Delos Island

When tourists flock to Greece, they typically rush to book tours to see the Acropolis and other significant sites in Athens. However, there is another Greek island that is overlooked, but its influence on Greek culture is incredibly significant.

The island of Delos is near Mykonos and is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. Delos was regarded as a holy sanctuary and the birthplace of Greek Gods Artemis and Apollo. From 900 BC to 100 AD, the island was known to be the cult centre for the god Apollo.

In 1990, the island of Delos was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list, as it is known that this site contributed to the history, culture, and architecture of modern-day Greece.

The island of Delos is linked by ferry or day boat tour, which only takes 45 minutes. We took a sailboat there through the company Get Your Guide and enjoyed a beautiful day sail to reach Delos Island.

When we stepped off our tour boat onto the island, it felt as though we had been transported back in time, as the ruins and statues have been uniquely preserved. The island maintains its sacredness, as overnight stays are not permitted outside archaeologists and grounds employees. Our sailboat ferry allowed us to explore the grounds on our own without a tour guide, so we had the great experience of exploring the nooks and crannies of the architecture on our own.

If you're looking for a historic experience in Greece but want to miss some of the huge Acropolis crowds, definitely add Delos to your itinerary.

Things to know before you go: Tickets to the island are not included with your ferry/day tour purchase and are €12 per person.