Mycenae: Day Trips and Tours from Athens

Mycenae is known as the kingdom of Agamemnon, the mythical Trojan War king who featured in Homer’s epic tales. This is one of the most significant Bronze Age sites in Greece and gave its name to an entire civilization.

You can still see the ancient walls and buildings that have stood here for centuries. Take a day trip to Mycenae from Athens to find out what the fuss is all about!

Check out our detailed guide to get all the information on Mycenae, one of the most exciting day trips from Athens.

Traveling to Mycenae to Athens

Mycenae is about 130 kilometers southwest of Athens, with the archaeological site located on the eastern edge of the Peloponnese, not far from the town of Nafplio.

• By car: Take the National Highway towards Corinth and after the canal turn onto the road to Tripoli, following signs for Nafplio, until you see the exit for Mycenae. The journey can take about 1.5 hours.
• By bus: Daily buses to Mycenae depart from the KTEL Kifissos Bus Station in Athens, with the trip taking 1.5 hours.
• Guided tour: A guided day trip to Mycenae is the best way to visit the site, with convenient hotel transfers for a stress-free excursion. Most tours last a full day, and some visit other archaeological landmarks too.

Typical itinerary of day tours to Mycenae from Athens

Your day trip to Mycenae begins after breakfast with a pick-up from your hotel. A scenic drive follows, winding along country roads and crossing the Corinth Canal onto the Peloponnese Peninsula.

Next up is free time to wander around the Mycenae archaeological ruins. Some day tours to Mycenae include a guided visit.

Then you’ll stop at the other destinations mentioned on your itinerary, for a full day of ancient Greek discovery. Lunch is enjoyed in a local restaurant along the way, and you’ll be returned to your hotel in time for dinner.

Best day trips to Mycenae from Athens

Guided day tour to Mycenae from Athens plus Epidaurus

Small group guided day trips to Mycenae and Epidaurus are a great way to explore this famous historical site. Prices are competitive, and you’ll be traveling with like-minded explorers. Hotel transfers are usually included, and travel will be by air-conditioned coach.

Our pick: Mycenae and Epidaurus Day Trip from Athens

• Includes: Roundtrip transportation, English or French guide, entrance tickets, optional lunch
• Price: €102 (without lunch) or €116 (with lunch)
• Duration: 10 hours

Day trip to Mycenae plus Peloponnese highlights

If you want to pack in even more sites on your Mycenae day trip from Athens, this is the option for you. Popular stops include the Corinth Canal, the coastal city of Nafplio, and the ancient theater at Epidaurus.

Our pick: Explore Ancient Mycenae, Epidaurus and Nafplio

• Includes: Roundtrip transportation, professional guide
• Price: From €110, depending on group size
• Duration: 9 hours

Private day tour to Mycenae and Peloponnese from Athens

Have the luxury car and driver to yourself on this exclusive and flexible day trip to Mycenae. After being collected from your Athens hotel, you’ll visit some of the most popular places in the Peloponnese, as well as the iconic Corinth Canal.

Our pick: Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nafplio Full Day Private Tour

• Includes: Roundtrip private transportation, lunch
• Price: €378 for group of 2 travelers (without lunch) or €242 (with lunch)
• Duration: 8 hours

2-day tour to Mycenae plus Epidaurus

Multi-day tours to Mycenae from Athens are for those who like to travel at a slower pace, spending longer at the main sites. Accommodation and most meals are included, so you can just sit back and enjoy the adventure.

Our pick: 2-Day Private Tour of Olympia, Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus & Nafplio

• Visits: Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nafplio, Olympia
• Includes: Roundtrip transportation, accommodation
• Price: From €290 each in groups of 14, to €879 each for two travelers
• Duration: 2 days

3-day tour to Mycenae plus Epidaurus, Nafplio, Olympia & Delphi

This Mycenae trip takes in multiple Peloponnese destinations. A highlight is Olympia, the site of the original Olympic Games. Back across the Gulf of Corinth, you’ll explore the Delphi ruins and the famous Temple of Apollo. Private tours are available too and include visits to the islands of Hydra and Spetses in the Saronic Gulf.

Our pick: 3-Day Classical Greece Tour

• Visits: Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nafplio, Olympia, Delphi
• Includes: Roundtrip transportation, professional guide, choice of hotel, breakfast and dinner, entry tickets
• Price: From €375 to €450 per traveler, depending on group size and hotel class
• Duration: 3 days

4-day tour to Mycenae from Athens with Epidaurus, Olympia, Delphi & Meteora

The 4-day tour follows the itinerary of the 3-day excursion but adds a stop in Meteora to see the mountaintop monasteries. This is the perfect trip for first-time visitors wanting to see some classic highlights. Alternatively, you could opt for an excursion that also visits Zakynthos in the Ionian Sea.

Our pick: 4-Day Classical Greece Tour

• Visits: Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nafplio, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora
• Includes: Roundtrip transportation, professional guide, accommodation, breakfast and dinner, entry tickets
• Price: From €567 per traveler, depending on group size
• Duration: 4 days

Cost of Mycenae day trips from Athens

Small group guided day tours to Mycenae from Athens with a visit to Epidaurus start at €90. Some tours also include stops at Nafplio and the Corinth Canal, as well as lunch. Site entrances are usually extra.

Prices for private Mycenae excursions from Athens start at around €150 if you want to include Epidaurus and Nafplio. Throw Corinth into the mix and it is €200.

For 2-day tours to Mycenae and Epidaurus expect to pay at least €290 per person, while for 3-day trip that additionally visits Nafplio, Olympia, and Delphi is priced at around €350.

The price for 4-day excursions to Mycenae and other destinations on the Peloponnese and mainland Greece starts at €500 and includes Meteora as well as some of the other classic sites.

Highlights in Mycenae

The former military town of Mycenae was discovered in the 19^th century. Following extensive excavations, the mysteries of one of Greece’s most famous archaeological sites have been revealed. This is what you’ll discover as you explore:

Lion Gate

Probably the most iconic site in Mycenae, the entrance gate to the citadel still has two majestic lions on top of it. These were symbols of power, warning intruders away in times of strife.

Clytemnestra’s Tomb

All good archaeological sites come with a tomb, but this one will take your breath away. This vaulted building dates to 1200 B.C. and is believed to have belonged to Queen Clytemnestra because gold jewelry was discovered inside.

Treasury of Atreus

Another highlight of a day trip to Mycenae from Athens is the Treasury of Atreus. This is the revered tomb of King Agamemnon, and archaeologists think that he was buried with riches that have since been looted. Rare colorful paintings can be seen inside on the walls of the tomb.

Ancient walls

The walls at Mycenae are enormous, made from rocks too big for humans to lift. Rumor has it that the walls were constructed by the giant one-eyed Cyclops. Whether or not you’re a believer, these Mycenean fortifications are pretty impressive to behold.

Mycenae Archaeological Museum

To learn more about what you’re seeing, pop into the museum and check out the artifacts that have been unearthed from the site. Jewelry, ceramic vases, and weapons are some of the highlights.

Entrance ticket to Mycenae

Standard ticket prices for Mycenae vary throughout the year:

• April – October: €12
• November – March: €6

The tickets are valid for the archaeological site and museum.

Free entry is available to EU visitors under 25 and all children under 5, on presentation of an ID card or passport.

Mycenae opening hours

You can visit Mycenae at any time of year. The opening times are as follows:

• April: 8 AM – 7 PM
• May – August: 8 AM – 8 PM
• Sept 1 to Sept 15: 8 AM – 7:30 PM
• Sept 16 to Sept 30: 8 AM – 7 PM
• Oct 1 – Oct 15: 8 AM – 6:30 PM
• Oct 16 – Oct 31: 8 AM – 6 PM
• November – March: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Best time to visit Mycenae

You can enjoy a day trip to Mycenae from Athens at any time of year – the weather is wonderful in all seasons. Come in spring or fall if you’re not a fan of the heat.

Visit during the early morning or later in the evening to avoid the crowds.

Travel tips

• Book your Mycenae day trip in advance so you can compare online prices and find the best deals.
• Wear comfortable footwear suitable for walking on uneven ground at the archaeological sites.
• Lunch is included on some tours, but on others you will need to buy your own, so take some cash.
• Take some water, as many of the sites are exposed and can be hot, especially during summer.