The Psyri neighborhood has many murals, Street Art, both on the walls of buildings and much more frequently to embellish or characterize the shop shutters.
Very impressive mural from the specialist WD (Wild Drawing). The art was realized during the ''Litle Paris in Athens'' and is the face of an owl. Owl is the symbol of wisdom and can see during the knight.
A lovely art gallery with many decades of experience. They have a rich collection of paintings, sculptures, engravings etc. Their aim is to bring the famous Greek (and not only) artists closer to the art fans. It is located at Hilton area and definitely worth a visit.
Nice cafe and perfect for an excursion in occasional exhibitions. Just opposite the parliament it is a jewel of neoclassic architecture developed in Athens after the Turkish occupation.
The National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST Εθνικό Μουσείο Σύγχρονης Τέχνης (ΕΜΣΤ)), established in October 2000, is the sole national institution focused only on collecting and exhibiting contemporary Greek and international art in Athens. Anna Kafetsi, Ph.D in Aesthetics- Art History and former curator for 17 years of the 20th century collection at the National Gallery of Athens, was appointed founding director of EMST.
EMST first operated, from 2000 to September 2003, on the ground floor of approximately 1,800 square meters, of the old Fix brewery, an example of post-war industrial architecture designed by Takis Zenetos. It is located in close proximity to the center of Athens as well as the archaeological sites of the city, including the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. As of 2020, the restoration of the building is in progress in order to create state of the art facilities for the permanent collection, periodic exhibitions, educational programs, and workshops. After an international architectural competition was announced, the architectural office which won the first prize and will realize the renovation of the Fix building are 3SK Stylianidis Architects in collaboration with Ioannis Mouzakis and associates architects LTD – studies of technical works Pan. Babilis and associates, and INSTA.
Until the return of the museum to the Fix building, EMST will continue its exhibitions program in the spaces of the Athens Conservatory, one of the most prestigious cultural institutions and finest buildings of architecture in the capital. By 2020, the Greek government spent 40 million euros on the museum, with the Stavros Niarchos Foundation giving a further 3 million euros in the final push towards completion. In the meantime, the delays in the museum's opening cost EMST a 3.3 million dollars subsidy from the European Union. Ownership of the Fix building was transferred from the subway authority Attica Metro, which owned the former brewery since the 1990s, to the museum foundation.
Pivotal aspect of the EMST’s artistic policy is the enhancement and enrichment of its permanent collections with works from Greek and international artists. There are two main axons according to which the collections are structured: a historic one, dating from the second half of the 20th century, and a contemporary one.
The museum is developing its permanent collections through purchasing works of art as well as soliciting donations. EMST aims at developing, within the next few years, a core collection of works representative of the basic directions of contemporary art.
Among the most important acquisitions are works by Ilya Kabakov, Stephen Antonakos, Gary Hill, Nan Goldin, Vadim Zakharov, Gillian Wearing, Ann Sofi Siden, Vlassis Caniaris, Nikos Kessanlis, Dimitris Alithinos, Nikos Navridis, Joel Sanders, Allan Sekula, Costas Tsoclis, George Hadjimichalis, Chryssa, Yiannis Psychopedis, Andreas Angelidakis, Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis and Tessera.
A rich collection of video art has also been built. Among the most prominent artists are: Bill Viola, Bruce Nauman, Nam June Paik, Mona Hatoum, Vito Acconci, Dan Graham, Robert Wilson, Tony Oursler, Marina Abramović & Ulay, Chris Burden, Lynda Benglis, Sadie Benning, Sophie Calle & Gregory Shephard, Carolee Schneemann, Martha Rosler, Dara Birnbaum, Walid Ra’ad/The Atlas Group and Jayce Salloum.
The new building of Gagosian in Athens is wonderful and bright and definitely deserves a visit. The exhibition "Marbles and Drawings of Brice Marden" was absolutely amazing. Overall it was a great visit and will be excited to see what collections are on next.
My son and myself had an absolute pleasure to be a part of Street Art Tour, beginning of March 2020 (pre-covid). Great activity for anyone who's willing to get different perspective and explore corners that probably you would miss otherwise. It is very hard to find engaging activities for 16-17 year old. This is one of them, highly recommended! Special thanks to our guide Niko aka Rude. We loved it.
The Benaki Museum, established and endowed in 1930 by Antonis Benakis in memory of his father Emmanuel Benakis, is housed in the Benakis family mansion in downtown Athens, Greece. The museum houses Greek works of art from the prehistorical to the modern times, an extensive collection of Asian art, hosts periodic exhibitions and maintains a state-of-the-art restoration and conservation workshop. Although the museum initially housed a collection that included Islamic art, Chinese porcelain and exhibits on toys, its 2000 re-opening led to the creation of satellite museums that focused on specific collections, allowing the main museum to focus on Greek culture over the span of the country's history.
The museum's primary home is in the Benakis' house opposite the National Garden on Queen Sofias Avenue and owes its existence to the generosity of Antonis Benakis, whose family lived in Alexandria, Egypt.
In 1931, the Benakis donated the family's house in Athens and their collection of more than 37,000 Islamic and Byzantine objects. More than 9,000 artifacts were added by the 1970s, which spurred donations from other sources. Benakis remained active in the museum until his death in 1954.
Under the directorship of Angelos Delivorrias, the museum added more than 60,000 objects, books and documents, some of which were purchased and others donated. Delivorrias opts to focus on displaying donated items in order to encourage public participation and strengthen the community's ties to the museum. The museum also focuses on the fact that Greek history does not begin and end with specific events but rather exists along a continuum that continues today.
Parts of the museum's collections have travelled worldwide, including Canada in 2008, the United States in 1959 in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution and in 2005, an Ancient Greek solid gold drinking cup left Greece for the first time and traveled to the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney and the Melbourne Immigration Museum in Melbourne, Australia.
In 2000, the Benaki Museum reopened following a $20 million renovation and restoration of the building, which was damaged in an earthquake. The renovation allowed it to become the only museum in Greece that brings visitors through all ages of Greek culture and history. It is also unique in that it does not focus on nationalism but rather recognizes and celebrates the foreign influences on Greek culture.
Although the museum's director, Angelos Delivorrias, came up with the idea to refocus the museum and its exhibits in 1973, more than 25 years passed before he was able to make this a new reality. This reality involved moving the museum's collections of Islamic Art and Chinese porcelain with painting to other locations so that the main museum in Athens would focus solely on Greece.
Over the years the museum has been further endowed by various donors, and it now includes the seaside Kouloura Mansion in Palaio Phaliro, which houses the Toy Museum, the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art in the Kerameikos district, the Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas Gallery in downtown Athens, the Benaki Museum Pireos street Annex (138 Pireos street) and the Penelope Delta House in Kifissia, which houses the Historical Archive Collection.
As part of the museum's re-focusing on Greek culture, its Islamic collection was moved to a new home in 2004 in time for the Athens Olympics. The new museum also has new galleries for temporary traveling exhibits.
This is my favorite museum in Athens.
Firstly, even if I visited it during the covid period, the staff was really friendly to explain their specific health and safety measures contrary to many other places.
The collections themselves are really nice and organized and I really appreciate the clarity of the explanations for each item and part of the collection.
Please note that the shop of the museum offers nice products, including some local pieces of arts and reproductions of some traditional pieces. They accept the American Express.
The restaurant is also good.
I really recommend this place!
An impressive SimpleG graffiti titled "Expiration Date" created as part of the Petit Paris d'Athènes festival. It presents the woman as a beautiful withering flower and a bud next to it that symbolizes rebirth. The cycle and continuity of life by a great artist.
A great modern gallery In the center of Athens with different varieties of artists’ styles and prints/merchandise for sale sometimes. Alibi is for many years a statement in Sarri street and the art industry of Athens.
This tour was fabulous! George was such a great and entertaining storyteller. I remember insights from Greek history days after (and hopefully also in the future). There was just the right amount of walking and talking and whenever I had an additional question, George could answer it on the spot! I loved the additional recommendation on where to get a great view of the city and what museum to visit. I did both and I sure was not disappointed. I fully recommend!
One of the most special museums in Athens and my personal favorite. Their collection is amazing and spans centuries of Islamic history and culture. Housed in a renovated neoclassical building with a Cafe on the terrace. Which has a really great view. So worth visiting!
I do my best to keep this list as up-to-date as possible. I last updated it in February 2024. If you know of a street art that should be on the list, let me know. Click here to contact me. Thanks!
10+
7+
10+
10+
10+
10+
10+
10+
10+
10+
10+
10+
5+
9+
10+
10+