National Archaeological Museum Athens

Quick information

ADDRESS

28is Oktovriou 44, Athina 106 82, Greece

RECOMMENDED DURATION

4 hours

Timings

8am–8pm

VISITORS PER YEAR

500000

TICKETS

From € 15

NUMBER OF ENTRANCES

EXPECTED WAIT TIME - STANDARD

30-60 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

EXPECTED WAIT TIME - SKIP THE LINE

0-30 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

Plan your visit

Did you know?

Established in 1829, the National Archaeological Museum stands as the first museum of the independent Greek state. Initially located in Aegina, the first capital, it moved to Athens in 1834 when the capital shifted and officially opened its doors in 1889.

The museum is housed in a graceful neoclassical building from the 19th century.

As the largest museum in Greece, it encompasses an area of 8,000 m² divided into numerous halls showcasing an outstanding collection of antiquities with over 11,000 exhibits. The museum possesses one of the world's most extensive and impressive bronze collections.

History of the Athens National Archaeological Museum

1829: After Greece’s liberation from the Ottoman Empire, the Archaeological Museum of Athens houses its first collection on the island of Aegina.

1834: The museum’s collection is moved to Athens and kept at the Temple of Hephaestus.

1866: Architect Ludwig Lange offers a design plan for the museum, which is later improvised by Panagis Kalgo, Armodios Vlachos, and Ernst Ziller.

1866 to 1889: The Greek government, with generous donations from the likes of Eleni Tositsa, begins the construction of Athens’ first independent archaeological museum.

1891 to 1900s: The museum grows its collection with donations from significant archaeological sites around the world.

1939 to 1945: During World War I, the Athens Archaeological Museum hides its collections to prevent them from being damaged or stolen.

1980s to 1990s: The authorities add climate control systems to make visitors feel more comfortable when exploring the exhibits.

2002 to 2004: To prepare for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, the museum adds new exhibition halls and improves its facilities.

2010 to 2024: The National Archaeological Museum in Athens continues to add advanced digital displays to enhance visitor experience.

Who built the Archaeological Museum in Athens?

The National Archaeological Museum of Athens was constructed in 1889. The idea for an independent archaeological museum was sowed after the country’s liberation from the Ottoman regime in 1829. A renowned architect of the time, Ludwig Lange, initiated the design process and laid out a plan, which was later improvised by the likes of Ernst Ziller, Panagis Kalgo, and Armodios Vlachos. The museum originally intended to house antiquities only from Athens. However, at present, the museum has over 11,000 exhibits spanning centuries of Greek civilization.

Frequently asked questions about the Athens National Archaeological Museum

How big is the National Archaeological Museum of Athens?

The museum is built on 8,000 square meters and houses over 11,000 exhibits, spanning the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman periods of the Greek civilization. A renowned architect of the time, Ludwig Lange had laid out the first design plan of the museum in 1866, which was later improvised to build its current Neoclassical building.

When was it opened to the public?

Ludwig Lange, a famous architect, had laid out the first design plan for the Athens Archaeological Museum in 1886. After significant improvisations by Panagis Kalgo, Armodios Vlachos, and Ernst Ziller, the museum was opened to the public in 1889. It was the first national archaeological museum of the independent Greek state.

What are the most famous artifacts on display at the museum?

The National Archaeological Museum of Athens provides a wealth of information on Greek civilization through exhibits, audio-guided tours, and interactive displays. Among its 11,000 exhibits, the Antikythera mechanism, Mycenean Warrior Vase, Artemision bronze statue, and the gold mask of Agamemnon are some must-see highlights.

Can I see the original Parthenon sculptures at the Athens Archaeological Museum?

The museum displays a significant portion of the Parthenon frieze, adorned with statues, depicting scenes from the Panathenaic procession, held in honor of the Goddess Athena. While the National Archaeological Museum in Athens does not house the majority of the original frieze slabs, they provide a wealth of information for anyone interested in learning more about ancient Greek history.

What is the Mycenean collection known for?

The Mycenean collection in the Athens National Archaeological Museum is known for housing artifacts uncovered from the Late Bronze Age (around 1600 to 1100 BC). Its most famous piece is the gold death mask of Agamemnon, which was used to cover the face of a deceased noble from around that time. The collection’s Linear B clay tablets are one of the earliest forms of Greek writing. The Mycenean Warrior vase, adorned with imagery of soldiers heading to war, also offers a closer look at their artistic achievements and social customs.

Does the National Archaeological Museum in Athens have any Egyptian artifacts?

The Egyptian antiquities at the Archaeological Museum in Athens house objects from the New Kingdom period, known for their artistic endeavors. Their well-preserved mummies, decorated wooden coffins, sarcophagi, and funerary objects like canopic jars and ushabtis offer visitors a closer glimpse into the burial rituals and beliefs in the afterlife of ancient Egyptians.

Are there any interactive exhibits at this museum?

The Athens National Archaeological Museum offers audio-guided tours, engaging digital displays, and advanced augmented reality simulations, which instantly transport you to a mythical world. One such VR experience you must try is Odysseus’ ship, where you can feel what it must have been like to be the Homeric hero, battling the Cyclops and sirens to return to Athens.

Are there any special events or exhibitions happening at the Archaeological Museum of Athens?

The National Archaeological Museum of Athens hosts a number of temporary exhibitions, workshops, and talks by eminent historians and archaeologists, as well as engaging educational displays for visitors of all ages. An exhibition that recently caught the attention of several visitors is the ‘Shadows of Fire’ by Andreas Nikolaidis. The artist used fire to shape his materials and create abstract pieces, which examine the connection between the past and the present, reality and imagination, and light and shadow.