External view of the Museum © Acropolis Museum.
Photo Nikos Daniilidis
This image was taken from the official Acropolis Museum website’s image library for media usage.
Acropolis Museum, Athens
Dionysiou Areopagitou 15 117 42 Αθήνα
Perhaps the most famous of Greece’s museums, this modern beauty of a museum is a well-oiled machine. With a spacious, well-planned layout, the design of the building truly allows the collection here to shine. In particular, the view of the Acropolis ties the museum to the origins of many of these artefacts. The pieces here are ones I grew up learning about, and that made it so special to final see these pieces come to life. For me the Karyatids of the Erechtheion were especially impactful to see. Overall, this museum is one that comes highly recommended. It’s a classic for a reason.
Tip: Certain pieces are not allowed to be photographed, and the museum has very clear rules regarding the usage of images of the material within the museum.
Benaki Museum, Athens
Koumpari 1, Athina 106 74, Greece
+30 21 0367 1000
This museum is unlike any other museum on this list. It serves as a museum that highlights ordinary life through the ages. It is very well curated, well organized, and has a very interesting area of material culture. Within the collection, you will see lovely jewelry, intricate costumes, recreated interiors with stunning carved and painted surfaces, and textiles, among other items. I particularly loved all the wood carvings, the woven textiles, and beautiful jewelry. Museums like these are a distinct reminder of the connections and similarities we share with people of the past. While culture and traditions shift, the core of humanity remains the same. This is great museum to see that highlights areas not often seen in other museums.
Archaeological Museum of Olympia
Archaia Olympia 270 65, Greece
+30 26 2402 2742
This museum is fabulous. It is a bit different from the others with its pairing of the archaeological site right next to the museum. There is a single ticket for both of these activities, making it easy to see both. Within the museum, there is an attention to detail, a well thought out layout, and the arrangement of the sculptures, but is not the largest museum. The size is large enough to be interesting, but small enough to be quite manageable. There are tons of artifacts to see, especially sculptures carved with immense detailing.
Tip: In the summer, it becomes quite hot. Since the archaeological park is outdoors, you get exposed to a lot of sun, so make sure to take precautions. Also, the museum does get warm in the summer, so don’t come in expecting the museum to be as frigid as an American museum can be.
Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Crete
Ξανθουδίδη και, Chatzidaki 1, Iraklio 712 02, Greece
+30 28 1027 9000
A great museum to look at an amazing collection of Minoan artifacts. The distinctive style of art and the fascinating Minoan culture are put on full display. The collection is well curated, quite large, and the information provided is well done. Paired with the Knossos Palace, and potential the Minoan Palace of Phaistos, you get a great a well-rounded view of the architecture and material culture local to this area. This is a must see on Crete.
Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
Manoli Andronikou 6, Thessaloniki 546 21, Greece
+30 23 1331 0201
Another fantastic museum. This museum is informative, well organized, and in good condition. While not the largest museum, the amazing collection is well worth a visit. With the Derveni Krater, the Derveni Papyrus, and the “Gold of Macedon” exhibition, this museum is a dream of interesting pieces. The papyrus in particular was fascinating for its historical value in being the oldest surviving European manuscript. The gold artifacts were simply lovely to see in beauty that has transcended the ages. If you are in Thessaloniki, take some time and explore this museum.
MUSEUMS TO SKIP
Archaeological Museum of Sparta
Λυκούργου, Agiou Nikonos &, Sparti 231 00, Greece
+30 27 3102 8575
This archaeological museum is small, but full of different cultural items found in Sparta. We visited Sparta due to a large interest in the history and archaeology. If you are in the area and very interested in Sparta, this could be a place to quickly stop and browse. However, I would not recommend coming here to the majority of people. There is so much to do in Greece, and this falls short of other activities and sites available to visit. It was a bit disappointing after having visited some of the other fantastic museums in Greece.
National Archaeological Museum, Athens
28is Oktovriou 44, Athina 106 82, Greece
+30 21 3214 4800
Perhaps my most controversial take, but I would skip the National Archaeological Museum. This museum is host to a massive collection of well-maintained artifacts and several impressive pieces. It is the largest museum in Greece, so many people enjoy spending hours here. I unfortunately did not seem to enjoy this much-loved museum. I found the museum to be poorly laid out, and the museum seemed to be in need of a renovation. I think I also tend to enjoy a bit more diversity in the types of artefacts within a museum that is of this scale. Of course, if you don’t need a this to enjoy a large museum, this could be a great one to see. I saw this museum after visiting several others, and the comparison made this museum less appealing to me. Personally, I would check-out some of Athens’ other fantastic museums before heading to this one.
