Museum of Cycladic Art

The Museum of Cycladic Art was founded in 1986 to house the collection of Nicholas and Dolly Goulandris, who began collecting ancient Greek art in the early 1960s with a particular focus on the prehistoric Cyclades. Its permanent collection now numbers more than 3,000 objects, and it is widely regarded as one of the most important private collections of Cycladic antiquities anywhere.

The star exhibits are the marble figurines made in the Aegean islands in the third millennium BC. Their pared-back forms look startlingly modern, and seeing a room full of them is a quiet and memorable experience. The collection also covers ancient Greek art and ancient Cypriot art, so allow time beyond the figurines.

The museum is also known for its temporary exhibitions, which have brought major modern and contemporary artists into dialogue with ancient art, among them Louise Bourgeois, Ai Weiwei and El Greco. These are held in the Stathatos Mansion, a neoclassical house on the corner of Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and Irodotou Street, which the museum acquired in 1991. While the main building on Neophytou Douka Street is closed for construction, all visitors enter through the Stathatos Mansion.

The museum is open every day except Tuesday, from 10:00 to 17:00, with a late opening on Thursday until 20:00 and an 11:00 start on Sunday. Under-18s go free, and there are reductions for students and over-65s. Allow one and a half to two hours. The entrance has a ramp, lifts serve all floors and guide dogs are welcome. The Cycladic Café, which serves brunch, light meals and desserts, and the shop, with designs inspired by ancient art, can both be visited without a ticket.

It is about ten minutes' walk from Syntagma Square and three minutes from Kolonaki Square, and roughly 500 metres from Evangelismos metro station on Line 3. The Benaki Museum is close by, so you can easily combine two museums in a morning. The main building was designed by the architect Ioannis Vikelas and completed in 1985. The museum closes on several public holidays, including 1 January, Clean Monday, 25 March, Easter Sunday and Monday, 1 May, 15 August and 25 and 26 December. Drivers will find only a temporary loading space outside, but four private car parks are within walking distance.