The Archaeological Museum of Mykonos holds a 7th-century BC storage jar with what is widely considered the earliest known depiction of the Trojan Horse in Greek art. The museum, established in 1905 near the Old Port of Mykonos Town, houses finds from the island itself and the nearby sacred island of Delos and its burial ground on Rhenia. For families with curious children, the compact size and focused collection make it a manageable cultural stop that delivers real historical weight.
Yes, if you frame it around the Trojan Horse pithos and the strange story of Rhenia — an entire island used as a cemetery because Delos was too sacred for birth or death. The museum is small enough that no one gets bored, and the €5 entry feels like real value on an island where most activities cost much more. Just keep expectations measured: this is one building with six rooms, not a sprawling archaeological complex.
The Trojan Horse in Stone
The museum’s headline object sits in the main hall. The Mykonos Pithos, a large relief storage jar dating to around 670 BC, shows Greek warriors emerging from the wooden horse and scenes of the sack of Troy. It was discovered on Mykonos itself in 1961 during well-digging in town, suggesting the island had its own artistic production in the Archaic period rather than simply importing from larger centres.
For children familiar with the Trojan War through movies or books, seeing the story rendered in 7th-century BC relief work shifts the myth into tangible history. The pithos rewards slow looking — the carved details of horses, shields, and climbing figures carry a directness that later art often loses. Museum information panels include English and Greek text, and the desk staff are known for answering questions thoroughly.
The pithos is one of only a handful of Greek relief vases to survive from the 7th century BC, and its Trojan Horse scene is the earliest detailed version known. No other museum holds anything quite like it.
The Island That Was Too Sacred for Death
The bulk of the museum’s collection comes from Rhenia (also called Rineia), the small island directly west of Delos. Ancient Delos, mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, was considered so sacred that no one was permitted to be born or die there. The dead were transported to Rhenia, which became the official burial ground for Delos across centuries.
In 426 BC, Athens conducted a mass purification of Delos, moving all existing graves to Rhenia. The “Purification Pit” on Rhenia yielded thousands of objects — funerary stelae, pottery, jewellery, terracotta figurines — many of which now fill the museum’s six rooms. This collection gives families a direct window into how ancient Greeks honoured their dead and what objects they considered essential for the afterlife.
What You’ll Actually See
The museum arranges its material across six exhibition rooms and a courtyard. Beyond the Mykonos Pithos and the Rhenia funerary collection, the displays cover Cycladic figurines, Geometric and Archaic pottery, Classical and Hellenistic sculpture from Delos, and everyday objects such as lamps, jewellery, and coins that show the trade networks of the ancient Aegean.
The Cycladic figurines — the distinctive marble sculptures with folded arms — come from early burial contexts and give children a clear visual reference for the minimalist style that later influenced modern artists. The Hellenistic figurines from Delos, many of them small terracotta pieces depicting everyday people rather than gods, feel approachable and human-scale.
| Exhibit Area | Period | Key Objects | Why Kids Notice It | Best For Ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mykonos Pithos (Main Hall) | ~670 BC (Archaic) | Relief storage jar with Trojan Horse scene | Recognisable myth, visible action, climbing figures | 6+ |
| Rhenia Funerary Collection | Geometric to Classical | Burial stelae, grave goods, jewellery | Strange island-backstory, objects placed with dead | 8+ |
| Cycladic Figurines | Early Cycladic (3200–2000 BC) | Marble folded-arm figures | Abstract shapes, unlike anything in modern life | 6+ |
| Delos Sculpture Fragments | Classical to Hellenistic | Statue parts, relief panels, mosaic pieces | Broken statues, visible tool marks | 10+ |
| Everyday Objects | Geometric to Roman | Lamps, coins, jewellery, tools | Recognisable small items — rings, coins, fishing weights | 5+ |
Most visitors spend 30 minutes to an hour in the museum. If your family reads every label and discusses the Rhenia story, budget closer to 75 minutes. The museum is not included in any city pass, and there is no online booking system — tickets are purchased at the entrance.
Visit before a Delos day trip. The museum provides context for what you will see on Delos — many of the excavation finds from the island ended up here — and the boat departure point is directly beside the museum at the Old Port.
Making It Work for Your Family
The museum is wheelchair accessible with ramps at the entrance and accessible restrooms on site. Photography for personal use is generally permitted without flash, which gives children a chance to document their favourite objects. The staff can advise on the best route through the galleries for visitors with mobility needs.
The museum stands beside the Old Port, a short walk from the bus station and a 10- to 15-minute walk from the centre of Mykonos Town near Matoyianni Street or the Kato Mili windmills. There is no dedicated car park, and on-street parking near the Old Port is limited and often full in summer — walking from central town is generally quicker than driving.
If you arrive by ferry at the New Port in Tourlos, the SeaBus runs to the Old Port area roughly every half hour in season, and the museum is a one-minute walk from the quay.
The museum is closed on Tuesdays year-round and on public holidays. Last admission is 20 minutes before closing at 16:00. The hours are consistent across seasons, but extra closures are announced on the Ministry of Culture website — check before you go.
Entry costs €5 for adults and €3 for the reduced rate. Children 18 and under often enter free, though eligibility rules follow Greek state museum guidelines. Free admission applies on 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, and 28 October, as well as on the first and third Sundays of each month between 1 November and 31 March.
For families who want to go deeper, there are archaeology-focused guided tours of Mykonos Town that include a museum stop, and walking tours of the old town that pass the museum as part of a broader cultural route.
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For those who prefer to explore independently, archaeology tours on Mykonos are worth browsing — some include museum time alongside a guided walk through Chora. If you simply want to explore the old town at your own pace, there are options for walking tours of Mykonos Town that cover the waterfront, windmills, Little Venice, and the museum in a single loop.
Reader Questions
How long does a family visit take?
Most families spend 45 minutes to an hour. If your children engage with the Mykonos Pithos and the Rhenia story, allow 75 minutes. The museum is compact — six rooms and a courtyard — so fatigue is rarely an issue.
The short visit makes it easy to pair with a waterfront walk or a stop at the nearby windmills without losing a whole morning.
Is the museum too dry for young children?
Children aged 6 and up tend to engage well, especially with the Trojan Horse pithos. The museum’s small size means you can move through at your child’s pace without feeling trapped in a long gallery.
For very young children (under 6), keep the visit to 20–30 minutes and focus on the pithos and the jewellery cases. The courtyard offers a change of space if anyone gets restless.
Can we combine this with a Delos trip?
Yes — this is the most recommended pairing. The museum holds many finds from the Delos excavations, so visiting before your ferry gives context for the ruins you will see on the island.
Boats to Delos depart from the Old Port directly beside the museum. Plan the museum first, then catch a mid-morning boat to Delos. The Mykonos destination guide has more on how to structure that day.
What is the biggest downside for families?
The museum is small and the collection is focused on pottery and burial goods. If your family expects interactive displays, multimedia, or dramatic staging, you will find the presentation old-fashioned.
Some visitor reviews note that the toilet facilities are basic, and the variety of exhibits is limited — there are a lot of vases. Go for the specific highlights, not for a comprehensive museum experience.
Are there free admission days?
Yes. Free entry on 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, and 28 October. From November to March, entry is free on the first and third Sunday of each month.
These dates align with national Greek museum free-entry days, so the museum can be busier than usual on those days. Arrive near opening time if you are targeting a free visit.
Sources and further reading
Archaeological Museum of Mykonos — official listing. Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports.
Delos — sacred island of Apollo. Wikipedia.
Archaeological Museum of Mykonos museum profile. Archaeological Museums of Greece.
Mykonos with kids: Delos and small museums. Pack the Kids.
Museum location on OpenStreetMap.
The museum sits at the Old Port of Mykonos Town, a two-minute walk from the Delos ferry and a 10-minute stroll from the windmills. It does not try to compete with the island’s beach clubs or bars. But for families who want their children to see a 2,700-year-old jar with Greek warriors climbing out of a wooden horse, it delivers something no sunset cocktail can. The ancient history of the Cyclades is worth finding beyond the crowds of Mykonos.
