September is the official ‘back-to-school’ month in Greece and other places around the world but for others, it’s only the beginning of their holidays. Fortunately, September feels like summer here contrary to other places and it’s a very popular holiday month with flocks of travellers from all over the world. Our previous blogs were dedicated to the best things to do in Athens and beyond during the summer months, with tips and recommendations of things to see and places to go to enrich your summer itinerary. In this blog, we will focus on the more educational part of your travelling experience and present to you the 10 best museums in Athens! It’s been said many times in the past that Athens is the historical and cultural centre of Greece, as well as the homeplace of some of the most popular monuments in the world. The rich history and past of Athens and Greece in general is perfectly portrayed and explained in the museums mentioned in this blog so grab your tickets and get ready for a journey into the past of one of the most fascinating and glorious ancient worlds!
By Savina Skourmalla on 21-09-22
- Acropolis Museum
Athens is also synonymous to the Acropolis. The beautiful monument that stands proud on the top of the hill is not only the signature of the Greek capital but also one of the most historically important monuments in the world. When one visits Athens, the Acropolis is on top of their visit list, if not first. However, we have a tip for you. Before ascending the sacred rock we suggest you visit the homonymous museum, the Acropolis Museum.
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This relatively new museum that opened its doors in 2009 is a state-of-art building in which you will be able to experience and understand the connection and context between the findings exhibited in the museum and the ancient ruins of the Parthenon.
The museum works as a projection of what is missing from the hill and how the Parthenon looked as a total back in the ancient times.
Located on the southern slope of the Acropolis, only 280 metres from the Parthenon, it is designed in a way that it lets the natural light shine on the marbles through the huge glass windows from which you can see the monument and feel like you will be able to touch it if you reach out. Through the glass floors the visitors are also able to see the archaeological findings of an Athenian settlement upon which the museum was built as found during the excavations.
Upon entering the museum where the Gallery of the Slopes is located, one will be able to see different artefacts and objects that constitute a first introduction to the way of ancient Athenian life. The stairs situated at the end of the corridor simulate the ascend to the Acropolis Hill making this experience as natural as possible to the visitor.
Credit: Greece Is
On the first floor, you will travel back to the Athenian Archaic period through the Archaic Acropolis Gallery. The exhibits are dated from the 7th century down to the 5th century before the Persian Wars and they are strategically positioned in a way that the visitor is able to examine and marvel every detail and shape from any direction. Here, you will find the famous statues of the Kouros and Kores style that signal the beginning of a new golden era of Athens following the Dark Ages, the beginning of democracy and Athens’ greatest achievements in democracy, art and literature.
On the second level you will find one of the most impressive displays in the museum, the Caryatid ladies. The 5 out of 6 statues are exhibited in the same alignment as they used to originally support the roof of the Erechtheion.
Credit: GreekTravelTellers
On the third level, the journey to the museum ends with the spectacular Parthenon Gallery. In this floor you will find all the exhibits found in the Parthenon in the same position they used to be found inside the temple of Athena Nike. The room perfectly complements the natural environment of the temple which is visible from the grand glass windows and you will feel like the ancient monument came back to life. The metopes that surround the temple and depict the great ancient games ‘Panathenaea’ and the sparse statues and artefacts help you reconstruct the original design.
Credit: My WoWo
The museum is definitely the best introduction to the history of the Acropolis and Athens in general but its operation hides another meaning to all Greeks.
Between the exhibited metopes of the Parthenon and the Caryad ladies, there are some spaces left strategically, for the ‘missing’ parts. These missing parts are the infamous ‘Elgin Marbles’ that were taken from Lord Elgin during his excavations on the hill and now reside in the British Museum and other museums in the world. These ‘empty’ spots were left there on purpose with the hope of returning home one day.
At the end of your tour, you will be able to enjoy a coffee or a light meal at the beautiful Acropolis museum cafe which is located on the 2nd floor in a large terrace with a lovely panoramic view of the Acropolis that is perfect during the hot summer sunsets.
You can find information about tickets and opening hours here
- National Archaeological Museum
In the centre of the city you will find the largest museum in Greece and one of the most important museums in the world, the National Archaeological Museum. Its rich history and spectacular collection of artefacts constitutes this establishment a must-see in your to-do list.
Credit: Clio Muse Tours
In this particular museum you will find some of the most famous findings of ancient Greek history, some of which you have definitely seen in some history books among other places.
The conservation team and laboratory of the museum has put a great effort into keeping the relics into good condition for many years with the greatest example being the fact that all the relics were taken care of, recorded and hidden away from the Nazi’s during the German occupation in 1941, resulting into the exhibits managing to survive and be preserved until today.
The antiquities in the National Museum vary from sculptures and pottery to jewellery and coins covering a period from the neolithic and prehistoric times up to the Roman and Byzantine period, including some artefacts from Egypt as well.
Among the permanent collections of the museum you will find the collections of Mycenaean, Cycladic, Neolithic and Egyptian Antiquities as well as collections of metalwork, jewellery, terracotta figurines, glass vases and other vases.
There are also periodic temporary exhibitions throughout the year which you can check on the museum’s official website.
Even though all the artefacts exhibited in the museum’s collection have priceless archaeological significance and are vital in understanding Greek history and life, there are a few relics that really stand out and are considered more….’instagram worthy’.
Credit: I am Greece
The entirely made out of bronze Jockey of Artemision is an exceptionally rare example of well preserved artefacts and a centrepiece of the museum,showing a young jockey full of emotion riding a horse, both giving the impression of static movement.
The iconic Mask Of Agamemnon is one of the greatest findings of the Bronze Age and depicts the gold death mask of Agamemnon, the king of Mycenae that shows the facial features as well as the beard of the deceased king.
Another important Mycenaean finding is the Warrior Vase that shows soldiers marching to war while their loved ones bid their farewell as a part of Homer’s Iliad. The vase dates back to the 12th century and it has survived in great condition with most of its surface still intact and visible.
Credit: Greece Is
A mysterious and central exhibit is definitely the large bronze sculpture that even now archaeologists and historians have not decided if it depicts Zeus or Poseidon. From its pose one can imagine that the god is throwing either a thunder or his trident to an unlucky soul.
Another bronze statue with a known identity is that of first roman emperor Augustus which remains the only life sized statue that depicts the said emperor according to the findings so far.
In the middle of the statuary hall the marble statue of Poseidon stands proud and tall and it’s a perfect representation of the post classic, early roman period statue depicting a nude god.
In the same hall as the statue of Poseidon, one will find the statue of the stoic Kouros type, that adorned funeral monuments and depicted young men. The Kouros and Korai (female) statues mark the beginning of the new era in Greek art as their contraposto motion shows the evolution from the dark times to the golden age of ancient Greek culture.
A colossal portrait of the head of the Roman emperor Hadrian is exhibited in the Roman collection hall of the museum reminding the importance of the Roman occupation in Athens during that time and the great architectural achievements.
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Probably one of the most interesting exhibits of the museum is the so-called Antikythera Mechanism which resembles an analog computer and was discovered in a ship-wreck in the Aegean Sea. This device constitutes one of the most complex and fascinating time-calculating machines that was used as a calendar and could also predict astronomical phenomena.
You can find information about tickets and opening hours here
- Benaki Museum
No other museum in Athens represents the Greek cultural heritage better than the Benaki Museum. Divided in 7 different buildings, it offers a plethora of arts and crafts that connect with the modern era and scientific networks of Greece.
Its collections are all private and owned by the Benaki family after whom the museum was named. There are several collections that cover different time periods as well as areas beyond Greece.
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In the Museum of Greek Culture (1 Koumpari Street & Vas.Sofias Ave) you will find the Prehistoric Greek and Roman collection,the Byzantine collection and the collection of drawings, paintings and prints among other impressive collections.
The prehistoric,ancient greek and roman collection includes ceramics, jewellery, figurines and vases from the prehistoric times up to the early roman period.
The Byzantine collection of the Benaki museum marks the beginning of the early Greek nation and includes mainly icons as well as household vessels and ornaments with a deep christianic meaning and influence all over the phases of the Byzantine period.
The collection of drawings, paintings and prints one will marvel at 6000 pieces by 17th and 19th century European artists and 19th and 20th century Greek artists. This is one of the museum’s largest collections of art and different periods and movements are represented and shown.
Credit: This is Athens
The museum of Islamic arts (22 Ag.Asomaton & 12 Dipilou) houses the Islamic collection, one of the most complete and impressive groups of its kind in the world. The founder of the museum started this collection during his stay in Egypt and later more donations and findings were added. The exhibits combine historic importance with art mastery in impressive pieces as it shows the evolution of islamic art up to the peak of the Ottoman Empire.
Another collection in this museum, and the most impressive and unexpected artefacts a visitor would be surprised to find, is that of the Chinese and Korean Art which was gifted to the museum by Georgios Eumorfopoulos, one of the most renowned London based collectors and scholars of East Asia in the 20th century. This collection included beautiful porcelain pieces and vases in the vibrant and delicate Asian style.
Credit: Athens Attica
In the Benaki Toy Museum (14 Poseidonos & 1 Tritonos Str) one will find a large collection of 20.000 toys and games that come from wider Greece and other continents and date from the ancient times up to the latest decades of the 20th century. Here you will find the perfect example of the history of greek toys and the daily life of children in this context.
You can find information about tickets and opening hours here
- Museum of Cycladic art
Located in the heart of Athens, only a few minutes walk from Syntagma square you will find the Museum of Cycladic art that houses a plethora of artefacts from all over the Aegean that date back to the prehistoric times. The museum consists of 2 different buildings, a modern establishment of 6 floors that houses the permanent collections, as well as a beautiful neoclassical building (Stathatos Mansion) that houses all the temporary collections.
In this museum you will have the unique opportunity to marvel at works of art influenced by the Cycladic movement that still strike resemblance to many of today’s fashion trends.
Credit: Cycladic.gr
In the permanent collections building there are 3 different zones: the Cycladic Art, the Ancient Greek Art and the Cypriot Art.
The first, being the signature of the museum, is exhibited in the first floor and comes from the private collection of the Goulandris family. This collection includes little marble figurines and vases and constitutes the most complete group of Cycladic art worldwide. Some of the highlights in this collection include the Vase Pigeon and the 1.4m female figurine, the tallest of its kind, both with immense influence in modern artists.
Credit: Topos Travel
The second and fourth floors are dedicated to the Ancient Greek art exhibition. The objects date from the Bronze Age up to the Roman period and they are displayed in two different floors. In the second floor you will find the collection named ‘A history of images’ that includes historical, artistic and technological artwork that shaped modern western aesthetics. What’s impressive about this particular collection is that it is interactive, with many panels and tools in order to understand the connection between the ancient and the modern world and shape your understanding of it. The objects here vary from daily life to luxury items made of different materials. In the fourth floor you will find the ‘Scenes from everyday life in antiquity’ part of this exhibition that portrays the myths, the religion and the beliefs of Greek society in its later period right before the Romans took over.
The third floor is dedicated to the unique Cypriot Art, the most comprehensive of its kind. This collection depicts the close relationship and interaction between Greek, Egyptian and East Asian culture and dates up to the mediaeval, early Byzantine period. The exhibition is interactive and the exhibits are displayed in a way that the visitor can appreciate them from every perspective and side like the sculptures in the Acropolis Museum.
Credit: Greece Is
As mentioned above, the second building, the Stathatos Mansion houses temporary exhibitions as well as works and shows of contemporary artists. Aside from what it offers, the building itself is worth visiting as it is one of the most stunning architectural structures in the city and one of the best examples of neoclassical architecture.
You can find information about tickets and opening hours here
- Byzantine Museum
Another museum located in the heart of Athens, only 10 minutes from Syntagma Square is the Byzantine museum.
Credit:Viator
The Byzantine period that spreads out from the 4th up to the 15th century AC is undoubtedly one of the longest and most important periods especially for Greek Orthodox history. The museum houses over 25,000 pieces of art and other objects that come from that vast era and its collection of Byzantine art is the largest of its kind.
The museum is housed in a Tuscan-inspired villa called ‘Ilissia’ and the neo-classical building is complemented by a peaceful and beautiful backyard where one can rest, wander around and marvel at the small green oasis in the heart of the city.
The permanent exhibition of the museum shows artefacts in chronological order that show the beginning as well as the fall of the Byzantine empire and its meaningful connection to today’s christian Greek nation.
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Firstly you will be able to learn about the transition from the late ancient Greek world to the new era and the beginning of what would come to be known as the holy Byzantine period.
Next up, the early secular life is explained where the Greek-Roman architecture and everyday life was starting to get influenced by the new religion and things were starting to change in every aspect.
As you continue you will see examples of the first architectural and artistic expressions of the new religion just as the first early Vyzantine churches were starting to appear and some ancient temples started turning into christian churches.
In one of the floors you will find a unique exhibition of Coptic art that combines ancient greek with Egyptian elements and used to co-exist with the early christianic art outburst.
Another collection is dedicated to the concept of death and the idea of burial and how it changed in meaning and practise during the transition from the ancient to the early mediaeval world.
Towards the end of the exhibition you will be able to see and understand the gradual fall of the Vyzantine empire and the beginning of the next, even bigger in period and artefacts period, that of the Ottoman empire.
Credit: Byzantine and Christian Museum
The museum is thoroughly dedicated to the christian religion and its expression during the most important period of the history of christianity so even though it is an impressive museum with rich and well-maintained collections it might be ‘boring’ and repetitive to some so be prepared, especially if you are travelling with children and teenagers.
After you have spent some time at the museum and strolled through the gardens that remind of a greek orthodox monastery, you can enjoy your coffee or some light lunch in the villa’s cafe and relax until your next adventure.
You can find information about tickets and opening hours here
- War Museum
Right next to the Vyzantine museum you will find another with an entirely different theme and meaning. The War Museum of Athens is one of the largest museums of the city and houses relics, memorabilia, aircrafts and weapons that are connected with the Greek Army forces.
Credit: This is Athens
The several sections of the museum portray the different conflicts that the nation participated in such as The Greek War for Independence, the Balkan wars, World Wars 1 and 2 and more.
All the museum’s collections are an impressive reminder of the struggles of the Greek nation and the battles for freedom, as well as a great lesson about Greek modern history.
The museum follows the development of the art of war and weaponry throughout the centuries starting from the Stone and Bronze age and up to the late Hellenistic period that include tools, accessories and models of weapons of that time.
Credit: Santorini Dave
The exhibits from Vyzantium and the Ottoman occupation show the transit from one era to another and one of the most important exhibits in this section is the great Charter of Riga which is preserved in perfect condition.
The high ideals of freedom are best depicted in the Greek Revolution of 1821 exhibition that portrays the struggle of independence from the Ottoman occupation through original manuscripts, armaments,weapons and other items.
The most emotional collection in the museum is definitely the collection that focuses on occupation, resistance and eventual liberation from the German occupation during WW2. The photographs, model uniforms, weapons and hundreds of sentimental memorabilia are the evidence of the hardships the nation went through during that time.
At the museum’s backyard there are more exhibits of large-caliber firearms, air force aircrafts as well as exhibits of the Hellenic Navy.
Credit: Wikipedia
This museum, like every other war museum in the world, is a grim reminder that one has to fight for what they believe and that every battle requires sacrifices. It was through these sacrifices that the Greek nation was able to claim its freedom.
You can find information about tickets and opening hours here
- Museum of Illusions
A museum different from the others that is worth visiting especially if you are travelling with family is definitely the Museum of Illusions!
This is an interactive place where you can play and learn with your friends and family while enjoying a unique experience in a fun and colourful environment for all ages.
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The exhibits include optical illusions, holograms and educational and fun puzzles that will stimulate your mind and give you food for thought as it will make you realise that the perception of our world is often nothing more than a spectre of illusion!
Plato’s Intense gaze will follow you wherever you go while the Infinity Well will give you the impression of the endless end!
With the chair of illusions you will explore the roles of perception simply by trying the chair and the Infinity Room you will meet mirrors without an end.
The Ames room looks like a normal room with the only exception being you can become a giant or a dwarf simply by walking across it! In the Rotated room you will feel like you are a part of a Van Gogh painting!
Credit: Tripadvisor
The Vortex and Infinity tunnels are two of the highlights of the museum and will certainly give your head a good spin! The ‘Head on the Platter’ exhibition is as fun as it sounds but not as dangerous (no one will get hurt, we promise!).
The museum offers a lot of 3D holograms and bewildering optical illusions that will give you a frustrating but fun experience.
There is a playroom dedicated to our little friends in which they will be able to learn laws of physics and cultivate strategy building skills that will give them a nice and fresh detox from the digital world.
You can find information about tickets and opening hours here
- National Observatory
Athens is a place full of educational and cultural spaces in which one can learn about the rich history of Greece and the world. However, there is one place that provides an insight to the future and that is the National Observatory. If you are interested in space and the cosmos, this scientific institute is just for you!
Credit: Greece Is
After the nation’s independence from the Ottoman Empire in the 19th, Greece charged its cultural engines in order to ‘catch up’ with the rest of the world and re-approach all these matters that had been put on halt during the occupation. The National Observatory was one of these places that marked the beginning of the new era in Greece and it soon became one of the most important science centres in the country.
Hidden away in the hill of Philopappou, the National Observatory is a small, neo-classical building and reminds nothing of the big and state-of-art planetariums around the world.
However, it is the centre of many researches and it is recognized as one of the oldest institutions for astronomical exploration and meteorological documentation in the world.
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The ‘Doridis’ telescope that was installed in the museum in the beginning of the 20th century is one of the first modern telescopes to have been installed in all Southern Europe and it definitely constitutes the best asset of the centre.
The national observatory is the meeting point of many travellers who are interested in space as it is a public place but it also hosts important annual scientific events and educational courses and tours with lots of material related to the research.
You can catch a glimpse of the surrounding area and the Observatory during our City Bike Tour in which you will explore all of Athens’ highlights and some hidden gems, like the National Observatory is!
You can find information about tickets and opening hours here
- Technopolis Museum
You have probably heard of Technopolis, one of the buzziest cultural meeting points of Athens where the artists and the musicians’ meet and where there is an annual festival with many happening, big concerts and unique exhibitions. However, a few people know that the prominent chimney of the Gazi area is actually an industrial museum!
Credit: Trip2Athens
Technopolis’ Gas Museum is an institution that gives the visitor a glimpse of the technological elapse from the small village Athens used to be to the post-independence modern city it is today. The museum was founded just around the corner of the new millennium in 1999 on the grounds of an old gas station, from where it took its name.
The gas station provided street light to the Athenian public for the first time through the burning of coal gas and occupied many people from work and after turning into a museum, it became a living short-history of how things changed in a time of only a century.
The museum explains the process of converting coal gas to lighting through a number of machinery that has been intact since the time of their function. Inside the different buildings of the museum (it’s easy to go around, there are many signs), there are exhibits of different machinery, tools and pipework that shows the function of a gas factory.
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Next time you happen to visit Technopolis for an artistic purpose or if you are just strolling through the Kerameikos area, make sure to visit this unique industrial museum that you wouldn’t expect to find in a city like Athens!
You can find information about tickets and opening hours here.
- Museum Ship Averof
Last but not least, I left a museum that’s…different from the others! Have you ever been to a floating museum? If you wish to explore a museum inside an old battleship look no further! The Averof Ship is a historical battleship that took part in the Balkan wars and with its expert and state-of-art technology, it contributed to the liberation of the Greek islands during the Balkan wars. This armoured cruiser is now a floating naval museum and a memorial to the great battles of the Greek Navy and it’s perfect for military enthusiasts and families alike!
Credit: This is Athens
There are 4 levels on the boat to explore, the deck and 3 sub-floors through which you will be able to find lots of memorabilia, machinery and other exhibits that will explain how a battleship works.
This museum is located a bit further from Athens, in the Palaio Faliro area, so you might need to use transportation if you are staying closer to the city centre. I suggest you design your day in a way that will give you plenty of time to explore the museum and then enjoy a nice coffee or lunch in the beautiful Marina Flisvou.
You can find information about tickets and opening hours here
