Hotels near National Archaeological Museum

The National Archaeological Museum holds the world's most important collection of Greek antiquities - 11,000 objects across 8,000 sq m of galleries. The unmissable pieces are the gold Mask of Agamemnon (excavated by Schliemann at Mycenae in 1876), the bronze Antikythera Mechanism (the world's oldest analogue computer), the Jockey of Artemision, and the frescoes from Akrotiri (the Bronze Age Pompeii of Santorini).

Entry is EUR 12 (free first Sunday of the month, October-March). Allow 3 hours minimum. The museum is in Exarchia, a politically charged but safe-by-day neighbourhood with the city's best graffiti, vinyl shops, and student bars.

Pro Tip: Visit Wednesday or Thursday morning when school groups are at the Acropolis. The museum closes at 4pm except Tuesday (when it opens 1-8pm) - so plan a Tuesday afternoon visit if you also want to do the Acropolis at the 8am opening.