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 prevent the authorities draining the lake in 1925 to prevent malarial mosquito-breeding. It's now a quiet park-like spot, with benches scattered in the shade of low trees.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
0.26 MILES
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…
17.86 MILES
This 80-hectare park north of Naoussa features impressive rock formations, caves, hidden coves and gorgeous beaches. There's a lot going on here, with…
21.32 MILES
The most alluring part of Hora is the 13th-century residential neighbourhood of Kastro, which Marco Sanudo made the capital of his duchy in 1207. Behind…
22.8 MILES
The Panagia Ekatontapyliani, which dates from AD 326, is one of the finest churches in the Cyclades. The building is three distinct churches: Agios…
0.13 MILES
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,…
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26.22 MILES
The Vallindras Distillery on Halki’s main square has been distilling the kitron liqueur in the same way since 1896, passing from one generation to the…
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26.22 MILES
This gallery displays the exquisite work of Naxian potter Katharina Bolesch and her partner, artist and jewellery designer Alexander Reichardt. Each piece…
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20.98 MILES
From Naxos Town Harbour, a causeway leads to the Palatia islet and the striking, unfinished Temple of Apollo, Naxos’ most famous landmark (also known as…
Nearby Delos attractions
0.03 MILES
The remains of fortifications built by the Roman governor in 69 BC to protect the town.
0.05 MILES
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…
3. Institute of the Poseidoniasts of Berytos
0.06 MILES
Proof that ancient Delos was cosmopolitan, this complex served as a kind of clubhouse for merchants from Berytos (modern-day Beirut).
0.09 MILES
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…
0.1 MILES
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…
0.11 MILES
This temple of Dionysus has some well-preserved reliefs, along with a giant sheared-off phallus on top of a plinth.
0.13 MILES
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,…