Hidden in the heart of Cyclades, just six miles from Mykonos, it features a stunning island that holds its crown as one of Greece's most important mythical, historical and archaeological sites. The island remains a hidden gem while the crowd descends on its neighbors.
Two thousand years ago, before Mykonos became a popular holiday destination, the rich and famous descended on Delos instead. Despite the area being only 1.3 square miles, Delos is part of the most extensive and impressive ancient ruins in the Mediterranean. Of the thousands of Greek islands, Delos is one of the most important historically. In ancient Greece it stood as a commercial and nautical center of the Aegean Sea.
The large city once lived with 30,000 people, but now it is in ruins, stretching towards the edge of the water.
In Greek mythology, Delos is the birthplace of the Greek gods Apollo and Artemis. From that sacred port you can see three cone-shaped mounds identifying sacred landscapes to the goddess, believed to be Athena. Another site that holds the name of Mount Sinthus is topped with Zeus' sanctuary.
With such an impressive assortment of ancient structures, it is no surprise that in 1990, UNESCO added Delos to its World Heritage List.
Among the most striking landmarks are the Minoan Fountain, a rectangular well hacked into the rocks, houses water that can be reached by flights of stairs filling one side.
The Lions terrace was dedicated to Apollo by the people of Naxos just before 600 BC. Originally there were 9-12 marble lion statues, seven originals still linger today. Together they make a path, sacred way, compared to the Egyptian streets of the Sphinx.
Finally, the Dionysus house is a gorgeous, second-century private property named after a mosaic of the wine godly floor riding a Panther.
In the sixth century, Delos was completely abandoned, and serial occupying people took the stones of ancient cities and built their own structures. The island's treasures were eventually excavated again in the 1870s, when archaeological work began.
As of 2011, the island has 24 residents, camping, and overnight stays are prohibited.
Delos can only be visited by boat. There are various travel agents that sell tickets for organised tours from other islands to islands, such as Mykonos and Naxos. You can visit all day by yourself, but most companies offer half-day tours that take around 4.5 hours half-day.
