Why You Should Visit the National Archaeological Museum Of Athens

If this is your first time visiting the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, you might be a bit overwhelmed by the vastness of its collection. Don’t worry, we have you covered.

When you visit Athens, it is certain that the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum are among your top priorities.

Perhaps you also plan to visit the Ancient Agora, the Temple of Hephaestus, and some other archaeological sites or amazing Athens museums.

However, you will be making a severe omission if you decide to skip the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, probably the best museum of its kind in the world.

The largest archaeological museum in Greece was established in 1829 and was relocated to its current neoclassical building in 1889.

It was designed to keep and display Greece’s most significant archaeological discoveries, essentially being a trove of ancient treasures and rich history.

Its comprehensive collections range from prehistoric times to the Roman period, tracing the evolution of Greek civilization and its influence on the wider Mediterranean world.

Because it houses over 11.000 items today it might appear quite daunting to the first time visitor.

That is why we selected the best parts of its vast collection to help you focus, further highlighting specific artifacts you shouldn’t miss.

We hope that this will make your visit pleasant and unforgettable.

The Collections Of The Museum

1. Prehistoric Antiquities

From the Neolithic period to the end of the Mycenaean civilization, these artifacts are testament of the artistry of early Greek cultures.

Neolithic Antiquities 

Tools, ceramics, and statues reveal the origin of human settlement in Greece and provide insight into the domestic and agricultural life of the time. 

Don’t miss: the Thinker clay statue, a first-time representation of early symbolic thinking.

Cycladic Antiquities

The minimal, abstract marble statuettes of the Cycladic civilization are the most celebrated products of the Aegean Bronze Age and have inspired modern artists worldwide. 

Don’t miss: the statuettes of the harpist and the double flutist, as well as the delicately cut female statue with folded arms.

Antiquities From Thera (Santorini)

The volcanic eruption in the island of Thera (modern day Santorini) preserved entire settlements and within them many important artifacts and frescoes depicting daily life.

Don’t miss: the renowned and beautiful Spring and Boxing Children frescoes.

Mycenaean Antiquities

Copper weapons, elaborate jewelry and gold funerary masks are some of the marvels of the Mycenaean civilization at the end of the Bronze Era.

Don’t miss: the impressive gold Mask of Agamemnon, found in his royal tomb at Mycenae, and the lavish gold signet rings.

2. Marble Sculptures

From the rigidity of the Archaic period to the dramatic complexity of the Hellenistic period, Greek sculpting artistry evolved significantly through the years.

Archaic Period

Sculptures of this era, especially the “kouros” and “kore” (male and female youths) statues, are characterized by rigid poses and the enigmatic “Archaic smile.” 

Don’t miss: the gigantic Kouros of Sounion and the lifesize Kouros of Anavyssos.

Classical Period

This period signals the shift to a more idealized human and naturalistic form in sculpting, often with dynamic movement.

Don’t miss: the magnificent marble statue of an athlete binding his hair and the finely carved fabrics of the marble grave stele of Hegeso.

Hellenistic Period

The Hellenistic period sculptures became more expressive and more dramatic, giving emphasis on movement and emotion.

Don’t miss: the marble group of Aphrodite, Pan and Eros, from Delos and the ultra cute Statuette of a Boy from Lamia.

3. Metal Sculptures And Metalwork

The technical proficiency of ancient Greek metalworkers is evident in the sculptures, the jewelry and the weapons from different periods.

Geometric Period

Stylized human and animal forms, often looking like abstract modern art, is the main characteristic of this era.

Don’t miss: the very contemporary looking bronze figurine of a Mare with her Foal from the 8th century BC.

Classical Period

Just like in classical marble sculpting, this period produced some of the finest bronze sculptures, showcasing perfect anatomy and movement.

Don’t miss: the exquisite bronze statues of Poseidon (or Zeus, depending whether he was holding a trident or a thunderbolt) and the Youth of Antikythera found in a shipwreck.

Hellenistic Period

Again, like their marble counterparts, metal Hellenistic sculptures developed further the artistic drama in expressions and movement.

Don’t miss: the bronze statue of a Horse and a young Jockey of Artemision, a mesmerizing display of motion and anatomical detail, one of the top highlights of the National Archaeological Museum Of Athens.

Roman Period

The Roman Empire held the Greek art of sculpting to the highest pedestal and showed its appreciation by continuing on the same tradition.

Don’t miss: the magnificently detailed and lifelike bronze statue of the Emperor Augustus, found in the Aegean Sea.

4. Vases And Minor Arts

Ancient Greek pottery and other quotidian arts and crafts are the most revealing sources about daily life, mythology and practices of the ancient Greek world.

Geometric Period

Vases from this period, often used in funerary rituals, are adorned with intricate linear patterns, meanders, and narrative scenes.

Don’t miss: the monumental funerary Amphora by the Dipylon Master, one of the most celebrated vase painters of the time.

Archaic Period

This period was dominated by the prevalence of the “black-figure” technique, done by painting the outline black and then cutting away the details.

Don’t miss: the delicately detailed Corinthian trefoil oinochoe with lid and the impressive Melian Crater.

Classical Period

A switch from the black-figure to the more detailed and expressive red-figure pottery is the major characteristic of this era.

Don’t miss: the dynamic -and somewhat comical- Attic red-figure pelike, depicting Hercules about to kill the king of Egypt by throwing one of his priests at him!

Hellenistic Period

The Hellenistic period saw the introduction of new materials and the development of new techniques in both pottery and other crafts.

Don’t miss: the fine Two-handled Glass (yes, glass!) Bowl and the golden Wreath with Ivy Leaves, as well as all the elaborate golden jewelry.

5. Cypriot Antiquities

The National Archaeological Museum Of Athens also holds a small yet significant collection of Cypriot antiquities.

This collection showcases the strong cultural and aesthetic bonds between the Greek and the Cypriot civilizations since ancient times.

Don’t miss: the enigmatic Head of a Bearded Youth and the lavish gold earrings with sculpted bull’s heads.

6. Egyptian Antiquities

The Egyptian collection of the museum, one of the most prominent of its kind outside Egypt, takes pride in the quality and rarity of its artifacts.

It consists of the donations of two Greek expatriates from Egypt and it demonstrates the strong presence and influence of the local Greek community.

Don’t miss: the elegant and masterfully painted funerary Portraits of Fayum as well as several important sarcophagi.

So, there you are! Now, you have a good selection of things to focus on during your visit to the museum so you won’t feel lost.

National Archaeological Museum Of Athens: Private Guided Tours

If you would like to dive a little deeper into the exhibits and the history, you can always book a private guided tour.

You can choose between this highly rated tour and this more affordable tour.

The Museum Café

If during your visit you feel that you need a break, don’t forget to visit the excellent museum café for refreshments.

Located in a beautiful enclosed flowery courtyard, the café usually holds art exhibitions you can also enjoy.

And you know the best thing?

You don’t need a ticket to access the café!

Tickets And Operating Hours

As we have already mentioned in the “How To Escape The Crowds In Athens Guide“, a good piece of advice is to book your tickets online in order to avoid waiting in long queues.

You can book your tickets at the best price from the Official Ticketing Platform.

Admission fee at the door costs 12€ from April 1st until October 31st and 6€ from November 1st until March 31st.

The National Archaeological Museum of Athens is open during the following hours:

November 1st – March 31st

Tuesday: 13:00 – 20:00

From Wednesday until Monday: 08:30 – 15:30

April 1st – October 31st

Tuesday: 13:00 – 20:00

From Wednesday to Monday: 08:00 – 20:00

Please note that the museum is closed on December 25th – 26th, January 1st,  March 25th, May 1st and Orthodox Easter Sunday.

How To Get To The National Archaeological Museum of Athens

The museum is located at 44 Patission Street in the heart of central Athens.

You can access the National Archaeological Museum by a variety of ways using public transportation:

Metro & Electric train: Omonoia or Victoria station

Bus: Β5, Α6, Β6, Ε6, Α7, Β7, Ε7, Α8, Β8, Α12, Β12, Γ12, Ε12, 022, 035, 046, 060, 200, 224, 605, 608, 622

Trolley: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14

For more information visit the Official Website of the National Archaeological Museum

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I hope you enjoyed this guide to the National Archaeological Museum of Athens!

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