There is much to explore in Athens—from museums to ancient architecture to the vibrant nightlife. But many of the region's most fascinating archaeological sites lie outside the city. If you're ready to dig deeper into Greek history, head to these remarkable spots. ("Yamas" [cheers] to adventure!)
Mycenae
Located southwest of Athens, in the northeastern Peloponnese (a peninsula in southern Greece), this archeological site was one of the major centers of Greek civilization during the late Bronze Age Era. In fact, the period of Greek history from about 1600-1100 BC is called "Mycenaean" in reference to this important citadel.
According to Greek myth, Mycenae was founded by the legendary hero Perseus, son of Zeus and Danae. It was also the home of Agamemnon, commander-in-chief of the Greeks at Troy. Be sure to check out the Lion Gate, which served as the main entrance to the citadel and is the only surviving monumental piece of Mycenaean sculpture.
The Lion Gate at Mycenae; via Wikimedia Commons
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Tags: Mycenae, Delphi, Sounion, Athens, Greece, archaeological, architecture, ruins, citadel, Agamemnon, Lion Gate, Perseus, Mt. Parnassus, Apollo, Pythian Games, Poseidon, temple, Attica peninsula, Lord Byron, Aegian Sea, sunset, ancient