Benaki Museum: Discover Athens’s Premier “National Treasury” of Greek Art from Antiquity to Modernity

Claim to Fame

The Benaki Museum—the founding collection of Greek collector Antonis Benakis—spans 5,000 years of Hellenic art and culture, housed in a neoclassical mansion overlooking the Acropolis since 1931.

📌 Navigating Benaki Museum : Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Washrooms: Washrooms are available within the museum for visitor convenience.
Hours of Operation: The museum is typically open from 10 AM to 6 PM, with extended hours on certain days.
Important Information: It is advisable to check the museum's website for any special exhibitions or events before planning your visit.
Admission Fee: Admission fees vary, with discounts for students, seniors, and children; check the museum's website for current pricing.
How Long to Visit: A visit typically lasts between 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on interest in the exhibitions.
Parking: Limited parking is available nearby, but public transportation is encouraged due to city traffic.
Family Friendly: The Benaki Museum is family-friendly, offering educational programs and activities for children.
Photography: Photography is permitted in certain areas, but flash and tripods are not allowed.
WIFI: Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the museum for visitors.
Picnic Area: There is no designated picnic area on the museum grounds.
Handicap Accessible: The museum is handicap accessible, with ramps and elevators for ease of movement.
Pets: Pets are not allowed inside the museum, with the exception of service animals.
Guided Tours: Guided tours are available, offering insights into the museum's extensive collection and history.
Restaurant or Cafe: The museum features a café offering snacks and refreshments, as well as a restaurant for more substantial meals.
Gift Shop: A gift shop is located on-site, selling books, souvenirs, and art-related merchandise.

📌Heads up: All times, prices and visitor policies are subject to change without notice. Please check the official website for the most recent information.

Photos of Benaki Museum

Perched on the leafy corner of Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and Koumbari Street, the Benaki Museum unfolds across period rooms, vaulted galleries, and contemporary annexes. Its encyclopedic holdings range from Mycenaean gold and classical sculpture to Byzantine icons, Ottoman textiles, and 20th-century Greek painting. Rotating special exhibitions and a vibrant calendar of lectures, concerts, and workshops make it a dynamic hub for Athens’s art lovers and history enthusiasts.

What to Expect

Enter through the grand neoclassical portico into the original Benaki mansion. On the ground floor, trace the arc of Greek civilization: admire the Bronze Age fresco fragments, classical pottery, and Hellenistic jewelry. Ascend to the first floor’s Byzantine hall to see luminous icons and ecclesiastical vestments. In the neoclassical rooms, period furniture and portraits evoke 19th-century Greek society. Cross into the modern wing for contemporary art installations, design objects, and photography projects. Throughout, museum labels and multimedia guides narrate each era’s aesthetic and cultural significance.

Background and Cultural Context

In 1930, distinguished collector Antonis Benakis donated his private holdings to the Greek state, establishing a public museum dedicated to the nation’s artistic heritage. Housed in his family’s 1840s townhouse, the institution expanded in 2000 with a purpose-built annex by architect P. & A. Tombazis. Today the Benaki Museum Network includes outposts for Islamic art, Pireos street “Garage” contemporary space, and the SNFCC Design Museum—underscoring its mission to preserve and recontextualize Greek art amid global dialogues.

Best Time to Visit

Weekday mornings (9–11 AM) offer a quieter circuit through the neoclassical rooms and Byzantine gallery before guided tours arrive. Late afternoons (3–5 PM) flood light across the Acropolis Gallery’s panoramic windows. Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) bring mild weather for exploring the museum café terrace. Avoid Saturday afternoons when locals descend for weekend programs and school groups fill the galleries.

How to Get There

The Benaki Museum sits at 1 Koumbari Street, Athens 106 74. Metro: Red Line (M3) to Evangelismos station, then a 5-minute walk east along Vasilissis Sofias Avenue. Bus: routes 550, A1, and A2 stop nearby on Vasilissis Sofias. Taxis may drop off on Koumbari Street. The entrance, galleries, and café terrace are fully wheelchair-accessible via ramp; elevators connect all floors.

Photo Opportunities

Sunlit façade of the neoclassical mansion framed by flowering plane trees on Koumbari Street
Close-up of a 10th-century Byzantine icon’s gold-ground details in the Icon Gallery
Panorama of the Acropolis through the windows of the museum’s Acropolis Gallery café
Display of Mycenaean gold funerary masks under focused gallery lighting
Contemporary installation in the modern annex’s glass-walled atrium

Travel Tips

Purchase combined-ticket for the main museum and the Pireos Street “Garage” space to save time and money.
Allow at least 2 hours to see the core permanent collection; 3–4 hours for special exhibitions and café break.
Download the Benaki app for audio guides in multiple languages and interactive maps.
Visit the museum shop for high-quality reproductions, design objects, and scholarly catalogues.
Combine your visit with a stroll up Vasilissis Sofias to the nearby Museum of Cycladic Art and the Byzantine & Christian Museum.

FAQs

Is admission required?
Yes—general admission is €9; reduced €5 for students and seniors; free for children under 18 and on European Museum Night (May). Special exhibitions may incur an extra fee.

Are guided tours available?
Yes—daily group tours in English and Greek depart at 11 AM; private guided visits can be booked through the museum’s website.

Can I attend events?
Absolutely—concerts, lectures, and family workshops are listed online; some require advance reservation and a small fee.

Is photography allowed?
Non-flash photography is permitted in most public areas; please refrain from tripods and respect signage in special exhibitions.

Final Thoughts

The Benaki Museum stands as a cornerstone of Athens’s cultural life—where each gallery reveals new connections between Greece’s ancient roots and modern creativity. Whether you come to study its iconic collections, attend a contemporary art talk, or simply savor coffee with a view of the Acropolis, the Benaki invites a rich journey through 5,000 years of Hellenic art and history.

Things To Do near Benaki Museum

Plaka

The Distance from Benaki Museum to Plaka is 0.6 Kilometer(s) / 0.4 Mile(s)

guard at the Hellenic Parliament

The Distance from Benaki Museum to guard at the Hellenic Parliament is 0.6 Kilometer(s) / 0.4 Mile(s)

National Garden of Athens

The Distance from Benaki Museum to National Garden of Athens is 0.8 Kilometer(s) / 0.5 Mile(s)

Panathenaic Stadium

The Distance from Benaki Museum to Panathenaic Stadium is 1.3 Kilometer(s) / 0.8 Mile(s)

Temple of Olympian Zeus

The Distance from Benaki Museum to Temple of Olympian Zeus is 1.6 Kilometer(s) / 1 Mile(s)

Lycabettus Hill

The Distance from Benaki Museum to Lycabettus Hill is 1.8 Kilometer(s) / 1.1 Mile(s)

Acropolis Museum

The Distance from Benaki Museum to Acropolis Museum is 2.3 Kilometer(s) / 1.4 Mile(s)

Acropolis

The Distance from Benaki Museum to Acropolis is 2.4 Kilometer(s) / 1.5 Mile(s)

Ancient Agora

The Distance from Benaki Museum to Ancient Agora is 2.6 Kilometer(s) / 1.6 Mile(s)

National Archaeological Museum

The Distance from Benaki Museum to National Archaeological Museum is 2.6 Kilometer(s) / 1.6 Mile(s)

📘 Athens Visitors Travel Information

Time Zone: Athens operates on Eastern European Time (EET), which is UTC +2. During Daylight Saving Time (late March to late October), it shifts to UTC +3.

Weather: Athens has a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Summer temperatures often exceed 35°C (95°F), while winter temperatures generally stay between 8°C and 15°C (46°F to 59°F). Rainfall is most common from November to March.

Population: Athens has a population of around 3.2 million in the metropolitan area, making it the largest city in Greece. The city is a major cultural, political, and economic hub with continuous habitation dating back over 3,000 years.

Size: Athens covers an area of about 412 square kilometers (159 square miles) and is located in the Attica region of Greece. Surrounded by mountains and the Saronic Gulf, the city features a mix of ancient ruins and modern neighborhoods.

Language: Greek is the official language spoken in Athens. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, especially by younger generations and those working in hospitality and retail.

Currency: The official currency is the Euro (EUR). Credit cards are accepted in most establishments, but cash is often preferred in small shops, markets, and taxis. ATMs are widely available.

Safety: Athens is generally safe for tourists. Petty crimes like pickpocketing can occur, especially in crowded areas and public transportation. Visitors should remain alert and take standard safety precautions.

Tipping: Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in Athens. Rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% in restaurants is common. Small tips for taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides are also appreciated.

Electricity and Plugs: Greece uses 230V electricity at 50Hz. Plug types C and F are standard. Travelers from North America and other regions will need a plug adapter and possibly a voltage converter.

Water: Tap water in Athens is generally safe to drink, especially in the city. In some rural areas or islands, bottled water is recommended due to differences in taste or mineral content.

Annual Visitors: Athens receives over 6 million international visitors annually, attracted by its rich historical landmarks such as the Acropolis, Parthenon, and ancient Agora, as well as its lively neighborhoods and Mediterranean cuisine.

Visa Requirements: Citizens of EU countries and many others do not need a visa for short visits to Greece. Non-EU visitors should check the Schengen visa rules. A valid passport is required for entry.

Health & Vaccinations: No vaccinations are required to enter Greece. Routine vaccinations such as measles, tetanus, and hepatitis A are recommended. Summer travelers may also consider sun protection and mosquito precautions.

Transportation: Athens has an extensive public transportation network, including buses, trams, and a modern metro system. Taxis are widely available and relatively affordable. Walking is practical in the historic center.

Food: Greek cuisine in Athens includes iconic dishes such as souvlaki, moussaka, spanakopita, and fresh seafood. Local markets and tavernas offer traditional meals, while modern restaurants showcase innovative Greek cooking.

Etiquette & Cultural Norms: Greek culture values hospitality and family. It’s polite to greet with a handshake or a smile. Respect for elders and traditions is important. Dress modestly when visiting churches or religious sites.

Telecommunications & Connectivity: Wi-Fi is widely available in Athens, including cafes, hotels, and public spaces. Mobile coverage is strong, and local SIM cards with data plans are affordable and easy to purchase.

Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is recommended for visitors to Athens. While Greece has a public healthcare system, non-EU travelers are responsible for all medical costs without coverage.

Did You Know? - Facts About Benaki Museum

The museum was founded in 1930 by Antonis Benakis, a prominent Greek collector, and is housed in his family’s neoclassical mansion in the heart of Athens.

The museum is also known for its extensive collection of Greek folk art, featuring traditional costumes, textiles, and everyday objects from across the country.

In addition to its permanent collection, the Benaki Museum hosts temporary exhibitions, cultural events, and educational programs, making it a vibrant cultural hub in Athens.

The Benaki Museum in Athens houses an extensive collection of Greek art and artifacts, spanning from prehistoric times to the present day.

The Benaki Museum’s collection includes everything from ancient Greek pottery and Byzantine icons to modern art, offering a comprehensive view of Greek history and culture.