Amykles is located on the river Evrotas plain, 6 km south of Sparta. It is built at an altitude of 204 metres and has about 1200 permanent residents. The village took its name from the ancient city of Amyklai, the ruins of which are located 2 km southeast.
The first primary product of the village was that of silk with the most significant quantities of products in the prefecture of Laconia, which, however, has now been eliminated. Today, oranges, oil and wine are produced, while the factory of the Agricultural Cooperative "Laconia", which processes citrus fruit, stands out. Also, in the former community store, visitors can see the permanent photo exhibition with the course of the villagers’ life during the period 1900-1975, a project that has been taken care of by the Amyklai Women Association.
According to some sources, the ancient city of Amyklai was founded by Amyklas of Sparta, son of Lacedaemon (the fourth mythical King of Laconia). Most likely, the sanctuary of Amyklai must have been the first organised initiation and worship sanctuary in Greece. The great Mycenaean and Achaean centre has had a living presence since the Prehistoric era, that is, more than 3000 years of life. The Bronze Age settlement was located on the slopes behind the modern village of Amykla. The Sanctuary of Apollo was also located there, where, inside its mosque, it surrounded the tomb of Hyacinth. Hyacinth was one of Apollo's lovers, whom he accidentally killed by throwing the disc. There are also votive statuettes of the pre-Mycenaean and Geometric periods. Nearby, the famous vaulted tomb of Vafeios with the two golden cups was found. Every year, at the end of Spring or in the middle of summer during the month of Yakinthos (July moon), the Lacedaemonians used to have a three–day celebration, the so-called "Yakinthia" at Amykles. The inhabitants of Amykles also worshipped Dionysus as Dionysus Psilax. As Pausanias mentions, "psila" was the Doric word for wings. "Wine revives man, lightens their spirit, no less than the wings of birds," he adds as a comment.
Finally, in addition to the cultivation of the land, the Amykleians also engaged in activities such as trade and handicrafts. "Amyklades" (the famous luxury shoes) and amyklaic purple paint were products known throughout the world.
