Mycenae was thought to be a myth until the excavations of Heinrich Schliemann in the 1870s.
The city, which was built by mythical Perseus, and ruled by kings such as Atreus and Agamemnon, developed a vigorous civilization from 1600 BC, although it was inhabited since Neolithic times (around 4000BC). It reached its peak of glory in 1400BC and began to decline following the appearance of the Dorian tribes, finally to be destroyed by the Argives. During that period, cyclopean walls with two gates - the Lion Gate and the North Gate- as well as two small auxiliary exits, surrounded the Acropolis. Mycenae thanks to its communication with Minoan Crete was "rich in gold". It was able to extend its sphere of influence to Peloponnese as well as northern Greece, reaching Asia Minor and Sicily.

Highlights at Mycenae, include the Citadel, the Treasury of Atreus, the Lion Gate and the Royal Cemetery.