The National Archaeological Museum is one of the world’s greatest museums and the largest in Greece. Originally meant to house artifacts found in and around Athens during the 19th century, it gradually expanded to display finds from across the country.

It now holds around 11,000 exhibits covering Greek history from the Prehistoric times to Late Antiquity.
The neoclassical building was constructed between 1866 and 1889, designed by German architect Ernst Ziller. New wings have been added over the years.

Location and Getting There

The museum sits on Patission Avenue (28is Oktovriou) in central Athens. The easiest way to reach it is by metro as it’s 5 minutes on foot from Viktoria Station (green line) or 10 minutes from Omonoia Station (red or green lines).

Multiple buses and trolleybuses stop nearby:

• buses B5, A6, B6, E6, A7, B7, E7, A8, B8, A12, B12
• trolleybuses 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14.

There’s no on-site parking but private lots are available on Mpoumpoulinas Street, Zaimi Street, and Alexandras Avenue.

Tickets and Hours

As of January 2026, admission is €20 year-round (no seasonal pricing).

Reduced tickets (50% off) are available for EU citizens over 65 (October-May), students, and other eligible groups. There’s free admission for children under 18.

Hours:
• Winter (November 16-March 31): Wednesday-Monday 8:30 AM-3:30 PM, Tuesday 1-8 PM
• Summer (April 1-October 31): Wednesday-Monday 8 AM-8 PM, Tuesday 1-8 PM

Closed: January 1, March 25, May 1, Easter Sunday, December 25-26

Galleries start clearing 20 minutes before closing.

Free Admission Days

Free entry for all visitors on specific national holidays and cultural dates throughout the year. Check the Ministry of Culture website for the full list.

Permanent Collections

The museum houses five main collections:

• The Prehistoric Collection – Works from Neolithic, Cycladic, and Mycenaean civilizations, plus artifacts from the prehistoric settlement at Thera (Santorini).
• The Sculpture Collection – Ancient Greek sculptures from the 7th to 5th century BC.
• The Vase and Minor Objects Collection – Greek pottery from the 11th century BC through the Roman period, plus the Stathatos Collection.
• The Metallurgy Collection – Bronze statues, figurines, and small objects.
• Egyptian and Near Eastern Antiquities Collection – A unique collection in Greece, spanning 5000 BC to the Roman conquest.

What the Museum Does

The museum runs conservation labs for pottery, metal, stone, and organic materials, plus photography and chemistry labs. It maintains a constantly updated library and photographic archive.

It hosts archaeological lectures in its own lecture hall and functions as a research center for scholars worldwide. Temporary exhibitions are organized both in Greece and abroad.

Highlights

The entire museum is worth seeing, but don’t miss:
• The Mask of Agamemnon
• The Theseus Ring
• Aphrodite and Pan from Delos
• The Harp Player from Keros
• Nestor’s Cup
• The Poseidon of Cape Artemision
• The Youth from Antikythera
• Jockey of Artemision
• Antikythera mechanism (ancient mechanical calculator)
• The spring fresco from Santorini
• The Diadoumenos of Delos
• Marble Sirens
• Statue of the goddess Themis

Visiting Tips

Plan at least 2-3 hours to cover the major sections without rushing. Weekday mornings (8-11 AM) are the quietest. Tuesday afternoons see fewer visitors since the museum opens later.

Photography is allowed without flash but you can’t use tripods.

The museum is fully wheelchair accessible with ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms. Wheelchairs are available at the information desk. Visitors with vision loss can request access to 20 touchable sculptures.

There’s a free cloakroom for small bags. And museum shop sells books, replicas, and gifts. Also, there’s free Wi-Fi throughout.

>>Read more about other Museums in Athens