There is a reason why art and history buffs flock to Athens every year to revel in the magic of the ancient world. The Greek capital has centuries of architecture, culture and art to discover in the top museums in Athens. Here are some of the most essential that you can’t miss during your visit!
Museum of Cycladic Art
The Museum of Cycladic Art proudly hosts pieces of art that date all the way back to 3000 BC, to share with the world the culture of the country’s past. The focus is to share the richness of the civilizations of the Aegean and Cyprus, concentrating on Cycladic art. Sculptures, jewelry, pottery, and more from Greece and Cyprus give visitors a peek into life in this region throughout the centuries. The permanent collections are in the main building and temporary exhibitions are housed in the Stathatos Mansion. Make sure to stop in the museum’s famously-beautiful cafe for a snack or coffee after your visit! See for yourself why the Museum of Cycladic Art is a fan favorite and ranked among the top museums in Athens!
Address: Neofitou Douka, 4
Tickets: available at the museum
The Benaki Museum
The Benaki Museum is the private collection of Greek art of the Benakis family, a prominent family in Athens. The museum has Greek art from prehistoric times through the present and has the best representation of Greek art throughout every period. Previously, the Benaki museum had art from Asia and the Middle East, but was renovated and remodeled in 2000 and the focus became solely Greek art and culture. To compensate for this, the museum has multiple other sites across Athens which house different collections and pieces. If you plan on visiting more than one building, be sure to look into buying a combination ticket!
Address:Koumpari, 1
Tickets: available at the museum
The Acropolis Museum
Even though the Acropolis is at the top of everyone’s list in Athens, its museum should be too! The Acropolis Museum is one of the top museums in Athens due to its astounding collection of pieces from the Acropolis itself. The museum opened its doors in 2003 and shows visitors more than 4000 objects from the Acropolis and surrounding area. Also, the museum itself is built over ruins from the Roman and Byzantine eras, so you can look through the glass floors and see history at your feet. It’s highly recommended to visit the Acropolis Museum before or after your visit the Acropolis to better understand the monument’s history.
Address: Dionysiou Areopagitou, 15
Tickets: available at the museum on online
Read more: Essential Tips and Advice for Visiting the Acropolis of Athens
National Archaeological Museum
The National Archaeological Museum of Athens has one of the most important collections of artifacts from ancient Greece in the world. This museum dates all the way back to 1889, though the first national archaeological museum was founded in 1829. Also, this museum is the largest in Greece and has more than 11,000 artifacts on display. Make sure to leave plenty of time to explore this museum since it is quite massive. You can find sculptures, inscriptions, ceramics, and a variety of other works here. If you want to see the most complete representation of Greek art and artifacts, this is where you’ll find it.
Address: 28is Oktovriou, 44
Tickets: available at the museum
Kerameikos Archaeological Museum
The Kerameikos Archaeological Museum is a smaller museum but holds a number of important pieces of Greek Geometric Art. These pieces are from an archaeological dig site of the same name. Geometric Art is a period from 900-700 BC that focuses on a style of vase painting. You can see an extensive collection of this art here, in addition to many other pieces and sculptures from other eras. After browsing the museum, be sure to stop by the Kerameikos Archaeological Site and Cemetery. You can see history up close as you stroll this ancient site, after learning all about it at the museum!
Address: Ermou, 125
Tickets: available at the museum
Byzantine and Christian Museum
The Byzantine and Christian Museum is one of the most important museums in the world when it comes to Byzantine art. For more than 100 years, this museum has been showing visitors its vast collection of pieces. They include pottery, scriptures, paintings, and so much more. This art is quite different from ancient art, as it is Christian art from after the fall of Rome. You can expect to see breath-taking frescoes, scriptures, manuscripts and fabrics that show the direction art took after ancient times. Also, you purchase a combination ticket that gets you into several other museums over 3 days.
Address: Leoforos Vasilissis Sofias, 22
Tickets: available at the museum
See more:
How to Explore the Kolonaki Neighborhood in Athens
These Essential Greek Dishes are Must Eats in Athens
6 Unforgettable Day Trips from Athens You Need to Take,
The next time your in Athens, come and stay with us at Olala Homes in any one of our chic and cozy vacation apartments!
