We consider the Acropolis Museum in Athens to be one of the world’s best museums. If you visit Athens, you will almost certainly visit the Acropolis. Too many people miss out and don’t also visit the Acropolis Museum. We certainly consider it the best museum in Athens. We also love the Byzantine Museum, but that’s for another post. Not only is the Acropolis Museum filled with incredible art and antiquities, but the design of museum is both beautiful and functional.
The Building Design
Why is it one of the world’s best museums? Because the Acropolis Museum design makes it easy and accessible for the art-loving traveler. Designed by Bernard Tschumi Architects, it maintains, through its highly transparent glass facades, a direct visual connection between its exhibits, the Acropolis and the in-situ monuments. There are panoramic views of the historic surrounding hills and the city. Glass floors let you view the underlying excavations. Instead of a standard building plopped onto the ground, it is an integral part of the location.
Certainly, we’re not alone in our admiration. In 2011 the Acropolis Museum received the AIA Institute Honor Award for Architecture. Make time to see it on your next trip to Athens. To see what we are talking about, take this virtual tour.
How to Visit the Acropolis and the Museum
We recommend that you climb the Acropolis early in the morning when the gates open, usually 8:00 a.m. The crowds tend not to hit until about 10 a.m. Then return down the south side where you arrive very close to the museum. If mobility is a concern, there is new accessible access to the Acropolis itself.
What To See
Before Your Enter
Because the museum is built over an extensive archaeological site, some parts of the floor are glass so you can see the excavations below. Before you enter, you can view one of these areas.
Caryatids of the Erechtheion
Caryatids are female figures that replace columns in architecture and these are the world’s most famous.
These were used to support the roof of the Erechtheion temple on the Acropolis. The Erechtheion was built between 421 and 406 BC, during the Golden Age of Athens. It was dedicated to Athena and Poseidon.
The Caryatids are made of marble and stand about 2.3 meters tall. Each wears a flowing robe, a crown, or a headband. They each have an different, elaborate hairstyle.
Today, five of the Caryatids are in the Acropolis Museum in Athens. The sixth is in the British Museum. To protect the originals, replicas are now in the actual temple .
Parthenon Frieze
The Parthenon Frieze is a sculpted marble band that adorned the exterior of the Parthenon temple. Created in the mid-5th century BC, it depicts a procession of Athenians, gods, and mythical figures in honor of the goddess Athena.
The frieze was 160 meters long and 1 meter high. Originally consisting of 115 individually carved blocks of marble, then fitted together to create the continuous sculpted band. Today, you can see 80 meters of the frieze that remain. No surprise, some sections are in the British Museum.
Planning a Visit?
We suggest devoting several hours as there is much to see and we have given you just a small taste. There are many tours available of the Museum and the Acropolis. We hope you love the Acropolis Museum as much as we do.
Also, we share the the best places to visit on the Greek mainland.
Finally, we have many recommendations for places to stay and things to do in Greece. We’ll be sharing more in future posts. Thinking of a trip to Greece? Be sure to check out our 6 Insider Secrets to Get the Best Price on Air and Our Tips for Surviving Air Travel in 2023.
Ready For More Great Travel Tips?
We share our favorite travel tips and information every week. You can see them all here.
