Delos is a 30-minute boat ride from Mykonos and one of the most important archaeological sites in the Mediterranean -- the mythical birthplace of Apollo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an open-air museum covering an entire island. If you do one day trip from Mykonos, this is it.
In this guide
No one lives on Delos. No one has lived there for centuries. What remains is a dense, sprawling archaeological site -- temples, theatres, houses with intact mosaic floors, the famous Terrace of the Lions, and a museum filled with sculptures and artefacts. The island was the religious and commercial centre of the ancient Aegean, and at its peak around 100 BC it had a population of 30,000 and was one of the wealthiest places in the known world.
Today it's uninhabited, sun-blasted, and extraordinary. You can walk through the ruins for 2-3 hours and barely scratch the surface. This is not a "nice ruins" day trip -- this is one of the great archaeological experiences in Greece, on par with Delphi or Olympia, and it's sitting right next to the party island of Mykonos.
How Do You Get There?
Boats to Delos depart from Mykonos Old Port (also called the Deliana port), near Mykonos Town.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Distance | About 5 km southwest of Mykonos |
| Boat time | ~30 minutes |
| Departures | Multiple daily in season (typically 09:00, 10:00, 11:00) |
| Last return | Up to 17:00-19:30 in summer (varies by season, check schedule) |
| Ticket price (ferry) | Around 20 EUR return + site entry fee |
| Site entry fee | About 20 EUR (museum included) |
| Guided tour price | 40-80 EUR per person (includes boat + guide, sometimes entry) |
Two ways to visit:
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Independent (ferry + self-guided): Take the public ferry boat from Mykonos Old Port, buy your site entry ticket on Delos, and explore on your own. Cheapest option. You'll need to catch the return boat at the scheduled time -- miss it and you're stuck (there's nothing on Delos except ruins).
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Guided tour: Most visitors take a guided tour. These typically include boat transfer, a guide who walks you through the ruins, and sometimes a stop at Rhenia island (the uninhabited island next to Delos) for swimming and lunch. Tours run 4-6.5 hours. Group tours (up to 12 people) are the best value; private charters exist for a premium.
Book in advance. The boats have limited capacity and the popular morning departures fill up in summer. Tour operators like Viator and GetYourGuide offer options, and local operators in Mykonos Town sell tickets the day before -- but don't rely on day-of availability in July-August.
What Will You See?
The Terrace of the Lions
The iconic image of Delos. A row of marble lion statues (originally nine, five remain in situ) guarding the Sacred Lake where Apollo was supposedly born. The lions are archaic-period sculptures from the 7th century BC -- among the oldest monumental sculptures in Greece. The originals are in the site museum; the ones outside are copies, but the setting is powerful regardless.
The Sacred Harbour and Agora
The ancient commercial centre. When Delos was the trading hub of the Aegean, this is where merchants from across the Mediterranean did business. The remains of colonnades, shops, and the Italian Agora give a sense of the scale -- this was a proper international trading port.
The Theatre Quarter
An entire residential neighbourhood with houses that still have visible mosaic floors. The House of Dionysus is the highlight -- a wealthy merchant's home with a mosaic of Dionysus riding a panther. The columns in the House of Dionysus reach 5.8 metres. Several other houses have similarly impressive floor mosaics that have survived 2,000+ years of exposure.
The Theatre
A 5,500-seat theatre carved into the hillside, with views across to Mykonos and the surrounding islands. Performances were held here during festivals honouring Apollo. The acoustics still work -- stand at the centre of the orchestra and speak normally, and someone in the back rows can hear you.
The Temple of Apollo
The religious heart of the island. Three temples to Apollo stood here, along with the famous Colossus of the Naxians (a giant marble statue, now in fragments). The sacred precinct includes altars, treasuries, and the foundations of temples that once held some of the greatest art in the ancient world.
Mount Kynthos
The highest point on the island (113 metres). A short, steep hike from the main ruins to the summit gives you a 360-degree view of the Cyclades -- Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Syros, and on a clear day, islands as far as the horizon. The path passes the Grotto of Herakles and the remains of temples to Zeus and Athena.
The Museum
Small but excellent. Houses the original Lion statues, sculptures, pottery, and jewellery found on the island. Worth 30-45 minutes. Included in the site entry fee.
How Long Do You Need?
| Visit Style | Time on Site | Total Trip Time |
|---|---|---|
| Quick overview | 1.5-2 hours | 3-4 hours |
| Thorough visit + museum | 2.5-3.5 hours | 5-6 hours |
| Everything + Mount Kynthos | 3.5-4.5 hours | 6-7 hours |
Most guided tours spend 2-3 hours on the island. If you're going independently, give yourself at least 3 hours to see the main sites, the museum, and the theatre quarter.
A Typical Day-Trip Schedule
Guided tour version (5-6 hours):
- 09:00 -- Depart Mykonos Old Port
- 09:30 -- Arrive Delos
- 09:30-12:00 -- Guided tour of the ruins (Terrace of the Lions, Temple of Apollo, Theatre Quarter, Museum)
- 12:00 -- Reboard boat
- 12:15 -- Sail to Rhenia island (10 minutes)
- 12:30-14:00 -- Swimming and lunch at Rhenia (some tours provide lunch on board)
- 14:00-14:30 -- Return to Mykonos
Independent version:
- 09:00 or 10:00 -- Ferry from Mykonos Old Port
- 09:30 or 10:30 -- Arrive Delos, buy entry ticket
- Next 2.5-3.5 hours -- Explore ruins, museum, optionally climb Mount Kynthos
- 13:00 or 15:00 -- Return ferry to Mykonos
What Should You Know Before Going?
- There is no shade on Delos. The island is treeless and fully exposed. Bring a hat, high-SPF sunscreen, and at least 1 litre of water per person. In July-August, the combination of sun and reflected heat from the marble ruins is brutal.
- Wear proper shoes. The site has uneven ground, rocky paths, and lots of walking on ancient stone. Trainers or hiking sandals are fine. Flip-flops are not.
- There is a small cafe on Delos that sells water, snacks, and basic refreshments. Don't rely on it for a meal -- bring food if you're spending more than 2 hours.
- The site entry fee is separate from the boat ticket. Some tours include it; others don't. Check when booking.
- You cannot stay on Delos overnight. It's an archaeological site, not a habitable island. Everyone leaves on the last boat.
- The morning boats are best. The site is quieter before the midday tour groups arrive, the light is better for photography, and you avoid the worst of the heat.
- Wind can cancel boats. The Meltemi wind in July-August can make the crossing rough or impossible. If you have a specific day in mind, book but stay flexible.
- A guide is genuinely worth it here. Unlike some sites where you can read a plaque and understand what you're seeing, Delos is vast and the ruins require context. A good guide brings the island to life in a way that walking around alone doesn't.
When Is the Best Time to Visit?
April-May and September-October -- Best conditions. Warm, not scorching. Fewer crowds. Boats running regularly.
June -- Good, getting hot. Morning visits recommended.
July-August -- Very hot, most crowded, most frequent boats. Start early.
November-March -- Reduced boat service. The site is open but getting there is less reliable. Check schedules.
Should You Add Rhenia?
Rhenia is the uninhabited island immediately next to Delos. Many guided tours include a swimming stop at Rhenia, usually at a sheltered bay with clear turquoise water. It's a nice contrast -- ancient ruins followed by a swim in pristine water.
If your tour doesn't include Rhenia, don't worry. Delos itself is the main event. But if you're choosing between two similar tour options and one includes a Rhenia stop, take it. The swimming is excellent and it breaks up the return journey.
Delos is 30 minutes by boat from Mykonos. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Entry around 20 EUR. Allow 2-4 hours for the ruins. Book boats or tours in advance. Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, and proper shoes -- there is no shade.
Planning more adventures on the island? Browse our complete guide to the best day trips from Mykonos.
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