Delos is the small, uninhabited island next to Mykonos that in Greek myth was the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, and today is one of the largest open-air archaeological sites in Greece. As of October 2026 the site ticket costs €20 (€10 reduced), including the museum, and the return boat from Mykonos’ Old Port another €25. The site opens daily at 8:00; from 1 to 15 October it closes at 18:30 and from 16 October at 18:00, and it is closed from December to March. Take the first boat, allow at least three hours, and bring water and a hat: there is almost no shade.
Right now in Delos
- Wed19–20°C66–69°FClear
- Thu19–22°C67–71°FPartly cloudy
- Fri20–22°C68–72°FClear
Tickets and tours for Delos
See all tours for Delos →
From local operators, with prices and reviews; you check availability and book on Viator, our partner. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How we earn money
Why Delos matters
Leto, pregnant by Zeus and chased by a jealous Hera, found refuge on this rocky islet to give birth to Apollo and Artemis, and Delos became one of the holiest sanctuaries of the ancient world. Settled since prehistoric times, it was later controlled by Athens, and in the 2nd century BC the Romans made it a free port. It boomed into a cosmopolitan trading hub where merchants from Italy, Syria, Egypt and Asia Minor lived side by side and built temples to their own gods. The island is only 5 km long and 1.3 km wide, yet around 90 BC it had about 30,000 inhabitants; today fewer than 25 people live there, mostly site staff. Sacked in the wars of the 1st century BC, it was slowly abandoned. Delos has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990.
What you’ll see
- The Sanctuary of Apollo: the sacred heart of the island near the harbour, covering more than 20,000 m², with the foundations of three temples of Apollo, treasuries and altars.
- The Terrace of the Lions: the emblem of Delos, a row of marble lions given by the Naxians, guarding the way to the sacred lake. Of about 16 lions, five survive; those on the terrace are copies, and the originals are in the museum.
- The Theatre Quarter: narrow streets of wealthy houses with superb mosaic floors, such as the House of Dionysus, with the god riding a tiger, the House of the Dolphins and the House of the Masks, and a theatre that held about 5,500 spectators.
- Mount Kynthos: a 20-minute climb up stone steps to the highest point (112 m), past the sanctuaries of foreign gods, including Isis, for a view over the ruins and the Cyclades.
- The museum: the original lions, statues, mosaics, frescoes and everyday objects. Included in the ticket.
How long and which route
The morning boats give you about three hours on the island before the return trip, enough for the sanctuary, the Terrace of the Lions, the Theatre Quarter, the museum and a quick climb of Kynthos if you keep moving. With the 10:00 boat, head first to the Theatre Quarter and Kynthos while it is cooler, and finish in the museum. A guide makes a big difference: the ruins are extensive and poorly signposted.
Tickets and boats
Prices and times from the Ministry of Culture and the Mykonos–Delos boat operators, as of October 2026:
- Site ticket: €20 full, €10 reduced, including the museum. EU citizens under 25 and under-18s from any country enter free with ID. Buy online through Hellenic Heritage (hh.gr) or on arrival.
- Site hours: daily from 8:00: until 20:00 from April to August, 19:30 in early September, 19:00 in late September, 18:30 from 1 to 15 October, 18:00 from 16 to 31 October and 16:00 in November. Closed from December to March. Last admission 20 minutes before closing.
- Free days: 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October and the first and third Sunday of November.
- Boats: from the Old Port in Mykonos Town, by the town hall. From Tuesday to Sunday, boats leave at 10:00 and 11:30 (returning at 13:30 and 15:00), plus an afternoon boat that leaves at 15:30 from 1 to 15 October and 15:00 from 16 to 31 October, returning at 18:30 and 18:00. On Mondays only the 10:00 boat runs in the morning. The crossing takes about 30 minutes, and a return ticket costs €25, valid on any of the operators’ sailings.
- Guided tours: a half-day guided tour costs €79 including the boat and the €20 site ticket (€35 for children aged 6 to 12). English tours leave daily at 10:00 until 10 November.
- Holidays: the site is closed on 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Easter Sunday and 25–26 December.
- Weather: boats may be cancelled when the wind is strong, which is common in July and August.
Nobody may stay overnight on Delos.
Heat and what to bring
The island is bare rock and dry grass, and the reflected heat in summer is fierce. Bring a hat, sunscreen, plenty of water, a snack and comfortable closed shoes for the uneven stones. Facilities are basic: there is a shop and toilets near the museum. Avoid the midday sun on Kynthos in July and August.
Accessibility
The site is ancient ground: uneven paving, loose stones, steps and slopes, with no step-free route. Visitors with limited mobility can see the area around the harbour, the Sanctuary of Apollo and the museum, but the Theatre Quarter and Kynthos are difficult.
Combine it with
Spend the rest of the day in Mykonos Town, with lunch by the Old Port and sunset in Little Venice. If you are touring the Cyclades, continue by ferry to Naxos, whose sculptors carved the lions of Delos, or to Santorini and Oia. Plan your stay with our Mykonos travel guide and Greece travel guide, and see our boat trips guide.
Delos FAQ
How much does it cost to visit Delos?
As of October 2026, the site ticket is €20 (€10 reduced), including the museum, and the return boat from Mykonos is €25. A guided tour with boat and ticket costs €79.
How do you get to Delos from Mykonos?
By boat from the Old Port in Mykonos Town, about 30 minutes each way. From Tuesday to Sunday boats leave at 10:00 and 11:30, plus one in the afternoon; on Mondays only one boat runs in the morning.
How long do you need on Delos?
About three hours, which the morning boats allow, covers the main sights and the museum. A full day is too long in summer, as there is little shade.
Is Delos open in winter?
Only in November, from 8:00 to 16:00. The site is closed from December to March, and boats stop at the end of November.
Can you stay overnight on Delos?
No. Nobody may stay overnight on the island, apart from the small staff; all visitors return to Mykonos the same day.
Is the boat to Delos included in the site ticket?
No. The site ticket (€20) and the boat (€25 return) are separate, unless you book a guided tour, which includes both.