The Theatre & its houses
A marble theatre on the hillside, with the Theatre Quarter below: narrow lanes of merchants' houses, cisterns and courtyards.
דלוס ממיקונוס
האי הקדוש של אפולו, 30–40 דקות בסירה: כרטיסים, שעות, מסלול ההליכה ואיך מנצחים את החום.
- Site + museum €20
- Summer 08:00–19:30
- Boat 30–40 min from Old Port
- UNESCO since 1990
The short answer
Take a morning boat from Chora's Old Port (30–40 minutes, about €25 return), pay €20 (reduced €10) at the gate for the site and museum, and allow three to four hours ashore. Summer hours are 08:00–19:30, last entry 19:00 (Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades, 2026). Bring water and a hat — there is almost no shade.
Why go
The sacred island of the Aegean
In Greek myth, Leto gave birth to Apollo and Artemis on Delos, and the island became one of the holiest places of the ancient world. Pilgrims came from every corner of the Aegean; the treasury of the Delian League was kept here before Athens moved it home.
Later, as a Roman-era free port, Delos boomed into a cosmopolitan trading city, with houses floored in mosaics and temples to gods from Egypt and Syria. After being sacked twice in the 1st century BC it emptied — which is why so much survived. The island has been excavated since the 1870s and was listed by UNESCO in 1990.
- Size: about 5 km long, a short walk from end to end of the main site.
- Rule: nobody lives on Delos except guards and archaeologists; there are no overnight stays.
What to see
The highlights, in walking order
House of Dionysus & House of the Dolphins
Some of the finest Hellenistic mosaics in Greece, still on the floors where they were laid — Dionysus riding a panther, dolphins, masks.
House of Cleopatra
A wealthy Athenian couple, Cleopatra and Dioskourides, are portrayed by headless marble statues in their own courtyard.
Mount Kynthos
A 20–30 minute climb on ancient steps to the summit, about 110 m up, for the view over Delos, Rhenia and Mykonos.
Terrace of the Lions
A row of marble lions offered by the Naxians around the 7th century BC. The ones outside are replicas; the originals are in the museum, and one stands at the Arsenal in Venice.
Sacred Lake & Sanctuary of Apollo
The palm-ringed lake where the god was born — drained in the 1920s, its outline marked by a low wall — and the temples of Apollo beside it.
Museum
The site museum
The museum near the Sacred Lake holds the original lions, statues from the sanctuaries, wall paintings and everyday objects from the houses. It is small, cool and well lit — the best place to escape the midday sun, and the reason to keep 30–45 minutes at the end of your visit.
For finds from the island's purification pits on Rhenia and from Mykonos itself, visit the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos in Chora (€5, closed Tuesday).
Getting there
Boats, tickets and timing
The boat
Boats leave the Old Port of Chora several times a day in season, with set return times. About €25 return (operators, 2026). Buy at the harbour kiosk or from agents in town; some excursion boats also leave from Ornos and Platis Gialos.
The site ticket
€20 full, €10 reduced, bought at the entrance and covering the museum. Summer hours 08:00–19:30, last entry 19:00; visitors must leave by closing (Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades, 2026).
When
Take the first boat of the day: cooler, quieter, better light. In winter the site and boats run reduced schedules or close — check before you plan.
Wind can cancel the boat
The crossing is short but exposed. On strong meltemi days in July and August, sailings to Delos can be cancelled at short notice. Plan Delos early in your stay so you can move it to another day.
Tips
Make the most of three hours
- Route: from the harbour, go south first to the Theatre Quarter and its mosaics, climb Kynthos if you have the legs, then finish with the Sanctuary of Apollo, the lions and the museum.
- Guide: the ruins are poorly signed. A licensed guide — often sold with the boat ticket — or a good audio guide makes the visit.
- Carry: at least a litre of water each, a hat, sunscreen and closed shoes. Food options on the island are limited.
- Respect: do not climb on walls or touch mosaics, and take nothing — not even a stone.
- Children: the lions, the theatre and Kynthos are the winners; bring snacks and keep the visit to two hours.
Common questions
Delos questions
How much does it cost to visit Delos?
The site ticket is €20, reduced €10, and includes the museum (Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades, 2026). The boat from Mykonos is extra — about €25 return. Guided tours combine boat, guide and sometimes the ticket; check what is included before you pay.
How long do you need on Delos?
Three to four hours covers the Theatre Quarter, the mosaics, the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Terrace of the Lions and the museum. Add 45–60 minutes if you want to climb Mount Kynthos. The return boat times decide your schedule, so check them when you buy your ticket.
Can you stay overnight on Delos?
No. Delos is an archaeological site, and visitors must leave on the boats before closing time. Only guards and archaeological staff live on the island. Stay on Mykonos and take a morning boat from the Old Port.
When is Delos open?
In summer 2026 the site and museum were open daily 08:00–19:30, with last entry at 19:00 (Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades). Winter hours are shorter and the site can close in the depth of winter, when boats also stop. Check the official hours and the boat schedule before planning.