Point of interest
Delos (UNESCO)
in Mykonos, Greece
Sacred island and mythical birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, 2 km west; a boat-trip open-air site of temples, houses and mosaics.
Where it is
Delos is a small uninhabited island at the centre of the Cyclades, about half an hour by boat southwest of Mykonos.
What it is
Visitors reach Delos by excursion boat from Mykonos and walk through an entire ancient city of temples, marketplaces, houses with mosaics and the famous Terrace of the Lions. There is no accommodation; only guards and archaeologists live here, and an on-site museum holds many of the finds.
History
In Greek mythology Delos is the birthplace of the gods Apollo and Artemis, and for centuries it was one of the most important sanctuaries and trading centres of the ancient Aegean. The entire island is an archaeological site and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1990. It is overseen by the Ministry of Culture and the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades.