Benaki Museum Guide: Tickets, Hours & Pass Compatibility
1 - 2 h
Museum
Collection founded 1930; housed in the Benakis family's neoclassical mansion
1 Koumbari St & Vasilissis Sofias Ave, 106 74 Athens, Greece
Planning to visit Benaki Museum of Greek Culture?
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Practical Visitor Info & Tips
€12.00
€9.00
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 10:00 - 18:00 · Thursday: 10:00 - 00:00 · Sunday: 10:00 - 16:00 (hours vary — see full schedule below)
No reservation required for individual visitors.
| Year-round | Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday | 10:00 - 18:00 |
| Year-round | Thursday | 10:00 - 00:00 |
| Year-round | Sunday | 10:00 - 16:00 |
Last Admission: 1 hour before closing
Closed On: Every Tuesday (weekly), plus 1 January, 6 January, Clean Monday, 25 March, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, 1 May, Holy Spirit Monday, 15 August, 28 October, 25-26 December.
Free Admission Dates: Every Thursday, 18:00-24:00 (excludes organised tours and guided group visits).
Entry to the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture's permanent collection at the Koumbari St / Vasilissis Sofias Ave building (Greek art from prehistory to the 20th century). Does not include temporary exhibitions, which are ticketed separately, or the museum's other branch buildings (Pireos 138, Museum of Islamic Art, Toy Museum), which are distinct institutions with their own admission.
| Day(s) | Hours | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon / Wed / Fri / Sat | €12.00 | 10:00-18:00 | tickets.benaki.org or on-site |
| Thursday (daytime) | €12.00 | 10:00-18:00 | tickets.benaki.org or on-site |
| Thursday evening | Free | 18:00-00:00 | Walk-in (excludes group tours) |
| Sunday | €12.00 | 10:00-16:00 | tickets.benaki.org or on-site |
| Tuesday | — | Closed | — |
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Ticket Options
€12.00
Check whether a city pass already covers this attraction before buying separately.
See pass compatibility below ↓Overview & Visitor Introduction
The Benaki Museum of Greek Culture traces Greek art and material culture from prehistory through the 20th century, across painting, textiles, jewelry, and everyday objects, inside the Benakis family's neoclassical mansion overlooking the National Garden.
Standard admission is €12.00 adult / €9.00 reduced (students and seniors). Temporary exhibitions are ticketed separately (€8-10 full / €6-8 reduced); a combined permanent + temporary ticket gets 20% off the total.
The museum is closed every Tuesday, plus a standard list of Greek public holidays. Admission to the permanent collection is free every Thursday from 18:00 to midnight (this free window excludes organised tours and guided group visits).
History & Significance
Founded and endowed in 1930 by collector Antonis Benakis in memory of his father Emmanuel Benakis, the museum occupies the Benakis family's own Koumbari Street mansion, enlarged in 1911 with a marble Doric porch and staircase facing Vasilissis Sofias Avenue.
The Benaki today operates several satellite buildings across Athens — a Museum of Islamic Art, a contemporary-culture space at Pireos 138, and a Toy Museum — each a separate ticketed institution; this guide covers only the main Museum of Greek Culture building.
What to See: Top Highlights
Prehistoric to Byzantine Greek Art
Chronological galleries spanning Neolithic pottery through Byzantine icons and post-Byzantine silverware.
Modern Greek Painting Collection
19th- and 20th-century Greek painting, including works tied to the Greek War of Independence.
Neoclassical Mansion Setting
The Benakis family's own early-20th-century townhouse, enlarged with a marble Doric entrance porch.
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Pass Compatibility
Compare Athens PassesNot included on either Turbopass Athens pass. Tiqets' "The Athens Pass" does not bundle the Benaki Museum either, but it does offer a 10% partner discount via an emailed code — a separate perk from its 4 bundled attractions.
The Athens Pass
Discounted. 10% discount off the standard ticket. Requires the personal Tiqets discount code emailed after purchasing The Athens Pass; the code is stated to be valid for one month on Athens bookings. Tiqets' own Athens Pass product page states: "Your Athens Pass includes a 10% discount at many other Tiqets venues in the city, such as the Hop-on Hop-off Bus, Hard Rock Cafe Athens, Benaki Museum and the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology." This is a discount-at-partner-venue perk, distinct from the pass's 4 bundled components (Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Hop-on Hop-off + Cape Sounion tour, audio guide app), which do NOT include the Benaki Museum.
Turbopass Athens City Pass
Not included. Not among the itemized attraction list on the official Turbopass Athens City Pass page (Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Hop-on Hop-off, National Archaeological Museum, Museum of Illusions, Herakleidon Museum, Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum, Athens Olympic Museum, Hellenic Motor Museum, 2x Kotsanas Museum, POPGuide App, War Museum of Athens).
Turbopass Athens Flex Pass
Not included. Not among the 24 selectable attractions/experiences on the official Turbopass Athens Flex Pass page.
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