An Athens museum walk from Syntagma to Kolonaki

For a second walk in Athens after the Acropolis, start at Syntagma Square and head toward the museum district. Several very different collections sit close to each other around Vasilissis Sofias Avenue. You can give one museum a proper visit and keep the rest of the afternoon for Kolonaki or the National Garden.

Which Athens museum gives me an overview of Greek history?

The Benaki Museum of Greek Culture on Koumbari Street takes you from prehistory into the twentieth century. Choose this collection if your earlier sightseeing has raised questions about what happened after classical Athens. Objects from daily life and folk art sit within a longer historical account. Check the branch name when you plan the walk because the Benaki runs several museums around the city.

Where can I see Cycladic figurines in Athens?

Head to the Museum of Cycladic Art at 4 Neophytou Douka. Its main building holds the permanent collections, including the marble figures carved in the Cyclades. The adjoining Stathatos Mansion houses temporary exhibitions and connects to the main building inside. If you have time for only a single collection, go to the main building for the figurines and look at the shapes of the heads, arms and feet.

What can I add if I have part of the afternoon left?

For religious art, continue along Vasilissis Sofias Avenue to the Byzantine and Christian Museum, whose collection includes icons and altar pieces. For an outdoor finish, loop back toward the National Garden. Created as a royal garden in the nineteenth century, it puts a different piece of modern Athens within the same outing. Pick your last stop according to how much more gallery time you want.