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Archaeological site of Mycenae

Peloponnese, Greece

Last updated: 14 May, 2025

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.

Don't miss

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.

Who to go with: organised tours

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

4-Day Classical Greece Tour: Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora

Athens

Viator

Step back in time on this 4-day Classical Greece tour from Athens, seeing all the top attractions that date back to this fascinating era. With overnight accommodation included and an expert guide to accompany you, the tour highlights the country’s most intriguing archeological sites – four of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Explore Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia and Delphi, and visit 11th-century monasteries perched on the rock towers of Meteora.

Price €634

Min age 0

Rating 4.54 / 5 [702 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Mycenae and Nafplion Day Trip from Athens with Official guide

Athens

Viator

Explore the remains of the ancient city of Mycenae a major centre of Greek civilization from 1600BC to 1100BC . After Mycenae guided tour we continue to Nafplion , walking tour at the charmy town at the seaside, was still is the port of the region ever since the Bronze Age. Capital of Greece after the declaration of independence and till 1834. We will see and discuss , among others, the obelisque of France, the vencecian loggia , the “White house’c”, the impressive old and new castles, we walk the marble paved way to the new town and we discuss the political history of Greece in between the statues of Ioannis Kapodistrias and King Otto, Return back to Athens.

Price €29

Min age 0

Rating 4.26 / 5 [496 ratings]

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3-Day Classical Greece Tour: Epidaurus, Mycenae, Nafplion, Olympia, Delphi

Athens

Viator

Visit the three most important archaeological sites from the Classical Greece period on this 3-day tour of Greece from Athens! Traveling with a professional licensed guide, passionate about Greek history, your tour includes excursions to Epidaurus, Olympia and Delphi, with overnight accommodation in your choice of 3- or 4-star hotels. See UNESCO World Heritage-listed monuments.

Price €430

Min age 0

Rating 4.51 / 5 [329 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nafplio Full Day Private Tour from Athens

Athens

Viator

Venture south of Athens to discover highlights of the Peloponnese. Cross the Corinth Canal to leave mainland Greece and explore Mycenae, Epidaurus and Nafplion. Starting in Mycenae, one of the ancient world’s most noteworthy cultures, then on to Epidaurus, with its theater and healing center that were milestones in the evolution of western civilization and ending up at Nafplio, the country’s most picturesque town, we take a route that is one of the most important historically speaking, in a country steeped in history. - Full-day tour of Peloponnese highlights from Athens - Travel the Isthmus of Corinth with its picturesque yet imposing natural beauty - Visit the archaeological site of Mycenae, home to mythical King Agamemnon - Check out the perfect acoustics at Epidaurus's 4th-century amphitheater - Explore the harbor village of Nafplion

Price €189

Min age 0

Rating 4.91 / 5 [232 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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From Athens: Bus Trip to Mycenae, Epidaurus and Nafplio

Athens

Viator

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the ancient Mycenae. Admire the most famous ancient theater of Epidaurus. Give a modern aspect to your day with a short stop at the coastal city of Nafplio. Take photos from the Isthmus of Corinth connecting the Corinthian with the Saronic Gulf Explore the Kingdom of Agamemnon, the great Cyclopean Walls and the ancient site of Mycenae Watch closely the gold Mask of Agamemnon, leader of the Trojan War Step on the ancient theatre of Epidaurus known for its perfectly balanced acoustic Visit the coastal city of Nafplio

Price €30

Min age 0

Rating 4.76 / 5 [169 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Logistics

Price from: £22

Minimum age: 0

Age suitable: 18+

When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

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.

When to do it

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.