Frequently asked questions
Is this a skip-the-line ticket?
Your hourly slot is reserved before you arrive, so once you step off the boat you walk straight to the Delos site gate instead of queuing at the ticket office on the jetty. Because everyone lands on the same morning boats, that queue can back up quickly in the sun, so coming with your ticket already in hand saves the wait on the quay.
Does this ticket include the boat from Mykonos?
No. This is admission to the archaeological island of Delos only. Delos is reached by boat from Mykonos in about 30 to 45 minutes, and you arrange that crossing yourself — passenger boats and organised cruises run mainly in the morning and return in the early afternoon. We reserve your dated hourly entry slot for the island; simply time your boat so you reach the gate within that hour.
How do I actually get to Delos?
Delos has no town, hotels, bridge or airport, and is reachable only by boat. The usual route is a passenger boat from the Old Port of Mykonos, a crossing of roughly 30 to 45 minutes, with departures concentrated in the morning and returns in the early afternoon; seasonal cruises also run from Naxos, Paros and Tinos. You book the crossing separately and we secure your timed island entry.
How does the timed entry work?
You choose the date and an hourly time slot, and your ticket is valid for a single entry to the island during that hour on that day. Arrive within your slot window — timed to your boat's landing — and show your mobile ticket at the gate. Because boats are limited and mostly morning, pick a slot that matches a sailing that gets you there in good time.
What's included in the ticket?
Full admission to the whole archaeological island of Delos — the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Terrace of the Lions, the merchant houses with their mosaics such as the House of Cleopatra, the House of Dionysus and the House of the Masks, the ancient theatre and the slopes of Mount Kynthos — and the Archaeological Museum of Delos, which stands on the island and is covered by the same ticket.
Is the island museum included?
Yes. The Archaeological Museum of Delos is on the island and is included in your entry ticket. It holds the original sculptures, mosaics and finds recovered from more than a century of excavation — including the original Terrace lions, protected indoors from the weather — and makes a rare shaded stop on an otherwise exposed site.
Why is Delos so important?
In Greek myth Delos was the birthplace of the twin gods Apollo and Artemis, and around that legend grew one of the greatest sanctuaries of the ancient world, a pilgrimage centre for the whole Aegean. In its later heyday the same tiny island was also a booming cosmopolitan trading port. That double life as holy sanctuary and international marketplace, preserved across an uninhabited island, is why Delos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What is the Terrace of the Lions?
The Terrace of the Lions is Delos's most famous monument: a row of archaic marble lions, carved in the 7th century BC, that once lined the approach to the sacred lake as guardians of the sanctuary. What you see on the terrace today are weather-proof replicas in the original positions; the surviving originals are displayed in the island's Archaeological Museum, included in your ticket.
How and when do I get my ticket?
We send your ticket to your email as a mobile ticket once your booking is confirmed — there's nothing to print, just show it on your phone at the island gate. You'll also receive a short 5-minute audio history to listen to before you sail, ideal for the boat crossing.
Is Delos open all year, and which day is it closed?
No — Delos is a seasonal, boat-access site, open roughly from April to October, with very limited winter access, and it is normally closed on Mondays. Because you can only reach it by boat, your visiting window is also set by the Mykonos boat timetable, which runs mainly in the morning. Confirm the season, the closed day and the boat schedule before you travel, as they change seasonally and on public holidays.
How long should I allow on Delos?
Most visitors spend about two to three hours on the island, which is the time the boat schedule usually allows before the return sailing. That is enough to walk the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Terrace of the Lions and the mosaic houses, climb toward the theatre and see the museum. If you want to reach the summit of Mount Kynthos as well, take an early boat and pace yourself in the heat.
When is the best time to visit?
Take one of the first morning boats and travel outside the July–August peak if you can. Delos is almost entirely without shade, so the middle of a summer day is both the hottest and the busiest stretch, when cruise groups and tours from Mykonos overlap. An earlier crossing gives cooler air, calmer ruins and softer light on the marble, and leaves time to explore before the last return boat.
Do I need to bring my passport or any ID?
No. The standard entry ticket is not personalised and needs no passport or name — just show your mobile ticket at the island gate. (Reduced and free-entry categories set by the operator may require ID; our ticket is standard full admission.) You may, however, want ID for the boat operator's own passenger manifest.
Is Delos suitable for visitors with limited mobility?
Only partly. Delos is an open, rocky island site with gravel and dirt paths, ancient paving, steps and uneven ground, and reaching it involves boarding a boat and a jetty. The lower sanctuary area and the museum are reachable with care, but the theatre and Mount Kynthos involve a rough climb. Visitors with limited mobility can still experience the heart of the site but should plan for the terrain and the boat boarding.
Is there shade, food or water on the island?
Very little. Delos is an exposed, uninhabited island with almost no natural shade; there is a small café and a museum near the landing, but facilities are limited. Bring plenty of water, a hat, sunscreen and sturdy shoes, and treat the visit as a half-day in the open. The museum and its surroundings offer the main respite from the sun.
Can I change my slot after booking?
Changes are allowed up to 2 hours before your visit, with a maximum of 2 changes per ticket, provided your preferred new slot is still open and matches an available boat. If your plans or the weather shift, contact our team and we'll help where the operator's rules allow. See our terms for the full policy.
What happens if the boats are cancelled by weather?
Delos crossings can be affected by strong Aegean winds, and the decision to sail rests with the boat operator you book. If the sea cancels the sailings on your date, contact our team: your island ticket is a timed entry, and we'll help you change your slot within the operator's rules, or issue a refund in the rare event a validly issued ticket cannot be honoured. Keep some flexibility in your Mykonos plans in the windy months.
Can I get a refund?
All bookings are final once confirmed; we only issue a refund in the rare event the operator cannot honour a validly issued ticket. Timed-entry tickets are non-refundable, but you can change your slot up to 2 hours before your visit within the operator's rules. Note that the separately booked boat crossing has its own operator's terms. See our terms for details.
Are you the official Delos ticket office?
No. We're an independent concierge service for international visitors. We buy genuine tickets on your behalf from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture's official ticketing service and handle the booking in your own language, and our service fee is included in the price shown. The ticket covers island entry only; you can always buy directly from the operator if you prefer.
What currency am I charged in?
The price you see is the price you pay — we show it in your local currency where we can and charge exactly that amount, with no surprise fees at checkout. Payment is by card on a secure page.