Athens Museums

This is a list of museums, cultural centres and other permanent exhibition spaces in Athens, Greece. You may look at more detailed presentations of most of these museums from my personal visits (with photos) through the links provided below. Take note that most museums are closed on the following dates: January 1, March 25, Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday (falls in April or May), May 1, December 25-26, while some are  also closed on October 28, November 17 and/or Mondays. There are also some free days which vary from museum to museum, most of them falling in the winter. Indicatively, these may be: March 6, April 18, May 18, June 5, last weekend of September, September 27, all Sundays from November 1 to March 31, etc.

Museums in Athens, Greece
Acropolis Museum
Description: Archaeological museum, inaugurated in 2009 to replace the old, small museum atop the Acropolis. Exhibiting ancient artifacts from the Athens Acropolis site and (some of) the Parthenon marbles.
Relevant posts: National Archeological Museum vs. new Acropolis Museum: Clash of the Titans!, National Archaeological Museum vs. new Acropolis Museum (pt.2: Detailed Impressions), Impressions from the Acropolis Museum Restaurant, Pigs at the Acropolis Museum!
Visit Duration: 2-4 hours
Hours: April-October:Tue-Sun: 08:00-20:00, Fri: 08:00-22:00. November-March: Tue-Wed-Thu: 09:00-17:00, Fri: 09:00-22:00, Sat-Sun:09:00-20:00.
Ticket Prices: 5€. Reduced price 3€ or free entrance for various categories of persons. Have your passport, student IDs with you.
Accessibility: Yes
Public Transit: Acropolis Metro Station, Buses 1, 5, 15, 24, 40, A2, A3, A4, E2, E22 and more (Makrigianni Bus stop)
Address: 2-4 Makrigianni St. [Makrigianni neighbourhood], Athens
Tel: (+30) 210-92.41.043


Benaki Museum - Main Building
Description: The oldest of Greek, private foundation museums. Donated to the Greek State in 1931. "History of Greece" collections covering a period from ancient times till 1922. Also, collections of Coptic Art, Chinese Art, Pre-Columbian Art, Childhood Toys and Games (be moved elsewhere in the future), Paintings, Drawings and Prints.
Relevant posts: 
Visit Duration: 1.5hour
Hours: Wed, Fri: 09:00-17:00, Thu, Sat: 09:00-24:00, Sun: 09:00-15:00. Shop also open on Mondays (09:00-17:00). See here for possible changes. 
Prices: Full admission 7€. Temporary Exhibit: 5€. Reduced prices of 5€ and 3€ for >65, adults accompanying children, European Youth Card Holders (temporary exhibition) and students. Thu: free (optional 1€).
Accessibility: Yes, by the entrance on Vassilissis Sofias Ave.
Public Transit: Trolley-buses 3, 7, 8, 13 and Buses 022, 060, 200, 203, 204, 211, 214, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 231, 235, 408, 419, 601, 603, 622, 815, A5, Gamma5, E6, E7 (Rigillis bus stop, Kipos bus stop and more at Syntagma Sq.). Also, Evangelismos and Syntagma Metro Stations (Line 3) (600m walk).
Address: 1 Koumbari St. & Vasilissis Sofias Ave., Athens
Tel: 210-36.71.000


Benaki Museum - Pireos St. Annexe
Description: The epicenter of modern arts in Greece, since its opening in 2004. Painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, concerts, etc.
Visit Duration: Depends on exhibit / show. About 1 hour for each exhibit.
Hours: Thu, Sun: 10:00-18:00, Fri-Sat: 10:00-22:00. See here for possible changes.
Prices: Depends on exhibition on display. 4-6€ per exhibition (reduced price: 2-3€ for >65, students and European Youth Card holders). Complete access ticket: 20% off the total cost of all current exhibitions.
Accessibility: All the building is fully accessible.
Public Transit: Buses 815, 049, 914, 838, B18, Gamma18, 21 (Kamba Bus Stop). Also, Metro Station Petralona (Line 1) (1000m walk) and Keramikos (Line 3) (600m walk).
Address: 138 Pireos St. & Andronikou St., Athens
Tel: 210-34.53.111


Benaki Museum of Islamic Art - Kerameikos Building Complex
Description: Collection of Islamic art, from India to Spain and from 7th to 19th century
Visit Duration: 45minutes-1.5hrs
Hours: Thu-Sun: 09:00-17:00. Also, see here for possible changes.
Closed on: Mondays and Jan. 1, Jan.6, Clean Monday, Mar.25, Orthodox Easter Sunday & Monday, May 1, Holy Spirit Monday, Aug.15, Oct.28, Dec. 25-26.
Prices: 7 Euros. Reduced 5€ price for >65 and adults accompanying children. Wed: free (optional 1€). Free for disabled persons and an escort, students and <18.
Accessibility: Elevator provides access to each floor.
Public Transit: Buses 025, 026, 027 (Pireos Bus Stop) and 035, 049, 227, 812, 815, 838, 856, 914, A16, B18, Gamma18 and Trolley-bus 21 (Thermopylon Bus Stop / Asomaton Bus Stop). Also, Thissio Metro Station (Line 1) (400m walk) and Keramikos Metro Station (Line 3) (700m walk).
Address: 22 Agion Asomaton St. & 12 Dipylou St.
Tel: 210-32.51.311


Benaki Museum - Mentis Fibre Manufactury
Description: Restored building of an historic light manufacturing enterprise.
Visit Duration: 5-10min
Hours: Tue-Sat: 10:00-15:00. Also, see here for possible changes.
Closed on: Mondays, Sundays and Jan. 1, Jan.6, Clean Monday, Mar.25, Orthodox Easter Sunday & Monday, May 1, Holy Spirit Monday, Aug.15, Oct.28, Dec. 25-26.
Prices: Free entrance.
Accessibility: 2 steps to enter; very narrow spacing.
Public Transit: Buses 035 (Bravo bus stop), 049, 227, 500, 815, 838, 914, B18, Gamma18 and Trolley-bus 21 (Kolymvitirio Bus Stop / Petrou Ralli Bus Stop). Also, Petralona Metro Station (Line 1) (700m walk) and Keramikos Metro Station (Line 3) (800m walk).
Address: 6 Polyfimou St. [Kato Petralona], Athens
Tel: 210-34.78.792

 
Byzantine and Christian Museum
Description: Religious artifacts, art and other exhibits from Byzantine and Post-byzantine period (5th - 20th century AD)
Hours: May-October: Tue-Sat: 08:00-20:00, Sun: 08:30-15:00, November-April: Tue-Sun: 08:30-15:00. Parts of the Museum occasionally closed due to lack of personnel!!!
Ticket Prices: 4€. 2€ reduced admission for non-EU college students and EU seniors (>65). Free for EU college students, <18, people w/ disabilities and their companions.
Accessibility: Yes, at permanent collection building. Tactile route for blind visitors.
Public Transit: Evangelismos Metro Station. Buses 3, 7, 8, 13, 200, 203, 204, 214, 220, 221, 224, 235, 250, 622, 815, A5, E6, E7 (Rigilis Bus Stop).
Address: 22 Vassilissis Sofias Ave., Athens
Tel: (+30) 213-213.95.72, 210-72.11.027
Website: http://www.byzantinemuseum.gr/en/


Cycladic Art Museum
Description: Specialized archaeological museum housing 3,000 objects of Cycladic, Ancient Greek and Cypriot art. Temporary archaeological and contemporary art exhibitions.
Relevant posts: My impressions from the Museum of Cycladic Art.
Visit Duration: 1-1.5hrs
Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat: 10:00-17:00, Thu: 10:00-20:00, Sun: 11:00-17:00
Ticket Prices: 7€. Reduced price (3.5€) on Mondays and for seniors (>65) and college students (18-26y.o.). Free entrance for <18, people w/ disabilities and their companions
Accessibility: Wheelchair ramp at 4 Neophytou Douka St. Access to the floors by elevator.
Public Transit: Evangelismos & Syntagma Metro Stations. Trolleys & Buses No. 3, 7, 13, A5, E6, E7, X14, 054, 200, 203, 204, 220, 221, 224, 235, 408, 608, 622, 732, 815 (Rigilis Bus Stop).
Address: 4 Neofytou Douka St. (main entrance), 1 Irodotou St.& Vasilissis Sofias Ave. [Kolonaki neighborhood], Athens
Tel: 210-72.28.321
Website: http://www.cycladic.gr/


Eugenides Foundation - Planetarium
Description: Planetarium, science museum, gallery: The planetarium / 3D  film projection dome hosts various science films. English projections are available as well as earphones for simultaneous translation (into English) at the gift shop for €1; Inquire before  your visit. A permanent interactive science and technology exhibition failed to impress me (1/2012), though the staff was very courteous and among those exhibits in working condition some were interesting: Exhibits on the nature of matter and materials (ground floor), sound and image (1st floor) and biology/biotechnology (2nd floor) are presented in Greek and English. Interesting photography and painting exhibits are also hosted occasionally at a separate gallery hall. 
Visit Duration: 1.5hr for science exhibition. Film projections are usually 45min. long.
Hours: Interactive Science Exhibition: Weekdays only for schools. Sat-Sun: 11:00-21:00 for general public (during Xmas, Easter, etc. the exhibit is open daily). Projections: 09:30-20:30 but check schedule for exact times.
Prices: 6€ for science exhibit (4€ for students and >65). Same (6€ / 4€) for film projection. Combined tickets available for science exhibition and film projection (10€ regular and 7€ reduced). Free entrance for persons with disabilities as well as for certain art exhibitions. 
Accessibility: Yes.
Public Transit: Buses Β2 , 550, Ε2 , Ε22 (Onasseio stop), A2 (Iasonos stop), 126 (Trapeza stop). You can catch all these buses from the Syngrou-Fix Metro Station.
Tel: 210-94.69.600
Website: Pre-booking via web is possible but the site is only in Greek

Frissiras Museum
Description: Museum / gallery with a focus on contemporary European painting. Guided tours to the Museum's exhibitions are provided every Saturday and Sunday at 12:30pm.
Visit Duration:
Hours: Wed-Fri: 10:00-17:00, Sat-Sun: 11:00-17:00
Prices: 6€. Reduced 3€ price for >65 and students.
Accessibility: "Facilities for persons with special needs"
Public Transit: Syntagma Metro Station (Lines 2, 3) & Acropolis Metro Station (Line 2). Buses & trolley-buses: 1, 2, 4, 5, 11, 12, 15, 21, 040, 209, 227, 790 (Filellinon bus stop)
Address: 3 Monis Asteriou St. [Plaka district], Athens
Tel: 210-32.34.678, 210-33.16.027
Website: http://www.frissirasmuseum.com


Georgios Averof Museum Ship / Maritime Tradition Park
Description: A... collection of decommissioned ships turned to museums, spanning a good part of Greek naval history. The Georgios Averof armoured cruiser being the largest and most interesting among them.
Relevant posts: Visit to the Greek Maritime Tradition Park - George Averof Battleship Museum (pt.1),  Greece's Maritime Tradition Park - Phaleron Delta (pt. 2)
Visit Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours for all the ships.
Hours: Tue-Fri:9:00am-2:00pm, Sat-Sun, Holidays:10:00am-5:00pm
Prices: 2€ for Georgios Averof; students: 1.5Euros, free entrance for under 6 and over 65. Free access to other ships.
Accessibility: Part of Georgios Averof is accessible. Check out this video.
Public Transit: By Tram: Trocadero Tram Stop (Tram Lines 3 and 4, departing from "Syntagma Sq.", "Peace and Friendship Stadium" and the southern suburb of "Voula"). By bus: Oulen Bus Stop (Buses Β2 (departing from Panepistimio Metro), A1, B1, 217 departing from Piraeus)
Address: Flisvos Marina, suburb of Paleo Faliro.
Tel: 210-98.88.211
Website: http://www.averof.mil.gr/

Goulandris Natural History Museum and Gaia Centre
Description: Natural history, biology, fossils, butteflies, dioramas, etc. at the main museum. Gaia Centre, designed w/ the British Museum of Natural History, presents the Earth's and ecosystems' function and the role and effects of human development in this context.
Relevant posts: Goulandris Natural History Museum and Gaia Centre
Visit Duration: 45min + 1hr
Hours: Mon-Fri: 09:00-14:30, Sat-Sun: 10:00-15:00. Closed in July, August and public holidays. Look at the museum's website for the latest official info.
Prices: Single entrance (either Natural History Museum or Gaia Centre): 6 Euros. Reduced: 4 Euros for students w/ ID and children 5-18. Free for disabled persons and <5. Combined ticket (Museum and Gaia Centre): 10 Euros for adults, 6 Euros for children.
Accessibility: Gaia Centre is wheelchair accessible from Othonos St.
Public Transit: Kiffissia Metro Station (Line 1). Buses A7, B7, E7 from Kaningos St., Athens; 550 from Paleo Faliro, 503, 507, 508, 509, 535, 536, 722 (stop), X92 to El. Venizelos Airport (starting point).
Address: 13 Levidou St. (Natural History Museum) & 100 Othonos St. (Gaia Centre), Kiffissia suburb, [Greater Athens]
Tel: 210-80.15.870
Website: http://www.gnhm.gr/



Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika Gallery
Description: The restored workshop of painter Nikos Hadjikyriakos - Ghika in Athens city center, overseen by the Benaki Museum.
Hours: Wed-Sat: 10:00-18:00. Also, see here for possible changes.
Closed on: Jan. 1, Jan.6, Clean Monday, Mar.25, Orthodox Easter Sunday & Monday, May 1, Holy Spirit Monday, throughout August, Oct.28, Dec. 25-26.
Prices: 7 Euros. Reduced 5€ price for >65 and adults accompanying children. Free for disabled persons and an escort, students and <18.
Accessibility: ???
Public Transit: Buses 022, 060, 200, 203, 204, 211, 214, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 231, 235, 408, 419, 601, 603, 622, 815, Α5, Gamma5, Ε6, Ε7. Trolley-Buses 3, 7, 8, 13 and Syntagma Metro Station (Lines 2, 3).
Address: 3 Kriezotou St.
Tel: 210-361.5702, 210-363.0818


Hellenic Motor Museum
Description: The impressive car collection of Greek businessman and developer Theodore Charagionis and his late wife Joanna, displayed in a slick, modern mini-mall in the heart of Athens
(New) Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 10:00-14:00, Sat: 11:00-18:00, Sun: 11:00-18:00
Ticket Prices: 8€ (adults). 5€ reduced (for <12, >65 and groups of 4 or more visitors). 10€ for F1 simulator. Guided visits on Sunday noon. See here.
Accessibility: Yes (via ramp to 4th floor and elevator)
Public Transit: Victoria Metro Station. Trolley-buses 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 13, 15, 022,  (Polytechneio Bus stop) and A8, B8, Gamma8, 608, 622 (Mouseio Bus Stop), 18, 19 (first / terminal stop).
Address: 3rd Septemvriou St. & Ioulianou St. & Patission St. 
Tel: 210-88.16.187


Herakleidon Museum - Experience in Visual Arts
Type / decription: Permanent collection of M.C. Escher and V. Vasarely. Temporary exhibits of sculpture, painting, drawing. Past exhibits include Toulouse Lautrec posters, engravings and drawings, Edgar Degas sculptures, Edvard Munch paintings. You get the picture!
Relevant posts: Herakleidon Museum: Experience in Visual Arts.
Hours: Fri: 13:00-21:00, Sat-Sun: 11:00-19:00
Entrance: 6€. Students & >65: 4€, free for <=12
Accessibility: No.
Public Transit: Thission Metro Station, Kerameikos Metro Station
Address: 16 Herakleidon St. [Thission], Athens
Tel: 210-34.61.981
Website: www.herakleidon-art.gr

 Jewish Museum of Greece
Description: Ten thousand exhibits of the presence of Jewish people in Greece and their history.
Hours: Sun: 10.00-14.00, Mon-Fri: 09:00-14:30
Ticket Prices: 6€ (adults). 3€ (students).
Accessibility: No (old, neoclassical building)
Public Transit: Syntagma Metro Station. Buses No.1, 2, 4, 5, 11, 12, 15, 21, 040, 155, 209, 227, 790 (Filellinon Bus Stop).
Address: 39 Nikis St. [Plaka neighbourhood], Athens
Tel: 210-32.25.582
Website: http://www.jewishmuseum.gr/


Municipal Gallery of the City of Athens (Dimotiki Pinakothiki)
Description: A significant collection of 19th and 20th century Greek painters.
Relevant posts: 
Visit Duration: 1-2 hrs
Hours: Tue-Sat: 10:00-14:00 and 17:00-21:00, Sun:10:00-14:00.
Ticket Prices: free entrance.
Accessibility: Yes
Public Transit: Trolley-bus & buses 21, 025, 026, 027, 813, 815, 838, 856, 914, B18, Gamma18 (IKA Bus Stop). Metaxourgeio Metro Station is the closest one. Omonia, Thission & Kerameikos Metro Stations are a bit further away.
Address: 32 Myllerou St. & Leonidou St., Athens
Tel: (+30) 210-32.31.841, 210-52.02.420
Website: https://www.cityofathens.gr/en/municipal-art-gallery-0 (in broken English and HTML)


National Archaeological Museum
Description: The biggest archaeological museum in Greece and the one with the largest collection of ancient Greek art in the world.
Hours: Mon: 13:30-20:00, Tue-Sun: 09:30-16:00.
Ticket Prices: 7€. Reduced price (3€) for EU seniors (>65) and non-EU students. Free for EU students (w/ passport and student ID) and <18.
Accessibility: Yes
Public Transit: Victoria & Omonia Metro Stations. Trolley-buses 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 13, 15, 022,  (Polytechneio Bus stop) and A8, B8, Gamma8, 608, 622 (Mouseio Bus Stop), 18, 19 (first / terminal stop).
Address: 44, Eikostis Ogdois Oktovriou St. (aka 44, 28 Oktovriou St, aka 44, Patission St.), Athens
Tel: (+30) 210-82.17.724


National Epigraphical Museum
Description: An archaeological museum specialized in ancient Greek inscriptions (more than 13,000 of them!). Next to the National Archaeological Museum; an occasionally shady area, currently ...sanitized.
Hours: Tue-Sun: 08:30-15:00 (call for possible changes in the summer hours)
Ticket Prices:
Accessibility: see description...
Public Transit: Victoria & Omonia Metro Stations. Trolley-buses 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 13, 15, 022,  (Polytechneio Bus stop) and A8, B8, Gamma8, 608, 622 (Mouseio Bus Stop), 18, 19 (first / terminal stop).
Address: 1 Tositsa St., Athens
Tel: 210-82.32.950, 210-82.17.637
Website: http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/1/eh155.jsp?obj_id=3348


National Gallery - Alexandros Soutzos Museum (Ethniki Pinakothiki)
Description: Just as the name says. The National Gallery of Greece with works of all periods of  Greek painting and a small but significant European collection. Occasionally hosts great temporary exhibits. Will close in 2012 for 3 years of works that will modernize and more than double its space.
Relevant posts: The last major exhibit of the old National Gallery
Visit Duration: 1-2.5 hours
Hours: Wed: 14:30-21:00, Thu-Mon: 09:00-15:30.
Ticket Prices: 5€. Reduced admission of 3€. Free for students of Fine Arts, children <12 and people with disabilities with one attendant.
Accessibility: Accessible by ramp but new building should improve conditions.
Public Transit: Evangelismos Metro Station. Buses and Trolley-buses: 10, 550 (Pinakothiki Bus Stop), 3, 8, 13, 220, 221, 224, 235, 250, 608, 622, 815 (Evangelismos Bus Stop)
Address: 50 Vassileos Konstantinou St., Athens
Tel: 210-72.35.937
Website: www.nationalgallery.gr


National History Museum
Description:
Relevant posts:
Visit Duration:
Hours: Tue-Sun: 09:00-14:00
Ticket Prices: 3€. Reduced price of 1.5€ for
Accessibility:
Public Transit: Syntagma Metro Station
Address: 13 Stadiou St., Athens
Tel: 210-32.37.315, 210-32.26.370
Website: http://www.nhmuseum.gr/index.php?lang=1&lang=2


Numismatic Museum
Description: Coins, money and medals from Ancient Greece, Rome and the Byzantine Empire to recent times as well as a small exhibit on Heinrich Schliemann (first owner of the museum's building and prominent 19th century archaeologist). Fantastic, recently restored mansion is a reason in itself to visit the museum.
Relevant posts: Impressions from the Numismatic Museum
Visit Duration: 1-1.5 hour
Hours: Mon 13:30-20:00, Tue–Sun:08:00-20:00
Ticket Prices: 3€. Reduced 2€ for >65. Free for <19 and students w/ ID.
Accessibility: Elevator for people w/ disabilities
Public Transit: Syntagma Metro Station, Trolley-buses: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 13, 15 (bus stops Syntagma / Akadimia)
Address: 12 Panepistimiou St., aka Eleftheriou Venizelou St., Athens
Tel: 210-36.32.057, 210-36.12.834
Website: http://www.nma.gr/index_en.htm


Theocharakis Foundation for the Fine Arts & Music
Description: A well-designed exhibition space in the centre of Athens hosting significant exhibits (mostly painting) with an Auditorium for occasional chamber music concerts and / or lectures. The 1st floor Café Merlin (open to all) offers a view to the National Garden across the street and has free wi-fi..
Visit Duration: 1hr, more or less
Hours: Sat-Wed: 10:00-18:00, Thu-Fri: 10:00-20:00 (June-September: Fri: 10:00-18:00). Permanent exhibition of Spyros Papaloukas' paintings only on Tue, Thu: 13:00-17:00 (same ticket, room opens upon request - better make prior call).
Prices: 6€. 3€ reduced for children, students w/ ID.
Accessibility: You need to climb up two stairs to enter the front yard and another three to get to the entrance hall. Elevator provides access to museum's floors..
Public Transit: Syntagma Metro Station. Buses & Trolley-buses 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 11, 13, 025, 026, 027, 040, 227, 790, E14, X14 (bus stops Syntagma) 
Address: 9 Vassilissis Sofias Ave. & 1 Merlin St. [Syntagma-Kolonaki district], Athens
Tel: 210-36.11.206
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