The most beautiful museums in the Greek capital not to be missed

The Parthenon, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Agora, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Kerameikos Cemetery… The ancient heritage of Athens is obviously of an extraordinary wealth. But the Greek capital also has fascinating museums, spread throughout the metropolis. Among them are large institutions such as the National Archaeological Museum or the Acropolis Museum. But not all of them are dedicated to antiquity, far from it! Byzantine art, Renaissance paintings, Impressionism, European modern art or contemporary creations by Greek artists, there is something for everyone. Here are our favorite museums, to explore (preferably) during the hottest hours!

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National Archaeological Museum

If you only visit one, choose this one! It is certainly one of the most fascinating museums in the world. A little warning: its collections are so rich (more than 10,000 ancient pieces on display!) that you will not be able to see everything in one visit. All the more reason to come back. Also note that following a vast expansion project, the museum is entering a phase of work that may sometimes affect its opening times. Among the must-sees, see the golden treasures of Mycenae, the Cycladic idols, the kouroi from the archaic period, the bronze Ephebe of Marathon, the group of Aphrodite and Pan or the Antinous of Patras.

National Archaeological Museum, 28is Oktovriou 44, Athina.

Goulandris Museum

Located in the charming Pangrati district, the Goulandris Museum is spread between a neoclassical “mansion” and a spectacular contemporary building. Here, we discover the magnificent collection of a family of shipowners, Basile and Élise Goulandris. It is made up of major works of Western art from the 19th century^e and 20^e centuries as impressionist paintings, no less than three Van Goghs or the Naked woman with arms raised Picasso. Otherwise, don’t miss the colorful creations of Chagall, Jackson Pollock or Francis Bacon. On the top two floors, a place is reserved for contemporary Greek artists like Jannis Kounellis or Takis.

Musée Goulandris, Eratosthenous 13, Athina.

Benaki Museum

What a marvel this museum is, created in 1930 by Antonis Benakis, a Greek collector born in Egypt who patiently assembled this collection of masterpieces tracing nearly 5,000 years of artistic history. While the rooms dedicated to the Greco-Roman period are of course unmissable, we admit to a soft spot for the Byzantine icons gathered here, notably the Saint Luke painting the Virgin directed by El Greco, or the vibrant Icon of the Trinity. The whole thing is housed in an elegant neoclassical-style mansion, located a stone’s throw from the National Garden. On the top floor, a lovely café with a view of Athens awaits you.

Musée Benaki, Koumpari 1, Athens.

Alexandros Soutsos Museum – National Gallery

The National Pinacoteca reopened in 2022, after many years of renovation. The least we can say is that the result lives up to expectations! Incredibly rich, the permanent collection brings together several thousand works covering a period extending from the Renaissance to today. The masterpieces not to be missed? The Byzantine icons of the Cretan school, the paintings of El Greco (in particular The Concert of Angels), paintings from the time of Greek Independence or the neo-mythological drawings of Alekos Fassianos. Outside, you can also marvel at the sculptures of Rodin or Takis.

National Gallery, Leof. Vasileos Konstantinou 50, Athens.

Acropolis Museum

Along with the Archaeological Museum, this is certainly the most visited museum in the city. Designed by the architect Bernard Tschumi, this vast glass building contains a large part of the sculptures that decorated the temple of Athena Nike, the caryatids of the Erechtheion as well as the friezes and metopes of the Parthenon, sculpted by the famous Phidias. Spaces have been left free to integrate those that are currently in the British Museum, and that the British do not want to return to the Greek authorities. From the upper floors, you can enjoy splendid views of the Acropolis.

Musée de l’Acropole, Dionysiou Areopagitou 15, Athens.

National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST)

Housed in a vast modernist building that once housed the FIX industrial brewery, this important institution shines far beyond Greece. Today, its immense spaces host a remarkable collection of contemporary Hellenic art, patiently built up since 1997. All artistic disciplines are represented: painting, photography, video, 3D modeling, but also architecture and design. At the same time, ambitious temporary exhibitions devoted to the great Greek or international artists of tomorrow are also organized.

National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST), Kallirois, Athina.

Byzantine and Christian Museum

Located between a beautiful neo-Renaissance villa from 1848 and vast underground spaces, this must-see museum has a collection of breathtaking richness, made up of more than 25,000 pieces related to the Byzantine world. Lovers of icons, mosaics, jewelry or liturgical treasures will rush there without asking questions! Among the masterpieces not to be missed, the “golden bull” signed by Emperor Andronikos II, the wall frescoes from monasteries representing the Virgin or even precious silver icons.

Byzantine and Christian Museum, Leof. Vasilissis Sofias 22, Athina.

Museum of Cycladic Art

Unique in the world, this museum houses the formidable collection of Dolly and Nikolaos Goulandris, dedicated in particular to Cycladic art. Throughout the four floors, you can admire an exceptional collection of liturgical objects, weapons and ceramics produced by the civilizations of the Aegean between the beginning of the Bronze Age and the Hellenistic period. The famous marble statuettes of the Cyclades, with their characteristic profile, have inspired many modern artists such as Giacometti, Brancusi and Henry Moore. The very successful contemporary museography makes the visit even more impressive. Temporary exhibitions of modern art or photography are organized in the elegant adjoining neoclassical house.

Museum of Cycladic Art, Neofitou Douka 4, Athina.

And still other museums to discover…

The city still has many interesting museums: the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art presents a magnificent collection of Ottoman art; the Museum of Musical Instruments brings together 1,200 ancient instruments used in Greek music; the Benaki Museum – Pireos is dedicated to conceptual and contemporary art; the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus has many ancient wonders such as the bronze statues of Apollo, Athena and Artemis; finally, the magnificent Cultural Center of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, designed by Renzo Piano, houses the Opera and the National Library of Greece.

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