If you're passionate about history and Greek mythology, this tour won't provide enough time to truly explore Delos’ main sites and fully immerse yourself in its rich heritage. I would rate it two stars, primarily because of the tour guide. She is fairly knowledgeable, maternal, and well-organised, which makes for a more structured experience. We were placed in Group 2.
However, the staff at the ticket office, managed by young women, were not just rude and impatient, but also displayed a complete lack of respect. Their behavior was unprofessional, and considering that tourism is the backbone of their economy, they should be trained in customer service, especially when dealing with international visitors. Without tourism, they would likely face unemployment, so this lack of respect is unacceptable.
The tour allotted only 60 minutes for self-exploration, which includes visiting the museum and walking back to the ferry for the 1:30 PM departure to Mykonos. This short window doesn’t allow sufficient time to reach areas like the Temple of Isis.
We decided to return the following day on our own, taking the 10:00 AM ferry, which returned at 1:30 PM. Be aware that your return time is fixed, and you can't simply catch a later ferry. The ferry costs 25 euros per person, and entrance to the site is another 8 euros. I recommend to run to the ticket office upon arrival, as the queue can take up to 30 minutes, eating into your limited time if you visit independently.
Even without the tour, it’s challenging to see everything. However, we managed to hike up to the Temple of Isis, explore that area, and descend through the Theater Quarter in about 90 minutes. This left us with enough time to enjoy the museum and walk leisurely to the ferry.
Bring water as it can get very hot. You can purchase it on the ferry or from the museum’s vending machine.