• Corinth canal
• Mycenae a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Lion Gate
• The vaulted tomb of Agamemnon
• The cyclopean fortification
• Tiryns – a city built by the Cyclopes

After meeting you in the designated point we will start your tour by driving towards North - Northeast of Athens via the National road. This will lead us to the isthmus of Peloponnese where the Corinth canal is situated and will be our first 20 min stop. We will continue our way towards Mycenae: a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arriving there you will have the opportunity to step back in time. Feel like a simple Mycenaean soldier, a courtier or member of the clergy, or why not like King Agamemnon himself riding his gilded chariot, as you pass under the Lion gate the citadel's monumental entrance. Furthermore you will be able to see the city's religious center and Grave Circle A; which were Included in the newly fortified area and was refurbished and used for ancestral cults. A visit to the famous domed tomb known as the 'Treasure of Atreus', with its gigantic lintels and tall beehive vault, that was probably built during the same period awe any visitor.

Your visit to Mycenae will not be integrated though unless you visit also the National Archeological Museum in Athens where the majority of the artifacts found during the excavations have been transferred.

Prices include

• Transport by A/C, smoke-free luxury vehicle to Mycenae and ancient Tiryns

• An English-speaking driver
• Hotel /apartment pickup and drop-off (for downtown Athens)
• Car fuel
• Tolls
• Car parking
• All taxes and VAT

Not included

• Gratuities (optional)
• Licensed expert guide (can be arranged)
• Hotel/apartment pick-up / drop off, around Athens area city center (can be arranged)
• All meals and drinks
• Tickets for the archaeological sites
• Anything not mentioned above

Duration

5 hours

Activity Level

Easy-Moderate

Group type             

Private or Small related member Groups

Notes      

• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Infant seats available on request
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Most travelers can participate

Post Covid 19 Policy:

Vehicles will be sanitized before every pick up. Hand sanitizing done before departure and after every major stop. There can be maximum 6 clients in an 8 seater minivan to secure social distance among participants (for shared small group tours only). Face masks available for clients. Guides will wear facemasks. Fresh trash bag will be place in every vehicle and waste will be destroyed at the end of the tours.

The above Covid-19 Protocols are subject to change according to the Greek State guidelines and the course of the pandemic.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 48 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Departure details

Traveler pickup is offered.

Pick up and drop off is included from all centrally located Athens hotels and apartments. Just inform us during the booking of the hotel you are staying at, or apartment address. If the hotel /apartment is not accessible (e.g narrowness, pedestrian area) we will appoint a nearby meeting point for picking you up. You will receive an email or text msg from us with the exact pick up time the day before the start of the tour.

Return details

Returns to original departure point

Languages

English

What is the spoken language?

The spoken language is English. More languages are available upon request subjected to availability.

What should I bring with me?

Since your visit includes a fair bit of walking, it is recommended that you

• Wear light hiking shoes or comfortable, rubber sole shoes
• During the summer months, bring along with you a hat, sun glasses, sunscreen and wear light-colored clothing
• Waterproof jacket/membrane (for the rainy days)
• Your own personal water bottle. As part of our environmental policy and actions, we are committed to eliminating the use of plastic water bottles.
• Prepare yourself for an exciting experience & bring along your camera so you can capture the best moments of the activity, the impressive landscapes of Argolis prefecture and instagram-perfect photos of Corinth canal.

Can you pick us up from our hotel?

We offer a pick-up, free of charge, for hotels or apartments that are located in downtown Athens.

For hotels or apartments outside Athens center we offer pick-ups at additional cost with a 10% discount.

Please send us an inquiry!

Is it difficult for older people to follow the group?

Not at all! The tour is private and totally customized to your needs. Should you chose so, you will be assigned an excellent, flexible guide and the walk will follow a moderate pace, in order to be a pleasant experience for everyone. We will also make several stops to admire and discuss the fascinating monuments and sites along our way.

What are the acceptable payment methods?

Via Athens Quality Tours and Transfers accepts the following payment methods:

1. Bank to Bank Wire / Transfer to a bank account
2. Payment via PayPal

for all services booked through the website of viaathenstours.gr,  please read our Terms of Service, under the Modes of Payment section for detail information.

What happens in case of bad weather?

Fortunately, the weather in Greece is mild and warm during the most time of the year. In case of rain, though, you will be timely notified about any changes in your scheduled walk.

The earliest archaeological fragments indicate that the site of Mycenae was inhabited since the 7th millennium BC, from prehistoric times. The decline of Mycenae occurred around 1100 BC, possibly due to repeated damage from earthquakes and fires. They had managed, however, to have once been a truly great empire, which has indelibly stamped its reputation on the history not only of Greece, but the entire world.

At its peak in 1350 BC, Mycenae -the citadel and lower town- had a population of 30,000 and an area of 32 hectares. Most of the monuments visible today were erected in the Late Bronze Age, between 1350 and 1200 BC, when the site was at its peak.

Successive destruction and fires led to the site's final abandonment c. 1100 BC. After the collapse of the palatial system and of the 'Mycenaean Koine', the hill was sparsely inhabited until the Classical period. A temple dedicated to Hera or Athena was erected on the top of the hill in the archaic period. In 468 BC, after the Persian Wars, in which Mycenae took part, the town was conquered by Argos and had part of its fortification wall destroyed.

Via Athens Tips

Around Mycenae: Day trip or Long Stay?

Mycenae is undoubtedly a must see destination, designated as a World Heritage Site from UNESCO. An ideal destination for a day trip, but it can be part of a greater 2 day trip combining a visit to Epidaurus ancient theatre and Naflio as an overnight stay.