The Benaki Museum

The Benaki Museum

The Benaki Museum of Greek Culture © Benaki Museum

Arguably one of the finest eclectic museums in Europe, the Benaki Museum offers a quick Greek history 101, covering everything from folk costumes to 20th-century paintings.

Overview

Its three floors showcase impeccable treasures from the Bronze Age up to WWII. Especially impressive are the Byzantine icons and the extensive collection of Greek regional costumes, as well as intricately carved salons and boudoirs from Macedonian mansions. The museum has two annexes: one in Kerameikos housing the Museum of Islamic Art and the Pireos Avenue branch for contemporary art. The museum shop is a treasure-trove of creative, contemporary Greek design, inspired by traditional jewellery and motifs. Long a favoured haunt for the well-heeled, the Benaki café offers wholesome Greek meals with illustrator Antonis Kyriakoulis’ quirky caricatures gracing the walls and tableware.

Benaki Museum

1 Koumbari St. & Vas. Sofias Ave.,
106 74 Athens
Tel: +30.210.36.71.000

Benaki Museum of Islamic Arts

Dipylou 12, Kerameikos

Tel: +30.210.32.51.311

Benaki Museum, Pireos

Pireos 138 & Andronikou, Gazi

Tel: +30.210.34.53.111

Location