7 must-see museums in Athens

What is it? The museum, which first opened its doors in 2009, is home to more than 3,000 artifacts, found at the Acropolis of Athens which is only a couple of hundred meters away. Among them are parts of the Parthenon, the Caryatids, several statues, busts and other fragments that were found on the Acropolis hill. It has three floors and at the base of the building there’s an open air part of the museum, where you can see the ruins of the ancient Athenian neighborhood. 

Why go? It will give you a better glimpse of the Acropolis, the cradle of our civilisation and birthplace of democracy. At the area of the museum several annual holiday and other celebratory events take place, plus there’s a cafe-restaurant on the second floor with an amazing panoramic view of the Parthenon.

What is it? The largest archaeological museum in Greece displays some of the most important and most known antiquities in the country. With more than 11,000 exhibits spanning from prehistory to late antiquity, the Archaeological Museum covers civilisations that have lived and thrived in Greece, from ancient Athens to the Minoans and treasures from Mycenae.

Why go? Go back in time and dive into the most complete collection of ancient Greek history, in what is believed to be one of the most important museums in the world. Plus it’s housed in a beautiful neoclassical building, designed by L. Lange and completed by Ernst Ziller, a true masterpiece and perfect example of Athenian architecture. 

What is it? Founded in 1900 and renovated in 2021, the National Gallery is home of more than 20,000 works of art, including sculpture, engraving and more, from post Byzantine to the present day. With permanent and temporary exhibitions of Greek and internationally renowned artists, it has the biggest collection of art in Greece, many of which were donations.

Why go? Indulge yourself in the work of Salvador Dali, Caravaggio, Fernando Botero and Dominicos Theotokopoulos (El Greco), among others. You can also check out its specialised visual arts library with about 25,000 titles.

What is it? Benaki is home to a huge collection of artefacts from prehistoric and ancient to Byzantine and neo-Hellenic. It’s found in a beautiful neoclassical building in the center of Athens, near the National Garden and the Hellenic Parliament, and the collection was donated to the Greek nation by the art collector Antonis Benakis and his three sisters Alexandra, Penelope and Argine.

Why go? The exhibition on the third floor is well worth checking out – it tells the story of how modern Greece was shaped from the Greek revolution to WW2.

What is it? The most extensive collection in the world of the famous marble figurines of the 3rd millennium bC, with more than 3,000 items. The Museum of Cycladic Art was founded in 1986 by Greek collectors Nikolaos and Aikaterini (Dolly) Goulandris, with the purpose of the study and promotion of Cycladic Civilization. It also includes artifacts from the ancient Cypriot culture.

Why go? A museum homage to the unique art of the Greek Cycladic islands. A chance to see in person the artifacts that inspired some of the greatest artists of the 20th-century, like Amedeo Modigliani, Alberto Giacometti, and Henry Moore. For the hectic days in the city, grab a beverage or a snack at the Cycladic Café, which as they say ‘gives the feeling of a Cycladic island, in the heart of Athens’.

What is it? Begun operating in 2000 its aim is to promote artistic innovation by acquiring, preserving and exhibiting works of contemporary Greek and international art. Based on the renovated old FIX brewery building, only a few minutes walk from the Syngrou-Fix metro station, it is the only one of its kind in the Greek capital. Find photography, paintings, installations, film screenings and more across its four floors. 

Why Go? Get up to date with the latest local and international artists with rotating exhibitions and some of its other events (concerts, parties, live performances etc.) are top notch. On the top floor you can enjoy fine dining at the restaurant Nyn Esti.

What is it? The Numismatic Museum opened its doors in 1834 and is one of the oldest museums in Athens. The building was designed by the German architect Ernst Ziller, as home to Heinrich Schliemann, the archaeologist who became known worldwide for his work in ancient Troy and Mycenae. Its permanent collection boasts of 500,000 items, most of which are coins from ancient Greece, Roman Empire, Byzantium and Medieval. 

Why go? Coin collectors, welcome to paradise. The museum has one of the greatest coin collections in the world, as well as medals, stamps, sealstones and more, and there’s often a thematic temporary exhibition to check out, some of which are collaborations with museums abroad.