Having been recently launched, Athens Olympic Museum portrays the spirit of the 2700-year Olympic Games in Greece. In addition, it showcases stages of evolution of these games and sportsmanship.
Olympic Museum Athens is divided into two parts. One exhibits the story of the Athens Olympic Games from the beginning until the rebirth in 1896. The other exhibits the modern period of the games until now.
The museum is quite close to the 2004 Olympic stadium in northern Athens. It takes place on the first floor of the Golden Hall mall. It’s also connected with a pedestrian bridge to the Olympic arena, O.A.K.A.
Find out more about this museum in Athens below.
About Athens Olympic Museum
Athens Olympic Museum is under the auspices of the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC), and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). In addition, the museum is a member of the International Network of Olympic Museums.
Lamda Development S.A. initiated the launch of the Athens Olympic Museum. The exhibitions in the museum focus on the three important periods of the Olympics:
- The Birth: Ancient Olympia
- The Revival: Athens 1896
- The Return of the Olympic Games: 2004 Athens Olympics
The evolution of the Olympics is described through the use of different techniques. These are animations, videos, interviews as well as augmented reality applications. In this way, it creates a setting that makes you feel you’ve traveled in time.
The museum displays the Greek Olympic and Paralympic Athletes, the Principles and Values, and other related concepts about the Olympics.
The issue of “Endeavour” is also another highlight of this museum. In fact, the issue of endeavor inspired the design of the permanent exhibition.
Another detail about the museum is that it collaborated with several institutions both inside and outside of Greece. These include The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the British Museum. In addition, the exhibition includes donated heirlooms and medals from Greek Olympians and Paralympians as well. Collectors and Olympic family members have also contributed to this collection.
The lighting of the Athens Olympic Museum is also worth mentioning. It’s worked in such a detailed way that you don’t feel like you move from one area to the other. Or sometimes, the lighting surprises you when you change areas. For this, the museum uses different ceiling heights, graphic illustrations, and similar variations in color.
The museum is open to everyone from everywhere. International standards were taken into consideration to provide a smooth experience.
Café – Restaurant “1896”
This museum Athens includes a cafe/restaurant called Café-Restaurant 1896 as well. Here, you can enjoy both the view of the Athens Olympic Center (O.A.K.A) and the Mediterranean and Greek tastes. You can drink something or eat a meal, lunch or take snacks here. Chef Yannis Markoulis offers delicious meals with his own signature and creativity as well.
You’ll find that the restaurant’s design is as simple as it can be. In this sense, it’s like it’s part of the museum.
It also provides space for social events and businesses.
Opening Hours: Between Monday and Saturday at 1 p.m – 10 p.m.
Athens Olympic Museum Store
The store offers a number of products for visitors to buy. These are gifts, memorabilia, and exclusive products. In addition, you can find collectibles, athleisure clothes and shoes, and posters. Athens Olympic Museum store is located inside the museum.
Where is Athens Olympic Museum?
It is connected to the Olympic Athletic Mall of Athens, Spiros Louis, the primary site of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, through a walkway on the property of Golden Hall shopping center in the northern suburb of Maroussi.
Tickets and Prices of Athens Olympics Museum
If you buy tickets online, you can benefit from a 10 percent discount on the entrance tickets to Athens Olympics Museum. You can buy it on the website of the museum. The following are the discounted prices:
- General admission: €6,30
- Family ticket (Two adults and two children): €18
- Children between two and 18 years of age: €5,40
- Adults over the age of 65: €5,40.
Opening Hours of Olympic Museum Athens
- Permanent Exhibition:
- From Monday to Sunday: Between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. The last entry is at 8 p.m.
- Museum Store:
- From Monday to Sunday: 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.
- Restaurant – Café 1896:
- From Monday to Saturday: Between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Note that the Museum is closed on:
- Public holidays, and
- National anniversary dates
Free admission day is May 18. It’s the International Day of Museums.
If you are wondering, you can read and explore other best museums in Athens.
