One of the world’s most important museums, the National Archaeological Museum houses the world's finest collection of Greek antiquities. Treasures offering a view of Greek art and history – dating from the Neolithic era to classical periods – include exquisite sculptures, pottery, jewellery, frescoes and artefacts found throughout Greece. The beautifully presented exhibits are displayed mainly thematically. Allow plenty of time to view the vast and spectacular collections (over 11,000 items) housed in this enormous (8000-sq-metre) 19th-century neoclassical building.
It could take several visits to appreciate the museum’s vast holdings, but it's possible to see the highlights in a half-day. The museum also hosts world-class temporary exhibitions.
In addition to the highlights, the museum has a superb pottery collection on its upper floor, which traces the development of pottery from the Bronze Age through Attic red-figured pottery (late 5th to early 4th centuries BC). Among the treasures are six Panathenaic amphorae presented to the winners of the Panathenaic Games. They contained oil from the sacred olive trees of Athens and victors might have received up to 140 of them.
A joint ticket with the Byzantine & Christian Museum and others costs €12. The museum is a 10-minute walk from Viktoria metro station, or catch trolleybus 2, 4, 5, 9 or 11 from outside St Denis Cathedral on Panepistimiou and get off at the Polytechnio stop.
