a semi-private tour for groups of 2 to 10 – select Private Group Guided Tour for this option. Boat Tour to Delos and Rhenia Island This is a great tour for those who would like to see Delos, but don’t want to spend hours there. It takes you to beautiful Rhenia island for swimming, snorkeling, and a bbq lunch (onboard). Then to Delos for a short, guided tour when the island is usually much quieter than in the morning. Highly recommended. Guided Delos Tour from Cruise Ship Port If you’re on a cruise and have a limited amount of time, this Delos tour offers pickup and dropoff at the cruise ship port in Mykonos. Delos, Greece In ancient times, Delos was the most important island in the southern Aegean. The Cyclades island group actually gets its name from the fact that the islands form a circle around Delos. Mykonos, by comparison, was considered poor with limited agricultural prospects. A holy island, Delos is the mythical birthplace of Artemis and Apollo, and women were once forbidden from giving birth there; instead, women were ferried to Mykonos for the labor and delivery of their children.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site on the small island of Delos is one of the best-preserved and most important archaeological sites in Greece. First settled by the Greeks around 3000 BC, the island became a shrine to Apollo around 800 BC and a thriving, multicultural center of trade in the centuries that followed, with Syrians and Egyptians adding shrines of their homeland gods to the existing Greek ones. Under the Romans, Delos became a duty-free port and important slave market, but the island’s importance diminished as trade routes shifted and by 300 AD the island was languishing in obscurity, used as a hideout by pirates. Delos is accessible by boat from Mykonos. Use your imagination to transform these extensive, well-preserved ruins into the gleaming city that once stood here. As you make your way around the ruins from the Sacred Harbor, where the tour boats dock, sights not to miss include the Sanctuary of Apollo, lined with the remains of three temples dedicated to the god, the Artemision – a sanctuary of Artemis, Apollo’s twin sister, and the Terrace of Lions, lined with the much-photographed replica lion statues. (The actual lions can be found within the site’s small but interesting museum, located near the center of the island.) Nearby is the overgrown Sacred Lake where Leto gave birth to Apollo and Artemis after hiding from the wrath of Hera, Zeus’ wife, Zeus being the twins’ father. In the Theater Quarter, formerly home to Delos’ wealthiest inhabitants, spot the mosaic depicting the wine god Dionysos riding a panther at the House of Dionysos, and another superb mosaic featuring lions, dolphins and griffins at the House of Dolphins. If you have time, it’s well worth climbing Mt Mynthos for great views of the surrounding islands and to visit the Sanctuaries of Zeus and Athena.

The boat pier on Delos where tours dock and depart from.

Visiting Delos from Mykonos There are generally four boats daily from Mykonos Town (Chora) to Delos during high season, with departures from 9am to 5pm. Return boats run between 12.15pm and 8pm. There are fewer boats from November to March. The boat trip between Mykonos and Delos takes about 30-40 minutes, and you can buy tickets from the kiosk at the southern end of Mykonos Town harbor. When purchasing tickets, find out which return boats they’re valid for. Boat tickets are 20€ round trip, and do not include the entrance fee to Delos Island, which is 12€, paid at the site entrance. Delos Island boat schedule, pricing information, and online booking Visitors to Delos are given a map outlining three self-guided walking tours. Depending on which one you opt for, these take from 90 minutes to five hours, so it’s best to decide in advance how much time you’d like to spend on the island. You can purchase detailed Delos guidebooks both at the Delos ticket office and in bookstores on Mykonos. Guided tours can be booked at the same time as the boat tickets (adult/child 55/30€ including boat, entrance fee, and guide). Wear a hat, sunscreen, and good walking shoes. The only place to eat is a basic café at the Delos museum; it’s worth bringing a picnic lunch and plenty of drinking water. A guided tour of Delos is recommended. Without a guide it’s just a collection of ruins without much meaning or context. With a guide it’s a very interesting introduction to Greek history. Delos from Mykonos

Tickets for Delos Island can be purchased in advance online or at the ticket booth in the Mykonos Town Old Port.

Boats to Delos are small and fill quickly. In the busy summer season it’s a good idea to buy tickets first thing in the morning or in advance.

The boat trip to Delos from Mykonos takes 30-45 minutes. There is ample seating and drinks and snacks are sold onboard.

View of Delos Island when arriving by boat.

This map shows how vast and well-developed the island’s infrastructure was in ancient times.

After arriving on Delos and paying admission, you are free to explore across the entire island.

There are ruins everywhere on Delos, and few signs; it can be difficult to know exactly what you’re looking at. Taking a guided tour is recommended.

Even without a tour, it is fun and interesting to imagine the homes and buildings as they existed long ago.

Keeping watch over the island’s ruins, the famous stone lions seen here are only replicas.

The original statues are displayed and kept safe inside the island’s small museum.

In addition to the stone lions, the Delos Museum also houses original mosaics from the island…

…as well as ancient frescoes…

and artifacts from the island’s original excavation. There is no additional charge to visit the museum.

Even at its busiest, there’s plenty of room on Delos, and on the more remote parts of the island it can feel like you’ve got the whole place to yourself.

In the springtime, Delos is abloom with wildflowers. These photos were taken in the month of April.

(Yes, those statues are exactly what they appear to be. In Ancient Greece, phalluses symbolized fertility and were thought to protect against evil spirits.)

It’s important to keep track of the time, so you don’t miss the boat back to Mykonos. We don’t know what happens if you’re left behind on the island, and we don’t recommend finding out.

• Best Hotels in Mykonos
• Best Cheap Hotels in Mykonos
• Beach Hotels in Mykonos
• Mykonos Travel Guide
• Santorini Travel Guide
• Italy Travel Guide
• Greece Travel Guide

About Santorini Dave

We are going to be in Mykonos the first week of October and will have a rental car to get us to the port. Should we book the tour ahead of time or just head over to the port when we get there to book a tour?

Personally, I would book in advance but could you show up without a reservation? Sure, and you’d likely be fine.

Is the Old Port walking distance from Mykonos Town? We’re staying at the Belvedere. Thanks!

Yes, the Old Port is an easy walk from all Mykonos Town hotels. From the Belvedere it’s about a 10 or 12 minute walk (assuming you don’t have luggage).

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Delos Tour - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Visiting Delos Island Greece: Mykonos to Delos Day Trip and Tours

The best way to visit Delos in Greece is on a day tour from Mykonos. Here's everything you need to know about Mykonos to Delos day trips.

Includes how to get from Mykonos to Delos, ticket information, the best guided tours of Delos and more.

Delos Island Day Trip

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Delos is somewhere I'd wanted to visit for a while. In 2020, everything finally lined up, and we were able to take a day trip to Delos from Mykonos.

It's a fascinating place, and quite honestly we were visiting it in highly unusual circumstances. Typically, hundreds of people a day visit Delos island from Mykonos, but when we went, we were the only two tourists on the island. At least travel in 2020 had some upsides after all!

Even better, we went with a guide who showed us around Delos, explained the history, and put everything into context for us. It was a truly unique experience, and I'm so glad we took the Delos tour from Mykonos.

I've created this guide as a way to plan your own trip to Delos from Mykonos. Note that you can get to Delos from Naxos, Paros and Tinos, but I'll cover those in another travel guide.

The Best Way To See Delos Island

It is possible to go on a Delos self tour. However, in my personal experience, Delos is one of those ancient sites that are best visited on a guided tour.

Unless you have a solid background in archaeology, you probably won’t be able to understand much if you just wander around on your own. You'll either come away disappointed or having missed half the stuff.

A licensed tour guide is going to make the Sacred Island of Delos come much more alive, and you'll have a better understanding of its importance and place in the Ancient Greek world.

Delos Tours Mykonos Greece

There are several companies providing a Delos island tour from Mykonos. I recommend Get Your Guide as the best platform to compare and book excursions to Delos online. Viator also has good offerings.

In my opinion, the best Delos tours Greece are the following:

The Original Delos Guided Tour

This half-day trip from Mykonos to Delos is one of the most popular tours. It includes transportation on the Mykonos to Delos ferry, and a guided tour of Delos.

You will have three hours on the island, and your licensed guide will explain the most popular sights.

You can choose between a morning and an evening option. According to our guide, the evening tours are generally less crowded, and the temperatures can be more comfortable. Plus, on your way back from Delos to Mykonos, you may catch a lovely sunset!

• Original Delos Morning Tour (Click here)
• Original Delos Evening Tour (Click here)

Delos and Rhenia Day Trip

This day trip combines a semi-private Delos tour, some leisure time on the nearby deserted island of Rhenia, and a delicious Greek meal. It’s a great option for people who have more time and also want to snorkel in crystal-clear waters.

You will be transported in a private yacht, so you won’t need to think about Mykonos to Delos ferry schedule or any other logistics. In addition, this option includes complimentary hotel transfers.

• Delos and Rhenia Yacht Cruise Day Trip (Click here)

Visiting Delos without a tour

If you plan on going to Delos without a guide, it's fairly straightforward. First, you'll need to get a ferry ticket from the booth in the old port near Agios Nikolaos Church.

When you buy the ticket, make sure to ask what time the boat returns to Mykonos from Delos, and then plan your time sightseeing in Delos accordingly.

Once you've arrived at Delos, you'll then need to join the queue at the entrance for tickets. The entrance fee for the museum and archaeological site of Delos is 12 Euro.

Pick up any free leaflets you see and then head in! If you are walking around Delos without a guide, I might suggest visiting the museum first, and then making your way back to the boat slowly from there.

Ancient Delos in Greece

The island of Delos is one of the most interesting ancient archaeological sites in Greece. Here’s some background information so you can make the most of your Mykonos to Delos day tour.

Like many other Cycladic islands, Ancient Delos has been inhabited since the 3rd millennium BC. According to Greek mythology, it was the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, two of the Olympian gods.

From the 8th century BC onwards, the sanctuary of Apollo attracted pilgrims from all around the Greek world. The little island became a popular destination. In fact, the name “Cyclades” was given to the group of islands around the Holy Delos, as they formed a circle (cycle) around it.

After the end of the Persian Wars in 478 BC, several Greek city-states formed an alliance. The main aim was to unite against the foreign enemy and be better prepared for any future attacks. The treasury of the alliance was originally transferred to Delos, and the island’s importance increased even further.

The Romans conquered Delos in 166 BC and decided to turn it into a tax-free port. As a result, it grew into a significant international commerce hub. People from all around the known world moved here to work and trade.

At its peak, the tiny island was home to an incredible number of 30,000 people. The wealthiest residents commissioned luxurious, exclusive mansions to live in. Some of the Delos ruins from that era have been preserved exceptionally well.

In later centuries, Delos gradually lost its prestige, and was often attacked by pirates, until eventually it was completely abandoned.

Excavations on the site began in the 1870s and are still ongoing. A few archaeologists live here year-round, but otherwise staying on the island overnight is not allowed.

Delos ruins – What to see in Delos 

If you are asking “what to do in Delos”, there is only one answer. Walk around the Delos archaeological site and try to imagine life 2,000 years ago! Also, allow some time for the small museum at Delos, where you can see several ancient artefacts.

To me, visiting Delos felt like wandering around an outdoors museum, as there are ancient ruins everywhere. You will see remains of temples, public buildings and the superb aqueduct.

Τhe Agora of the Competaliasts, the Propylaia, the Temples of Apollo, the Sanctuary of Artemis and the Treasuries are among the most notable constructions.

Some of the ruins, like the superb mosaics or the ancient theatre, don’t need much explanation. The majority, however, are best visited with a guide, who will also tell you some stories about life in ancient times.

The famous Naxian lion statues are replicas of the originals, which are housed in the Delos museum.

This big stone was once the base of a giant ancient statue of Apollo, which has been partly destroyed. Parts of the statue can be found in several museums, including the one in Delos.

The phallic symbol was meant to attract fertility and prosperity. Look closely on the walls of the ancient mansions, and you will notice it everywhere.

You can also go up mount Kynthos and admire the lovely views of Delos ruins, Mykonos and Rhenia. Fun fact – during ancient times, Mykonos was not nearly as important as the Sacred Island of Delos!

Frequently asked questions about Delos

Here are some commonly asked questions about Delos island in Greece

How far is Delos from Mykonos?

The Delos – Mykonos distance is about 2 nautical miles. The boat to Delos from Mykonos takes around 30-40 minutes, whereas a tour with a yacht might take slightly longer.

How do I get to Delos from Mykonos?

There is only one way to take a trip to Delos from Mykonos, and this is by boat. There are ferries departing several times a day from the old port in Mykonos to the small Delos port.

The boat trip to Delos from Mykonos lasts about 30-40 minutes. As a rule, the Mykonos – Delos boat schedule varies according to the season.

As we were the only people visiting Delos on the day, we ended up on the smaller Sea Bus. There are other vessels that would more typically make the journey to Delos though.

When is Delos island open?

Delos is only open to visitors from April to October, and this is the period when Delos tours are running. During winter, the Delos island ferry only operates to transport guards and archaeologists who work on the island.

Are entrance fees to Ancient Delos included in tours?

Certain boat trips Mykonos to Delos do not include entrance fees, so read the descriptions carefully. In this case, you will need to buy the ticket when you get to the site. Tickets cost 12 euro at the time of writing, and it’s better to have cash, just in case.

What does the ferry from Mykonos to Delos Greece look like?

The ferries normally running the Delos – Mykonos route have an indoors and outdoors seating area. They have toilets and a small snack bar where you can buy water, coffee and snacks. In fact, as there are very few toilets on the site itself, try to use the on-board toilets if you can.

What do I need to bring on my Ancient Delos – Mykonos day trip?

This is a great question! Unless you are taking a tour where food and drinks are included, I suggest that you bring PLENTY of water and maybe a couple of snacks. In 2020, there was nowhere to buy them in Delos. Also, make sure you wear comfortable shoes, and definitely bring sunscreen and a hat.

Is the Ancient Delos – Mykonos trip worth it?

Absolutely! From a personal point of view, I have always been fascinated by ancient civilizations, and Delos had been high on my list for ages. Visiting here also helped in my quest to visit every UNESCO World Heritage site in Greece !

However, even for people who are not especially interested in history, visiting Delos island from Mykonos should definitely be a priority. After all, how many times in your life will you have the chance to wander around one of the most important places in the ancient Greek world?

Travel Guides to Greece

Planning to spend some time in Mykonos? You might also like to read these guides:

• Mykonos Travel Guide  
• Why visit Mykonos?
• Best time to visit Mykonos
• How to get from Athens to Mykonos
• Mykonos Airport Taxi Guide
• Where to stay in Mykonos
• One day in Mykonos itinerary
• 3 days in Mykonos itinerary and travel guides
• Best Mykonos tours and day trips
• Best beaches in Mykonos
• How to get from Mykonos to Milos
• Famous landmarks in Greece

2 thoughts on “Visiting Delos Island Greece: Mykonos to Delos Day Trip and Tours”

trying 2 get from paros to delos july 13th…..any suggestions?

For 2021, it doesn’t look like any direct tours are running, so you’d have to put it together yourself. It looks like you would need to get to Mykonos first. There’s an early ferry ride to Mykonos from Paros on that date. It’s all a bit complicated though, and involves a lot of travel! If you go down that route, check out ferry times here: Ferryhopper

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How to Visit Delos on a Day Trip from Mykonos

One of the best perks of a trip to Mykonos is its proximity to so many beautiful islands. Luckily, the closest island to Mykonos is also one of the most interesting and beautiful: the beautiful island of Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The island of Delos ticks all the boxes for a perfect day trip from Mykonos. Frequent connections by ferry, a beautiful setting, a stunning and well-preserved set of ruins: a day trip to Delos from Mykonos is as easy as it is rewarding.

While it can be hard to peel yourself away from the beautiful Mykonos beaches, I really recommend you do. Delos offers an incredible insight into ancient Greek civilization at its peak, and taking a tour of Delos reveals the hints of what life was like back in Delos’ heyday, more than 2,000 years ago.

Visiting Delos was one of the highlights of my recent trip to Greece, and I’d put Delos as one of my top 5 archaeological sites in Greece for history lovers. It’s right up there with the Acropolis, the Oracle of Delphi, and Akrotiri as must-visit sites. And since it’s only a 30-minute boat ride to Delos from Mykonos, you’d be a fool to skip it.

Getting to Delos from Mykonos

Truly, planning a day trip to Delos from Mykonos couldn’t be simpler. Boat connections leave from Mykonos Town (Chora) multiple times a day.

A ferry with Delos Tours is the most common way to get to Delos from Mykonos, and it’s what I personally did and recommend because they have phenomenal tour guides.

I did this tour with Delos Tours, and my guide, Athena, was fantastic. She’s an archaeologist and historian as well as being a guide, so she was able to bring so many of the structure to life for us and give us an insight into what clues were left behind by this ancient civilization.

To get to the port where they leave to Delos, walk to the Delos Tours ticket office at the Delos port. This is about a 10-minute walk from the Old Port, or a 5-minute walk from the restaurants on the harbor.

Alternately, if you are visiting Mykonos on a cruise, you’ll be coming from the New Port. In this case, you should take the sea bus for only two euros all the way to the Delos departure area.

The Delos to Mykonos Ferry Timetable

On Mondays , there is a ferry from Mykonos to Delos at 10 AM from May 2nd to October 31st, with a return ferry at 1:30 PM.

The Monday afternoon tour differs depending on the sunset time. From May 2nd to September 15, the ferry leaves at 5 PM and returns at 7:30 PM. From September 15 to September 30, the ferry leaves at 4:30 PM and returns at 7 PM.

From October 1 to October 14, the ferry leaves at 4 PM and comes back from Delos at 6:30 PM. From October 15 to October 31, the ferry leaves at 3:30 PM and returns at 6 PM.

On Tuesdays through Sunday , the schedule has many more options for morning tours, all between May 2nd and October 31st. There are morning departures at 9 AM, 10 AM, and 11:30 AM, with returns at noon, 1:30 PM, and 3 PM respectively.

The evening tours are staggered and follow the same timeline as the Monday afternoon tours listed above.

How far is Delos from Mykonos?

The boat to Delos to Mykonos is blissfully short. It’s only 15 kilometers, and the boat takes only 30 minutes. The ride is absolutely beautiful!

Can you stay overnight on Delos?

You cannot – Delos is strictly an archaeological site, and there are no hotels or any capacity to stay on the island overnight.

How much is the ferry from Mykonos to Delos?

The ferry costs 20 euros return, which does not include the 12 euro entrance fee, for a total of 32 euros.

I strongly recommend adding on a guide. For 50 euros, you get a return ticket, the entrance fee, and a roughly 2-hour guided tour of Delos. This is the half-day tour I booked: The Original Morning Delos Guided Tour. If you’d rather visit in the evening, you can check the Evening Tour offered by the same company.

Alternately, you can visit Delos as part of a full-day yacht sailing cruise which also includes Rhenia Island, so you can drink white wine, eat lunch, relax in the sun, swim and snorkel with the provided equipment, and enjoy a two-hour guided tour of Delos Island. This is the yacht cruise I recommend if you have the time!

What to See When You Visit Delos Archaeological Site

The Delos Archaeological Site is pretty big and spread out. Going on a tour will ensure you see all the highlights, which is why I chose to do it that way. Here are the top 5 things you should keep an eye out for when you visit.

The Temples of Apollo. There are three temples which were dedicated to Apollo, which now stand largely in ruins. The statues from these temples have been moved to the inner museum.

The Archaeological Museum of Delos : Many of the statues you’ll find in Delos have been moved inside, and replicas now stand in their place to protect the originals from Delos’ strong winds.

The Terrace of the Lions : This row of lion statues made of the finest Naxian marble is one of the most iconic sights of Delos. The originals have been moved into the museum to protect them from the elements, but replicas of the lions are placed where they originally stood for millennia.

The House of Dionysus : Best known for its beautiful mosaic floor and the remains of plaster stucco wall paintings, the House of Dionysus is a wonderful insight into the lives of the extremely wealthy who lived on Delos many millennia ago.

The Odeon. The ancient theater of Delos has been damaged quite a bit over the centuries, but it’s an impressive site nonetheless.

5 Big Mistakes People Make When They Visit Delos

Not bringing sun and wind protection. Delos is an open archaeology site, with virtually no protection from the elements. You will want to bring, at the very least, a large bottle of water, a sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. At the same time, be sure to bring some sort of sweater or windbreaker in case the wind picks up, as Delos can get incredibly windy.

Not wearing the right shoes. Delos is rocky and unpaved. Unlike Akrotiri, which has a boardwalk around the whole perimeter and through the town, you are walking outdoors on uneven terrain the entire time at Delos. I recommend walking shoes like sneakers or a really sturdy pair of sandals. I do not recommend cute flats that you don’t want to get gravel in with every other step…

Not going with a guide. While you can save some money by not going with a guide, I really don’t recommend skimping on this. Most of the interesting sites such as the Odeon and the House of Dionysus have very little information about them on placards, so you won’t really know what you are seeing.

A guide will help bring not only these important structures to life, but the everyday structures — the taverns, the houses, the fish markets, etc. – to give you the full imagining of what life on Delos would have been life.

Stepping on the marble. There are many marble blocks strewn on the ground at Delos, which is incredibly soft and porous. Do not step on the marble, as you risk damaging it and wearing it down over time.

Not eating beforehand. Delos is strictly an archaeological site, so there’s really not much in the way of infrastructure. It’s just a ticket booth, a museum shop (which was closed when I went), and a bathroom with just two stalls. Be sure to eat beforehand — you can buy snacks on the boat or grab something to eat before you leave Mykonos harbor.

Delos Tours Mentioned in the Post

For a quick list of the Delos tours I mentioned in this post, here they are:

• Delos Morning Tour
• Delos Evening Tour
• Full Day Yacht Cruise and Delos Tour

Pin This Guide to Visiting Delos from Mykonos Here

5 Things to Bring with You to Greece

If you’re planning a trip to Greece, you’ll want to pack all the normal essentials, but here are a few things we strongly recommend bringing that may not have crossed your mind. For more packing tips, check out our complete  Greece packing list.

–  A physical guidebook, in paper or on Kindle . We love  Lon ely  Planet  Greece  for this region and strongly recommend it to supplement blogs. Blogs are great, but a combination of a blog and a guidebook is key to having the best access to information easily at your fingertips.

–  A water bottle with a filter . We generally recommend using a water bottle with a purifying filter to reduce your plastic consumption and ensure you won’t drink any funny-tasting water on your stomach that could make your trip unpleasant! We recommend  the GRAYL water bottle  – it filters water perfectly in an instant so that you can even drink from lakes, bad taps, etc.

–  Motion sickness pills . Mykonos roads are winding, especially around the coast. If you have a weak stomach as we do, save yourself and bring some  non-drowsy motion sickness pills .

–  Travel safety items . We think Athens is safe to travel, but at the same time, it never hurts to be prepared! Some people like to carry  money belts , but neither Stephanie or I use these. Instead, we both carry the same  PacSafe anti-theft backpack .

It has locking zippers, slash-proof construction with metal mesh hidden in the fabric, and tons of other smart security features — all while being cute and stylish enough to be our everyday bag. We recommend it highly for both male and female travelers, as it’s neutral enough to be unisex. We also strongly recommend travel insurance! Our recommendation is at the bottom of the post.

Read More:  Essential Greece Packing List: What to Wear & Pack for Greece

More Greece Resources

First read our guide to  planning a trip to Greece , which covers visas, budgets, vaccines, and much more.

Next, you’ll want to read our all-season  Greece packing list .

If you are still trying to figure out your Greece itinerary, check out our guides on  where to go in Greece , the best places for  island hopping in Greece , and when is the  best time to visit. 

We publish new content about the Balkans almost every day! For more information about traveling to Greece and the Balkans, bookmark our  Greece  and  Balkan  travel pages so you can find out what’s new before your trip.

Don’t Forget About Travel Insurance!

I’m sure you’re aware that it’s a good idea to have  travel insurance  for traveling in Mykonos, Greece in general, or anywhere in the world!

Stephanie and I have both been paying customers of  World Nomads  for the last three years. We love the peace of mind it gives us in case of emergencies, accidents, illnesses, theft, or trip cancellation or disruption. 

While Mykonos is safe, there’s always a risk inherent in everyday travel like theft or injury, so it’s better to play it safe.

>>  Get a travel insurance quote for your trip here  <<

Originally from California, Allison has been living in Bulgaria for the last two years and is obsessed with traveling around the Balkans. She has been published in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, Matador Network, and the Huffington Post. She loves befriending dogs, drinking coffee, geeking out about wine, and cooking food from around the world.

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The best things to do in Mykonos

W hile Mykonos's main attractions are, largely, its profusion of pretty beaches and the twisting, maze-like allure of strolling through the capital, Chora, look a bit deeper and there are some interesting cultural experiences to be had. The island is close to one of the most famous archaeological and mythological sites, Delos, where you can still see the remnants of some traditional pastimes and industries. Pleasures are to be had in discovering quiet squares and browsing around avant-garde galleries, following pathways and streets that were once trodden by the pirates who used to patrol the island's waterways.

For further  Mykonos  inspiration, see our guides to the island's best  hotels ,  restaurants ,  nightlife  and  beaches .

Find things to do by area

Mykonos town / chora, central mykonos.

• Southern Mykonos
• Northern Mykonos

Transport yourself back 5,000 years to the time of the Greek Gods

It's said to be the birthplace of twin gods Apollo and Artemis; a small speck of rocky land just 30 minutes from the Old Port. Delos evolved to house a thriving community, who built temples, houses, agorae and wells, adorned with statues and sculptures that paid tribute to these people’s deities, many of which remain (if not all intact).

Insider tip:  Today you can also visit a purpose-built archaeological museum, filled with remnants which have been excavated from the site.

Contact:   delostours.gr

Price: ££ 

Watch the sunset behind the island's few remaining windmills

While it's lovely to sit at one of the many chic cocktail bars which line the waterfront by Little Venice as the sun goes down, the colour of the sky set against five of Mykonos's remaining wheat mills (one of the most iconic symbols of the island), is well worth viewing. Take a seat by the small square across the road from the Windmills of Kato Mili, bring a bottle of prosecco and toast the lilac, pale orange and pink shades as they fade to dusk.

Insider tip:  You might get a prime view of one of the island’s three pelicans, as they often take their daily evening passeggiata from here.

Settle in for an open-air film screening

What could be nicer than watching one of your favourite movies outdoors, under the stars? Cine Manto is tucked away in a quiet square, with an all day café-restaurant set in an inviting, 11,300sq ft, tree- and cactus-lined garden. It shows a programme of late-night films (screening at either 9pm or 11pm) all through the summer; check the website for the most up-to-date programme but expect to see some of this year’s big hitters - potentially anything from Barbie to Maestro.

Insider tip: Come here for dinner and time it so the film starts just as you're finishing dessert.

Contact: cinemanto.gr

Immerse yourself in Chora's labyrinthine streets

If it's your first time to the island, you might want some orientation to navigate round the town's fiendishly maze-like streets – an Old Town guided walking tour will help. History has it that its impenetrable-seeming layout was due to the inhabitants, who wanted to make it difficult for any invaders, namely pirates, to find their way in to the centre, or indeed get back out. They've done a remarkable job of making it tricky to walk around, but that also means you slow down and take in the charming alleyways, back streets, squares and doorways. 

Insider tip:  Don't be afraid to ask your guide if you can spend more time in one of the shops or sample a delicacy. Most are locals who are proud to show off their island.

Contact: viator.com

Watch some of the island’s only remaining weavers at work

Mykonos was once an island of weavers, as well as an island of fishermen and millers. Up until the 1930s, knitwear was widely produced and sold. However, with the advent of technology, such skills have fallen into decline; today there are barely any women using looms any more. However, carrying on the tradition are Nikoleta Xidakis and her daughter Anna at their shop Nikoleta. You’ll find their small workshop and store not far from Paraportiani church, where they still make colourful scarves and shawls, and you can see them at work.

Insider tip: If you ask nicely (Anna will translate), Nikoleta might let you try out what it’s like to use the loom.

Address: Mitropoleos Street, Little Venice

Opening times: Variable

Price: Free

Find a slower pace in the countryside

Ano Mera is the second biggest town on the island after Chora, but its position inland, 30 minutes' drive away, means it feels more sheltered and quiet. It’s great to escape to if you tire of the beach or the nightlife, with some fascinating sites, including the ruins of 13th-century Venetian castle, Gyzi, and a couple of handsome monasteries. Panagia Tourliani has a beautiful, well-preserved belltower, while Paleokastro Monastery is simpler but offers beautiful views from its elevated position.

Insider tip:  Stop for a photo-op by the beautiful red, yellow and blue painted Sun of Mykonos apartments, scattered with oversized, primary coloured pots, just five minutes' away in Klouvas.

Get set to cook like a Greek

Yes, it's great to go a restaurant and order your favourite Greek food – but what's it like to try your hand at cooking it yourself, while learning about the culture behind the cuisine and Greek traditions? Immerse yourself in all this and more with a Mykonian cookery class, such as the one at Mykonian Spiti. Spend the day at the home of a Greek family, where matriarch, Teta, will tell you more about the history of the island, what daily life is like for locals, and share typical Mykonian meze. Then, using ingredients from her garden, you’ll learn how to make a variety of traditional dishes such as tzatziki, beef with orzo pasta and spinach pie. The atmosphere is convivial and relaxed – helped by the free-flowing ouzo.

Insider tip:  You can combine this with a visit to the family’s nearby farm estate and vineyard to learn about their organic farming practices.

Contact:  mykonianspiti.com

Price:  £££

Southern Mykonos

Take to the waves on board a classic yacht.

What could be more pleasurable than feeling the breeze in your hair as you sail from one side of Mykonos to other, skirting its beautiful southern coast? This, after all, is where most of the island’s best and most beautiful beaches are located, from Agios Ioannis – the starting point – past Ornos, Paradise, Paraga, Elia and more. This six-hour boat trip (Mykonos: South Beaches Cruise) makes a couple of stops for snorkeling and swimming in the crystal clear Aegean waters, followed by a barbecue lunch on-board, and skirts past tiny Dragonisi island – popular with divers – before returning to port. 

Insider tip:  Leave high heels and fancy clothes at your hotel; you'll be barefoot on board and spending most of the day in your swimsuit anyway.

Contact: getyourguide.com/mykonos

Northern Mykonos

Hang out at a beach club.

It might come as a surprise to discover that there are a couple of vineyards on this largely barren, wind-swept island, but in fact the combination of the strong north winds, lack of water, and rich ingredients of the soil result in some delicious grapes. Head to the Vioma organic farm just outside Ano Mera village, where the Pasoglou family produce honey, vegetables, and herbs. Their vineyards are a legacy of the local monastery, which yield some of the island’s finest rosé and white wines, based on traditional Aegean varietals (Mandilaria, Agiannitis, Assyrtiko and Athiri). Tastings are accompanied by Greek tapas (mezedes) made from the farm’s produce.

Insider tip: Kids are welcome, and can meet Marika, the family’s friendly pet donkey, and Marousso the sheep.

Contact: mykonosvioma.com

How we choose

Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.

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Week 4 – Gingo (Mykonos & Delos)

This weekend our apartment visited the Cycladic island of Delos, where we had the opportunity to walk through many ruins, see beautiful mosaics, and hike to the top of the island, where once stood the Sanctuary of Zeus and Athena.

Delos, the most sacred of islands in ancient Greek culture, was – according to myth – the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. In the second century BCE, it was declared a free port and became a bustling hub of commercial activity, inhabited by many rich merchants, bankers and ship-owners who hired builders and craftsmen to build them luxurious houses decorated with frescoes and mosaic floors. We had the opportunity to see some of these mosaics in the House with the Dolphins and in the House of Dionysus, where there was a mosaic depicting the god riding a tiger. The House with the Dolphins mosaic features the repeating spiral wave-like symbol that we have discussed in class being prominent in Cycladic art from hundreds of years earlier.

At the beginning of our allotted 3 hours on the island, we walked along the Sacred Way past the Agora of the Delians, where there would have been a market with many shops, the South Stoa and the Stoa of Phillip V. To the North, we passed the Sacred Lake, believed to have held the sacred swans of Apollo, but today is dry and overgrown with trees, shrubs and grasses. Before turning South again, we walked past the Naxian Lions, dedicated to Apollo by the people of Naxos just before 600 BCE. Lined up facing toward the Sacred Lake and the Agora of the Italians, the lions’ mouths are open as if roaring or snarling, meant to guard the sanctuaries and to inspire a feeling of divine fear among the worshippers.

We also hiked past the Temple of Hera on the way to the Sanctuary of Zeus and Athena, and caught a glimpse of the Grotto of Heracles on the way down, a natural cleft in the rock roofed with two slabs of granite. This spot is believed to be the earliest location where Apollo was worshiped on Delos.

Toward the end of the loop, in the area of the town above the port, we saw the Theater, as well as the public cistern (many of the wealthy houses had private cisterns), meant to provide water to the humbler people of Delos by collecting water through a complex system of drains and depositing it here. Across the whole island, we saw many bases that would have held bronze statues (marked by small holes carved in the top of the stone) as well as those made of stone (marked with one circular or rectangular indent).

Delos was gradually abandoned and fell into decline after a series of attacks and lootings in 88 BCE by King of Ponuts (Mithridates), who was an enemy of the Romans – Delos had friendly relations with Romans – and in 69 BCE an ally of Mithridates, the pirates of Athenodorus. 

• Charlotte Gingo
• Spring 2024