Delos Island is a quick half-day trip from Mykonos, and if you’re craving a break from the partying, hedonistic atmosphere of Mykonos, I suggest Delos for a dose of culture and history.
What is Delos, and why is it so famous?
Delos is famous for two reasons:
- Mythological. Delos is considered the birthplace of the Greek Gods – Apollo and Artemis; hence it was one of the most significant religious places in ancient Greece.
- Historical. From the 16th century BC to about 5th century BC or thereabouts, this island was a major trading center and commercial hub.
This island is the largest archeological site in Greece, a UNESCO world heritage site, and a must-visit if you’re traveling in the Cyclades islands.
How do I reach Delos?
You can only get to Delos on a day trip by ferry from another island. Most commonly, the point of departure is Mykonos, but there are also day trips to Delos from the islands of Naxos and Paros.
Although it’s relatively easy to visit Delos independently, you’ll definitely benefit from a guide’s explanation of the site. I would recommend this Delos tour from Mykonos. Most tours are for about 90 mins. However, they don’t cover the hike to the top of the island – which might be worth it to get good views of the island and the sea. It was too hot the day we went for us to even contemplate it, though.
Note: You cannot eat or stay in Delos. There is only the archeological dig, so make sure you plan your trip accordingly.
What’s there to see in Delos?
In short – plenty of ruins. Click the photos below to see them in full-size.
Delos is glorious – literally shining under the sun. We spent a lovely three hours wandering along the ruins listening to our guide talk through the history of the place. And there is a lot of history. While I appreciated her lecture (she was incredibly informative), I am going to hunt down a documentary about it so I can take in all the information at my own pace.
The terrace of the lions is one of the highlights of the place. This terrace was erected and dedicated to Apollo around 600 BCE. The terrace consisted of nine to twelve marble carved lions facing eastward toward the Sacred Lake of Delos (which no longer exists). With their mouths open as if roaring or snarling, the lions were meant to guard the sanctuaries and inspire a feeling of divine fear among the worshippers.
Today, there are only five lions remaining.
Fun fact: Lions actually used to live in ancient Greece; they finally died out around 100 BCE.
The way the lions are positioned here reminds me of the very similar avenue of the Rams that exists in Karnak temple in Egypt.
If there’s one negative, I have to say about this island, it’s that the sign-posting isn’t good enough. I was 100% dependent on the guide to understand more about this place and make my way around.
So, in short, take a guided tour and go! This tour is perfect for people who enjoy history and mythology.
