Mycenae & Nafplio Tour: Lion Gate & Treasure of Atreus

Walk through the Lion Gate into Homeric legend, then down to a Venetian harbor town

A small-group guided tour from Athens visits three sites across the Peloponnese: the Corinth Canal, the archaeological site of Ancient Mycenae with its Cyclopean walls and the famous Treasure of Atreus tomb, and the coastal town of Nafplio. The tour runs nine hours with an English-speaking guide, hearing devices for the site, and the option to include entrance tickets with skip-the-line access or add lunch. Children from age four are welcome. The terrain at Mycenae is uneven and rocky, so comfortable walking shoes are essential.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Corinth Canal25m
2. Mycenae2h · entry included

Corinth Canal, Mycenae, and Nafplio tour

• Drive through Greek countryside
• Visit Corinth Canal
• Explore Ancient Mycenae site
• Walk through Lion Gate
• See Treasure of Atreus tomb
• Visit Mycenae Archaeological Museum
• Lunch break
• Stroll Old Town of Nafplio

The experience

You leave Athens in the morning and drive through olive groves toward the Peloponnese. The first stop is the Corinth Canal, the narrow artificial waterway that cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth and separates the peninsula from the mainland: a feat of engineering that turns the Peloponnese into an island. From there the route climbs to Ancient Mycenae, the hilltop city where Agamemnon ruled in the Bronze Age. The site sits on rocky terrain with sweeping views across the Argolic Gulf, and the guide leads you through the massive Cyclopean walls and the iconic Lion Gate, the monumental entrance carved with two lions facing each other above the lintel.

Inside the site you walk to the Treasure of Atreus, the grand tholos tomb: a beehive-shaped burial chamber built into the hillside, believed to be the resting place of King Agamemnon. The Archaeological Museum of Ancient Mycenae sits nearby, displaying artifacts and treasures excavated from the site. Hearing devices are provided so you don't miss detail as the guide explains the layers of history. The uneven, rocky ground means you'll need sturdy shoes and a moderate level of mobility. The guide adjusts the pace to the group. After lunch (included if you choose that option), the tour moves to Nafplio, a coastal town on the Argolic Gulf known for its Venetian and Ottoman architecture. You wander the narrow cobblestone streets of the Old Town, passing listed buildings and the traces of centuries of rule.

The tour operates in a luxury air-conditioned vehicle with Wi-Fi, holding a maximum of 35 participants so the group stays manageable. If you book the option with tickets, skip-the-line entry is included at Mycenae. If you choose the tour without tickets, you can purchase them online in advance for a 12:00–13:00 time slot. The guide is an English-licensed professional throughout the day. Traffic can shift the schedule, so the nine-hour duration is approximate. Bring water, sunscreen, a hat and comfortable walking shoes. An umbrella or light jacket may be useful depending on the season.

What’s included

• The tour includes an English-speaking licensed guide for the full day.
• a luxury air-conditioned vehicle with Wi-Fi and a maximum of 35 participants.
• hearing devices at the archaeological site.
• a guided tour of Ancient Mycenae and its museum.
• and a visit to the Corinth Canal. If you book with tickets, entrance fees and skip-the-line access are included.
• if you add the lunch option, a meal is provided as well.

Options for this experience

3 options

Guided tour without ticketsGuide in English · 08:45Entrance tickets are not included: you will need to purchase your entrance tickets from the official website right after booking your tour.

Guided tour with ticketsGuide in English · 08:45Entrance tickets are included: skip-the-line tickets for the archaeological site and the museum.

Guided tour with tickets and lunchGuide in English · 08:45Lunch is included at Mycenae: entrance tickets and a tasty lunch in Nafplion town are included (drinks are excluded).

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesTuesdayDeparts at 08:45

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 20

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by #tag ATHENS

Is this one for you?Book this if you're arriving in Athens with a free day and want to see the Bronze Age heartland without arranging transport or navigating the site alone. The guide handles the history and logistics, and the small-group size means you move at a pace that lets you absorb the scale of the Cyclopean walls and the Treasure of Atreus without rushing. If you prefer to buy tickets separately or skip lunch, you can choose the tour-only option and keep costs down.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (4 to 9 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is the Treasure of Atreus and why is it famous?

The Treasure of Atreus is a tholos tomb (a monumental beehive-shaped burial chamber built into the hillside at Mycenae) believed to be the burial place of King Agamemnon. It is one of the most impressive surviving structures from the Bronze Age and demonstrates the architectural skill and resources of the Mycenaean civilization.

Can I walk around Mycenae on my own, or does the guide lead the whole group together?

The guide leads you through the site, explaining the Cyclopean walls, the Lion Gate, and the Treasure of Atreus. The group stays together during the tour so you receive the historical context and don't miss the details. Hearing devices are provided to help you hear the guide clearly across the uneven terrain.

Is lunch included, and what are my options?

Lunch is included only if you book the "Guided Tour + Tickets + Lunch" option at checkout. The other two options (guided tour with or without tickets) do not include a meal, though you'll have time to eat in Nafplio on your own.

Do I need to buy entrance tickets in advance, or are they included?

Entrance tickets are included if you choose the "Guided Tour + Tickets" or "Guided Tour + Tickets + Lunch" option. Skip-the-line entry is part of that booking. If you select the tour without tickets, you can purchase them online beforehand for a 12:00–13:00 time slot, or arrange them separately.

What is the terrain like at Mycenae, and how much walking is involved?

The archaeological site sits on a rocky hillside with uneven ground, so comfortable walking shoes are essential and a moderate level of mobility and fitness is required. The guide adjusts the pace to the group, and you'll spend several hours exploring the site and the museum before moving on to Nafplio.

What's included in the vehicle, and how many people travel together?

The tour uses a luxury air-conditioned vehicle with Wi-Fi service, holding a maximum of 35 participants. The group size keeps the experience manageable, and the air conditioning makes the drive comfortable on warm days.