In Athens’s Kerameikos district, the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art traces artistic traditions across regions from Persia and India to North Africa and Spain. Its collection spans the early Islamic period to the Ottoman era, with ceramics, carpets, textiles, carved wood, metalwork, manuscripts and decorated weapons. Explanatory panels place objects in their historical periods, and displays include the marble interior of a 17th-century reception hall. Look for remains of the ancient Athenian wall below the museum, then head to the rooftop for views over Kerameikos and the city.
Art across regions and centuries
The museum presents Islamic art from a broad area, including India, Persia, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, the Middle East, Arabia, Egypt, North Africa, Sicily and Spain. The objects span the early Islamic period through the Ottoman era, with works dating from the 7th to the 19th century.
The collection includes pottery, glass, metalwork, textiles, woodcarving, jewelry and inscribed objects. Carpets and decorated weapons sit alongside manuscripts and smaller works, giving you different ways to look at the materials and craft traditions represented. Panels in the galleries explain the historical periods associated with the displays.
The building and its displays
The museum occupies a group of Neoclassical buildings in the Kerameikos district. The collection grew from objects that Antonis Benakis began assembling in Egypt in the early 20th century. Today, the displays include the marble interior decoration of a reception hall from a 17th-century mansion.
A visit also reaches below the galleries: remains of the ancient Athenian wall are visible beneath the museum. Some objects do not have individual descriptions. QR codes provide details for some pieces, so check for one when you want more context.
Views from the rooftop
The rooftop cafe looks out over the archaeological site of Kerameikos and across Athens. From there, the view includes the Acropolis, Filopappou Hill and the National Observatory; on a clear line of sight, it extends toward Piraeus. The rooftop is a useful final stop after the galleries if you want to pause and take in the city.
FAQ
Where is the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art?
It is in the Kerameikos district of Athens, at Agion Asomaton 22 and Dipilou 12.
What can you see at the museum?
The collection includes ceramics, carpets, textiles, metalwork, woodcarving, manuscripts and decorated weapons, with works spanning the 7th to the 19th century.
Is there an admission fee?
Yes, admission is charged. The supplied information does not give a ticket price.
Does the museum have a rooftop cafe?
Yes. The rooftop has a cafe and views over Kerameikos and Athens.
