This weekend, Europe celebrates European Heritage Days (EHD)—an annual international event dedicated to cultural heritage. For two days, visitors are invited to explore some of Europe’s most iconic buildings and cultural sites free of charge.

In Greece, EHD will be marked with a wide program of events at major museums and sites, alongside 50 other signatory countries to the European Cultural Convention. From September 27–28, free entry will be granted to all public archaeological sites, museums, and monuments managed by the Ministry of Culture.

Credit: European Heritage Days

Architectural Heritage: Windows to the Past, Doors to the Future

The theme for European Heritage Days 2025 is “Architectural Heritage: Windows to the Past, Doors to the Future”. It invites the public to discover diverse architectural styles, periods, and materials that have shaped Europe’s built environment, while also highlighting how heritage can inspire inclusive and sustainable communities for the future.

This year’s theme marks the 50th anniversary of the 1975 European Architectural Heritage Year, a landmark initiative that first recognized architecture as a vital part of quality of life and launched preservation efforts across Europe. The logo of today’s EHD is in fact inspired by the symbol created for that historic year, reinforcing its lasting significance.

A large medallion issued for the European Architectural Heritage Year, 1975. The reverse side depicts the ancient structure at Stonehenge. Credit: Jerry “Woody” from Edmonton, Canada, via Wikimedia Commons

Why European Heritage Days Matter

“The identity of every town, village, and city across Europe is shaped by its architecture. It gives meaning and a sense of belonging to the places we call home,” notes Glenn Micallef, Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport.

According to the European Commission, the goals of EHD are not only to raise awareness of Europe’s cultural richness and diversity but also to encourage tolerance and understanding by fostering knowledge of other cultures. The event also serves as an annual reminder for policymakers to protect cultural heritage in the face of sociopolitical and economic challenges.

Launched by the Council of Europe in 1989 and joined by the European Commission in 1999, EHD now draws more than 20 million visitors annually. In 2024 alone, over 21 million people participated in more than 51,000 events across 42 countries—making it the continent’s most participatory cultural celebration.

Celebrating European Heritage Days in Athens

In Greece, major public museums, archaeological sites, and monuments overseen by the Ministry of Culture will open their doors free of charge. Many will host guided tours, seminars, and activities inspired by this year’s architectural theme. A full list of events is available online (in Greek).

The Acropolis Museum will participate with a program titled “The Erechtheion and the Acropolis Museum: An Unusual Ancient Temple within a Contemporary Building.” This initiative highlights the connections between the Erechtheion—an ingenious ancient temple accommodating multiple cults and traditions—and the modern Acropolis Museum, which preserves both the masterpieces of the Sacred Rock and the remains of the neighborhood unearthed beneath it.

The guided tour invites visitors to bridge past and present, with archaeologists leading a dialogue between ancient and contemporary architecture.

Useful Information

  • Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025
  • Hours: 10 a.m. (English) & 1 p.m. (Greek)
  • Duration: 70 minutes
  • Capacity: Limited to 30 participants per tour
  • Registration: Online at events.theacropolismuseum.gr (opens Friday, September 19)
  • Participation: Requires a general admission ticket collected with a reservation code at the ticket counter up to 20 minutes before start.
  • Free Admission: On Sunday, September 28, 2025, entrance to all exhibition areas will be free from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Athens Municipality’s Events for European Heritage Days

Greece is part of this major cultural celebration, and the City of Athens invites people of all ages to join a series of activities organized by the Organization of Culture, Sports and Youth (OPANDA). Events will take place at the Angelikí Hatzimicháli Museum of Folk Art and Tradition, the Digital Museum of Plato’s Academy, the Municipal Gallery, and the Melina Cultural Center — all with free admission.

Full Program of Activities

Municipal Gallery of Athens (Leonidou & Myllerou, Metaxourgeio)
Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 September 2025
11:30 | Painting Athens from Above!
Educational workshop for families with children aged 6–12. Parents and children observe the urban landscape of Metaxourgeio, learn about Athens’ history through the works of architect Ernst Ziller, and sketch the neighborhood from the Gallery’s balcony.
Booking required: +30 210 5202420 (Mon–Fri, 10:00–14:00)

Digital Museum of Plato’s Academy (Monastiriou & Kreontos 1, Akadimia Platonos)
Saturday 27 September 2025
10:00 | Plato’s Academy: The Permanent Meets the Ephemeral in the Urban Landscape
Presentation on the construction of the museum followed by a guided tour of the exhibits. Duration: 60 minutes. The museum is designed as an inclusive, experiential space that highlights Plato’s ideas and connects past and future.
Booking required: +30 210 5142138 (Tue–Fri, 10:00–16:00)

Melina Cultural Center (Iraklidon 66A & Thessalonikis, Thiseio)
 Saturday 27 September 2025
 17:30–19:00 | Opening Our Doors and Windows to Culture
Family workshop for children aged 6–12. Explore the role of doors and windows in Greek architecture, from prehistory to today, and compare examples from traditional island and mainland houses. Includes educational games and a hands-on craft activity.
Booking required: +30 210 3414466 (Tue–Fri, 10:00–16:00)

Angelikí Hatzimicháli Museum of Folk Art and Tradition (6 Angelikís Hatzimicháli, Plaka)
 Sunday 28 September 2025
 11:30 | Guided tour of the eclecticist mansion housing the museum. Learn how this listed building — combining ancient, post-Byzantine, and folk art elements — was transformed from a private residence into a museum.
12:30 | Adult workshop inspired by the exhibition “Sunflowers in Darkness and Light”. Participants will knit and decorate fabric “mini-houses,” drawing inspiration from the building’s unique architecture.
Booking required: +30 210 3243987 or +30 210 3243972 (Tue–Fri, 10:00–14:00)