Delos Island, Cyclades, Greece
The birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, Delos is an entire ancient city frozen in time — no hotels, no restaurants, no permanent residents. Just 2,000-year-old marble under an Aegean sky.
The birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, Delos is an entire ancient city frozen in time — no hotels, no restaurants, no permanent residents. Just 2,000-year-old marble under an Aegean sky.
No cruise ship calls Delos directly — access is always via ferry from Mykonos, the lively Cycladic island just a few kilometres away.
💡 Pro move: Ship excursions bundling Mykonos + Delos handle logistics for you and guarantee you make it back. Worth considering if your Mykonos call is short.
Delos has no cruise pier — all visitors arrive by small ferry from Mykonos Old Port, docking at the ancient island's modest jetty.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| All cruise lines | Mykonos New Port (Tourlos) or Old Port tender📍 | Docked |
| Expedition ships | Occasionally anchor off Delos directly📍 | Tendered |
Delos is pure archaeology — the entire island is the excursion, best explored with a guide to make sense of the sprawling ruins.
Wander one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean — the Sacred Way, Sanctuary of Apollo, agora, theatre, and residential quarter with intact mosaic floors. Give yourself 2–3 hours minimum.
Find Delos guided tours →Five archaic marble lions (originally around 12–16, dedicated by the Naxians ~600 BC) line the Sacred Way facing the Sacred Lake — one of the most iconic images of ancient Greece. The originals are in the museum; replicas stand on site.
Find Delos photo tours →On-site museum housing original mosaics, statues, pottery, and the original Lion replicas removed for preservation. Compact but exceptional — don't skip it.
Find Delos culture tours →The most popular ship excursion format: morning in Mykonos Town, ferry to Delos with a guide, return by mid-afternoon. Handles logistics so you don't stress about ferry times.
Find Mykonos Delos combo tours →The island IS the walk — a single main circuit through the ruins covers all major sites in about 2–3 km.
From the ferry jetty, follow the Sacred Way past the Sanctuary of Apollo, through the agora, up to the Terrace of the Lions, on to the Sacred Lake, then through the residential quarter (House of Dionysus, House of Cleopatra) and the theatre. Loop back via the museum.
Climate normals for Delos Island, Cyclades, Greece (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 45°F / 7°C | 30°F / -1°C | 10 | 7:24 AM | 5:13 PM |
| Feb | 51°F / 11°C | 33°F / 1°C | 10 | 6:59 AM | 5:47 PM |
| Mar | 57°F / 14°C | 38°F / 3°C | 10 | 7:19 AM | 7:16 PM |
| Apr | 68°F / 20°C | 48°F / 9°C | 10 | 6:33 AM | 7:45 PM |
| May | 76°F / 24°C | 58°F / 14°C | 12 | 5:58 AM | 8:12 PM |
| Jun | 84°F / 29°C | 66°F / 19°C | 12 | 5:45 AM | 8:33 PM |
| Jul | 89°F / 32°C | 71°F / 22°C | 11 | 5:58 AM | 8:31 PM |
| Aug | 86°F / 30°C | 69°F / 21°C | 12 | 6:24 AM | 8:01 PM |
| Sep | 80°F / 27°C | 64°F / 18°C | 10 | 6:51 AM | 7:16 PM |
| Oct | 70°F / 21°C | 53°F / 12°C | 8 | 7:18 AM | 6:30 PM |
| Nov | 58°F / 14°C | 41°F / 5°C | 8 | 6:50 AM | 4:56 PM |
| Dec | 51°F / 11°C | 36°F / 2°C | 9 | 7:18 AM | 4:50 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
The standard way to reach Delos. Ferries depart from Mykonos Old Port (not the cruise pier) and take 30–40 minutes each way. Book in advance during peak season.
If your cruise docks at Mykonos New Port (Tourlos), a SeaBus water taxi takes ~10 minutes to Mykonos harbor where Delos ferries depart.
KTEL buses run frequently from the Mykonos cruise pier gate to Mykonos Town. Budget option to reach the Delos ferry departure point.
Full guided tour including round-trip ferry, site entrance, and a certified archaeologist guide. Often the easiest option for cruise passengers — some include transfers from the cruise pier.
Once on Delos, all exploration is on foot — there are no vehicles, roads, or transport of any kind on this ancient uninhabited island. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water.
Upcoming cruises that call at Delos Island, Cyclades, Greece. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.