Petralona Cave Museum
The Petralona Museum presents Palaeolithic finds from the excavations in the Petralona cave in Chalkidiki in a new permanent exhibition.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Petralona Museum is located in the grounds of the Petralona cave in Chalkidiki, about 1 km from the village. The cave was discovered by chance in 1959, and the following year a human skull 150,000 to 300,000 years old was found there, the most important anthropological fossil of mainland Greece. The cave also yielded fossils of extinct species, such as cave bears, spotted hyenas and machairodonts (sabre-toothed cats).
After the completion of the project to re-display the collections, the museum has been open to visitors again since 26 August 2024. The new permanent exhibition presents Palaeolithic finds from the excavations inside the cave. In addition to fossils, the museum includes hundreds of stone tools, as well as painted and sculpted representations of the life and evolution of early humans.
Highlights
- Palaeolithic finds from the excavations in the Petralona cave
- Fossils of extinct species, such as cave bears and machairodonts
- Hundreds of stone tools
- Representations of the life and evolution of early humans
Permanent exhibition
- Μόνιμη έκθεση: ευρήματα του σπηλαίου των Πετραλώνων – Palaeolithic finds from the cave excavations, fossils, stone tools and representations of the life of early humans.
- Founded
- 1978
- Operated by
- Εφορεία Παλαιοανθρωπολογίας–Σπηλαιολογίας
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Free admission for children and young people up to 25 years from EU countries and for children up to 18 years from non-EU countries, upon presentation of identity card or passport. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and, where the disability is 67% or more, for one companion. |
Free admission: Free admission on 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October and the first and third Sunday of each month from 1 November to 31 March.
The cave ticket (€10 / €5) is separate from the museum ticket.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum has a ramp and toilets for people with disabilities. Assistance dogs and therapy animals are allowed; companion animals are not permitted to enter.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Free parking
The cave and the museum are about 1 km from the village of Petralona (20 minutes on foot) and 50 minutes by car from Thessaloniki. There is free parking space.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
There is a snack bar on the premises.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The museum offers educational programmes. |
