Sanctuary of Apollo (Despotiko)

36° 58.2′ N · 25° 0.8′ E

On uninhabited Despotiko, archaeologists have uncovered and partly restored a major archaic sanctuary of Apollo, in use from the 7th century BC through Roman times. Its marble buildings stand above the sea a short walk from the anchorage.

Western Cyclades Central Cyclades

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Excavated at Mantra since 1997 under archaeologist Yannos Kourayos. Finds include a building with a façade about 35 x 15 m, a four-room building with a large stone altar and pottery inscribed with Apollo's name, and a wall running down to the ancient port (Wikipedia). Archaic Building D was restored in 2023 (antiparos.com). Finds are displayed in the Paros Archaeological Museum at Parikia. The site reopened to visitors in summer 2018 (antiparos.com). Visiting hours: no regular daily opening hours or entry fee are published (antiparos.com says only that the site reopened to visitors in summer 2018 and is reached by private boat or boat tour). The scheduled way in has been the guided visits run by the Friends of Paros & Antiparos with the excavating archaeologists: in 2024, 9:30am-1pm from Agios Georgios for about EUR 20 including the boat crossing; in 2025, on July 10, 9:30am-12:30pm, meeting at 9:30am at the Agios Georgios pier, about EUR 20. Dates are set each summer and announced on antiparos.com, so check before planning around one; outside these visits, landing from your own dinghy and walking around the fenced excavations is how most yachts see it. Excavations continue, so respect fenced areas. There is no shade, water or shop on the island. Land by dinghy on the nearest beach: Panagia beach faces the channel anchorage, while Wikipedia says visitors usually land on the southern sandy beach. Position from the OpenStreetMap archaeological-site node.

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Walking among an excavated temple of Apollo straight from the anchorage

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