Best Museums in Athens

The Archeological Museum of Piraeus was founded in 1966 and hosts findings from Piraeus and neighboring areas, such as Salamina and Varkiza, many of which are from donations from private collections and also many objects from excavations, by the 26th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, which are preserved and archived. The Exhibition is set up on two floors and ten rooms in thematic units and chronological order and extends to the small Hellenistic theater of Zea and the external exhibition of sculptures. The exhibits include objects pertaining to the function of Piraeus as a commercial center and military arsenal, with rare and unique items. Many findings are from the burial mounds in Salamina with characteristic votives and many pottery objects of great artistic value. Everyday life in ancient Greece can be imagined by seeing the many objects which belonged to men, women and children, such as toys, dolls, pots, mirrors, arms, helmets, medical instruments.

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.

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.

The National Historical Museum was founded in 1884 and is located in the building of the old parliament of Athens. Visitors can see an extensive collection of archives of historical documents covering the period from the 15th to the 20th century, rare editions pertaining to the recent history of Greece, heirlooms and works of art. The collections include flags and arms from the Revolution of 1821, sculptures, medals belonging to famous personages, coins and stamps, personal memorabilia of historical families, paintings and maps, national and military costumes from various regions of Greece. The annex of the Museum on the island of Hydra, is located in the historical house of admiral Lazaros Kountouriotis and includes a folk art museum and a gallery with works of modern Greek artists.

The Numismatic Museum is situated very close to Syntagma, in a renovated classical building which was the home of the renowned German archeologist Heinrich Schliemann, who discovered the ruins of ancient Troy. Decorated with murals and mosaics, the villa is surrounded by an attractive garden, where a quiet snack bar offers the perfect ambience for a refreshing break. The impressive collection includes more than 500.000 coins, medals, seals and semiprecious stones from the ancient world, Rome, Byzantium, Eastern civilizations, medieval Europe, America and the new Greek state. Guests can gain knowledge about the history of coins from ancient times up to recent years, and understand the importance of currency in specific historical periods. The Museum shop offers an interesting choice of authentic copies of ancient coins and jewelry and special editions.

The Byzantine and Christian Museum was founded in 1914 and is one of the most important national museums in Greece. The objects which are collected on the premises and are organized in collections are more than 30.000 and dare from the 3rd up to the 20th century. The permanent exhibition offers visitors the unique occasion to acquire knowledge and appreciate Byzantine and more recent art through a new museological approach. The first part of the permanent exhibition pertains to the transition from the ancient world to Byzantium, and the second part, with the title "From Byzantium to recent times" presents various sides of the historical period from Byzantium up to recent times (15th-20th century) including many objects which are exhibited for the first time. At the gift shop visitors can buy certified copies of objects from Greek national museums, such as icons, mosaics, murals, engravings, sculptures, jewelry and also original creations. Books, posters, stationary and handmade objects are also available with motifs from the permanent collections of the Museum. The cafe-bistro Ilissia in the cool garden is ideal to enjoy a coffee, dessert or a light snack in an attractive and peaceful environment.

The Museum of Cycladic Art, is a great little gem museum in the heart of Athens, housing one of the most important collections of Cycladic Art in the world, as well as an impressive collection of Ancient Greek and Cypriot Art. Founded in 1986, it houses the collections of Nicholas and Dolly Goulandris with more than 3.000 artefacts, from the 4th millennium BC to the 6th century AD. Parallel to its collections, the MCA also develops a dynamic program of special shows, opening up a dialogue between archaeology and contemporary art. Through its exhibitions, educational and public programs the MCA engages a wide audience providing a platform for creativity, learning, participation and inspiration.Exhibitions of modern art also take place at the Cycladic museum. The museum shop offers a wide selection of exclusive gifts and the cafe is ideal for a light snack or coffee.

The Benaki Museum, actually consists of three separate museums, each specializing in certain subjects and each with its own unique personality. Visit the oldest and main building on Koubari 1, right opposite the National Park, for the prehistoric, ancient Greek and Roman Art, historic heirlooms, Coptic, Chinese and pre-columbian art. The new building at 138 Pireos str houses the neohellenic architectural archives and many modern art exhibitions are held here. The Islamic art collections can be seen at the building in the Kerameikos district, Agion Asomaton 22, and include objects collected by Antonis Benakis himself in Egypt during the first decades of the 20th century.

The National Archeological Museum, the largest museum in Greece with more than 11.000 exhibits, offers a panoramic experience of Greek civilization from prehistory to late antiquity. Numerous galleries house five permanent collections, amongst which the sculpture collection with unique masterpieces. The Bronze Collection and the Egyptian and Near Eastern Antiquities offer a wide insight about these old and magnificent civilizations, with statues, figurines and minor objects. This ancient art is enchanting with the knowlegde it offers and many of the works of art are of inestimable cultural value. History and art from ancient times still have the power to impress spectators with their magnificence and beauty.

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.