Attraction
Acropolis of Athens
The rocky citadel above Athens crowned by the Parthenon, Erechtheion, Propylaea and Temple of Athena Nike, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
Benaki Museum of Greek Culture
Antonis Benakis's family mansion opposite the National Garden, tracing Greek art and culture from prehistory to the 20th century in one building.
At a glance
- Type
- Museum of Greek culture
- Area
- Kolonaki, Athens, Greece
- Official site
- benaki.org
Good to know
- Temporary exhibitions
- Museum shop
- Café
Why we recommend it
The Benaki Museum is the best place in Athens to see the whole sweep of Greek culture under one roof. It was founded in 1930 by the collector Antonis Benakis in memory of his father Emmanuel, and in 1931 he gave the state his family mansion along with his collection. The main building, now called the Museum of Greek Culture, stands on the corner of Koumbari Street and Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, facing the National Garden, and it was renovated and reopened in 2000.
Where the city's archaeological museums focus on antiquity, the Benaki follows the story forward. The galleries are arranged chronologically, beginning with prehistoric and ancient pieces and continuing through Byzantine and later periods up to the 20th century. The museum holds well over 100,000 objects across its branches, and the main building concentrates on secular and ecclesiastical art, historical heirlooms and ancient Greek art.
Look out for the two reconstructed reception rooms from 18th- and 19th-century mansions in northern Greece, with carved wooden panelling and gilded ceilings, and for the ecclesiastical art, from icons to church furnishings. Historical heirlooms from the War of Independence help explain how the modern state came about, and temporary exhibitions are held regularly.
The museum family has grown well beyond this building. The Benaki Museum of Islamic Art is in Kerameikos, the Pireos 138 annex hosts large contemporary and photography exhibitions, and the Ghika Gallery is devoted to the painter Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika. If you have time for only one, the main building gives the broadest overview.
Allow two hours. The museum suits anyone who wants to understand modern Greece, not just its ancient past, and it is a welcome indoor option on a hot afternoon. Check the official website for current opening hours and ticket prices before you go. It is about ten minutes' walk from Syntagma metro station and a few minutes from the Museum of Cycladic Art, so the two make an easy pairing, followed by lunch or coffee in Kolonaki. The neoclassical building was extensively renovated between 1989 and 2000, and today it also holds a library and a gallery for temporary exhibitions alongside the permanent displays.
Benaki Museum of Greek Culture FAQs
Who founded the Benaki Museum?
Antonis Benakis founded it in 1930 in memory of his father Emmanuel and donated his family house and collection in 1931.
What does the main building cover?
Greek art and culture from prehistory through Byzantium and the Ottoman period to the 20th century.
Where is it?
At 1 Koumbari Street, on the corner of Vasilissis Sofias Avenue opposite the National Garden in Kolonaki.
How long should I allow?
About two hours.
Are there other Benaki branches?
Yes, including the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art in Kerameikos, the Pireos 138 annex and the Ghika Gallery.
What else is nearby?
The Museum of Cycladic Art, the National Garden and the shops and cafés of Kolonaki.
How do I get there?
Walk about ten minutes from Syntagma metro station.