Africa
Americas
Asia
Europe
Oceania
Call us for free now
Book with an expert for free:
+44 20 8068 3176
Prefer us to call you? Drop your number in the box:
Call us anytime. 24/7
What to see in Greece
Mycenae
Tourist attractions Mycenae
Mycenae is one of the most renowned places of interest in the Peloponnese. Today it is one of the archaeological sites in the country that attracts most local and foreign visitors, which is hardly surprising since it makes an appearance in many of the best-known stories in classical mythology.
Tips for organising your visit to Mycenae
You might want to drive up to Mycenae from Athens. The trip takes a little over an hour on excellent roads. If this is your means of transport, don't stop at the first car park, because this is the one for the Treasury of Atreus. The car park for the Mycenaean site is a little further down the road.
Take a bottle of water with you, especially if you go in summer. It can get very hot and there is little shade to shelter you from the sun's rays. Sunscreen is not a bad idea either. This is also the reason why it is best to visit first thing in the morning. This means that not only will you avoid the hottest hours, but also the crowds of other tourists.
What to see in Mycenae
There are dozens of reasons why UNESCO declared Mycenae a World Heritage Site. This brief guide on what to see in Mycenae will show you several of them.
The Lion Gate
This is one of the most photographed and possibly best-known places to see in Mycenae. The blocks of stone that comprise it are impressive, although what stands out most are the figures of the lions from which it derives its name.
Don't worry if you see lots of people at this first stop on your visit to Mycenae. Not only is it the most iconic place on the site, it is also the gateway.
First funeral circle
This is the first thing to see in Mycenae after passing through the Lion Gate. Here you will find six tombs that once contained the richest treasures. One of the best known is the famous Warrior Vase, which was found in the southern area of the site, in one of the houses. Of course, the treasures are not kept here now.
The Palace of Agamemnon
This is just down the main street. The remains of the Great Hall are right next to it. The palace consisted of a group of buildings that crowned the Mycenaean hill. A great many festive and political events were held here during the city's period of splendour.
Postern Gate and Cistern
The postern gate and cistern are towards the end of the visit. The cistern still collects water today. You can go all the way down, although be warned that the floor is slippery.
As for the postern gate, legend has it that after killing his mother, this was the door that Orestes used to get out.
Treasury of Atreus
The tomb of Agamemnon or Treasury of Atreus is one of the most iconic places to see at Mycenae. It stands just two hundred meters from the site of the settlement and you shouldn't miss it.
A little history to understand why Mycenae is worth visiting.
The first thing to know is that the oldest remains in Mycenae correspond to the year 3000 B.C. However, the period of the city's greatest importance was around 1500-1600 BC.
The Acheans, the people who lived in Mycenae, created the earliest Greek civilisation. Their language was remarkably similar to Greek and they worshipped goddesses like Athena, Hera and Zeus.
Mycenaean hegemony peaked around 1300 BC, which is the period to which the largest number of archaeological remains on view at Mycenae are attributed.
We don't know why the city was abandoned by its inhabitants, although several factors may have contributed. These could have been invasions by other groups or internal revolts. This mystery only adds to the attraction of the site. In any case, it was abandoned around 1100 B.C. At this time the palace began to suffer significant deterioration. Mycenae was resettled, albeit briefly, 600 years later when the city of Argos ensured its destruction to maintain its own hegemony.
Mycenae in mythology
One reason why Mycenae is worth visiting is its connection with Greek mythology, which is still well-known centuries after the Hellenic religion ceased to be practiced.
Homer writes in the Iliad of King Agamemnon's participation in the Trojan War, which he and his Achaean army took part in when Paris abducted Helen, Menelaus' wife.
But it is not only literature that tells us about Mycenae. According to myth, the hero Perseus founded the city instead of staying in Argos where he should have become king on the death of King Acrisius.
OUR BEST TRIPS TO MYCENAE
YOU ALSO LIKE
Albania
3 Trips
Croatia
3 Trips
Greece
14 Trips
Slovenia
Notify me when available
Spain
9 Trips
Italy
12 Trips
Portugal
10 Trips
Russia
Notify me when available
Poland
Notify me when available
France
6 Trips
Iceland
3 Trips
United Kingdom
Notify me when available
Germany
4 Trips
Czech Republic
4 Trips
Hungary
4 Trips
Belgium
1 Trips
Scotland
Notify me when available
Austria
7 Trips
Holland
1 Trips
Ireland
1 Trips
Baltic States
2 Trips
Norway
4 Trips
Finland
2 Trips
Denmark
2 Trips
Switzerland
6 Trips
Romania
Notify me when available
Sweden
1 Trips
Slovakia
3 Trips
Faroe Islands
Notify me when available
Montenegro
1 Trips
Ukraine
Notify me when available
England
Notify me when available
Liechtenstein
Notify me when available
Northern Ireland
Notify me when available
Cyprus
1 Trips
Tourist attractions greece
Points of interests
- Trips to Acropolis of Athens
- Trips to Aegean Sea
- Trips to Athens
- Trips to Crete
- Trips to Delphi
- Trips to Epidaurus
- Trips to Gulf of Corinth
- Trips to Heraklion
- Trips to Kalambaka
- Trips to Meteora
- Trips to Mycenae
- Trips to Mykonos
- Trips to Naxos
- Trips to Olympia
- Trips to Panathenaic Stadium
- Trips to Paros
- Trips to Parthenon
- Trips to Peloponnese
- Trips to Rhodes
- Trips to Santorini
- Trips to Saronic Islands
- Trips to Serifos
- Trips to Syros
- Trips to Temple of Olympian Zeus
- Trips to The Cyclades
- Trips to Tinos
- Trips to Treasury of Atreus
Other Points of interests
- Trips to Apollonia
- Trips to Berat
- Trips to Bled
- Trips to Blue Eye National Park
- Trips to Bohinj
- Trips to Butrint
- Trips to Dubrovnik
- Trips to Durres
- Trips to Elbasan
- Trips to Gjirokastër
- Trips to Hvar
- Trips to Koper
- Trips to Korca
- Trips to Krk
- Trips to Kruja
- Trips to Ksamil
- Trips to Lezhe
- Trips to Ljubljana
- Trips to Medjugore
- Trips to Mostar
- Trips to Opatija
- Trips to Plitvice Lakes
- Trips to Plovdiv
- Trips to Pogradec
- Trips to Postojna Cave
- Trips to Rila Monastery
- Trips to Sarajevo
- Trips to Saranda
- Trips to Shkodra
- Trips to Split
- Trips to Tirana
- Trips to Velika Planina
- Trips to Vlora
- Trips to Voskopoje
- Trips to Zadar
- Trips to Zagreb
Countries Nearby
- Albania Trips
- Austria Trips
- Baltic States Trips
- Belgium Trips
- Croatia Trips
- Cyprus Trips
- Czech Republic Trips
- Denmark Trips
- England Trips
- Faroe Islands Trips
- Finland Trips
- France Trips
- Germany Trips
- Greece Trips
- Holland Trips
- Hungary Trips
- Iceland Trips
- Ireland Trips
- Italy Trips
- Liechtenstein Trips
- Montenegro Trips
- Northern Ireland Trips
- Norway Trips
- Poland Trips
- Portugal Trips
- Romania Trips
- Russia Trips
- Scotland Trips
- Slovakia Trips
- Slovenia Trips
- Spain Trips
- Sweden Trips
- Switzerland Trips
- Ukraine Trips
- United Kingdom Trips
Trip Styles
Want to hear from us?
The best deals on travel
Exciting promotions
Expert travel tips