Kolonaki area guide

Things to do in Kolonaki

Kolonaki's sights are the Benaki, Cycladic and Byzantine museums on or just off Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, and Lycabettus Hill above them. The Benaki (€12) opens at 10:00 and the Cycladic (€12, free under 18) at 10:00, or 11:00 on Sunday. The Byzantine and Christian Museum (€8) opens at 08:30, and all three close on Tuesdays. The funicular on Aristippou Street climbs to the 277 m summit of Lycabettus for €13 return. Dexameni Square, built over a reservoir from Hadrian's time, is a shaded stop on the walk up.

Reviewed October 22, 2026next check by January 20, 2027

What to see and do

  1. Museum

    Benaki Museum of Greek Culture

    Greek art and objects from prehistory to the 20th century in a neoclassical mansion near the National Garden. The permanent exhibition is free on Thursdays from 18:00 to midnight, under-22s enter free and last entry is an hour before closing. Closed on Tuesdays and on the holidays it lists, 28 October among them.

    Address
    1 Koumbari Street & Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 106 74
    Hours
    Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 10:00–18:00; Thu 10:00–00:00; Sun 10:00–16:00; closed Tue
    Price
    €12, reduced €9; temporary exhibitions €8–10
    CallDirectionsWebsitePlace page

    Source: Benaki Museum official Greek Culture page

  2. Museum

    Museum of Cycladic Art

    About 3,000 Cycladic, ancient Greek and ancient Cypriot objects in two connected buildings. While the Neophytou Douka entrance is under construction, go in through the Stathatos Mansion at Vasilissis Sofias and Irodotou 1. Last entry is 15 minutes before closing.

    Address
    4 Neophytou Douka Street, 106 74
    Hours
    Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 10:00–17:00; Thu 10:00–20:00; Sun 11:00–17:00; closed Tue
    Price
    €12, reduced €9, free under 18
    CallDirectionsWebsitePlace page

    Source: Museum of Cycladic Art official contact page

  3. Museum

    Byzantine and Christian Museum

    Galleries from the ancient world through Byzantium to the modern era in the Villa Ilissia, the winter palace begun in 1840 for the Duchess of Plaisance, a few metres from Evangelismos metro. Free on 28 October and on the first and third Sundays of each month from November to March; young people from EU countries up to the age of 25 enter free.

    Address
    Vasilissis Sofias 22
    Hours
    Mon and Wed–Sun 08:30–15:30; closed Tue
    Price
    €8, reduced €4
    CallDirectionsWebsite

    Source: Byzantine and Christian Museum — opening hours and tickets

  4. Place

    Lycabettus funicular

    The lower station is where Ploutarchou Street meets Aristippou. Two cars of up to 34 people run every 30 minutes from 09:00, more often at busy times, through a tunnel in about 3 minutes. Published closing times differ, so check at the station before a late ride.

    Address
    Aristippou 1
    Hours
    From 09:00, every 30 minutes; closing time varies
    Price
    €13 return, €10 one way
    DirectionsWebsite

    Source: Orizontes Lycabettus — cable car and access

  5. Park

    Lycabettus Hill

    The highest peak in downtown Athens, at 277 m, with the white chapel of Agios Georgios at the summit and, on a clear day, a view to Aegina. Ride up and walk down through the pines, past Agios Isidoros, a church built inside a cave.

    Directions

    Source: This is Athens — Lycabettus Hill

  6. Square

    Dexameni Square

    A square shaded by elms and built over a reservoir fed by Hadrian's aqueduct from Mount Parnitha. Writers such as Kazantzakis and Sikelianos met here in the 1930s; their ouzeri has survived in several forms, and you can still have ouzo and meze on the same spot.

    Directions

    Source: This is Athens — Kolonaki neighbourhood guide

Things to do in Kolonaki: map

Loading the map…Every place on the map is also listed with its address on this page.

On this map
1Benaki Museum of Greek CultureMuseum2Museum of Cycladic ArtMuseum3Byzantine and Christian MuseumMuseum4Lycabettus funicularPlace5Lycabettus HillPark6Dexameni SquareSquare
Neighbouring areas
SYSyntagmaArea guideMOMonastirakiArea guide
Things to do in Kolonaki: mapNumbered pins are the places on this page; small dots are places from the other sections.

Questions before you go

Are the museums open on Tuesdays?

No. The Benaki, the Cycladic and the Byzantine and Christian Museum all close on Tuesdays. The funicular runs every day of the year, and the Byzantine Museum's garden café opens on Tuesdays from 10:00 to 18:00.

When are the museums free?

The Benaki's permanent exhibition is free on Thursdays from 18:00 to midnight. The Byzantine and Christian Museum is free on 28 October and on the first and third Sundays of each month from November to March. The Cycladic is free for under-18s and the Benaki for under-22s.

Can I walk up Lycabettus?

Yes. Trails climb through the pines to the chapel at the summit, and a path of 5 to 10 minutes leads up from the Lycabettus Theatre car park. This is Athens suggests riding the funicular up and walking down.

Which entrance does the Cycladic museum use now?

The Stathatos Mansion entrance at Vasilissis Sofias and Irodotou 1. The main entrance on Neophytou Douka Street has been under construction since 19 May 2025, and the two buildings are connected inside.

Nearby

Sources

Reviewed October 22, 2026 · next check by January 20, 2027