Athens has no shortage of museums, but there are three I particularly enjoy and would happily
recommend to someone staying at Kypseli Living.
I don't only like them for their collections. I also love the buildings, the atmosphere — and, perhaps just as importantly, the places where you can sit down for a coffee or something to eat afterwards. For me, a museum visit is much nicer when you don't have to rush away as soon as you've seen the last room.
These are my top three favourites.
1. Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation
If you enjoy modern and contemporary art, this would probably be my first recommendation. The permanent collection is wonderful. I love Rodin and Claudel, and one of my favourites, Degas' Little Dancer Aged Fourteen, is also part of the collection.
But what keeps bringing me back are the temporary exhibitions. I regularly return to see what’s on, so even if you've visited before, there is always a reason to go back. The museum feels intimate enough to really enjoy the works without that feeling you sometimes get in enormous museums where, after three hours, you can barely remember what you saw at the beginning.
A few moments from my visits to the Goulandris Foundation.
And then there is the food. The museum has its own café-restaurant, and the food is taken seriously: the menu is curated by executive chef Dimitris Skarmoutsos. So this is one museum where I would happily plan the exhibition and lunch as part of the same outing.
My personal note: Take your time here. See the permanent collection, check which temporary exhibition is running, and leave enough time to sit down afterwards rather than rushing straight to your next stop.
2. The Museum of Cycladic Art
The Museum of Cycladic Art is worth visiting for the Cycladic figurines alone. In fact, the Cycladic collection is the part I personally come here for. Beautifully curated and presented with great attention to detail, it takes you on a journey into the ancient civilisation of the Cycladic islands. There is something extraordinary about seeing objects created thousands of years ago that still look so simple and modern today.
But one of the things I particularly love about this museum is the setting. The museum connects two very different buildings. Its beautiful 19th-century neoclassical Stathatos Mansion, designed by Ernst Ziller, hosts temporary exhibitions, while the permanent collections are housed in the adjoining Main Building.
And hidden inside is one of my favourite museum cafés in Athens.
The Cycladic Café is a beautiful, light-filled indoor garden surrounded by greenery. It feels almost like a secret, peaceful garden in the middle of the city. It's the kind of place where I actually want to stay after seeing the collection rather than simply grabbing a coffee on the way out.
My personal note: Don't visit only for the museum. Leave some time for the café — for me, it's part of the experience.
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3. Benaki Museum of Greek Culture — the original in Kolonaki
It's another museum I return to not only for what is inside it, but for the whole experience around the visit. Its collection takes you on a journey through Greek history and culture, and the building itself is part of its charm.
But one of my favourite parts comes when you reach the top. The café-restaurant is on the upper floor, with its terrace looking out towards the National Garden and this beautiful part of central Athens. After walking through the museum, being able to sit outside with that view is a lovely way to finish the visit.
My personal note: Save the café for the end. After exploring the museum, go upstairs, sit outside and enjoy the view.
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More than just the collections
And that's probably what connects all three museums on this list. They invite you to stay a little longer: admire their beautiful architecture, sit in a hidden café surrounded by greenery, have coffee overlooking the city, or turn an exhibition into lunch. For me, that's part of the pleasure of visiting a museum.
Before visiting, I recommend checking each museum's website for current exhibitions, opening hours and any temporary closures.
