Hidden away in the heart of the Cyclades, just six miles from Mykonos, lies a stunning island that holds the crown as one of Greece’s most important mythological, historical and archaeological sites. While crowds descend on its neighbour, this island remains a hidden gem.
2,000 years ago, well before Mykonos became a popular holiday destination, the rich and famous would instead descend on Delos. Despite being only 1.3 square miles in area, Delos is home to some of the Mediterranean’s most extensive and impressive ancient ruins. Of the several thousand Greek islands, Delos is one of the most important historically. During the time of Ancient Greece, it stood as the commercial and navigational centre of the Aegean Sea.
Its large city was once home to 30,000 people but now lies in a state of ruin which stretches right to the water’s edge.
In Greek mythology, Delos is the birthplace of the Greek gods Apollo and Artemis. From its Sacred Harbour are visible the three conical mounds that have identified landscapes sacred to a goddess, thought to be Athena. Another site, retaining its Pre-Greek name Mount Cynthus, is topped with a sanctuary of Zeus.
With such an impressive assortment of ancient structures, it should come as no surprise that UNESCO added Delos to its World Heritage List in 1990.
Among its most impressive landmarks are the Minoan Fountain, a rectangular well hacked into the rock, still housing water that can be reached by a flight of steps that fill one side.
The Terrace of Lions was dedicated to Apollo by the people of Naxos shortly before 600 BC. Originally home to nine to 12 marble lion statues, seven originals remain today. Together, they create an avenue—the Sacred Way—that has been compared to the Egyptian avenue of sphinxes.
Finally, the House of Dionysus is a luxurious second-century private house named for the floor mosaic of the God of wine riding a panther.
In the sixth century, Delos was abandoned entirely and successive occupiers took the stones of the ancient city to build their own structures. The island’s treasures were finally unearthed again in the 1870s when archaeological work began.
As of 2011, the island is only home to 24 residents and camping and overnight stays are prohibited.
Delos can only be visited by boat. There are various travel agencies that sell tickets for organised tours to the island from Mykonos and other islands like Naxos. While you can make a full-day visit on your own, most companies provide half-day tours which take around four-and-a-half hours.
