The Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum is a unique cultural institution and the first jewelry museum in Greece promoting the art of jewelry internationally. The permanent exhibition displays 3000 selected pieces of jewelry and microsculpture and 17.000 designs made by the founder Ilias Lalaounis, a renowned jeweler and goldsmith. The permanent collections are now being enriched with private collections including jewelry from different periods such as Greek Traditional jewelry from the 19th century. Temporary exhibitions include a variety of objects from the applied arts. The highlight is the prototype jewelry model workshop where craftsmen can be seen working with ancient and modern techniques and tools.
Recommended for Family-Friendly Museums because: The magic of jewelry will enchant young and old visitors
Nelly's expert tip: Precious collections of jewelry
The Cultural Park is located in the area of Mesogeia in the direction of the airport, in an expanse of 25.000 sq.m. and is a point of interest for visitors of all ages. Art workshops, a shop selling worry beads, a display of handmade jewelry and areas for childrens activities are amongst the most attractive features. Visitors can learn about Greek folklore and culture or just enjoy the natural surroundings. The Museum of Greek Ethnography is widely visited by tourists from all over the world and also by students from various universities. A special section is dedicated to old fashioned trades and the exhibits include old olive presses, placed in natural surroundings, amongst olive groves and vineyards. Tours for children include ponies and donkeys, retro bicycles and even a small train. Children love planting herbs and aromatic plants, taking care of the animals, learning to cook and hunting for treasure, in the specially planned activities.
Recommended for Family-Friendly Museums because: Nature, animals, a small train are a great success with children
Nelly's expert tip: Fun for all the family in natural surroundings
The Hellenic Motor Museum is situated in a building of unique aesthetic and architecture, in a space of 5.000 sq. meters. This interesting museum is centered on technology and the development of motor vehicles, with more than 110 exhibits from the end of the 19th century until the end of the 20th. The collection is rotating and includes vehicles from companies that no longer exist, such as Avion Voisin, Adler, Packard, Facel Vega, Delage, Iso, Dino, Stanguelini, Siata, Frazer Nash, Hrg, Elva, Miler, Offenhauser, and also classic models of famous car manufacturers such as Bentley, Rolls Royce, Bugatti, Aston Martin, Bristol, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati, Porsche, Mercedes, BMW and others. The Museum in downtown Athens is easily accessible, and is very close to the National Archeological Museum.
Recommended for Family-Friendly Museums because: Children will love seeing these exhibits and imagine driving one of these superb cars
Nelly's expert tip: Fascinating classic motorcars also from no longer existing manufacturers
The Phaethon Museum is a non profit Foundation and is located at the 32nd klm. of the Athens-Lamia National road, in the area of Oropos. The building is situated on a plot of 50 acres and the installations include parking, bar, projection and dining room, boutique, exhibition halls and other facilities. The Museum is divided into five sections: the department for classic cars, with 100 exhibits, the watch department, the department of physics, electronics and telecommunications. The Road Safety Park and the Outdoor exhibition with Defence material are under construction. Visitors can admire classic vehicles by famous names such as Rover, Mercedes, Jaguar, Lancia. BMW and others and also the collection of experimental Beetles and Karmann Ghia, the VW Buggy, the Citroen DS. The Watch department includes interesting exhibits such as antique clocks, wrist watches and timepiece tools. Racing art paintings can be viewed in the relevant section. Amongst the aims of the Phaethon Museum is to expand its cultural activities, to include high level facilities for training students and engineers in the sectors of design and development for the manufacture of environmental protection systems, energy saving and evolution of the hybrid and electric car.
Recommended for Family-Friendly Museums because: All about classic automobiles, watches and technology, subject which many kids find interesting
Nelly's expert tip: An original and interesting place to visit for car and technology lovers
Loulis Mills is 230 years old and is run today by the 7th Generation of the Loulis Family which for generations was collecting items, artifacts and documents referring to its history and that of wheat and bread. These items are now exhibited in the Museum, funded in 2012. The focal point is the most extensive collection in the world of bread offering (prosphoro) stamps (from the 4th century to the 20th A.D. century) from fourteen different countries with tradition in the Christian Orthodox faith. Additionally, amongst the exhibits, visitors can see items relating to sowing, harvesting, threshing, grinding and kneading, old tools, millstones and machinery from family's old plants. Their main goal is to bring the young generation closer to Greek cultural traditions and to inform them about the history and importance of cereals in the evolution of mankind. Furthermore, they are committed to pass on to the younger generation the value and importance of a healthier and balanced Mediterranean diet. In order to achieve that they provide a full educational program supported by special films. Guided tours are organized daily and the children have the opportunity of an interactive participation in the traditional bakery.
Recommended for Family-Friendly Museums because: Children enjoy learning all about the procedure of making bread
Nelly's expert tip: An original and interesting museum with valuable information about wheat and bread
The Museum of Greek Children's Art, in Plaka is centered on art created by children. Visitors to the Museum can see drawings and three-dimensional artwork created by children from 4 to 14 years of age. The collections include 7.000 works from entries to the art contests held and also creations from the workshops. All exhibition themes focus on education through art. Current exhibitions aim to familiarize children with their rights as they are mentioned at the Convention on Children's Rights. In addition, they aim to learning about the work of famous painters while also getting acquainted with various materials and art techniques. The interactive section of every exhibition, offers the possibility to enjoy games, fairytales and books, which help to approach the exhibits in a more stimulating way.
Recommended for Family-Friendly Museums because: Games, fairytales, books and painting for young budding artists
Nelly's expert tip: Kids art and creativity paradise
“Hellenic Cosmos” the cultural center of the Foundation of the Hellenic World is a modern cultural center and museum with a wide range of activities, which include exhibitions, virtual reality tours, educational programmes, conferences, performances, internet cafe and art events. Evolving continually, Hellenic Cosmos develops new activities and is a landmark in the city. This original cultural area presents Hellenic history in a unique way, with interactive exhibits and applications of modern technology. The Theatron hosts plays and concerts, conferences and exhibitions and the dome shaped Tholos, with its impressive design, hosts the Foundation?s digital collections. The online museum shop offers jewelry, gifts, stationery and souvenirs, with a special kid?s corner.
Recommended for Family-Friendly Museums because: Events and exhibitions centered on education, specially for children
Nelly's expert tip: Interesting educational activities which are a great success with kids
The Goulandris Museum of Natural History in the suburb of Kifissia is centered on the study, conservation and protection of the natural environment, and is one of the top museum visited by schoolchildren throughout the year. Visitors of all ages enjoy the experience of knowing more about the kingdom of plants and animals and the balance of ecosystems, not only by seeing the permanent collections but also the various exhibitions which take place. Over four decades the Museums collections number hundreds of thousands of specimens, divided into the departments of botanology, entomology, marine biology, minerals and paleontology, presented so as to attract the interest of visitors. At Gaia Centre, right next door, visitors can find out the way planet Earth has been functioning for millions of years and how it functions today, watching the Geosphere, which shows the rotating planet, and presents geological evolution over the ages. Educational programs are held often for children of various ages.
Recommended for Family-Friendly Museums because: A wide range of collections for nature loving kids
Nelly's expert tip: Astonishing knowledge about nature and the environment
The Children's Museum, which operates in collaboration with the Municipality of Athens, is very popular with young visitors, who enjoy the exhibits and the possibility to develop their observation skills, learn more about the cultural heritage and understand everyday life through games. Children can play at the shops of the Market, make their own biscuits at the Kitchen, journey through time at the Attic, learn about their body at the exhibit How do I move?, experiment and play with water and much more. Children under six years love the playroom where they can play with building blocks and visitors of all ages appreciate the toyshop with original toys and handmade objects.
Recommended for Family-Friendly Museums because: Popular with young visitors who can learn playing and having fun
Nelly's expert tip: Ideal place for kids to enjoy themselves, playing and learning
The Acropolis Museum , is an absolute must see. Inside the modern exterior visitors can discover the ancient aesthetic wisdom of the Acropolis and feel the atmosphere of ancient Athens. The Gallery of the Slopes of the Acropolis, the Archaic Gallery and the Parthenon Gallery display sculptures, inscriptions, finds from sanctuaries, as well as objects used in everyday life. Visitors can also watch conservators working, speak to an archeologist host and acquire small souvenirs from the museum shop. The restaurant on the second floor offers a breath taking view of the Acropolis.
Recommended for Family-Friendly Museums because: Three original different games for children in a backpack make a visit enjoyable
Nelly's expert tip: Absolute must see in Athens