Founded on April 10, 1900, the National Gallery of Athens, also known as the Alexandros Soutsos Museum, is Greece’s most important art museum.
It boasts an impressive collection of Greek paintings and sculptures dating from the 19th to the 21st centuries. Indeed, the National Gallery has more than 20,000 works of art: paintings, sculptures, engravings, drawings, but also decorative objects.
After an 8-year renovation period, the National Gallery is once again open to the public.
Opposite the Hilton Hotel and a stone’s throw from the Evangelismos metro station, you won’t want to miss its modern, elegant all-glass facade.
How to visit the National Gallery of Athens
Address: 50 Vasileos Konstantinou, Athens – Google Maps.
Access: Metro line 3, Evangelismos stop. By bus, lines 550 and 10 to the Pinacothèque stop. On foot, 20 mins from Syntagma Square.
Opening hours
- Wednesday: 10am – 8pm
- Thursday to Monday: 10am – 6pm
- Closed on Tuesday
Also closed on January 1, January 6, Pur Monday, March 25, Orthodox Easter Sunday and Monday, May 1, Whit Monday, August 15, October 28, December 25 and 26.
Accessible to disabled persons.
Rates
Full price: 10 euros
Reduced rate : 5 euros for students and over-65s
Free admission: For children and young Europeans under 25, people with disabilities and one escort.
And for all visitors, on the first Sunday of each month, March 6, April 18, May 18 and the last weekend of September (for the European Heritage Days).
- Phone: +30 214 40 86 201
- Website
A treasure trove of modern Greek art
The works on display at the National Gallery of Athens are mainly by major Greek artists such as Yannis Tsarouchis, Konstantinos Parthenis and Dominikos Theotokopoulos, better known as El Greco.
But you can also admire works by European artists such as French painter Eugène Delacroix, sculptors Auguste Rodin and Antoine Bourdelle, as well as Albrecht Dürer and Franciso De Goya…
A very spacious museum
The National Gallery of Athens is very spacious, covering an area of 20,760 m2. It is organized on three floors, according to the dates of the works. The 1st floor is reserved for works from the 19th century, the 2nd for works from the 20th century and finally the 3rd floor for works from the 20-21st century.
This chronological organization shows the evolution of Greek art over the centuries, and also traces the major events of its modern history.
Much more than a gallery…
In the lobby, a monumental work of art called “People’s Market”, is the work of Greece’s greatest post-war plein-air colorist, Panagiotis Tetsis. You’ll also find several touch-sensitive tables giving access to a digital directory of all the museum’s works. You can view them in digital form, locate them in the museum and access information about them.
The National Gallery of Athens also houses a 450-seat amphitheatre, a museum store, an art conservation laboratory and a sculpture garden featuring works by Rodin and the famous Greek sculptor Costas Varotsos ( “The Runner”).
In conclusion, the National Gallery of Athens is a modern, dynamic museum. Allow around two hours for a visit. A cultural outing that can be combined with a trip to Athens.
To prepare your visit and find out about temporary exhibitions, visit the museum’s website.
For more ideas of museums to visit, take a look at our article on the 10 best museums in Athens.
Elodie H.
Article updated on March 26, 2024
