Mykonos, Delos, and Rhenia cruise: the ancient island sailing day

The best day trip from Mykonos

Mykonos has excellent beaches and a beautiful old town. But the most compelling reason to visit — and the one least discussed in nightlife-focused travel guides — is its proximity to Delos: an uninhabited island 30 minutes away by boat that contains the ruins of one of the most important cities in the ancient Mediterranean world.

Combining a Delos visit with an afternoon of swimming at Rhenia — the tiny uninhabited island immediately west of Delos — creates the best day trip available from Mykonos, and one of the best in the entire Aegean. This guide explains what both islands offer, how the cruise works, and what to expect.

Delos: the sacred island

Delos was, in antiquity, the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis — or at least the site where that myth was most powerfully maintained. As a result, it became one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in the ancient Greek world, a place that no one was permitted to be born or to die on (in later centuries, the dying were carried to a nearby island to expire without polluting the sacred ground).

What grew around this religious significance was extraordinary: a complete ancient city, active from around the 9th century BC through to the 1st century BC, eventually home to 30,000 people and the most important commercial hub in the eastern Mediterranean. The city was abandoned after a devastating raid in 88 BC and never substantially rebuilt. What remains is an intact ancient urban landscape: temples, a theatre, merchants’ houses with mosaic floors, public fountains, warehouses, and the Terrace of the Lions — nine marble archaic lions standing sentinel in a row above the Sacred Lake.

No one lives on Delos. No hotel, no restaurant, no permanent resident. You visit, you see the ruins, you leave. This is what makes the experience so powerful — there is no tourist infrastructure in the way. You are walking through an actual ancient city, not a version of one designed for visitor convenience.

Admission to Delos is €12. Opening hours are 09:00–15:00. The site is large — allow at least 2 hours to see it properly. If ancient history matters to you, consider booking a version of the trip that includes a qualified archaeologist guide.

Guided Delos day trip from Mykonos with expert guide

Rhenia: the swimming island

Rhenia (also spelled Rinia or Rineia) is the island immediately west of Delos — separated by a narrow channel, also uninhabited, and with no archaeological sites. What Rhenia has is a series of quiet, sheltered coves with some of the clearest water in the Cyclades. The isolation is complete: no beach bars, no pedalo rental, no road. Just the boat, the turquoise water, and rocky hills.

Combining Delos and Rhenia in a single day is logical: visit the ancient site in the morning when your energy and the guards are present, then anchor off Rhenia for lunch on board and afternoon swimming in near-solitude.

This is one of the most rewarding sailing day trips in the Greek islands, and relatively few visitors to Mykonos take advantage of it.

The Delos and Rhenia cruise: how it works

Delos and Rhenia cruise from Mykonos with BBQ lunch on board

Typical itinerary:

• Departure from Mykonos Old Port at 09:00–10:00
• Sailing to Delos (30 minutes)
• Free time at Delos archaeological site (2–2.5 hours)
• Sailing to Rhenia (10 minutes from Delos)
• BBQ lunch on board at anchor off Rhenia
• Swimming, snorkelling, and relaxing at Rhenia (2–3 hours)
• Return to Mykonos Old Port (arrives around 16:00–17:00)

Typically included:

• Transport to and from Delos and Rhenia
• Delos entrance ticket (confirm when booking — some operators include, others do not)
• BBQ lunch on board (usually grilled meat, salad, bread, water and soft drinks)
• Snorkelling equipment

Not typically included:

• A guide at Delos (you explore independently unless you book a guided version)
• Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase on board at most operators)
• Tips

Boat size: Most Delos-Rhenia cruises use a medium-sized motor yacht or sailing boat for 12–40 passengers. The smaller the boat, the more personal the experience — look for “small group” operators if you want a less crowded experience.

Combining with a south coast sailing cruise

Some visitors to Mykonos want a full day on the water that includes the beaches as well as Delos. Mykonos’s south coast has sheltered coves with extraordinarily clear water accessible only by boat. A separate south coast catamaran cruise is an excellent option if you’ve already done Delos independently or if ancient ruins are not your priority.

Mykonos south coast full-day sailing cruise Mykonos catamaran cruise with meal and drinks

For an ideal two-day combination from Mykonos: Day 1, the Delos and Rhenia cruise; Day 2, the south coast catamaran cruise. These two days give you the complete water-based experience of the island.

Getting to Delos independently (without a cruise)

Small ferry boats depart from Mykonos Old Port to Delos at 09:00 and 10:00, returning at 12:00 and 15:00. Round-trip fare is approximately €25. This is cheaper than an organised cruise and gives you the same access to the site, but without a guide, without lunch, and without the Rhenia swimming component.

If you’re an independent traveller who enjoys solo exploration and you’ve researched Delos in advance, the independent ferry is perfectly adequate. If you want context at the site or want to make a full day out of it, the guided cruise adds significant value.

Practical advice

What to bring to Delos: Plenty of water (there is nothing to buy on the island), sun protection (zero shade for most of the site), good walking shoes or sandals (uneven ancient stone paths throughout), a guidebook or downloaded map of the site (it is large and the signage is minimal).

Photography: Delos is extraordinary to photograph. The Terrace of the Lions is the single most-photographed element. The mosaic floors in the House of Dionysus and the House of Trident are also exceptional. Arrive early in the cruise (the 09:00 departure gives you the site before the largest ferry loads arrive) for the best photography light and thinnest crowds.

Swimming at Rhenia: The water is very clear and calm — suitable for all swimmers. The anchorage sites are typically in 3–5 metres of water. Bring reef-safe sunscreen.

Seasickness: The channel between Mykonos and Delos is generally calm but can have chop if the meltemi wind is blowing. If you’re sensitive, take medication before boarding.

For the broader context of visiting Mykonos and Delos, read the Mykonos from Athens guide and the Delos guide. For sailing options from other islands, see the Santorini caldera cruise guide and the things to do: cruises hub.

Frequently asked questions about the Delos and Rhenia cruise

How much time do you get at Delos on the cruise?

Most cruises allow 2–2.5 hours at Delos. The site is large and this is genuinely sufficient to see the main highlights at a reasonable pace. For a deeper visit with all the archaeological detail, 3–4 hours is ideal — achievable only on the independent ferry.

Do you need a guide to appreciate Delos?

Context makes a large difference. Without any preparation, the ruins can seem like a confusing field of stones. With a good guide (or having read about the site beforehand), it becomes one of the most fascinating ancient sites in the world. At minimum, download or buy a site plan before you arrive.

Is the Delos site in full sun?

Yes. There is almost no shade on Delos — the trees that once surrounded the sanctuary are long gone and replacement planting is minimal. In July and August at midday, the site gets very hot. A hat and plenty of water are not optional.

What is Rhenia like for swimming?

Exceptional. The water is clear, calm, and typically around 24–26°C in summer. The coves where cruises anchor are usually quiet — if you’re there mid-morning, you may have the water largely to yourself. Snorkelling is rewarding near the rocky edges of the coves.

Is the Delos cruise suitable for children?

Children who enjoy history and outdoor walking (over about 10 years old) tend to find Delos engaging. The site is large and the lion terrace makes an impression. Younger children may find the heat and the duration of the site visit difficult. Rhenia swimming is excellent for all ages.

Can you visit Delos from Athens directly?

No. Delos is only accessible from Mykonos — there is no direct ferry from Athens or Piraeus. You must travel to Mykonos first (3.5-hour fast ferry or 40-minute flight) and take the Delos boat from there.