Acropolis Museum is Celebrating its 13th Birthday Today

To celebrate its 13th birthday today, Monday 20 June 2022, the Acropolis Museum is inviting visitors to its exhibition areas with reduced tickets (5 euro), a live concert and the opening of a wonderful new exhibition. 

The Museum will be open from 8 am to 4 pm today with reduced tickets to all exhibition areas, and at 3 pm, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy music by the Woodwind Quintet of the Athens State Orchestra.

Insights Greece - Acropolis Museum is Celebrating its 13th Birthday Today
Image by the Acropolis Museum

From today until January 8, 2023 the Acropolis Museum will present the exhibition program “Ton Athinithen athlon. Panathenaic amphorae from Toronto, Canada back to their birthplace”, with two exquisite vessels created in Athens over 2,500 years ago. They are Panathenaic amphorae, vessels filled with oil that was given as a prize to the victors of contests held during the festival of the Great Panathenaia. One side is decorated with the figure of Athena Promachos and the other with scenes related to the games for which they were given as prizes.

The two vessels from the Royal Ontario Museum will be exhibited in the Parthenon Gallery, relating to the great temple’s frieze, where Pheidias and his collaborators artfully carved the Panathenaic procession.

This presentation is an event taking place simultaneously with the presentation “From Athens to Toronto: A Greek Masterpiece Revealed” at the Royal Ontario Museum where the Acropolis Kore 670 is on display from March 2022. The event has been organised as part of cultural exchanges between the Acropolis Museum and other great museums abroad, contributing to the enhancement of friendly relations between the people of different countries.

For more details head to The Acropolis Museum

Celebrate A Range of Special Events at the Acropolis Museum 

Athens’ Acropolis Museum is inviting visitors to celebrate the European Night of Museums tonight May 14, and International Museum Day on Wednesday, May 18, with extended hours, free entrance and a variety of special events.

The Museum participates in the European Night of Museums with extended opening hours from 8 a.m. until 12 midnight, and free entry from 8 pm onwards. 

The Museum restaurant will remain open during the same hours, while visitors have the chance to admire by night the masterpieces of its collections, while on the same day, within the context of the initiative “What does the Acropolis Museum mean to you?”, the most representative answers of visitors received recently by the Museum will be projected on a big screen.

On International Museum Day, the Museum will be open from 8 am to 8 pm with free entry for its visitors.

This year’s topic is the “Power of museums” focusing on achieving sustainability, innovating on digitalization and accessibility and community building through education. On this occasion, the Museum will offer its adult visitors the two new gallery talks “Hidden Stories of the Diaspora” and “Digital Acropolis Museum. New interactive applications”. This includes a series of applications with touch screens, which have remained inactive due to covid-19 healthcare protocols. However, on May 18th, these touch screens will be turned on for three hours and the Museums’ archaeologists will be there presenting and highlighting various aspects of the exhibits; offering a unique experience by creating a new exciting world for kids and grownups alike.

In addition, the new family trail titled “The Parthenon Sculptures. 6 short stories of separation” will be available for children and their parents. 

More details can be found here

Images Courtesy of Acropolis Museum | Paris Tavitian | Giorgos Vitsaropoulos ©

Acropolis Museum’s New Summer Program Begins April 1  

Athens’ Acropolis Museum is set to welcome visitors for the summer season, by extending its opening hours into the evening and offering stunning night views of the Acropolis from the restaurant terrace every Friday and Saturday until midnight.  

The Museum’s hours from April 1 through to October 31, 2022, will be: 

Monday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm 
Tuesday to Sunday, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm, and
Friday, 8:00 am – 10:00 pm.

The Acropolis Museum has also added a new cycle of presentations to the Museum’s archaeological excavation with its ‘Walking in the ancient neighbourhood of the Acropolis Museum’ tour that will take place every Saturday and Monday.

Visitors will be guided by the Museum’s archaeologists, and given the opportunity to wander through the archaeological excavation which stretches underneath the Museum, like a giant exhibit. Visitors will be able to walk on the ancient neighborhood’s streets, take a closer look at the houses with their courtyards and wells, enter the heart of the impressive mansions with private baths, examine the workshops with the water reservoirs; and take a magical stroll through time and the daily life of the people who lived in the shadow of the Acropolis’ rock for over 4,500 years. 

Details for the new Presentation are as follows: 

English: every Saturday & Monday, at 11 a.m.
Greek: every Saturday & Monday, at 1 p.m.
Duration: 45 minutes
Participation: For registration, refer to the Information Desk at the Museum entrance on the same day. Limited to 20 visitors per session. First-in first-served. Only the general admission fee to the Museum is required (10 €). 

The adult gallery talks ‘Afternoons in the Acropolis Museum’ and ‘Saturday in the Museum with 20+1 masterpieces’ will continue as per the winter schedule. 

A: Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, Athens

The Acropolis Museum

Acropolis Museum’s Winter Program Begins

Athens’ Acropolis Museum has introduced its winter program at a reduced admission fee of 5 euros for children and adults. Further to that, each first Sunday of the month, entrance to the museum is free. The museum’s winter program will run during the November 1 – March 31 period.

Acropolis Museum Winter Program

Saturday in the Museum with 20+1 Masterpieces

Visit the Acropolis Museum and along with the archaeologists, discover the hidden stories of 20+1 masterpieces that feature myths and fables, folklores and traditions, historical milestones and human stories transformed into art and weave a vivid experience during an outstanding walk in the Museum’s Galleries.

Date & Time: Saturdays, at 10.30 am in English

From the 6th of November 2021 till March 26th, 2022

Insights Greece - Acropolis Museum’s Winter Program Begins
Athens’ Acropolis Museum

Strange Creatures on the Acropolis Museum

Visit the Museum with your children to discover creatures of the earth, the sea and the air, creations of the imagination of ancient people that invite visitors to a game of exploration, observation, and knowledge. Children will be given materials to take home and create their own strange creatures.

Date & Time: Every Sunday 10:30 am and 12:30 pm

From the 7th of November, 2021 to 27th of March, 2022

Afternoons in the Acropolis Museum

The Museum’s archaeologists invite you on a captivating walk through its halls, to introduce you to the fascinating stories hidden in the treasures of the museum’s galleries. The walk develops each time based on your interests; and promises an unforgettable experience, with the usage of numerous visual means -such as photographs, sketches, and representations- as well as stops on the digital applications that enrich the collection.

Date & Time: Every Friday at 6 pm

Until the 25th of March, 2022

To register you need to refer to the Information Desk on the day of the tour. There is a limited of 30 visitors and first-in first-served.

Tickets can be purchased here.

Images Courtesy of Acropolis Museum 

Athens’ 8 Best Museum Cafes

Athens’ museums have always been an essential part of a visit to the Greek capital, and lately, their cafes have become serious draws of their own. After hours spent wandering amazing galleries and exhibitions, these cafes are the perfect spot to sit back and relax. Here, we’ve rounded up 8 of Athens’ best museum cafes to pair a rich cultural experience with a cool cafe vibe! 

Acropolis Museum Cafe

When visiting Athens, the Acropolis Museum is an unmissable spot as it’s been named one of the best museums in the world. It also has a restaurant/café with magnificent views of the city. Serving delicious traditional recipes using locally sourced produce- where you can taste great dishes and homemade sweets while catching exquisite views of the Parthenon. 

A: 15 Dionysiou Areopagitou St, Athens 

  • Insights Greece - Athens' 8 Best Museum Cafes
  • Insights Greece - Athens' 8 Best Museum Cafes

Benaki Museum Cafe

Located across from the National Gardens, next to the chic Kolonaki neighbourhood- you will come across one of the most beautiful buildings. As soon as you enter the gates to the courtyard of the Benakis family mansion, you will understand why this is such a treasured cultural landmark. Here you can relax on the charming terrace overlooking the city. Perfect spot for a coffee, or a long lunch. 

A: 1 Koumpari St, Athens 

  • Insights Greece - Athens' 8 Best Museum Cafes
  • Insights Greece - Athens' 8 Best Museum Cafes

Numismatic Museum Cafe

Even if you have no interest in coins, the Numismatic Museum is worth visiting for the beautiful architecture of the neoclassical mansion where the museum is housed. Once the home of renowned archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, it was designed by famous German architect Ernst Ziller. Boasting a lush garden filled with ancient Greek statues, the cafe is open daily from 9 am until midnight- where you can enjoy a coffee, catch up with friends, and live music. 

A: 12 Panepistimiou St, Syntagma 

Insights Greece - Athens' 8 Best Museum Cafes

Byzantine and Christian Museum, Illisia Cafe

This classical mansion was built in the 1840s and was made into the Byzantine and Christian Museum in 1926. After you explore the wonderful collection- sit in the charming gardens and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee at the Ilissia Cafe. Along with beautiful grounds, you will also be impressed with the menu which includes a range of starters, salads, and a few traditional Greek dishes.

A: 22 Vassilissis Sofias Avenue, Kolonaki

  • Insights Greece - Athens' 8 Best Museum Cafes
  • Insights Greece - Athens' 8 Best Museum Cafes

Museum of Cycladic Art Cafe

The ultra-modern café-restaurant of the Museum of Cycladic Art features striking marble benches and clean lines. The interiors are minimal, sophisticated, and light- giving it a very sleek yet inviting feel. The menu features Greek cuisine, using the finest quality ingredients and a philosophy of simplicity in terms of flavors and presentation. Perfect spot for brunch or a light lunch- and make sure you try one of the freshly baked sweets. 

A: 4 Neofitou Douka St, Athens

Insights Greece - Athens' 8 Best Museum Cafes

Athens City Museum, Black Duck Garden Cafe

This charming garden boasts lush greenery that is paired with marble tables and black chairs, giving it a cool and sophisticated vibe. Black Duck Garden is not only a cafe, it’s also a bar, gallery, museum, and event centre where many local artists come to feature their work. From a light brunch menu and coffee to dinner and drinks, this place is a must-visit if you are looking for a spot to stay cool during the summer heat.

A: 5, loannou Paparrigopoulou 7, Athens

  • Insights Greece - Athens' 8 Best Museum Cafes
  • Insights Greece - Athens' 8 Best Museum Cafes

Museum of Islamic Art Cafe

Located footsteps away from Thissio station, the charming café at the Museum of Islamic Art is a quiet spot to enjoy, with lovely views (including the Kerameikos cemetery and the Parthenon) and a good shot of coffee. You can also choose from a simple but tasty menu that includes light snacks, salads, and a great variety of loose tea.

A:  22 Ag. Asomaton & 12 Dipilou St., Thissio

Insights Greece - Athens' 8 Best Museum Cafes

B&E Goulandris Café-Restaurant

One of the best new museum cafes to hit the Greek capital- this beautiful gallery cafe in Pangrati opened in October 2019 and has been a hit with locals ever since. The menu has a great range of vegan and vegetarian options, and if you are looking for a healthy breakfast/brunch spot when visiting Athens- this is your place. 

A: 13 Eratosthenous St, Athens

Insights Greece - Athens' 8 Best Museum Cafes