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Greece is famous for its many islands - today, they are famous for being one of the best beach holiday destinations in the Mediterranean Sea. Some of these islands were important to Ancient Greek mythology. Most important of which is the island of Delos in the Cyclades archipelago and whether it is possible to visit on a day trip.

Another of the most sacred and mythologically important places in Ancient Greek is Mount Olympus (and today, visitors can explore it) - while there, learn about Zeus, the mighty god of thunder. The most sacred place in modern Greece is Athos - home to over 2,000 monks and where women have been banned for over 1,000 years.

The ancient ruins on the island of Delos in Greece
Pixabay
The ancient ruins on the island of Delos in Greece

The Sacred Importance Of The Tiny Island Of Delos

The small island of Delos is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archeological sites in Greece. It is considered the most sacred of all the islands of Greece in ancient Greek culture. Delos is home to some of the most extensive excavations in the Mediterranean, and the entire island is an archeological site.

It was on Delos that the important Greek god, Apollo, was thought to have been born. The Apollonian sanctuary was established at least in the 9th century BC. It was also the birthplace of Artemis - Apollo and Artemis were the twins of Leto. Just across the Aegean in today's Turkey by Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis once stood and was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Delos is only 350 hectares and is no more than 5 kilometers long and around 1,300 meters wide. While it is essentially uninhabited today, it is thought it had a population as high as 30,000 in 90 BC.

  • Size: 350 hectares

Delos has been a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site since 1990 and is now one of the most valuable ancient sites in all of Greece. It is also a great place to get away from the crowds of the Acropolis of Athens.

Girl at the background of ancient Greek archaeological site
Shutterstock
Girl at the background of ancient Greek archaeological site

Delos was a major cult center between circa 900 BC and 100 AD and was a pilgrimage site for the Ionian Greeks. So sacred was Delos that all dead bodies were purged from the island while dying, and giving birth on the island was also prohibited (those on the cusp of death were forbidden from the island). Delos also functioned as an important trading port for many centuries.

Related: The Acropolis Of Athens Vs. Sicily's Valley Of Temples: Which Has The More Impressive Greek Temples?

Notable Ruins & Structures On Delos Island

There are a number of ancient Greek structures found on Delos Island. There are several ancient Greek market squares on Delos (called agoras), including the Hellenistic Agora of the Competaliasts.

By the Temple of the Delicans, there was once a colossus of Apollo - parts of the upper torso and pelvis remain in situ, while a foot and a hand are found in museums.

  • Temple of the Delians: Dedicated to The God Apollo
  • Doric Temple of Isis: Dedicated To The Trinity of Isis, Alexandrian Serapis, and Anubis
  • Temple Of Hera: Build circa 500 BC

Other notable remains on the island include the Terrace of the Lions, the House of the Naxians, the House of Dionysus, the House of the Dolphins, and the Delos Synagogue. There are plenty of other ancient ruins to be found on the island - including the narrow streets of the ancient city on the island.

Panoramic view of ancient ruins on Delos Island in Greece
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Panoramic view of ancient ruins on Delos Island in Greece

Related: Temple of Hephaestus: The Best Preserved Ancient Greek Temple (& Its Not In The Acropolis)

What To Know About Visiting The Mythical Island Of Delos

The only way to get to Delos Island is by a 20-minute boat ride from a nearby island. Today the island is only inhabited by some workers and caretakers for its archeological sites.

To see Delos, get a day trip with a return from one of the neighboring islands (Mykonos, Paros, or Naxos). Visiting can only be a day trip as there is no accommodation on Delos. It is wise to plan ahead and book the ferry tickets in advance - especially in the busier months.

Many of the artifacts found at Delos are on display at the Archeological Museum of Delos and the National Archeological Museum of Athens.

There are day tours from Mykonos Island. One example guided tour from Mykonos to Delos includes skip-the-line tickets. The tour offers a trip back in time while discovering the ancient ruins on the island of Delos. On arrival on the island of Delos, guests receive an introduction to the ancient site and the guide then leads the group through the narrow city streets.

  • Cost: $66 Per Person
  • Duration: 4 Hours
Greek Island Beach
Photo by Frédéric Barriol on Unsplash
Sandy beach in Greece

Visitors marvel at the many excellent ruins on Delos, including the well-preserved marble columns, the wall paintings, the exceptional mosaics, and much more.

After visiting Delos, consider visiting Cyrene - one of the oldest and most impressive ancient Greek colonial cities.