Visiting Mycenae from Athens
Alex - A former corporate business executive, I am a historical fiction writer. For almost ten years, Greece was one of my second homes due to my business responsibilities.
Baby Iris joined our travels since she was able to sit up.
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Are you planning to visit Mycenae from Athens and want to make the best out of your trip?
Here are all our tips based on our visit on a rainy September day. We spent one month exploring the Peloponnese Peninsula, and Mycenae was our first-day trip.
Join us on a journey to the dawn of civilization.
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Visiting Mycenae from Athens – a Complete Guide
What is the story of Mycenae?
When thinking of ancient Greece, many envisage silver-bearded philosophers debating the meaning of life with colonnaded marble buildings in the background. While highly romanticized, that image corresponds to what historians call the Classical period. However, Greek civilization is much older than that.
There was the Archaic period before the heydays of Sparta and Athens, and before that, the Greek Dark Ages. Older still was a time of legends, filled with the larger-than-life heroes described in the epic works of Homer, what modern scholars call Mycenaean Greece, named after the foremost center of this mysterious civilization, the city of Mycenae.
By the time the ancient Greeks held the first Olympic Games, Mycenae had been in ruins for centuries. Julius Caesar was born a thousand years after Mycenae’s decline and fall. To put this into context, the USA was founded less than three hundred years ago.
Returning to our times, I first glimpsed Mycenae in early childhood. I turned on our black-and-white TV to the scene in which Sean Connery, as King Agamemnon, slews a minotaur with the help of a time-traveling kid. Then, they proceed through the streets of an old city in the hails of the adoring inhabitants.
I had no clue where Mycenae was at the time—and I am still confused about the minotaur scene—but the image stayed with me for years. I often dreamed about being in the shoes of the boy who traveled back in time and discovered the glorious ancient city.
If you have a similar fantasy of walking in the footsteps of legendary heroes, you should drop by Mycenae.
Is Mycenae worth visiting?
Yes! Despite its age, the site is surprisingly well-preserved.
The experience is enhanced by a grand vista afforded by its position on a mountaintop. Lastly, you can peruse the exhibits at the nearby museum.
Where is Mycenae?
The site is around 120km west of Athens, on the northeastern side of the Peloponnese peninsula.
Other nearby sites worth visiting are Nafplio, Epidauros, and Argos, so Mycenae is well-positioned for an exciting day trip from Athens.
How to get to Mycenae from Athens
The fastest way to get there is by car or bus; Mycenae is a 90-minute trip from Athens.
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If you choose to drive, you shouldn’t worry too much about the road conditions. Most of the driving is on highways (A7 and A8).
The road tax can be paid at the toll stations you’ll cross on your journey (you can’t miss them since you must go through them); they accept cash or card payments.
Before jumping behind the wheel, read our post about Driving in Greece – Your Complete Guide.
The comfortable option is to take a guided tour.
They’ll bus you to your destination, and most tours include other noteworthy stops, such as Epidaurus and Nafplio.
Also, a guide will accompany you and explain the history of the numerous structures and items you’ll see.
Book your guided tour to Mycenae from Athens here!
How to get to Mycenae from Napflion
Mycenae is two dozen kilometers north of Napflio, a 25-minute drive. So, if you arrive by boat to Napflio, visiting Mycenae is a must.
If you are there only for the day, it is better to book a guided tour so you won’t miss your boat’s departure. You won’t have to worry about getting lost or finding a parking space, and you can fully enjoy the sights.
Alternatively, if you are adventurous, you can rent a car in Napflio. Don’t worry; the roads are safe, and driving around is easy if you steer clear of the reckless local drivers.
What to see and do in Mycenae
The Cyclopean Walls
The first thing you’ll notice when approaching the site of the citadel is the extraordinary walls.
They were erected by placing large stone slabs on one another in a kind of Lego-like structure. This type of masonry is one of the defining architectural styles of the Mycenaen civilization.
I can’t imagine how the builders managed to lift those heavy stones with only the rudimentary tools available over three thousand years ago—no wonder the people of later times thought mythical giants built them.
Seeing the ruins of Mycenae, the Greeks of Classical times couldn’t conceive that mere humans could build such sturdy structures. So, according to Aristotle, only the mythical one-eyed giants called the Cyclopes could have erected the by-then ruined walls. To this day, the Mycenaen construction style is called Cyclopean masonry.
The Lion Gate
My personal favorite is the iconic Lion Gate. The relief depicting two lions posing on the sides of a pillar is the largest prehistoric sculpture in the Aegean region.
Similar representations were found in the older Minoan civilization of bronze-age Crete, thus implying close contact between the Mycenean Greeks and the Cretans more than a thousand years before Jesus Christ walked the Earth. Our distant ancestors were more resourceful than many might have thought.
The Citadel’s Ruins
As you pass the gate, you enter what is left of the old citadel. Walk the storied streets and climb to the top to admire the view.
The Tomb of Agamemnon
The Treasury of Atreus, also known as the Tomb of Agamemnon, is the most elaborate beehive tomb of the Aegean Bronze Age. The burial chamber’s dome was the largest in the world until the Roman era, almost 1500 years later.
Despite its modern names, little is known about the person buried there. Given the effort needed to build it, it is assumed that it was intended for a VIP of that age.
The Archeological Museum
The museum is located at the site’s entrance, close to the Lion Gate. The exhibition covers the Mycenean period as well as the later periods up to Hellenistic times (the era ushered in by Alexander the Great’s conquests).
The most representative item on display is a copy of the Golden Mask of Agamemnon; although excavated in Mycenae, the original is housed in Athens.
What to bring to Mycenae
The site is on a mountaintop, and the ancient stone pavement can be slippery, especially if wet. Make sure you have comfortable shoes on; I advise against wearing flip-flops.
Also, as always in Greece, you should protect yourself against the sun. Wear a hat or other appropriate head cover.
If the weather is clouded, pack an umbrella just in case. As incredible as it sounds, sometimes it rains in Greece, and we had the chance to experience it during our own visit to Mycenae.
Lastly, the site and the museum are not very large, so you should be done in a couple of hours. Still, packing a small bottle of water is always a good idea.
Opening Hours & Ticket prices
November to end of March: 08:30-15:30
April: 08:00-19:00
May to end of August: 08:00-20:00
1st September-15th September: 08:00-19:30
16th September-30th September: 08:00-19:00
1st October-15th October: 08:00-18:30
16th October-31th October: 08:00-18:00
Book your Mycenae Archaeological site E-Ticket With Audio Tour
Can you visit Mycenae for free?
Yes, there are certain days when you can visit Mycenae for free:
6th of March
18th of April
18th of May
The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days)
28th of October
Every first Sunday from November 1st to March 31st
When is the best time to visit Mycenae?
The best time to visit Mycenae depends on your preferences for weather, crowd levels, and overall travel experience.
We visited in September and it was just right.
Spring offers mild temperatures and blooming landscapes, making it an ideal time to explore Mycenae. Daytime temperatures are pleasant, and evenings are cool.
Similar to spring, autumn provides mild temperatures. September, in particular, can be delightful with warm days and cooler nights.
July and August can be particularly hot, so be prepared for high temperatures. We would encourage you not to travel during this time.
Other Greece Travel Resources
Visit Epidaurus from Athens on a day trip
Top Things to Do in Nafplio: Tours & Activities
Delphi day trip from Athens – Complete Guide
How to visit Olympia Greece – Complete Guide
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