Hotels in National Archaeological Museum Athens area

This is more than just the top museum in Greece, packed full of jaw-dropping array of classical treasures, it ranks as one of the most important museums in the world. In 2002, the museum closed for a full scale decoration, it will re-open in spring 2004 with a facelift, reorganized collections and much more information accompanying exhibits. Post-2004 plans also call for a further expansion of the museum, allowing works that have long languished in its basement to be permanently displayed for the first time. During the expansion, some wings of the museum may be closed to the public - you may want to call ahead to find out the status of construction before you visit.

If everything is open, it's best to try to plan two visits - this museum is so densely packed with unmissable works that it's impossible to take it all in, in one go. Classics buffs should by all means come here armed with their Homer and Pausanias and feel the thrill of reading the words of the ancients describing magnificent works of art while gazing upon the actual objects.