# National Archaeological Museum — Athens, Greece

> The largest archaeological museum in Greece — Mycenaean gold, the Antikythera mechanism, the Artemision Bronze, and the world's finest collection of ancient Greek art under one roof.

## Visitor facts
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Closed Mondays)
- Admission: €12 standard admission (November–March €6)
- Free entry: First Sunday of month free (November–March) · Under 18 EU free
- Address: 28is Oktovriou 44, Athens 106 82, Greece
- Time needed: 2–3 hours
- Official website: https://www.namuseum.gr/en/
- Facts verified: 2026-06-30

## Highlights
- Antikythera Mechanism — Ancient Greek · c. 100 BCE
- Artemision Bronze — Classical Greek · c. 460 BCE
- Mask of Agamemnon — Mycenaean · c. 1550 BCE
- Jockey of Artemision — Hellenistic · c. 140 BCE

## FAQ
**What is the Antikythera mechanism?**
An ancient Greek analogue computer recovered from a shipwreck off Antikythera — used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses. It is displayed at the National Archaeological Museum and is over 2,000 years old.

**National Archaeological Museum vs Acropolis Museum?**
The National Archaeological Museum covers all of ancient Greece across millennia. The Acropolis Museum focuses specifically on the Acropolis site. Both are essential in Athens — allow a full day if visiting both.

**How long should I spend at National Archaeological Museum?**
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights. Emotionally intense history museums reward unhurried visits — allow longer if reading extensively.

**What is National Archaeological Museum best known for?**
The largest archaeological museum in Greece — Mycenaean gold, the Antikythera mechanism, the Artemision Bronze, and the world's finest collection of ancient Greek art under one roof. Key highlights include Mycenaean gold — Mask of Agamemnon and Vapheio cups, Sculpture — kouroi, classical marbles, and Hellenistic bronzes, Antikythera Mechanism and shipwreck finds.

**How do I get tickets for National Archaeological Museum?**
€12 standard admission (November–March €6) First Sunday of month free (November–March) · Under 18 EU free. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.namuseum.gr/en/

**National Archaeological Museum or Acropolis Museum — which first?**
Visit the Acropolis Museum first if you are climbing the Acropolis the same day — it contextualises the Parthenon sculptures. The National Archaeological Museum covers all of Greece across millennia and rewards a separate half-day visit. Both are essential; the National Museum is broader, the Acropolis Museum is deeper on one site.

**Is the Antikythera Mechanism always on display?**
Yes — the mechanism and its reconstructions are permanently displayed in the Bronze Collection (Room 38). The original fragments are small and displayed in a case with detailed explanatory panels and working modern reconstructions that demonstrate the gear functions.

**How do I get to the museum from the Acropolis?**
Take the M2 (Red Line) from Acropoli to Syntagma, transfer to M1 (Green Line) to Victoria, then walk 10 minutes south. Total journey about 30 minutes. A taxi costs €8–10. Do not try to walk — it is 3 km through busy streets.


Source: https://worldmuseumguide.org/museums/national-archaeological-museum-athens/ — World Museum Guide, independent and ad-free.