Athens
Price €634
Min age 0
Rating 4.54 / 5 [702 ratings]
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Travel bucket list idea:
Peloponnese, Greece
Tucked into the rugged hills of the northeastern Peloponnese, Mycenae is a hauntingly powerful reminder of a civilisation that helped shape ancient Greece. Built around 1600 BC by the Mycenaeans – a warrior culture that dominated southern Greece – the citadel was a centre of power, wealth, and myth, famed as the seat of King Agamemnon. Massive cyclopean walls, constructed with stone blocks so enormous that legend claims only giants could move them, were designed to impress and intimidate. Mycenae was destroyed around 1200 BC, likely by invading Dorians and a slow societal collapse.
Today, the ruins are stark yet spectacular. The Lion Gate still stands guard at the entrance, while royal tholos tombs and the foundations of once-grand palaces reveal the scale of the city. It’s a site steeped in legend and history, best explored slowly, with imagination and a sense of awe.
Look out for the Lion Gate, with its powerful carved relief, or the Treasury of Atreus – a monumental beehive tomb that whispers of ancient grandeur. Peer into Grave Circle A where golden death masks were found, and climb to the palace ruins for sweeping views and a palpable sense of the city’s former might.
Mycenae is best reached by car from Nafplio (30 minutes) or Athens (under 2 hours), both ideal bases for exploring the Peloponnese. Organised tours from Athens offer a stress-free way to visit, often combining Mycenae with Epidaurus or Corinth.
Once on site, it’s best explored on foot – wear sturdy shoes, as the terrain is uneven and exposed. Guides are available at the entrance and offer valuable insight, though an organised tour provides a broader historical context and will, of course, arrange transportation.
Bring water, a sunhat, and a copy of Homer’s Iliad to add a touch of poetry to the stone.
Spring (April to early June) and autumn (September to October) are the best times to explore Mycenae – when the sun is warm but not punishing, and the hills are dusted with wildflowers or golden light. In summer, the heat can be intense, and shade is scarce, so early mornings are ideal for beating both the temperature and the crowds.
Arrive as the gates open and the air is still cool; you’ll have the ruins almost to yourself and the soft morning light casts long shadows that animate the ancient stones. Avoid midday, when tour buses roll in and the sun turns the citadel into a furnace.
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