3 or 4 days for Athens museums+landmarks?

The Acropolis Museum collections aren't large, be sure to go out on the balcony of the restaurant for the views. The Ancient Agora was my favorite sight, allow 2 hours at least. The National Archaeology Museum is a wow and very large, crammed full of exhibits. (I'm a "museum mouse" - like a bookworm :-) and I spent 4-5 hours there at the beginning of my trip, went back at the end for another 3 hours. I'm going back to Athens later this month and it's the only sight I went to that I plan to return to. Also it's a bit out of the way so allow time to get there and back. If you are really interested in ancient Greek art and customs, the Kerameikos cemetery and museum are well worth going out to see. The Museum of Islamic Art is about a 10-15 minute walk from there (it was closed the day I went to Kerameikos). The RS city walk is very good, takes at least 2 hours and goes past some of the minor ancient sights that you need only see from the outside (like the Roman Forum). After the Archaeology Museum, the Benaki was a bit of a letdown for the archaeological artifacts but there are rooms more about Greek culture that were very interesting (costumes, period room). I didn't get to the Cycladic Art Museum . . . yet. There are also archaeological displays (mini-museums actually) in some of the metro stations, especially Monastiraki.

Allow a little time to wander, there are some interesting areas, and try some of the excellent Greek food.

On our second visit to Athens our Greek friends encouraged us to visit The Cycladic Museum and we are so glad we did. It is unique to Greece and very well done. The Benaki was fine, but not a must see like The Cycladic. If you love Greek antiquities you will want to add it.
It is not far from Syntagma Square , in the Embassy area.
The Acropolis Museum and the National Archeological Museum take quite a bit of time. You could see it all in three full days but four would be better.

I saw the Cycladic Museum a very long time ago but still remember how much I enjoyed it. It's definitely appealing to someone who likes modern art.

Is your first partial day (Tuesday) the day after an overnight flight from the US or Canada, or will it be useful for sightseeing--assuming you arrive on time? And how much sightseeing time will you realistically have on the day of your departure for Naples? As you describe your timing, I don't see 3 days if you leave on Friday; I see 2 days and maybe a few additional hours, depending on multiple factors.

The National Archeological Museum is the most important place in Athens after the Acropolis. If you go to the NAM, the Acropolis Museum is not that imporant as it adds almost nothing. The main reason for the Acropolis Museum is to really make the argument to the British Museum that the Elgin Marbles belong in Greece, not London (which is certainly the case). The Byzantine and Christian Museum, close to Syntagma Square, is a very nice small museum. I'd go to that one, especially if you are interested in early church history.

I agree with others that the NAM is the one-not-to-be-missed. Easiest way to get there is by taxi, it's not close to other Athens sights. You could easily spend a day here if you're enough of a museum nut (or mouse).

The Acropolis Museum is also very fine, right at the foot of the Acropolis. It displays the original sculptures that remained on the Parthenon after the Turks and Venetians and British and other Europeans had either destroyed or "liberated" many of them (such as the "Elgin Marbles" in London). The top floor reproduces the Parthenon pediments and frieze, with copies of the missing items in place next to the remaining originals, so you get a sense of what the whole thing looked like back in the day (but without the colors). Besides the Parthenon sculptures, it houses the original "maidens" from the Erecthion (sp?) and a fine collection of other ancient art. Definitely worth a visit and a good cafe as well.

After those, the Benaki was a letdown for me, not as well displayed or labeled. I'd put it in the second tier at best. Didn't get to the Cycladic art museum.

I’ll add a vote for the Cycladic, one of our favourites. Depending on the period of Greek art you are interested in you might also like the Byzantine, which is nearby. It used to be very much for the specialists - rows and rows of dusty icons - but had a makeover a couple of years ago and is now much more open.

Again, if you are interested in things other than Classical, this has literally just opened

https://greece.greekreporter.com/2019/09/24/van-gogh-picasso-and-el-greco-masterpieces-find-new-home-in-athens/

We’ve not been yet but used to visit its predecessor in Andros which was good.

Finally, depending on when you are coming, you might find there are special exhibitions on that you want to tamale time for. The Cycladic recently had one on the history of coins which I really liked, for example. (There’s also a specialist numismatic museum but perhaps that’s being too completist?)

Basically, I’d argue for the extra day but obviously that balances against what time you want in Naples.

Alan

Alan, thank you so much for the information on the new Goulandris museum. I will be in Athens in a couple weeks and it's now on my must-see list.

Chani - you’re welcome. We’re actually in Athens today but only passing through. It’s on our list for when we’re back in December.

Have a good trip.

Alan

thanks for all the detailed responses.I will stay an extra day or 2...no cheap flights on sunday nov 3 however.....

I’ll add my vote for the Cycladic and Byzantine museums. They are small and close to each other, so you might be able to do both in one half day. The NAM is fabulous, but overwhelming. I would think you need at least half a day there.

Note that the OP was asking in October about a trip in November and made their decision! This thread has been resurrected by a one-time spam poster (reported)