Nestled at the foot of the ancient citadel, the Acropolis Museum in Athens is a spellbinding journey through history. Its contemporary design, featuring glass floors and panoramic views, offers a unique backdrop to the treasures it houses. Inside, one can discover artifacts from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece, all telling the story of the Acropolis across the ages. It's an experience that beautifully bridges the past and the present.
Acropolis Museum Athens - In a Nutshell
Acropolis Museum Athens - Things to know
| ⏰ Suggested Duration: | 1.5 Hours |
| ☀️ Best Time to Visit: | early in the morning or late in the evening |
| 🎟️ Acropolis Museum Ticket: | €13 |
| 🚇 Closest Bus Stop: | Acropoli |
Acropolis Museum Athens Opening Hours
Winter Season 1 November - 31 March
Monday to Sunday: 9 am - 5 pm (Last entry: 4:30 pm)
Summer Season 1 April - 31 October
Monday: 9 am - 5 pm (Last entry: 4:30 pm)
Tuesday to Sunday: 9 am - 8 pm (Last entry: 7:30 pm)
Must-see at Acropolis Museum Athens
The "Calf-bearer"
Erechtheion. Karyatid.
Head of Alexander The Great
Statuette of Athena Promachos
Acropolis Museum Athens Address
Dionysiou Areopagitou 15,
Athina 117 42, Greece
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Why Visit Acropolis Museum Athens?
Opened to the public on 20 June 2009, the Acropolis Museum showcases the most amazing and intriguing mementoes of the Acropolis. The museum was designed by Bernard Tschumi and bagged several awards such as the British Guild of Travel Writers (BGTW), AIA Institute Honor Award for Architecture, Keck Award and ranked 6th in the TripAdvisor's Travellers Choice Awards of the 25 Best Museums for 2018.
The contents of the museum are as amusing as its design. The most interesting of them are "Calf-Bearer", a Metal sheet depicting Gorgon; a mythical monster with eyes wide open, the Statuette of Athena Promachos, and head of Alexander the Great. You can find the history and bibliography of each of the 4250 artefacts giving you a deeper insight into the time, material, and emotion connected to them.
Dionysios Areopagitou pedestrian street connects the Acropolis Museum to Acropolis and the other important sites of Athens. This makes the museum easily accessible wherever you are and leaves no room for excuses to not visit it.
The Old Acropolis Museum vs New Acropolis Museum
Reflecting the progression of time, the new Acropolis Museum stands in stark contrast to its predecessor. The modern facility, inaugurated in 2009, has replaced the old museum, which had served since the late 19th century. The old one used to house some of the famous artefacts such as Parthenon Frieze, Blond Kouros's Head of the Acropolis, Nike Adjusting Her Sandal, and Temple of Athena Nike frieze. The old museum has been closed since 2007 and the antiquities have been moved to the new one.
Athens Acropolis Museum Architecture
The 14000 square meters of the museum is designed to whisper stories of art from 2400 years ago from the sites of Acropolis and its surrounding, including the antiques from the Old Museum. Inside the museum is an archaeological excavation which is visible from the first floor. The excavation houses ruins from the 4th to 7th century AD and are left untouched.
The architecture of the Athens Acropolis Museum is a striking fusion of classic and contemporary elements. Renowned architect Bernard Tschumi designed the building to complement the historical context of the Acropolis while incorporating state-of-the-art features. The structure's use of glass allows for natural light to illuminate the ancient artifacts. The museum's layout is intuitive, guiding visitors through the chronological display of Greece's ancient history.
Top Highlights of Acropolis Museum Athens
Among the 4250 pieces of art, here are some that stand out.
Dating back to 570 BC is the 5 feet tall sculpture of a boy, carrying his calf around his shoulders made of marble and limestone. It was found in the year 1864 by chance, on the construction site of the old museum. An inscription below the sculpture reads that it was dedicated to Rhombos, son of Palos.
Located on the first floor of the museum is the large architectural sculpture of a maiden made during the classical period of 420-415 BC. Carved from marble, it was used to decorate the south porch of the Erechtheion, replacing the high columns with female statues and are called Korai.
This one-foot bronze statuette of Goddess Athena was found near the Erechtheion in the year 1887. You can see the Goddess in full rage and ready to strike her opponent with a spear in one hand and gripping a shield in another. On her head is a helmet shaped like a swan. This beautiful and sturdy piece of art dates back to 475-470 BC.
Head to the north of the first floor to a revered piece that offers a glimpse into the face of one of history's most legendary figures. The sculpture portrays Alexander with his characteristic tousled hair and intense gaze, and it remains a potent symbol of Hellenistic artistry.
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Related Read: 5 Easy Ways To Skip The Lines at Acropolis
Visiting Acropolis Museum Athens
Getting There
By Bus: The nearest bus stop is Makrigianni. From the stop, walk left for 200 meters and you will find the entrance.
By Metro: The nearest metro station is Akropoli which drops you just outside the museum.
By Tram: Leoforos Vouliagmenis is the closest tram stop and is a 10-minute walk to the museum.
By Car:Both car rentals and parking lots can be found in plenty along Leof. Andrea Siggrou 40-42 road.
Acropolis Museum Athens Opening Hours
Winter
The winter season runs from November 1st to March 31st. The museum is open during the following hours. Please note that the last entry is 30 minutes before the closing time.
Monday to Thursday: 9 am - 5 pm
Friday: 9 am - 10 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 9 am - 8 pm
Summer
Athens experiences summer from April 1st to October 31st. On account of the hot season, the museum opens and closes sooner. The last entry is timed 30 minutes from the closing time.
Monday: 8 am - 5 pm
Tuesday - Sunday: 9 am - 8 pm
Friday: 9 am - 10 pm
Related Read: Know Which Acropolis Entrance Is Best For You
Duration of your visit
Since the museum offers plenty to see, it is safe to say you would need to spend at least 2 hours at the museum. If you also want to tour the archaeological sites of Athens, set aside an entire day for your visit and rest.
Handy Tips
- Take a peek at the excavation below ground level when you are at it since it will give you an idea of what happens during archaeological excavations. You can take a look at the glass panel on the first floor.
- Every year on International Museum Day (May 18), you can access the museum for free. It will be open post-closing hours, too, where many fun activities will be held for visitors.
- As a tradition, the museum can be accessed for free during full moon nights in August and concerts take place in the courtyard of the museum.
- Don’t miss out on seeing the historic Silver Cup that was awarded to Marathon Winner Spyros Louis at the first Modern Olympic Games in 1896.
- Wear comfortable shoes, carry a hat, a bottle of water and sunscreen before your visit to make sure you are also prepared to see the rest of Athens.
- You can dine at the Acropolis Museum Restaurant which serves amazing continental cuisine with a view of the Acropolis as you feast.
