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Benaki Museum of Greek Culture in Athens

Greece › Athens › Museums › Benaki Museum
By Santorini Dave

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A mannequin in elaborate historic costume is displayed in a room of carved wooden panels and colorful textiles

In addition to paintings, sculpture, and pottery, the excellent collection at the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture includes terrific examples of historic Greek textiles, jewelry, and other cultural artifacts.

Tickets: GetYourGuide.com (Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.)

Established in 1930, the wonderful Benaki Museum of Greek Culture displays Greek artwork and artifacts from ancient to modern times within four levels of a beautiful neoclassical mansion, with one devoted to traveling exhibitions. The museum began began with the impressive collection of Antonis Benakis, an art collector and benefactor who donated over 35,000 pieces to the city of Athens, along with his family’s elegant home in which the museum is housed. Since its opening, the museum has grown with additions and donations to what it is today. Antonis dedicated the museum to his father, Emmanuel Benakis, a politician and philanthropist who donated to and supported many charities over the course of his lifetime, and was active in the museum until his death in 1954.

The Benaki Museum comprises 3 floors of permanent collection, with temporary exhibitions displayed in a separate section on the 2nd floor, adjacent to the museum café. Its museum gift shop, the first ever in Greece, is excellent. The Benaki is located in central Athens near Syntagma Square and the National Garden, with satellite galleries scattered throughout Athens, including the Museum of Islamic Art, The Ghika Gallery, Yannis Pappas Studio, Nema Passementerie (ribbon factory), and the Toy Museum.

Benaki Museum Hours and Information

  • Hours: 10am-6pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday; 10am-12am Thursday; 10am-4pm Sunday. Closed Tuesdays. Closed January 1, January 6, Clean Monday, March 25th, Greek Orthodox Easter & Easter Monday, May 2nd, Holy Spirit Day, August 15th, October 28th, December 25 & 26.
  • Website: benaki.org
  • Location: Koumpari 1
  • Telephone: +30 210 367 1000
  • Admission Fee: General admission fee for permanent collection 12€. Fee for temporary exhibitions 8€.
  • Free Entry: Free admission to the permanent collection every Thursday from 6pm to 12am (not including organized tours) and International Museum Day (May 18th).
  • Parking: Street parking, nearby pay lots.
  • Nearest Metro: Syntagma, Evagelismos

Benaki Museum of Greek Culture

Exterior of a neoclassical style mansion on a busy urban street

The Benaki Museum of Greek Culture is located in central Athens, near Syntagma Square and across from the National Gardens.

Sun streaming in onto a marble entryway through double entry doors with wrought-iron detail.

It is housed within a beautiful Neoclassical mansion that was once the home of the museum’s founder and main benefactor, Antonis Benakis.

Paintings and artifacts displayed in a museum.

A painting of Antonis Benakis is given pride of place on the museum’s wall.

Pottery artifacts displayed in a museum

Artifacts displayed in a museum

Artifacts displayed in a museum

Pottery displayed in a museum case

Pottery displayed on pedestals in a museum

Pottery artifacts displayed in a museum

Ancient artifacts displayed in a museum

Pottery artifacts displayed in a museum

Marble atrium with statues displayed on pedestals

Jewelry displayed in a museum case

Statues displayed on pedestals in a museum

People looking at artwork in a gallery space

Ancient carved stone artifact

Antique books displayed in a museum case

Religious icons in a museum

Greek iconic religious art displayed in a museum

Displays of religious artifacts

Carved wooden screen from a Greek Orthodox church

Traditional Greek costume displayed on mannequins

antique loom displayed in a museum

Traditional Greek costume and jewelry displayed in museum cases

Traditional Greek costume displayed on a mannequin in a museum display

Crystal chandelier hanging over a marble atrium

Oil painting of a young woman on display on a museum wall

Antique books on display in a museum case

Traditional Greek instruments and antique books on display in a museum case

Elaborately carved wooden screen from a Greek Orthodox church

Paintings and artifacts displayed in a museum

People eat at tables in a museum cafe.

The Benaki Museum café.

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About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave I’m Santorini Dave. I started this site in 2011 with a quick guide on visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my small team and I provide guides to Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Crete, Athens, and all of Greece - as well as favorite places to stay in some of my favorite cities - like London, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Venice, and Florence. Email me at dave@santorinidave.com.