On our third day exploring the island of Mykonos we took a day trip to Delos Island. Delos is believed to be the birthplace of Apollo and hosts many impressive ruins, a small museum, and breathtaking views of nearby Mykonos. In this day trip from Mykonos to Delos Island post we’re highlighting what we saw, how much it cost and most importantly, was it worth it?
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Boat trips to Delos Island from Mykonos are typically very common in the summer months and can easily be booked the same day. Make sure to check availability for trips depending on the time of year you are visiting!
- Depending on which company you choose and whether you choose a guided tour or self-guided tour, a day trip to Delos can cost between 20-40 Euros.
Getting to Delos Island from Mykonos
It’s really easy to purchase tickets to visit Delos in Mykonos Town. It’s an extremely popular activity because of its proximity only about 10 km away. There is a ticket booth in the old port section of Mykonos Town that sells timed tickets.
We sat up on the open top deck of the ferry on the way to Delos. It was very nice and not too crowded. The ferry from Mykonos to Delos Island took about 30 minutes.
We waited in a short line once off the boat and then entered the grounds! We chose to wander around the island on our own. However, there are guided tours available as well. It is really up to your personal preference!
Read More: Travel Guide: 3 Days in Mykonos
What to See on Delos Island
Off the boat we first walked through the Theatre Quarter. This was a great chance to take some time to explore the ruins. There are many different paths leading throughout the various rooms and buildings.
From there we started walking up the hill to Mount Kynthos. The staircase up is very old and uneven so it is best to wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes.
We would definitely recommend walking up to the top of Mount Kynthos! The stairs are a bit steep and narrow but we only passed a few other people therefore we could take our time and really enjoy it! The views at the top were unbelievable! You can see all of the ruins on Delos as well as the Gulf of Mykonos and beyond.
Travel Truth: Although only 113 m high, it was very windy at the top of Mount Kynthos. So windy that we were not able to stay at the top for very long before going down. There were multiple times where we almost lost our sunglasses so be careful on windy days!
Read More: 5 Free Things to do in Mykonos
Next we walked to the Temple of Isis and beyond it to the Museum. The Museum provided a nice break from the constant sun of Delos.
- There are bathrooms located in the Museum and benches outside. It was a nice spot to take a break after walking around for a while.
One of the most famous ruins on Delos is the Terrace of the Lions. The Terrace of the Lions is a group of carved lion statues. These statues are thought to have been a gift from Naxos to Delos.
Travel Truth: The ride back from Delos to Mykonos was on a much smaller boat than the initial trip over. When we went the seas were extremely rough due to the winds. If you get motion sickness bring some medicine. Otherwise just be prepared to have a rocky, 30 minute long ride.
Check out 5 Tips for visiting Delos Island for things we wish we knew before going!
Things to Bring To Delos Island
Here are a couple things that you definitely want to bring with you during your day on Delos Island!
1. Sunscreen
There is very little shade on Delos so you definitely want to make sure to put on sunscreen and bring some extra with you. We both got really sunburnt while exploring the island because there are almost no trees.
- We like this sunscreen because it doesn’t come off immediately when you start sweating and we always bring it in this reusable container so we can refill it when we run out!
2. Water Bottle
There is not much on the island besides ruins so definitely bring your own water bottle! We visited on a really hot day so we really appreciated having our own water to drink.
3. Hat
A hat or pair of sunglasses are other really good things to have. Especially if your face is already a little red (like ours were) a hat can protect your face while still exploring around!
Read More: How Long Should I Stay in Athens, Greece?
It it Worth Visiting Delos Island?
It was a very nice way to explore the area while seeing something new and learning more about Greek history. We would recommend a day trip from Mykonos to Delos if you are interested in seeing a little more history in the area!
- After getting a lot of sun at the beach it was nice to do something different. That said I don’t think we would do the day trip a second time if we were to go back because it is a fairly small island.
Read More: 5 Tips to Plan Your Trip to Greece
We were very pleased that our trip was not over-crowded! How crowded the island gets is directly influenced by how many boats are running to and from the island that day so it does depend. Another big positive for us was being able to wander around the island uninterrupted. Aside from our departure time, we were in no rush and could explore at our own pace which we loved!
We spent half the day exploring Delos Island and it was very manageable! You don’t necessarily need a complete day to see it well. It allowed us to explore Delos and enjoy the rest of the afternoon back in Mykonos.
