Delos Archaeological Museum Reopens After Major Restoration

The Archaeological Museum of Delos, one of Greece’s oldest museums, has officially reopened following a major restoration, offering visitors a revitalized gateway into the sacred island’s rich history. Originally built in 1904 and expanded in 1931 and 1972, the museum has long housed treasures from the UNESCO‑listed archaeological site of Delos, once a thriving religious and commercial hub in the Aegean.

The restoration, completed in 2024 with funding from the EU Recovery Fund and Greece’s NSRF program, addressed the island’s challenging environmental conditions—sun, salt, and wind—by upgrading structural integrity, enhancing display lighting, and installing modern conservation labs, visitor facilities, and accessibility features.

A new highlight is the exhibition “Delos – Rhenia – Mykonos: Images from 150 Years of Archaeological Research,” created in partnership with the French School at Athens. It features archival photos, excavation artifacts, and personal stories from the early days of archaeology on the island.

Among the museum’s standout pieces are marble kouroi, intricate mosaics, and the imposing Naxian Lions. These are now presented in state‑of‑the‑art cases, with improved lighting and interpretive signage that brings their context vividly to life.

The reopening is part of the broader “Delos – Open Museum” initiative, which aims to blend indoor and outdoor heritage experiences across the island. Restoration of key monuments, including the Temple of Apollo, is also underway, expected to be completed by 2027. Furthermore, new visitor pathways, including disabled access routes, are being established to ensure inclusive access to Delos' most iconic areas

The Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, present at the inauguration, hailed the museum as a symbol of cultural continuity and resilience. With ferry access via Mykonos, the refreshed museum offers a deeper, more accessible encounter with one of antiquity’s most storied sanctuaries. 

This reopening marks more than structural renewal—it’s a revitalisation of Delos’ storytelling. From its mythic roots as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, through its heyday as a bustling Hellenistic port, to medieval inscriptions left by Arab and Byzantine visitors , Delos’ layered history now unfolds more vividly.

Ready to explore?
Book your tour with Achtypis tours and experience the wonders of Delos up close.

Click below to check our available shore excursions to Delos from Mykonos island: https://www.achtypistours.gr/shorex/mykonos

or here if you arrive directly to Delos with direct disembarkation from your cruise ship: https://www.achtypistours.gr/shorex/delos 

Sources:

1. Delos | Ministry of Culture and Sports

http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/eh351.jsp?obj_id=2371

1. Photo exhibition revisits first excavations on Delos

https://www.ekathimerini.com/multimedia/images/1245360/photo-exhibition-revisits-first-excavations-on-delos 

1. Visiting Delos Island

https://archaeology-travel.com/greece/visiting-delos-island

1. Archaeological Museum of Delos Reopens After Renovation

https://www.argophilia.com/news/archaeological-museum-of-delos-reopens-after-renovation

1. The new Archaeological Museum of Delos “opens its gates”

https://athens-times.com/the-new-archaeological-museum-of-delos-opens-its-gates 

1. Delos Beckons Visitors with Refurbished Museum

https://www.tovima.com/culture/delos-beckons-visitors-with-refurbished-museum/