5 Lesser-Known Museums you Should Visit

• PIN

Benaki Museum of Islamic Art

With its collection comprising pieces from Persia, Egypt and Mesopotamia to Sicily, the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art allows you to travel back in time to explore an incredible wealth of treasures from all corners of the Islamic world. Be inspired by the variety of colours and the intricate, hand-crafted details of each piece before heading to the Museum’s beautiful café that boasts incredible views of the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora and the Athens Observatory.

Numismatic Museum

The Numismatic Museum of Athens is one of Greece’s most prominent cultural collections. It incorporates a vast display of ancient and modern coins, lead stamps and medals, allowing visitors to discover the rich coinage history of Greece since the 6th century AD. The museum is housed in a stunning neoclassical mansion (built 1878- 1880) which was the former residence of German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, who contributed largely to the excavations of the ancient sites of Mycenae and Tiryns. This magnificent building features many architectural elements worth exploring. End your tour at the museum’s café, where you can take a refreshing break in the lovely garden if the weather allows it.

Hellenic Motor Museum

Whether you are a vintage car aficionado or a fan of turbo-charged racers, you will certainly enjoy a visit to the Hellenic Motor Museum. This off-the-beaten-track attraction includes a collection of more than a hundred cars dating from the 19th and 20th century. Retracing the evolution of the automobile, the museum features rare and forgotten models as well as modern and contemporary specimens, including a fleet of Ferraris. Young and old alike will enjoy this high-octane display set in a distinctive building near the National Archaeological museum.

Benaki Toy Museum

Toys aren’t just for children; they’re fun for adults too. This particular collection is ranked among Europe’s top 10 and exhibits every toy you could think of, from miniature dolls in matchbox beds to model warships of times gone by. Opened in 2017, this museum is a definite must to see Maria Argyriadi’s impressive collection. However, you’ll have to be careful not to play with these toys!

Athens Railway Museum

Are you a secret trainspotter? You are in luck: Athens has its own railway museum.Founded in 1978, the museum tracks the history of rail transport in Greece and includes a vast collection of items, from steamlocomotives, old tramways and passenger cars, drawings, models, instruments, tools to old uniforms. The recreational train in the courtyard is sure to go down well with little ones but we are pretty sure visitors of all ages will be fascinated with this intriguing collection too.

Museum of Criminology

Located on the grounds of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, this is one of the most underrated museums in the capital. Open by appointment only (children are not permitted), the museum charts the history of crime in Greece, showcasing some of the most notorious cases from the 19th and 20th century. Organized in three main collections – forensic medicine, toxicology and criminology – the museum is a fount of unique research and teaching resources in various fields, from forensic sciences to several areas of sociology. If you are fascinated by the CSI TV show, you will surely relish this museum.