What to Expect on Your Day Trip to Delos
Each summer season, travelers from around the globe arrive to the Greek islands and drawn by sun, sea and centuries of history. Among the countless idyllic destinations, only a few make it onto nearly every vacation bucket list — and one of them is the legendary ancient site of Delos Island. Nestled in the heart of the Cyclades, Delos captivates visitors from surrounding islands like Mykonos, Tinos, Naxos, Paros and beyond. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a mythology lover or simply a curious explorer, choose between the regular ferry route and a day gateway found in our Combo Sailing Cruise by Sunfos Alessia Yachting for a unique sailing experience and step back in time to one of ancient Greece’s most sacred and storied places.
Why Visit Delos on a Day Trip from Mykonos?
Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a small, rocky island of just 6,85km, located a few miles south-west from Mykonos, right at the center of the Cyclades complex. In fact, the name “Cyclades” literally translates to “those who encircle [Delos]”.
According to the Greek Mythology, it was the birthplace of Apollo, the god of day light and sun, music and prophecy and his twin sister, Artemis, the goddess of night light, hunt and wilderness, both children of Titaness Leto and Zeus, father of all humans and Gods. Due to its immense religious significance, it was seen as “the most sacred of all islands” in ancient Greek culture.
Apart from an important religious place, the island of Delos was also a thriving commercial hub of the ancient East and West world, boasting grand temples, impressive mosaics and a rich history dating back thousands of years.
Today, it stands as an open-air museum, offering visitors a chance to explore its fascinating ruins and magnificent insights. Once you disembark in Delos, you will be transported to a world where mythology and history intertwine. Walk among the ruins of the Terrace of the Lions, explore the ancient Agora and marvel at the House of Dionysus with its intricate mosaics, the House of the Masks and the Temple of Isis. With a knowledgeable and certified guide, you will uncover the stories behind the artifacts and gain a deeper appreciation for the island’s significance.
Highlights of the Delos Day Trip with Sunfos Alessia Yachting
From Sacred Sanctuary to Ancient Commercial Bustling Metropolis
Even though it is not quite clear who first inhabited the island, the ancient stones huts found which indicated that it has been inhabited since the 3rd millennium BC. According to Thucydides, an Athenian historian and general, the original inhabitants were identified as piratical Carinas who were eventually expelled by King Minos of Crete.
After the Persian wars, in 478 BC, the Delian League was founded. It was an alliance consisting of Greek city-states under the leadership of Athens, intending to continue to fight the Persian Empire. Delos was the league’s meeting point, where congresses took place in the temple. The treasury of the alliance was also located there until Pericles, a Greek politician and general during the Golden Age of Athens, moved it to Athens, a symbolic gesture showing the supremacy of the Athenians, who started using the funds for themselves. A second Delian League was founded until the Macedonians gave Delos its independence.
During the Peloponnesian war, the Athenians decided to “purify” the island of Delos. The purification began by opening every grave, moving all the remains and offerings into the nearby Rhenia islet and burying them in a common pit. They decided that no one was to be born or die on the island and in 422 BC, they exiled all the population that then moved to Anatolia, restoring the sacred identity of Delos.
At its peak, Delos was established by the Romans as a tax-free port and as a result of its declaration, all the commercial activity of the eastern Mediterranean was concentrated on the isle. Rich merchants, bankers and ship-owners from all over the world settled there, attracting many builders, artists and craftsmen, who built for them luxurious houses, richly decorated with frescoes and mosaic floors. The small island became soon the maximum emporium totius orbis terrarium (S. P. Festus, 2nd century AD) – the greatest commercial centre of the whole world. The prosperity of the island and the friendly relations with the Romans were the main cause of its destruction.
Delos eventually became a large city of about 30.000 inhabitants that grew around the sanctuary. After a series of conquests and lootings by the Romans, the island started to gradually decay and was destroyed in 88 BC by Mithridates, the King of Pontus, who almost killed 20.000 people. The ruins of the island were then used as building materials by populations of the surrounding islands of Naxos & Paros.
Why Birth and Death Were Forbidden in Delos Island?
The central to Delos' sacred identity was its association with the birth of twin gods, Apollo and Artemis. To preserve the island's purity, ancient Greeks enforced strict rules that prohibited the acts of birth and death on Delos. In their belief system, both birth and death, though natural, were sources of ritual pollution (miasma). To maintain the island as a pure sanctuary dedicated to the gods, pregnant women and gravely ill individuals were required to leave the island before giving birth or passing away.
While the primary motive behind these restrictions was religious purity, they also had important social and political implications. By preventing life events like birth and death, Delos avoided the establishment of permanent residents. Without permanent citizens, no individual or family could lay hereditary claims to the land, effectively ensuring that Delos remained a neutral, panhellenic sanctuary.
This neutrality was especially significant during the period of the Delian League, where Delos served as both a religious center and a treasury for the Athenian-led alliance. Its status as a shared sacred space strengthened its role as a unifying symbol among Greek city-states, free from the entanglements of personal or political ownership.
Early Discoveries and the Start of Excavations
The first recorded explorations on Delos date back to the 17th and 18th centuries, when European travelers and scholars visited the island and documented ruins and inscriptions. However, serious excavations in Delos complex of building, which compared with those of Delphi and Olympia, began by the French School of Athens in 1873 and still leads the archaeological work on the island today.
Fun Facts about Delos
Delos, the Island of Light
Delos Island is often considered one of the brightest places on Earth, both in a symbolic and literal sense. Greeks believed that Apollo’s divine light blessed the island, further enhancing its sacred status. In fact, Delos’ location benefits from the intense Aegean sunlight. The region is known for its high solar exposure, clear skies and reflective landscapes, which amplify natural brightness. The white marble ruins scattered across the island also reflect sunlight, adding to its dazzling appearance.
The Lion Guardians
The famous Terrace of the Lions consists of marble lion statues that were originally built to protect the sacred island. These majestic lion statues once stood in a row along the Sacred Way, leading to the temple of Apollo, symbolizing power, protection and the divine connection between the gods and the island. Over time, many of the lions have been damaged or lost, however, replicas of the original statues can be seen in their original locations on Delos, and the island's museum, which houses some of the pieces that were recovered.
A Treasure Trove of Ancient Art
Some of the finest Greek mosaics ever discovered were found in the luxurious houses of Delos. The island's art offers an incredible insight into ancient Greek culture, particularly through the vibrant mosaics and sculptures that illustrate daily life, mythology and the gods. The vibrant colors and intricate details of the mosaics are particularly striking, showcasing the skill of ancient artisans. There is also a massive collection of statues, from well-preserved marble pieces to fragments of grand works that have weathered the passage of time.
The Delos Synagogue – One of the Oldest in the World
The synagogue of Delos is considered one of the oldest synagogues in the world, dating back to the 1st century BC, showing the presence of a Jewish community on the island. Unlike traditional Greek temples, the synagogue located in a secluded area on the eastern side of the island, near the waterfront. The building features a large main hall with stone benches, a possible Torah shrine, and an adjoining room that may have been used for religious gatherings or study. The existence of a synagogue on Delos highlights the island’s multicultural and tolerant nature, where different religious and cultural groups coexisted, such as Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Jews, Arabians and more.
Good to know before your Delos day trip
- Follow the Rules – Food, loud music, swimming or collecting artifacts are prohibited on this sacred island.
- Your Dress Code – The dress code must be moderate wearing walk shorts, pants and t-shirts. Closed non-slip shoes (deck shoes/sports shoes) are recommended for exploring the site of Delos on foot with comfort and safety. Do not forget to bring a sun hat, sunglasses, plenty of sunscreen and long sleeves due to the strong sunlight reflecting on the ruins of Delos.
Are you seeking a full day escape to Delos from Mykonos?
Jump aboard to a seamless sailing experience with Sunfos Alessia Yachting, enjoying both the historical significance of Delos site and the untouched bay of Rhenia, the neighboring island, also known as “Big Delos”.
Our Combo Sailing Yacht Cruise to Rhenia island and Guided Tour of Delos is more than just a sightseeing and fun day-cruise — it is a sailing experience through time, an exploration of Greek heritage and an opportunity to embrace the beauty of the Aegean Sea in a truly unique way.
Secure your spot on this exceptional sailing experience and let’s create together memories that will last a lifetime!
