3 ancient lion statues in a row and in the background 4 ancient columns with low vegetation and wild flowers.

Delos

NOW 20 °C

Next 5 days

FRI 20 °C
SAT 15 °C
SUN 11 °C
MON 13 °C
TUES 16 °C

Source: National Observatory of Athens /meteo.gr

The head priest of the Cyclades

The entire island is designated as an archaeological site, to be precise, a UNESCO world heritage site. It’s an ark of history, floating lazily on the waters of the Aegean Sea, just a few miles away from cosmopolitan Mykonos. It’s a chance to walk around the revival of the glory of the Greek civilisation. It’s the head priest of the Cyclades, the birthplace of the immortals. It’s Delos.

In the ancient times, the myth of god Apollo, god of light, and goddess Artemis having been born there rendered the island sacred: no mortal would ever be allowed to be born on its land. But, a cradle of gods as the island has been, no mortals would ever be allowed to die on it either. So, apart from it being a conspicuous religious and economic centre, the island had also been exclusive in that: even during the years of peak of the Delian Alliance, women on the brink of childbirth and people close to dying would be carried to the neighbouring island of Rineia. The whole of the known world of that age was aware of the sacredness of the island and of its uniqueness.

Archaeological site with low stone walls and 2 headless statues. In the background is the sea.

Delos has one of the most important archaeology sites in Greece. That is why a visit to this island is practically a trip back in time to Ancient Greece!

Unique Experiences

CULTURE

Archaeological Site of Delos

Sightseeing

Nowadays, Delos reserves its uniqueness to the know world: nowhere else in the Globe is there a natural insular archaeological site of this size and importance. No other island on Earth hosts so many monumental antiquities from the Archaic, the Classical, and the Hellenistic periods, i.e. the centuries of the great Greek art, on a territory used exclusively as an archaeological site. Delos is not a museum; Delos is not there to tell a story. Delos is history itself.

Visitors coming from the neighbouring islands are not there on an educational trip; they have rather embarked on a lifetime experience. And, as if by magic, the sacredness of the island lives on: the multitudes of people, who flock to share the island’s uniqueness, can do nothing but just visit it. The archaeological experience is the one and only activity the island is about. Its enchanting landscape is home to nobody. History is thus repeating itself: in a place of such importance, no person is ever born or dies.

Getting to Delos: The island is accessible on a daily basis by boat from Mykonos, weather permitting. In the summertime, boats from Tinos and Naxos too round off the service.

FILMING IN DELOS

FILMING IN GREECE

THE BOY ON A DOLPHIN (1957)

A sponge diver ( Sofia Loren) on Hydra island discovers a sunken ship filled with artifacts, including a priceless ancient gold statue of a boy on a dolphin. She and her boyfriend enlist the help of an American archaeologist, but her boyfriend can't afford the asking price and ends up turning to an art collector for help.

DIRECTOR: JEAN NEGULESCO
FILMING LOCATION: HYDRA, ATHENS, RHODES, KORINTHOS, POROS, KALABAKA, DELOS, DELPHI, SANTORINI

IMDb

SUMMER LOVERS (1982)

Michael Pappas and his girlfriend, Cathy, are enjoying the white sand beaches of a Greek island as well as the freewheeling nature of the locals. When Michael meets Lina, who is in Greece from Paris doing archaeological work, he is attracted by the beautiful foreigner. Cathy, unhappy about Lina getting close to Michael, confronts the woman- only to be unexpectedly wooed by her charms as well.

DIRECTOR: RANDAL KLEISER
FILMING LOCATION: MYKONOS, SANTORINI, DELOS, HERAKLION

IMDb

GREED (2019)

Greed tells the story of self-made British billionaire Sir Richard McCreadie, whose retail empire is in crisis. After a damaging public inquiry, his image is tarnished. To save his reputation, he decides to bounce back with a highly publicised and extravagant party celebrating his 60th birthday on the island of Mykonos.

DIRECTOR: MICHAEL WINTERBOTTOM
FILMING LOCATION: MYKONOS, DELOS

IMDb