Must-see attractions in Delos

  • 16 July 2018: Excavations on the Greek island of Delos.

    Ancient Delos

    Delos

    Delos has a special place in Greek mythology. When Leto was pregnant with twins Apollo and Artemis, she was relentlessly pursued by a vengeful Hera – the…

  • Original Naxian Lions statues in the Archaeological Museum of Delos, a museum on the historic island of Delos, near Mykonos in the South Aegean, Greece.

    Archaeological Museum

    Delos

    A vast haul of artefacts has been protected from the elements and displayed in this must-see museum, including the originals of many of the frescoes,…

  • Terrace of the Lions, the famous symbol of Archaeological Site of Delos, Delos Island, Cyclades, Greece.

    Terrace of the Lions

    Delos

    The most-photographed part of the Delos site is this terrace facing the Sacred Lake, lined with stone lions (these are replicas, the originals are in the…

  • Sacred Lake

    Delos

    According to the legend, it was here that Leto gave birth to Apollo and Artemis, making it one of the most sacred sites of the ancient world. This didn't…

  • Artemision

    Delos

    Adjoining the sanctuary of Apollo was a smaller compound forming the sanctuary of his twin sister, Artemis. Three remaining columns mark the location of…

  • Sacred Harbour

    Delos

    Today's tourist boats pull into a pier constructed on the site of an ancient harbour, positioned at the main ceremonial entrance to the Sanctuary of…

  • Mt Kynthos

    Delos

    Mt Kynthos (113m), southeast of the harbour, is a steep but rewarding climb. There are monuments such as the Temple of Hera and the Sanctuaries of Zeus…

  • Poros Temple

    Delos

    The smallest and oldest of the three adjacent temples to Apollo at the heart of his sanctuary, this one dates from the 6th-century BC and was named for…

  • Theatre

    Delos

    Built between 296 and 240 BC, this partially restored marble theatre could once seat 6500 spectators in its 40 rows. The large cistern in front of it…

  • House of the Masks

    Delos

    This grand villa takes its name from floor mosaics featuring actors' masks, although the centrepiece is a spectacular mosaic of Dionysos riding a leopard,…

  • House of Comedians

    Delos

    The re-erected Doric columns here once formed a colonnade around the atrium of a large villa, which takes its name from a painted frieze featuring actors…

  • Monument of the Bulls

    Delos

    Built in the 4th century BC, this narrow building is believed to have a housed a trireme – a tribute to Apollo following a victorious battle of Demetrius…

  • House of Cleopatra

    Delos

    No, not that Cleopatra. This ruined villa contains headless statues of its former owners, a rich Athenian couple called Cleopatra and Dioscurides, along…

  • Stoa of Philip V

    Delos

    Together with the South Stoa, this 72m-long portico formed a grand processional route to the Sanctuary of Apollo. It was dedicated to the god in 210 BC by…

  • Grotto of Heracles

    Delos

    This rock shelter was used as a temple to the legendary hero Heracles. Prior to that, it's thought to be the earliest location where Apollo was worshipped…

  • Dodekatheon

    Delos

    Dating from the 3rd century BC, this small temple was dedicated to the 12 principal gods of the Greek pantheon. Statuary from the temple is housed in the…

  • South Stoa

    Delos

    This 66m-long portico, originally supported by 28 Doric columns, was built in the 3rd century BC, lining the route to the Sanctuary of Apollo.

  • Temple of the Delians

    Delos

    Also known as the Great Temple of Apollo, this was the largest of the temples in the god's sanctuary. Construction commenced in 478 BC.

  • Sanctuary of the Syrian Gods

    Delos

    Built in around 150 BC, this sanctuary was dedicated to the Syrian gods Atargatis and Hadad, who were popular in the Greek world.

  • Stoa of the Naxiots

    Delos

    The remains of a colonnaded portico, built in the 6th-century BC and forming the western edge of the Sanctuary of Appolo.

  • House of the Dolphins

    Delos

    One of Delos' grandest houses, the highlight here is a well-preserved mosaic with youths riding dolphins in each corner.

  • House of Dionysos

    Delos

    The remains of a lavish villa, with a mosaic depicting the god of wine riding a tiger (the original is in the museum).

  • Agora of the Delians

    Delos

    Near the entrance to the Sanctuary of Apollo, this market square has an L-shaped stoa which was once lined with shops.

  • Stoivadeion

    Delos

    This temple of Dionysus has some well-preserved reliefs, along with a giant sheared-off phallus on top of a plinth.

  • Sanctuary of Archegetes

    Delos

    The ruins of a temple to the first king of Delos, who was believed to have been a son of Apollo.

  • Temple of Hera

    Delos

    This 5th-century BC temple has a well-preserved marble altar and two columns still standing.

  • Gymnasium

    Delos

    Adjacent to the stadium, this building was used for both athletics training and education.

  • Propylaea

    Delos

    This colonnaded building once formed the monumental entrance to the sanctuary of Apollo.

  • Wall of Triarius

    Delos

    The remains of fortifications built by the Roman governor in 69 BC to protect the town.

  • House of Hermes

    Delos

    A lavish multistory home from the 2nd century BC with a partially intact courtyard.

  • Samothrakeion

    Delos

    The Kabeiroi, a mysterious group of Samothracian deities, were worshipped here.

  • Lake Palaestra

    Delos

    Wrestlers and, possibly, boxers would once have trained here.

  • Stadium

    Delos

    Athletic events were held at this 186m-long stadium.

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