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B & M Theocharakis Foundation for the Fine Arts and Music in Athens

Greece › Athens › Museums › B & M Theocharakis Foundation
By Santorini Dave

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Museum gallery with vibrant green walls, hung with colorful contemporary paintings

The Theocharakis Foundation’s wonderful museum near Syntagma Square hosts rotating exhibits of Greek contemporary art.

Tickets: Free admission.

The B & M Theocharakis Foundation for the Fine Arts & Music is a lovely contemporary art museum that opened to the public in 2007 and is focused on promoting Greek artists nationally and internationally. The museum hosts a permanent collection of works by the renowned modern Greek painter, Spyros Papaloukas (1892-1957), as well as temporary exhibitions showcasing a variety of different Greek artists. Educational programs for children and adults, workshops, staged readings, lectures, concerts, and seminars are also hosted at the foundation and are centered around the history of music and fine arts. What you see and what you can hear at the Theocharakis Foundation for Fine Art and Music will depend on when you visit; a calendar of events and exhibits is available on the website.

The building housing the foundation was built by architect Vassilis Tsagris in the late 1920’s; in 1985, the building was proclaimed a heritage site. Exhibits are displayed on 3 floors – start from the top floor and work your way down. (Stairs and elevators are both available.) “Merlin Café,” a bright and cozy Mediterranean restaurant, is located on the first floor overlooking the National Garden and the Parliament building. Brunch, snacks, sandwiches, salads, pasta, main dishes, desserts (including homemade sweets), coffee/tea, juice, soft drinks, beer, wine, and cocktails are served. The café is child-friendly and prices are moderate prices. The restaurant is open from 10am to midnight daily, except for July and August (10am-8pm). The ground floor gift shop offers paintings, drawings, ceramics, books, and jewelry, with online shopping and shipping available.

Centrally located in Athens across from the Hellenic Parliament Building, just 350 meters from Syntagma Square and metro station.

B & M Theocharakis Foundation Hours and Information

  • Hours: Open daily 10am-6pm. Thursdays open 10am-8pm except in July and August (10am-6pm). Closed for 2-4 weeks in summer, usually in August; call ahead of your visit during this time.
  • Website: thf.gr
  • Location: 9 Vasilissis Sofias & 1 Merlin
  • Telephone: +30 210 361 1206
  • Admission Fee: FREE Admission for permanent and temporary art exhibits. Prices for other programs, concerts, etc. are available online.
  • Parking: Street Parking, nearby pay lots.
  • Nearest Metro: Syntagma

B & M Theocharakis Foundation Museum

Cream-colored building with arched doorways and a shaded terrace in front

The B & M Theocharakis Foundation for the Fine Arts and Music is located across from the Greek Parliament Building and the National Garden.

Gallery wall showing the title of a visiting exhibition.

The museum hosts visiting exhibitions of Greek contemporary art. At the time of our visit, works of the renowned painter Nikos Engonopoulos were featured.

Colorful oil paintings hung on sage green gallery walls

Colorful contemporary oil paintings hung on sage green gallery walls.

Art gallery with vibrant green walls, hung with colorful paintings

Two mannequins dressed in colorful outfits, displayed near a window

Colorful and stylized painting of Greek figures, hung on a green wall

Green gallery wall, hung with colorful paintings

A wooden chair and bureau sit in a windowed alcove next to an oil painting on an easel

Large gallery room with fuschia walls

Colorful stylized oil painting on a fuschia wall

Gallery space with fuschia walls and display cabinets

Books in a display case, one open to reveal an artist signature

A large red, stuffed figure lounges on a chair in front of children's books

There is a small children’s activity center on the foundation’s ground floor…

Museum gift shop with books and art pieces to purchase

…across from the foundation gift shop.

Museum lobby atrium, showing diners at tables on the floor above

Merlin Café is located just above, with views to the Parliament Building and National Garden.

Cafe tables in a shady sidewalk terrace.

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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.