Athens War Museum
Greece's largest museum of military history presents the country's war history from antiquity to the present on four levels.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
In 1964 the Greek state decided to found a museum to honour those who fought for the country's freedom. The Athens War Museum was inaugurated in July 1975 in the centre of Athens, with the aim of collecting, preserving and presenting military relics and works of art on the military history of the Greeks.
The museum researches and documents the nation's struggles from antiquity to the present day and has historical, photographic and film archives, a library and a conservation workshop. The exhibition spaces are spread across four levels and follow the chronological order of the periods of war.
Over the years branches were created: in 1988 in Nafplio, in 1995 in Chania, and in 2000 in Thessaloniki and Tripoli, while in 2023 branches opened in Kalamata, Chalkida and Rethymno. The museum's emblem is inspired by the medal of the fighters of 1821 and bears a phrase from Pericles' Funeral Oration.
Highlights
- Hall for prehistory and antiquity with authentic Corinthian helmets
- Digital exhibition “Journey to Freedom, 1821”
- Alexandrian Times hall on Alexander the Great
- Byzantium, with replicas of Greek fire and the Theodosian Walls
- Original copy of the Charter of Rigas Feraios
Permanent exhibition
- Μόνιμη έκθεση – Four levels with thematic halls: prehistory and antiquity; Journey to Freedom 1821; Alexandrian Times; Byzantium and Frankish rule; Ottoman rule and the national uprising.
- Founded
- 1975
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Young people under 18 from non-EU countries, students with ID, EU citizens over 65, parents accompanying school visits from the EU, family members of Ministry of National Defence staff, members of security forces and groups of more than 10 people |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for young people under 18 from the EU and for children up to 5 from non-EU countries. |
| Seniors | €3For EU citizens over 65 with ID, passport or driving licence. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and, if the disability is 67% or more, one companion. |
| Students & apprentices | €3Free for students from the EU with a valid student ID. |
| Groups (11+ people) | €3 per personReduced ticket for groups of more than 10 people. |
Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month from 1 November to 31 March, 25 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October and 21 November (Armed Forces Day).
The prices apply to the Athens museum. Free admission is also granted, among others, to holders of an unemployment card, large families, conscripts, members of the Armed Forces, members of ICOM and ICOMOS, and professional guides with ID.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
Hands-on programmes and school visits.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Buses 203, 211, 235, 550, 608 and 815. Metro Line 3 and suburban railway.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Photography | Photography with a handheld camera is permitted without flash, except for exhibits marked otherwise. A permit from the museum management is required for tripods and video recording. |
