The Most Visited Museums in Greece

With one of the world’s best collections of Greek antiquities this museum tells the story of the rise of Athens and Greece. Its sculpture collection is unparalleled.

Located in Kifissia not far from the center of Athens this museum has several different collections. You will find sculptures, vases and minor objects.

1. Archaeological Museum of Athens

The Archaeological Museum of Athens is the largest and best archaeological museum in Greece with an impressive collection covering more than 11,000 exhibits. This vast array of antiquities ranges from prehistoric to late antiquity. Despite the huge number of items on display, the museum never felt crowded during our visit, thanks to the careful and thoughtful layout. The museum is housed in a grand lemon-coloured neoclassical mansion and is divided into a series of rooms and annexes. Take your time to admire the ancient tools and findings in the Collection of Prehistoric Antiquities, then marvel at the evolution of Greek sculpture across the ages in the Collection of Sculpture Works.

The most famous artifacts at the Archaeological Museum of Athens include the bronze life-size statue of Zeus/Posiedon (Epinetra), a golden helmet from the battle of Troy, and the rusted bronze Antikythera mechanism, which is believed to have been used for navigation in the early twenties BCE. There are also a number of beautiful and elaborate gold masks, daggers, jewellery and other items on display.

The Archaeological Museum of Athens was founded in 1829, the first museum established after the Greek revolutionary struggle and liberation from Ottoman rule. It is located in Exarcheia, close to Athens Polytechnic University and can be reached by taxi (5 minutes), metro (10 minutes) or a 25-minute walk from the Plaka/Acropolis area. It is open 7 days a week and ticket prices are reasonable. Special ticket packages are available to include this museum, the Byzantine & Christian Museum and Numismatic Museum for one price. Book tickets here. Alternatively, the Archaeological Museum is included in most Athens multi-attraction passes. Check out the full list of Athens pass options here.

It is impossible to get acquainted with the sights of Greece in one day, as well as in a week, but you can see the maximum number of new places with the help of a rented car at one of the country's airports. For example, in Athens you can rent a car from 17 euros per day, in Corfu - from 16 euros per day.

2. Byzantine & Christian Museum

Renovated in 2004, this magnificent museum is one of the best collections of Byzantine Art in the world. Housed in the villa of Ilissia, it displays a dazzling array of icons, sculptures and frescoes from the Christian culture from 3rd century AD till recently. The exhibits are organized and categorized into sections so that they can be easily viewed.

Among the most interesting exhibits here are Coptic priestly vestments, pottery and armor along with paintings, manuscripts and frescoes. It has a collection of over 25,000 items and is one of the top places to visit in Greece for the lovers of devotional art. It is also famous for the intricate mosaics and beautiful icons which it preserves.

The Byzantine & Christian Museum is located in the heart of Athens and is close to many other attractions including Kolonaki, National Garden and Cycladic Museum. This makes it an ideal place to explore during a day of sightseeing in the Greek capital. It also features on many tours of the city’s top museums and can be a part of a package that includes other highlights like Acropolis, Agora and Aristotle’s Lyceum.

Whether you want to take a guided tour or just stroll around the exhibits on your own, this museum is an absolute must-see in Athens. If you are visiting the museum on your own, it will take a few hours to complete the entire visit. It is recommended to plan your time accordingly so that you can see all the exhibits in one go. To make the most of your visit, check the ticket prices and timings of the museum online. You can also book your tickets in advance to avoid any last minute hassles.

3. National Archaeological Museum

The National Archaeological Museum is a museum of treasures displaying the most famous finds from archeological sites in Greece. It is also a major repository for artifacts collected by the Greek state. The museum contains a huge library, a photographic archive and chemical laboratories.

Located right opposite the Parthenon and resembling the structure of its hallowed rock, the museum has a staggered design that allows for easy access to its collections. It is the largest archaeological museum in Greece with a collection of more than 11,000 exhibits.

It offers a panorama of the history of ancient Greek civilization from prehistory to late antiquity. One of the museum's main highlights is the collection of antique bronzes which is the largest in the world. Other standouts include the golden death mask of king Agamemnon, a helmet of Miltiades, the Athenian general who won the Battle of Marathon against the Persians and a Mycenaean warrior vase depicting soldiers marching to war as their loved ones bid them farewell. There is also a room dedicated to the magnificent treasures found by Schliemann in Mycenae and another one to Santorini with its enchanting wall paintings of boxers.

A visit to the National Archaeological Museum is like a time travel adventure in real life! You could easily spend several hours here exploring the exhibits. You can purchase a combined ticket with the Epigraphic Museum, Byzantine & Christian Museum and Numismatic Museum at the entrance for a discounted rate. This is a must-visit on your next trip to Athens. The museum is open everyday from 9:30am to 5:30pm except on January 1, Easter Sunday and public holidays. Special discounts are available for groups and students.

4. National Museum of Contemporary Art

Founded in 2000, the National Museum of Contemporary Art (aka EMST) is one of Athens’ most important cultural institutions. Its collection includes paintings, installations, photographs and sculptures of both Greek and international artists such as Vlassis Caniaris, Nikos Kessanlis, Sirin Nesat and Nan Goldin.

Its main exhibition space is housed in the former Fix Brewery building, a fine example of post-war industrial architecture in the Koukaki neighborhood. EMST’s collections are displayed throughout the building, which also houses classrooms, a library and museum shop.

The highlight of the NMCA is its extensive collection of bronzes, with more than 14,000 pieces on display. There are also a number of ancient glass and ceramic vessels as well as figurines, cauldrons and weapons.

Another standout is the museum’s Numismatic Museum, which boasts one of the most extensive coin collections in the world. The collection dates back to the 14th century BC and is sure to enchant anyone with an interest in antiquity.

There are also numerous inscriptions and fragments of marble statues to be found here, including 36 of the original 115 Parthenon frieze panels that capture snippets of good-natured divinity and humanity, such as the goddess Athena fastening her sandal or the helmet of Miltiades, the Athenian general who won the marathon battle against the Persians.

During your trip to Athens, be sure to stop by this fascinating and diverse museum. It’s easy to see why it has quickly become a popular attraction, with the impressive displays of antiquities providing an eye-opening glimpse into Greece’s history and ancient ways. A special ticket package is available that allows you to visit the Acropolis, Byzantine & Christian and Numismatic museums all for the price of one!

5. National Museum of Greece

The National Archaeological Museum of Greece is the country’s largest and one of its most important museums, with an impressive collection of ancient Greek art. Over 11,000 exhibits are gathered here from all corners of the Greek world and the ages, offering an extraordinary panorama of ancient civilisation from prehistory to late antiquity. The highlights of this incredible museum include the famous bronze Charioteer, as well as a remarkable sculpture and metalwork collection including works by Praxiteles and other acclaimed artists. Other standout pieces are the enigmatic Mask of Agamemnon and the time-calculating mechanism called the Antikythera, which resembles a modern analog computer. Moreover, the Museum displays some of the treasures found in the Oracle, temples and treasuries of Delphi, one of the most renowned ancient sites for divination and prophecy.

Built between 1866 and 1889, this imposing neoclassical building was first constructed to house the numerous excavation finds made during the 19th century in Athens and its surroundings. In the following years it was expanded with items from all over Greece and today is regarded as one of the most comprehensive archaeological collections in the whole of Europe.

It’s a true “museum of civilizations” that offers visitors a unique chance to take a journey through the history of one of the oldest and most fascinating cultures in the world. This impressive collection, with its utilitarian objects as well as works of art, makes the National Museum of Greece one of the most visited museums in Greece and a must-see for all travelers visiting Athens.

Some of the other highlights that are worth exploring in this remarkable museum are the superb frescoes from Knossos, which depict athletes, dancers and other scenes that seem to reach across the millennia and touch us today. And of course, the beautiful Caryatids, which are positioned exactly where they were originally situated on the Acropolis when they were used as supports for the Erechteion.