Mycenae & Epidaurus
The two most important archaeological sites of the Peloponnese are only 50 minutes apart and can be ideally combined as a day trip from Nafplio. Mycenae inland, where the Bronze Age civilization reached its peak, and Epidaurus on the coast, where the Greeks built the most perfect theater in the world.
Both sites are UNESCO World Heritage and among the most significant archaeological sites in Europe. Together they tell 3,500 years of history — from the mythical time of Agamemnon to the flowering of Greek medicine and culture.
Plan a full day: Mycenae in the morning (2–3 hours), lunch in the village of Mycenae or Fichti, Epidaurus in the afternoon (2 hours). Or vice versa — depending on when you want to start.
Mycenae★★★
Mycenae (Μυκήνες) is one of those places you know from history class — and which is even more impressive in reality than on the pages of a book. Between 1600 and 1100 BC, this was the center of Mycenaean civilization, the first high culture on the European mainland. From here, King Agamemnon is said to have led the Trojan War.
The castle is located on a hill above the Argolis plain, with a panoramic view that explains why the Mycenaeans chose this spot: You can see enemies coming from afar. The cyclopean walls (made of stones so large that later Greeks believed giants had built them) enclose the acropolis, the palace, and the famous grave circles.
★★★ Lion Gate
The most famous gate of antiquity — and the oldest monumental sculpture in Europe (ca. 1250 BC). Two lionesses (or lions, the heads are missing) flank a column above the massive lintel, estimated to weigh 20 tons. When you pass through this gate, you literally step in the footsteps of Agamemnon. A moment that gives you goosebumps — even after 3,250 years.
★★★ Treasury of Atreus (Tholos Tomb)
200 meters before the main entrance lies the most spectacular dome tomb of the Bronze Age — often also called the "Tomb of Agamemnon" (archaeologically unproven). The 36-meter-long dromos (access) leads through meter-high stone walls to a gate with a 120-ton lintel. Behind it opens a 13.5-meter-high beehive dome, which was the largest dome in the world until the construction of the Pantheon in Rome (1,500 years later!). Inside it is quiet, cool, and awe-inspiring — a space built for eternity.
★★ Grave Circle A
Directly behind the Lion Gate: the place where Heinrich Schliemann found his famous gold mask in 1876 ("I have gazed upon the face of Agamemnon"). The mask is now in the National Museum in Athens, but the six shaft graves are still visible. Here, the richest grave goods of the Bronze Age were found — over 14 kg of gold, including swords, diadems, and death masks.
★ Palace & Megaron
At the highest point of the acropolis: the foundations of the Mycenaean palace with the megaron (throne room). From here, the view over the Argolis plain is breathtaking. Imagine Agamemnon standing here and overlooking his realm — from the sea in the south to the mountains of Arcadia in the west.
Archaeological Museum: Small but excellent. Pottery, weapons, frescoes, and reconstructions that make Mycenae's splendor tangible. Included in the ticket.
Admission: 12€ (combo ticket castle + museum + treasury). April–October: 8 am–8 pm. November–March: 8:30 am–3:30 pm. Audioguide: 5€ (highly recommended, the site does not explain itself). Access: 30 min. from Nafplio, well signposted.
💡 Tipp
Come as early as possible (8 am). The large tour buses from Athens arrive around 10 am, and then it gets crowded and hot. The Treasury of Atreus is BEFORE the main entrance — don't miss it! Many visitors go straight to the castle and miss it. There is hardly any shade on the site — sun protection and water are essential.
Epidaurus★★★
Epidauros (Επίδαυρος) is home to the acoustically perfect theater of antiquity — and one of the best-preserved. But Epidauros was much more than a theater: It was the most important sanctuary of Asclepius, the god of healing, and the most famous healing center of the ancient world. People from all over the Mediterranean came here seeking healing.
★★★ Ancient Theater
The Theater of Epidauros is simply one of the greatest wonders of ancient architecture. Built in 340 BC by the architect Polykleitos the Younger, it seats 14,000 spectators in 55 rows, perfectly integrated into the hillside. The proportions are mathematically precisely calculated — and the result is acoustics that have not been surpassed to this day.
The famous test: Stand in the center of the orchestra (the circular stage area) and drop a coin on the stone floor. In the top row, 60 meters away, you can hear it clearly. Or whisper — it carries all the way up. How the Greeks achieved this without amplifiers, computers, or modern acoustic science is still not fully understood (limestone seating filters out low-frequency background noise while amplifying voice frequencies).
In summer (July/August), performances of ancient dramas take place under the open sky as part of the Athens & Epidauros Festival — Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, in this 2,350-year-old theater. There are few more impressive cultural experiences in the world. Tickets from 15€ via the festival office (epidaurusfestival.gr).
★★ Asklepieion (Sanctuary of Asclepius)
The main attraction of Epidauros — although most tourists only visit the theater and leave (a big mistake!). The Asklepieion was a vast complex: temples, dormitories (where patients awaited healing dreams of Asclepius), baths, gymnasium, and the mysterious Tholos — a circular building with an underground labyrinth, whose purpose remains a mystery to this day. It may have housed sacred snakes (the symbol of Asclepius — still in the medical logo today).
The Museum displays votive offerings from the healed, surgical instruments, and reconstructions. Particularly touching: the stone tablets on which patients documented their healing — the earliest "patient records" in history.
Entrance: 12€ (combined ticket theater + Asklepieion + museum). April–October: 8–20 hrs. November–March: 8:30–15:30 hrs. Access: 40 min. from Nafplio. Parking at the entrance is free.
💡 Tipp
Drop the coin in the middle of the theater — it really works! Best when there are few visitors (early morning). And please: Take time for the Asklepieion. Most people just run into the theater, take a photo, and move on. The sanctuary is at least as fascinating.
Nemea
Nemea is the "Burgundy of Greece" — a gentle hilly landscape full of vineyards, where the native Agiorgitiko grape is made into one of Greece's best red wines. Additionally, there is an ancient site that is less crowded than Olympia or Mycenae.
★★ Ancient Nemea
Every two years, the Nemean Games were held here — one of the four major Panhellenic sports festivals alongside Olympia, Delphi, and Isthmia. You can see the remains of the Temple of Zeus (three re-erected columns), the stadium with the original starting block and the underground tunnel through which the athletes entered, and an excellent small museum. Every four years, the Nemean Games are reenacted — barefoot and in tunics, as they were 2,500 years ago.
Admission: 8€. Daily 8–3:30 pm (extended hours in summer). 35 min. from Nafplio.
★★ Wine Tastings
The region around Nemea produces Greece's best red wine. At least 30 wineries offer tastings — usually without reservation, often free or for 5–10€ with snacks. Recommended: Domaine Skouras (modern, award-winning), Gaia Wines (innovative, panoramic tasting room), and Palivou Estate (family-run, excellent Grand Reserve). The Agiorgitiko is a velvety-fruity red wine that immediately delights even non-connoisseurs.
💡 Tipp
Nemea is perfectly combined with Mycenae — the two are only 20 minutes apart. Mycenae in the morning, wine tasting in Nemea for lunch, afternoon free. For those driving themselves: the wine tasting portions are usually small, but be cautious with three or more wineries.
Tiryns
Tiryns (Τίρυνθα) is just 5 minutes from Nafplio and is overlooked by most visitors — a mistake, as the cyclopean walls here are even more impressive than in Mycenae. The Mycenaean castle (UNESCO World Heritage Site) had walls up to 7 meters thick, containing galleries and storage rooms. According to legend, Tiryns was the birthplace of Heracles.
The site is small and can be visited in 30–45 minutes. Often you are here completely alone — a surreal experience among 3,300-year-old walls made of massive stone blocks.
Admission: 6€. Daily 8:30 am–3:30 pm. Directly on the Nafplio–Argos road, hard to miss.