It comes as no surprise that Athens, a city with such rich history and centuries-old culture, is abundant in remarkable museums and superb art collections. Here’s our list of the top 5 museums you’d want to visit during your vacation in the Greek capital.
The Acropolis Museum
If you had time for just one museum during your stay in Athens, then you should definitely go for the magnificent New Acropolis Museum. The latter is one of the most important museums in the world and it showcases artifacts that have been found in the Acropolis. In terms of architecture, the building of the museum is an attraction in its own right while views to the actual Acropolis from the museum are simply stunning.
The Acropolis Museum is quite popular so it can get really crowded. For a hassle-free and memorable experience, we suggest you book a skip-the-line guided tour of the museum in advance.
National Archaeological Museum
Housed in a gorgeous neoclassical building, the National Archaeological Museum boasts the largest collection of findings from Ancient Greece. There are thousands of items on display so make sure you have plenty of time at your disposal when you visit. After your visit, you can relax at the museum’s splendid garden café before leaving.
Benaki Museum
Technically, Benaki Museum is a complex of various separate museums that are scattered across the city. These include the Museum of Islamic Art, the Museum of Greek Culture as well as smaller collections housed in the former residences or workshops of prominent Greek personalities of the past.
National Historical Museum
Housed in the Athens Old Parliament Building, the National Historical Museum narrates the history of Modern Greece from 1453 to the present day, with an emphasis on the Greek War of Independence (1821) and the process through which Greece became an independent state thereafter.
Museum of the City of Athens
Since you’re in Athens, why not spend some time learning about the history of the city itself? Housed in a gorgeous mansion that once was the residence of King Otto and Queen Amalia, the Museum of the City of Athens documents the history of Athens ever since it became the official capital of Greece back in 1834.