Vacation Packages to Mycenae

Mycenae General Information

Mycenae is an archaeological site located in the northeast of the Peloponnese peninsula; it is 90 kilometers southwest of Athens. It is one of the most tourist places in Greece.

It is said that the city was founded by a legendary character from Greek mythology: Perseus. It was one of the most influential city-states of Ancient Greece, its heyday lasting about 400 years.

The ruins of Mycenae were discovered at the end of the 19th century by the archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann who, after having read the poems about the city, went in search of it. Since 1999 it is considered a World Heritage Site.

A Little Review of its History

The city of Mycenae was the place of the first properly Greek people: the Mycenaeans. They were warrior people and lovers of the arts. It is said that they were an advanced civilization due to their urban organization, works of art, and writing systems.

The Mycenaeans were a people who organized their economy around agriculture, livestock, crafts, and trade.

The Mycenaeans were organized in a network of palace states led by kings with hierarchical, political, social, and economic systems. One of the most important advances that this civilization had was to form a writing system that offers the first written records of ancient Greek.

The Myths of its Ruins

Mycenae is associated with several Greek myths and poems. One of them is that it was founded by a demigod son of Zeus and legendary hero: Perseus. It is said that he did it with the help of the Cyclopes who carried and placed the walls of the city, which is why they are named Cyclopean Walls.

Another character out of the myths that are said to have been in the city of Mycenae was Heracles, the demigod son of Zeus. According to the myths, the hero after killing the Nemean lion went to Mycenae to present the corpse before the king.

Another part of his fame is thanks to his being named in the Iliad. A mythical hero, Agamemnon, is said to have ruled over the city of Mycenae. This king also had an important role in the Trojan War since he led the expedition to recapture Helen.

In Homer's poems it is described as "the golden Mycenae" due to the amount of gold that the city possessed, this was later supported by the recovery of approximately 15 kilos of gold.

An Imposing Architecture

If the ruins of Mycenae stand out for something, it is for their architecture. Having been a warrior civilization, the Mycenaean city draws attention for its military architecture, with fortified enclosures built on elevations of the terrain to facilitate defense.

The ruins of the city are scattered on a hill at the foot of two much higher mountains. There are two attractions that you cannot miss when visiting this site:

• The archaeological park with the ruins of Micena: is characterized by the Lion Gates, which is the majestic entrance to the city. Going through this door, you will find the Cyclopean Walls. Finally, you will arrive at the royal palace of Agamemnon, the former home of one of the most famous kings of Ancient Greece.
• The archaeological museum of Mycenae: essential to know to understand the importance of the city in ancient Greece. It is an exhibition of the treasures and artifacts that represent the Mycenaean civilization

More Places That Will Grab Your Attention

The ancient city presents several archaeological wonders that will attract your attention. From tombs to temples, this former city makes its way up the hill where it lies.

Atreus' Treasury is an ancient necropolis, reserved for royalty only. Here the mythical funerary mask of King Agamemnon was found along with his remains, but years later it was learned that they did not belong to him.

The citadel of Mycenae which comprises the limits of the former acropolis of the city is fortified by walls that are said to have been placed by the Cyclops. It is accessed through the Lion Gates.

Culture in Mycenae

The Mycenaeans were a people made up of a ruling class that was the rulers, a middle class that was made up of artisans and merchants, a lower class that were the peasants, and, finally, the slaves.

They were governed by a supreme sovereign and at the same time, below him were the local and military chiefs. The economy of the Mycenaeans depended on agriculture, livestock, and trade.

Mycenaean ceramics have been found in different parts of the Mediterranean and the Middle East thanks to the trade that this civilization had with other nearby ones. They were great navigators and they explored and occupied Mediterranean cities.

Religiously, they were polytheistic which means they believed in several gods. These gods were similar to humans and worshiped whoever was the protector god of the city. In Homer's epic poems, it is said that the goddess Hera, the wife of Zeus, loved this city very much.

How to get to Mycenae

The best is to rent a car, the way to the ruins is by highway from Athens and it is a trip of approximately an hour and a half.

If driving is not your thing, there is the option of public transport which leaves every hour and takes two hours, it leaves you in the town of Fitchi and from there you can take another bus or walk to the ruins.

You can also hire a tourist bus, especially for this visit.

Schedules to Visit the Ruins of Mycenae

The hours in which you can visit the ruins of Mycenae vary according to the time of year in which you decide to travel.

If you decide to schedule your trip to Mycenae in the summer, there are different time slots: April and September from 8 am to 7 pm, May to August from 8 am to 8 pm, and October from 8 am to 6 pm.

If your vacations were chosen for winter, the hours where you can see these beautiful ruins are in March from 8 am to 5 pm and from November to February from 8 am to 3 pm.

What to see and do in Mycenae

Mycenae is a destination that stands out for the archaeological remains of what was the city and its culture. For this reason, it is one of the places most chosen by tourists who are fascinated by history and architecture.

In addition, Mycenae is close to cities such as Athens, Nafplio, and Corinth, which is why you will find these places in several of the packages of our offers for Mycenae.

Looking to marvel at the history of Ancient Greece? Do you want to explore the remains of Greek civilization? Would you like to be fascinated by such imposing architecture?

If your answer is "yes", in Greca you will find several proposals for tourist packages to Mycenae, which you can modify according to your needs and times.

There are travel packages for all tastes. Do not hesitate and choose the destination to realize your adventures!