– An UNESCO treasure right across the island of Mykonos one must visit –

Delos Itinerary by Yaloou; visit the Greek island where mythology and history come alive. Combine Delos and Rhinia and embark on a memorable journey under the Greek sun.
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When you want to escape to a Greek island that can transport you straight back to the times of the ancient Greek gods, look no further than Delos, in the Cyclades archipelago, onboard one of Yaloou’s luxury yachts.

An ancient Greek theatre on Delos island. Credit: Bernard Gagnon/ Wikimedia Commons/ CC BY-SA 3.0

A visitor can view Delos – which is in its entirety a UNESCO World Heritage site – from the shores of the island of Mykonos on one of Yaloou luxury yachts. The beauty of the island and its surroundings inspire all who visit. But few people know the legendary myth of this sacred place.

Although it’s relatively unknown to many tourists, Delos is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in all of Greece.

Archaeological sites on the island

There are extensive excavations on the island, revealing ruins that indicate Delos was once a holy sanctuary, dating back to a period even before Greek mythology named it as the birthplace of the Greek gods Apollo and his twin sister Artemis.

Amazingly, certain ruins of ancient stone huts on Delos date back to the 3rd millennium BC.

The book Delos 1873-1913 reveals the challenges facing the scientists and other skilled and unskilled workers who unearthed ancient monuments and artifacts in one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites of Greece.

The French School of Athens in 1873 sent archaeologist A. Lebègue to begin work on excavations on Delos. Until the First World War, at the instigation of T. Homolle and then M. Holleaux, the emphasis was on the clearing of large areas in the Sanctuary zone and on the northern slopes of Cynthus although the rest of the island was not neglected.

Delos was a pilgrimage site in antiquity

From 900 BC to 100 AD, the island served as a cult center for the god Apollo. Eventually, it became a religious pilgrimage for Ionians after undergoing a number of “purifications” at the command of the city-state of Athens around the 6th century BC.

Along with the ruins on Delos, the tales that accompany this enchanting island are captivating.

The island, referred to as “the sacred island of Delos,” is where, as Greek mythology tells it, Leto gave birth to Zeus’ twins Artemis and Apollo.