The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Delos

10 Best Places to Visit in Delos

1. Check Out the Terrace of the Lions

One of the most iconic monuments in Delos is the Terrace of the Lions, a row of imposing stone lions, which were erected in the 7th century BC by the people of Naxos as a dedication to Apollo.

Today, the Terrace of the Lions has become a must-visit destination of the region, with its well-preserved bodies of lions, set against the backdrop of stunning ruins and columns, which is a testament to the exceptional craftsmanship of the Ancient Greeks.

If you want to get a nice photo of the lions without anyone it in, I highly recommend you catch the earliest ferry to Delos and head north straight to the Terrace of the Lions.

That way, you will be able to beat the crowd and get some nice photos of this iconic landmark before the tour groups descend upon the place.

2. Stroll Around the Agora of the Italians

Right by the Terrace of the Lions, you will find the Agora of the Italians, an ancient marketplace built in the 2nd century BC by the Italians, who were prominent merchants on the island.

The agora served as a hub for commercial and social activities and was a bustling center of trade and commerce in the Mediterranean region.

You can explore the well-preserved ruins of the agora and imagine what life was like during the height of its activity. The site offers a glimpse into the rich history of Delos and the important role it played in the ancient world.

3. Check out the House of the Lake

While you explore the northern part of Delos, be sure to drop by the House of the Lake, an ancient residential complex that dated back to the 2nd century BC and is believed to have belonged to a wealthy individual or family.

The house is notable for its impressive design, which includes a central courtyard with various rooms and chambers, adorned with intricate mosaics you can explore. While here, you can also check out the Market of the Lake nearby as you make your way back to the southern part of the archeological site.

Although only the foundation of the market remains, it should be enough to give you an idea on what life must have been like for the people living around the area.

4. Check Out the Archaeological Museum of Delos

As you make your way down to the southern part of the site, you will stumble upon the Archaeological Museum of Delos, which is located right at the center of Delos and is a great place to stop by before we continue our exploration.

The museum houses a remarkable collection of artifacts and sculptures from the ancient Greek and Roman periods, including marble statues, pottery, and jewelry that were excavated from Delos.

If you are a history buff and you want to learn a bit more about the people living on this island in ancient times and get a glimpse of what life was like then, be sure to drop by and check out the archeological museum of Delos.

5. Walk Up to the Temple of Isis

After you are done at the museum, continue the same path heading up the mountain for about 10 minutes and you will stumble upon the Temple of Isis, an ancient religious site with the entrance of the temple still intact.

Built in the 2nd century BC, the temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis and served as a center for worship and pilgrimage. It is also located on an elevated area of the island which provides you with a nice view of Delos and the surrounding area.

It is also located along the way to the highest point of the island which is where we will be heading next to the Temple of Isis is a natural stopping point before you tackle the difficult hike up ahead.

6. Check Out the View from Kynthos, the Highest Point on the Island

For an even better viewpoint which will allow you to see Delos island in its entirety as well as the surrounding islands, all the way to Mykonos, I highly recommend you hike all the way up to the top of Kynthos, the highest peak of the island.

The peak of Kynthos has been a site of religious significance to the people here, as well as people from across the known world, since ancient times. They believed that this was the birthplace of Apollo, a god who was revered by the ancient Greeks as a symbol of artistic and intellectual achievement.

The hike is extremely steep towards the top and since there are no shades along the way, be sure to carry enough water to complete the hike. It should take about 15 minutes to hike from the bottom to the top.

Despite the effort, you are going to appreciate the view you get from up here. Personally, this is my favorite place out of all. From up here, you can really appreciate just how extensive the archeological site is. You can see all the ruins from up here.

Expect to spend around 30 minutes hiking up and down the peak and another 30 minutes catching your breath, taking photos, and enjoying the breeze of the Aegean Sea from the summit.

7. Admire the Mosaics of the House with the Masks

As you make your way down from Kynthos, head over to the southern side of the archeological site and stop by at the House with the Masks.

The house is an ancient dwelling named after the four masks that decorate the entrance of the house, which are thought to represent the spirits of the household and is believed to have been owned by a wealthy merchant or a noble family.

Inside, you can explore its central courtyard, a peristyle, and numerous decorated rooms with intricate mosaics, frescoes, and sculptures that offer a fascinating glimpse into the lifestyle and culture of the ancient inhabitants of Delos.

It is probably one of the most well-preserved houses in Delos and I highly recommend you check it out as you make your way around the southern part of Delos.

8. Visit the Ancient Theatre of Delos

With any Greek ruin out there, you are going to find an ancient theatre somewhere eventually and that is also the case for Delos. Not too far from the House with the Masks, you will find an incredibly well-preserved Ancient Theatre of Delos, with much of the structure still intact.

The theater was built in the 3rd century BC and was used for both theatrical performances and religious ceremonies. It is carved into the side of a hill and could seat up to 5,000 people.

The Ancient Theatre of Delos was used for performances for centuries, but it was eventually abandoned in the 4th century AD, likely due to the decline of Delos as a major center of trade and commerce.

The theater was rediscovered only in the late 19th century and it is one of the largest preserved structures you will find here so be sure to check it out while you explore Delos.

9. Be Amazed by the Mosaics of the House of Dionysus

After you are done with the theatre, be sure to check out the House of Dionysus as you make your way back to the port.

The House of Dionysus is known for its massive rows of columns that can be seen across the island as well as the beautifully well-preserved mosaics you can check out. The mosaics are covered in a pretty large area on the floor of the house while being surrounded by these tall columns.

Much of the patterns of the mosaics are intact and you can get a glimpse of how houses and villages were decorated in ancient times. Highly recommend you drop by here for a few minutes before we move on to explore other houses in the southern part of Delos.

10. Explore the House of Dolphins and the House of Cleopatra

There are several other houses you can visit in the southern part of the archeological site like the House of Dolphins which is known for its well-preserved mosaics of dolphins which got the place its name.

Another attraction you should drop by for a brief visit before you head back to your ferry is the House of Cleopatra, which was named after the statues of her were discovered inside the house when the place was being excavated.

There are other smaller houses and attractions around this area that you can stroll around in before you have to head back to the ferry and so if you have some time left, be sure to explore a little and get lost in the crisscrossing streets of the southern part of Delos.

How to get to Delos?

To get to Delos, you are going to have to get to Mykonos first, which is the closest island to Delos. There are 2 ways to reach Mykonos. The easiest and most convenient way is to fly into Mykonos from Athens. You can easily reach Athens by flying into Athens Airport (ATH) via airlines like Wizz and Ryanair and then flying directly to Mykonos Airport.

From the airport, you should be able to catch a shuttle bus service in front of the terminal exit that will take you to the Fabrika bus station in Mykonos town in 20 minutes. The ticket should cost about 2 EUR per person and can be bought by the bus driver.

You can also go by private transfer if you have a lot of luggage. This is the most efficient way to get to Mykonos and I highly recommend you go with this if you do not want to deal with the hassle of traveling by ferry.

Taking the ferry to Mykonos is another option. From Athens Airport, you can catch the direct bus numbered X96 straight to the Port of Pireas where most of the ferries to the Cyclades leaves from.

From the Port of Pireas, you can catch the ferry operated by Blue Star Ferries, Seajets, and other operators that run in the morning between 7 AM to 9 AM every day.

Seajets ferries are speed ferries that are faster and more expensive with the price of around 85 EUR per person and it will only take about 2.5 hours to reach Mykonos.

Blue Star Ferries, on the other hand, is a slow ferry service that offers a cheaper ticket option costing around 43 EUR but the journey can take almost 5 hours and can often be delayed. If you want to go with this route, you will be asked if you want to book a seat for an additional cost.

Here's a tip for you, when you book a ticket on the Blue Star Ferries, you will have the option to reserve a seat. For a 7.5 hours journey like this, I highly recommend you do it or you will be scrambling, trying to find a place to sit which is definitely not fun for such a long trip. I ended up sitting on the stairway as the airplane-style seats were all occupied. Don't cheap out like me and get a reserved seat with your ticket!

You can book the ferry ticket here for your trip from Athens to Mykonos and vice versa. If you are traveling during the summer months, I highly recommend you book the ferry in advance to get the best seats.

With the ferry, you will be dropped off at the New Port which is 3 km away from the old town. To get from the New Port to the Old Port, you can catch the local bus located on your left after you exit the ferry terminal. The bus runs twice a day at 12 PM and 1 PM, both aligned to the arrival time of ferries so you should be there on time for the bus to take you to the Old Port.

The bus should cost you around 2 EUR and you can buy it from the bus driver. The journey should take no more than 10 minutes. You can also walk but it will take you around 45 minutes which is not fun especially if you have a lot of luggage.

For the best things to do in Athens, check out:13 Best Things to Do in Athens

How to Get from Mykonos to Delos?

Once you have settled in Mykonos, you can reach Delos via a transfer service (30 EUR for a roundtrip) or a guided tour (60 EUR) which often leaves from the Old Port in Mykonos. With these services, you will have around 2 hours on the island which should be more than enough to see all t

Delos Entrance Information, Tickets, And Discounts

The entrance ticket to Delos should cost around 4 EUR per person and it can be bought on the island, at the entrance. The archeological site is open from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM every day.

Further Reading for Greece

I hope you found this Greece travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Greece, here is a selection of articles you might like:

• For a complete itinerary of Greece, check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Greece Itinerary.
• Most journeys in Greece begin in Athens. For a complete travel guide to the capital city of Greece, check out: 13 Best Things to Do in Athens.
• One of the best day trips you can make from Athens is to visit Delphi, an ancient Greek sanctuary that was considered to be the center of the world by the ancient Greeks. To visit this historical site, check out our Complete Guide to Backpacking Delphi.
• Have 3 days but want to see the Greek Islands? Check out this itinerary: 3 Days Backpacking Greek Islands Itinerary.
• Looking for things to do in Thessaloniki? Check out: 16 Best Things To Do In Thessaloniki.
• My favorite place out of all of Greece is Meteora, with its incredible towering rock formations and stunning monasteries perched atop. If you plan to visit Meteora, be sure to check out: A Complete Guide to Backpacking Meteora.
• Want to explore the Greek Islands but not sure where to base yourself? Naxos is the best island for that. Here are the 10 Best Things To Do In Naxos.
• Santorini, despite the crowd, is a place you have to see once in your life. If you plan to visit Santorini, the best place to base yourself is Fira, the capital of the island. For a complete travel guide, check out 10 Best Things To Do In Fira, Santorini.
• Renowned for its picturesque streets and crystal-clear water, Mykonos is another great island to visit in Greece. Here are the 8 Best Things to do in Mykonos.
• Want to visit Santorini but not sure where to begin? Check out our 3-Day Backpacking Santorini Itinerary.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
• To see all the articles about Greece, visit the Greece Travel Guide page.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Southern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.