Athens is set to celebrate International Museum Day 2026 with free admission and a wide range of cultural events across the city’s major museums, inviting visitors to explore art, history, music and sustainability through immersive experiences and special programs. Most public museums and archaeological sites in Athens are expected to offer free admission during the celebration, although visitors are advised to check opening hours and reservation requirements for special guided tours and events.
Interior of a preserved archeological site inside the Acropolis Museum, Athens, Greece.
The Acropolis Museum will focus on the hidden stories behind one of Greece’s most internationally recognized museums. On May 17, archaeologists and conservators will present lesser-known accounts from the museum’s transition from its original site to the current building. The program includes guided access to exhibition spaces and digital presentations highlighting the construction of the museum, the transfer of ancient artifacts and the behind-the-scenes conservation process.
On May 18, the museum will also join Piano City Athens for the first time, hosting a live piano recital inside the galleries overlooking the Archaic Statues Hall, alongside free admission for visitors.
Fragments of the Antikythera mechanism, an ancient greek analog computer that is believed to be used to help teach Greeks about our place in the cosmos.
The National Archaeological Museum will spotlight the connection between archaeology and technology through “Invisible Routes,” a series of guided tours inside museum storage areas that are usually closed to the public. Visitors will have the chance to see rare artifacts currently under study, while a new augmented reality platform will allow virtual exploration of selected exhibits.
At the Benaki Museum, conservators will open their workshops to the public, demonstrating restoration techniques for textiles, ceramics and religious icons as part of an “Open Laboratories” program. The museum will also host an evening concert featuring traditional instruments in the courtyard of its central Athens building.
Greek Prehistory Gallery, National Museum of Archaeology, Athens, Greece.
The Museum of Cycladic Art will offer free access to both its permanent collections and the temporary exhibition “Aphrodite” by Jeff Koons. The museum will also stage an interactive experience inspired by the artwork Balloon Venus and ancient Cycladic figurines, combining breathing exercises, sound and collective participation to create a soundscape influenced by the sea and the mythology of Aphrodite.
At the National Gallery, a tactile tour titled “Touching Painting” will allow visually impaired visitors to experience artworks through touch, replicas and audio descriptions. Additional events include sculpture tours and educational workshops designed to make museum experiences more accessible to wider audiences.
The Goulandris Natural History Museum will connect this year’s celebration with environmental awareness and social contribution. On May 16, the museum will host free-entry activities ranging from a voluntary blood donation drive to schoolbook recycling initiatives. Guided tours of the “Climate Change and Us” exhibition will include sign language interpretation, while educational dome screenings will address marine protection and space debris.
Maria Callas Museum.
Meanwhile, the Maria Callas Museum will mark the occasion with free admission on May 17 and a chamber music concert dedicated to Romantic-era composers, following tours through the museum’s multisensory exhibition on the life and career of the legendary opera singer Maria Callas.
The Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum will offer free admission on May 17 and 18, alongside curator-led tours of its temporary exhibition exploring hospitality and decorative arts through objects and miniature sculptures.
