Acropolis Museum, Athens

Acropolis Museum, Athens (must see)

The Acropolis Museum houses all artifacts found in and around the Acropolis in Athens since 2009. It is a four-story modern building located on the southeastern slope of the hill and offers spectacular views of the Acropolis. Collections are displayed on the first three levels while the fourth level holds the museum shop as well as a café serving authentic Greek food.

At the entrance, visitors are greeted by an ancient owl, the sacred bird of Athena, dating back to 500 BC. There is an impressive display of corks, free-standing sculptures of Gods and humans, marble figures, fragmented artifacts and friezes. The outside entryway and walkways are mostly glass floors, so as you walk, you can see the dug-out remains of civilization beneath you. There are also models of the Acropolis and replicas of the Parthenon marbles that are now in the British Museum.

The multimedia presentation of the exhibits is interesting and visitors can hire personal guides for a better understanding of the significance of the displayed items. This is an excellent place to get a great introduction to the Acropolis and the birthplace of democracy, with the added advantages of being well organized and air-conditioned.

Why You Should Visit:
To get a great introduction to (or great overview of) the Acropolis and the birthplace of democracy, with the advantages of being well organized and air-conditioned.

Tip:
Start with the excellent video on the 3rd floor, which ties the museum nicely to the Acropolis (also stunning views of the Acropolis from the windows there), then work your way down (there is an outside terrace on the 2nd floor). There are places on the ground level where you can see through the floor to the active excavation underneath.

Opening Hours:
Mon: 8am-4pm; Tue-Thu, Sat, Sun: 8am-8pm; Fri: 8am-10pm (Apr-Oct);
Mon-Thu: 9am-5pm; Fri: 9am-10pm; Sat, Sun: 9am-8pm (Nov-Mar)

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Athens. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Acropolis Museum on Map

Sight Name: Acropolis Museum
Sight Location: Athens, Greece (See walking tours in Athens)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Athens, Greece

Create Your Own Walk in Athens

Create Your Own Walk in Athens

Creating your own self-guided walk in Athens is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Walking Tour Around the Legendary Acropolis

Walking Tour Around the Legendary Acropolis

Also called "the sacred rock", the Acropolis was home to temples and sanctuaries throughout recorded history, and is a symbol of the city of Athens. Its religious importance was paramount to the ancient Greeks, and the buildings on the summit still capture the essence of their classical architecture. You can see the temples from most parts of the city, which adds to the feeling that this...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Athens Food Walking Tour

Athens Food Walking Tour

Traditional Greek cuisine is one of the healthiest in the world, and prices in all but the flashiest establishments afford excellent value. The prevalence of vegetable and dairy dishes makes eating out a delight for non-meat eaters. Carefully selected appetizers (tzatzíki, dolmádes, kalamarákia) can constitute a full meal. Greece’s most famous slow-cooked oven dish, however, is probably...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Athens Introduction Walking Tour

Athens Introduction Walking Tour

Athens is one of the oldest European cities, widely regarded as the birthplace of Western Civilization. Its history begins in the Neolithic period between 4th and 3rd millennium BC. The first settlement on the site of Athens was situated on the rock of Acropolis which means “high city” in Greek.

According to the Greek mythology, the name “Athens” emerged from a competition between the...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Plaka Attractions Walking Tour

Plaka Attractions Walking Tour

In the shadow of the Acropolis stands Plaka, the most picturesque and oldest district of Athens, with continuous habitation from antiquity until today. The “neighborhood of the Gods”, as it is called, is like a romantic, atmospheric trip to old Athens adorned with antiquities, historic 19th-century buildings, museums and Byzantine churches.

From the vibrant Syntagma Square walking down...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Walking Around the National Garden

Walking Around the National Garden

The National Garden is an impressive, historic park in the center of Athens, complete with artificial streams and duck ponds. Formerly known as the Royal Garden, it was commissioned by King Otto’s queen, Amalia, in 1838, reason why it is located directly behind the Old Palace (currently the Greek Parliament building). Not only is it a welcome refuge from the swirl of traffic just outside the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles

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