Mykonos Delos Island Archaeological Cruise

Delos lies just five kilometres southwest of Mykonos, a 30-minute ferry crossing that delivers you to one of the most significant archaeological sites in the Aegean. The island was considered the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis and served as the religious and commercial hub of the Cyclades for roughly a thousand years. No one has been permitted to live on or die on Delos since the sixth century BC — a decree intended to keep the sanctuary pure — and today the entire island is an open-air museum managed by the Greek Ministry of Culture. The cruise departs Mykonos harbour in the morning and the tour spends roughly three and a half hours walking the island's main excavated zones. The Sacred Harbour, the Sanctuary of Apollo, the residential quarter of Hellenistic merchants' houses, and the Terrace of the Lions — five of an original nine seated marble lions dating from around 600 BC — are the core stops. The House of Dionysus and House of Masks contain the best-preserved mosaic floors in situ on any Greek island, depicting theatrical masks and the god Dionysus riding a panther in fine polychrome tesserae. The island has no shade and no fresh water available to visitors, so carry at least two litres of water and wear a sun hat. Ferries to Delos run from approximately April to October only; the island is closed out of season. Comfortable walking shoes are essential on the uneven limestone paths.