Mykonos & Sacred Delos (Μύκονος & Δήλος) — Travel Guide

Mykonos & Sacred Delos (South Aegean (Cyclades))

Mykonos (Μύκονος) is the Cyclades at their most luminous and cosmopolitan. Originally designed as a labyrinth of narrow, whitewashed flagstone alleys to confound 16th-century Aegean pirates and buffer the summer Meltemi wind, Mykonos Chora remains one of the best-preserved examples of Cycladic cubist architecture in Greece—where every staircase is painted in brilliant ultramarine blue, scarlet, or ochre and draped in magenta bougainvillea.

Just 30 minutes across the strait by morning boat lies Sacred Delos (Δήλος), a completely uninhabited UNESCO World Heritage island revered in antiquity as the mythological birthplace of twin gods Apollo and Artemis, preserving mosaic-floored Hellenistic mansions, the Terrace of the Lions, and a 5,500-seat marble theater.

Cosa Vedere e Fare

• UNESCO Island of Delos Boat Excursion (€20 Site + €25 Boat) — Essential landmark and highlight in Mykonos & Sacred Delos (South Aegean (Cyclades)).
• Kato Mili Windmills & Little Venice (Alefkandra) — Essential landmark and highlight in Mykonos & Sacred Delos (South Aegean (Cyclades)).
• Church of Panagia Paraportiani — Essential landmark and highlight in Mykonos & Sacred Delos (South Aegean (Cyclades)).
• Mykonos Chora Morning Labyrinth Walk — Essential landmark and highlight in Mykonos & Sacred Delos (South Aegean (Cyclades)).
• South Coast Protected Beaches (Ornos, Psarou, Platis Gialos, Paraga) — Essential landmark and highlight in Mykonos & Sacred Delos (South Aegean (Cyclades)).
• Ano Mera Monastery & Wild Northern Beaches (Agios Sostis & Fokos) — Essential landmark and highlight in Mykonos & Sacred Delos (South Aegean (Cyclades)).

Quartieri e Zone

Cucina Locale e Specialità

• Look beyond international beach-club menus to taste authentic Mykonian specialties: peppery whipped kopanisti cheese on barley rusks, thinly sliced louza (sun-cured pork loin seasoned with allspice and savory), kremmydopita (sweet onion and tyrovolia cheese pie), and charcoal-grilled octopus at Kiki's Tavern (Agios Sostis) or Nikolas Taverna (Agia Anna Paraga).

Come Muoversi

Arrival: 35-minute flight from Athens (ATH) to Mykonos Airport (JMK), 2h 35m via SeaJets high-speed ferry from Piraeus or Rafina (€70–€89), or 4h 30m–5h 15m via Blue Star / Fast Ferries (€43–€52).

Getting Around: Chora (Mykonos Town) is strictly pedestrianized. Use the frequent KTEL buses from Fabrika and Old Port stations (€2.00–€2.50) or the Mykonos SeaBus water taxi (€2.50) between Tourlos New Port and the Old Port.

Consigli Locali ed Etichetta

• Always take the €2.50 Mykonos SeaBus shuttle boat from Tourlos New Port directly into the Old Port at the edge of Chora rather than waiting in the limited 35-car island taxi queue.
• Sacred Delos is closed on Mondays and has almost zero shade—bring a sun hat, 1.5 liters of water per person, and catch the earliest 09:00 or 10:00 boat from the Old Port.
• Always check the printed menu prices before ordering drinks or seafood by weight at south-coast beach clubs.