Day-Trip to Delos

While Mykonos doesn't boast any must-see sight on its main island, it is the perfect jump-off point to visit one of the most impressive archeological sites from age of classical antiquity. With the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Delos being just a 40 minute boat ride away, we could't decline the opportunity to see one of the great metropolis of the ancient world.



Our day-trip started with a boat ride from the Mykonos harbor at 10:00. At the time of our visit tour boat departs at least once per hour between 09:00 and 12:50. The ticket was available from a little booth at the pier, costing 17 Euros including the 5 Euros entrance fee for the archeological site.



To visitors departing from cosmopolitan Mykonos, it's hard to imagine the now-barren island of Delos as one of densest populated cities in the ancient world, whereas Mykonos acted as its satellite supply island. For a tiny island with little fresh water and food production capability, Delos trumped all its larger neighbors in the Cyclades by establishing itself not only as the religious Mecca of classical Greece, but also as the greatest commercial port in the Western world. Nowadays nobody lives here except for the archeologists, though a few of the Naxian marble lions remain to guard the island's treasures.



Just look at the sheer size of the ruins ... though one may argue about the lack of a picturesque monument like the Tholos, IMHO this was more impressive than the ruins of Delphi especially considering its out-of-the-way location. One can easily imagine the New York of the classical world, with all the the palatial courtyards, merchant houses, bathhouses and brothels of an affluent ancient port.



Most visitors come to Delos to see its two famous sights: the giant phalluses of Dionysos at the Stoivadeion, and its rich collection of impressive mosaics all over the island. The best have been moved to a covered museum at the centre of the island for preservation, but quite a number can still be seen in situ at their original locations.



Among the most impressive was the depiction of Dionysos riding a panther. The original has been moved indoors to the museum, while a replica now resides at the House of Dionysos to greet its visitors.



But my favorite was the huge floor mosaic of Athena and Hermes, now fixated onto a wall at the museum alongside the other archeological treasures found on the island. I definitely enjoyed this more than a visit to the National Archeological Museum in Athens, as this allows the visitor to appreciate these ancient artwork beside their native location.



Be sure to bring along that sunscreen though, as there are no shades on the island aside from the museum and a small cafeteria. Since there were simply no other roofs, toilets, or trees to hide from the scorching Aegean sun, we found two and a half hours to be quite enough for a visit. If you plan on staying longer you may also want to bring your own lunch, unless you want to overpay for the little snacks and fruits available at the crowded cafeteria.