iLoveMonuments
Mycenae and the Lion Gate: Kingdom of Agamemnon
Visiting the Bronze Age citadel of Mycenae, the Treasury of Atreus and nearby Tiryns.
By the iLoveGreece editorial team · Last reviewed 2026-11
Quick answer
Mycenae was the centre of Mycenaean Greece, the world of Homer's Agamemnon. You enter through the Lion Gate, walk up to the palace and see the royal Grave Circle A. The beehive-shaped Treasury of Atreus is a short walk downhill. Plan 2–3 hours; it is 25 minutes from Nafplio.
What to know
- One ticket usually covers the citadel, museum and Treasury of Atreus — keep it.
- Bring a torch for the underground cistern passage.
- The golden 'Mask of Agamemnon' is in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, not here.
- Tiryns, with massive 'Cyclopean' walls, is near Nafplio and much quieter.
FAQ
Is the Mask of Agamemnon at Mycenae?
No, the original is in the National Archaeological Museum, Athens.
Related guides
- Akrotiri, Santorini: The Bronze Age 'Greek Pompeii'
- Tiryns: Giant Cyclopean Walls near Nafplio
- Ancient Olympia: Visiting the Birthplace of the Olympic Games
- Knossos Palace, Crete: How to Visit the Minoan Labyrinth
- Vergina (Aigai): The Royal Tombs of Macedon
- Philippi: Roman Battlefield and Early Christian City
Updated 2026-11. General planning guidance. Check with operators and local authorities.