Benaki Museum Museum

Address: Ifestou 2, Athens (central Benaki Museum address varies by branch)

Website: https://www.benaki.org/

The Benaki Museum in Athens is a major Greek museum founded by Antonis Benakis to house his personal collections; it opened in the early 20th century and has grown into a multi-branch institution covering broad aspects of Greek and related material culture.

Collections present objects from prehistory through contemporary times, including archaeological finds, Byzantine and post-Byzantine art, traditional costumes, and a significant collection of Islamic art. Temporary exhibitions and thematic displays extend the museum’s scope to international and modern topics.

Antonis Benakis assembled and donated the founding collections, and the institution expanded over the 20th century with additional donations and the creation of satellite branches in Athens. The museum’s growth reflects a long-term effort to document Greek cultural history across periods and media.

The Benaki Museum is located in central Athens; it is close to the city’s main archaeological and cultural areas and is accessible on foot or by public transport from central Athens.

• Collection scope: The museum’s displays span prehistoric to modern periods and include applied arts, costumes and everyday objects as well as fine art, so allow a few hours for a thorough visit.

What to See#

• Collections: Permanent collections covering ancient Greek, Byzantine and modern Greek material culture, alongside notable holdings in Islamic and Asian arts assembled over the museum’s history.
• Branches and exhibition spaces: Multiple branch locations and exhibition spaces across Athens that present thematic and temporary exhibitions in addition to the main museum’s displays.

Benaki operates multiple sites across Athens; the main museum is in central Athens and reachable by metro (Syntagma or Evangelismos), buses and taxis. Check the museum website for the specific branch and directions.

• Visit the Benaki's multiple houses if time allows - the museum operates several specialized sites across Athens.
• Plan at least 90 minutes for the main museum; the collections are eclectic and richly labeled but need time.
• Check for temporary exhibitions and events in the museum's gardens - they often showcase contemporary Greek artists.