Delos: The perfect day trip 30 minutes from Mykonos

It’s common knowledge that Mykonos is astoundingly beautiful! From the cute white and blue buildings, to the famous windmills, to the beach clubs, to the twisting and turning streets you’ll be sure to get lost in, there is no shortage of things to do once you arrive. But one thing you must add to your itinerary, especially if your travel plans have given you 3 or more days on the island is to take a day trip to the neighboring island of Delos.

HOW TO GET TO DELOS (FROM OLD PORT)

Delos is only a 30 minute ferry ride from the Old Port, which will only cost you 20EURO, and conveniently leaves at 9am, 10am and 11am. You can either plan in advance and buy your tickets online, buy them from the ticket booth near the ferry, or there is also a cute little travel office in the port where you can also pick up your tickets (for a 2EURO discount).

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE FERRY RIDE TO DELOS

I'm not going to lie, the ride to Delos is not the smoothest ride. This could have been the time of year I went (early September) but I have never been on a boat ride so choppy. I'm not one to get seasick, I've been on numerous boats, but this was slightly unbearable. If you do get seasick, just know you probably won't get the scenic view on the way over, as the phrase "keep your eyes on the horizon" is super hard to do.

WHAT TO DO ONCE YOU ARRIVE ON DELOS

Once you get to Delos you'll completely forget about the ferry ride. There is an entry fee of 12EURO to enter the island.

TIP TO NOTE:

Don’t forget to bring your student ID card! Your entry fee will be reduced by half, so it will only be 6EURO to enter, if you present it when buying tickets!

No matter who you are, history buff or not, prepare for your mind to be blown.

Delos was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1990. It is the most sacred island in the Aegean (and also the smallest), as no one was allowed to be born or die on the island. What's even more astounding is the only people allowed to live on the island are the archaeologists, who are still excavating the site! In addition to it supposedly being the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, Delos in itself is a very extensive site which will transport you to another time, and make you really wonder what ancient civilizations were like.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VISITING DELOS

There is also a museum on site which will give you even more information and history about the island! There are tons of artifacts, statues and sculptures that were excavated on the island in the museum, including the original lion statues.

In order to preserve the original lion sculptures from the island the ones that you see outside as you are walking around are replicas.

The ferries head back to Old Port at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm, and it's suggested to get a good overview of the island to spend 2 hours there. Speaking from experience, of only spending 2 hours on the island, I would recommend you budget your time and stay for 4 hours! There is so much to see and you won't want to leave - no matter how hot it is outside! That is what comfortable shoes, lightweight clothing, sunscreen, and hats are for.

But don't just take my word for it. Let these photos do the rest of the talking.