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.
National Archaeological Museum
Greece's largest archaeological museum, in a 19th-century neoclassical building on Patission Street, home to the Mask of Agamemnon and the Antikythera mechanism.
At a glance
- Type
- Archaeological museum
- Area
- Exarchia, Athens, Greece
- Official site
- namuseum.gr
Good to know
- Wheelchair accessible
- Café in sculpture garden
- Gift shop
- Temporary exhibitions
Why we recommend it
The National Archaeological Museum holds the richest collection of ancient Greek art anywhere, and many visitors rank it alongside the Acropolis as the essential museum in Athens. The neoclassical building on Patission Street was built between 1866 and 1889 on land donated by Eleni Tositsa, with designs by Ludwig Lange later adapted by Panagis Kalkos and Ernst Ziller. It was refurbished for the 2004 Olympic Games and a large underground extension has been approved for the coming years.
The collections run from the Neolithic to late antiquity. In the prehistoric galleries the gold of Mycenae takes centre stage, including the gold funeral mask of around 1550 to 1500 BC known as the Mask of Agamemnon, although the name is now considered mistaken. The sculpture galleries are vast, and the Artemision Bronze in room 15 is one of the most memorable works of Greek art. Do not miss the Antikythera mechanism in room 38, a geared astronomical calculator recovered from an ancient shipwreck, or the Bronze Age wall paintings from Akrotiri on Santorini, including the Boxing Boys.
There is also a substantial Egyptian collection, and the building shares space with the Epigraphical Museum, which holds a major collection of ancient inscriptions. Temporary exhibitions change through the year; in autumn 2026 the programme includes a show on the Mycenaean palace at Pylos. An announcement in October 2026 concerned changes to Galleries 7, 8 and 11, so check the news page before you go if there is something specific you want to see.
Opening hours are seasonal; in the summer period, which runs to mid-November, the museum opens at 08:00 except on Tuesday, when it opens at 13:00. Allow at least three hours, and more if you are a keen student of ancient art, as it is easy to underestimate the size of the collection. The building is wheelchair accessible, and the café in the sculpture garden is a pleasant place to rest halfway round.
The museum is about five minutes' walk from Victoria metro station on Line 1, or around 15 minutes on foot from Omonia. It sits on the edge of Exarchia, whose cafés and bars make a good place for lunch or a drink afterwards.
National Archaeological Museum FAQs
What are the highlights?
The gold of Mycenae including the so-called Mask of Agamemnon, the Artemision Bronze, the Antikythera mechanism and the Akrotiri wall paintings from Santorini.
How long should I allow?
At least three hours; the collection is very large.
What are the opening hours?
They are seasonal. In the summer period to 15 November 2026 it opens 08:00 to 20:00, except Tuesday 13:00 to 20:00.
Which metro station is nearest?
Victoria on Line 1, about a five-minute walk.
Is the museum accessible?
Yes, it is fully wheelchair accessible and has facilities for hearing-impaired visitors.
Is there a café?
Yes, in the sculpture garden, plus a gift shop.
Where is the Antikythera mechanism displayed?
In room 38, in the metallurgy collection.