Hotels near Acropolis Museum

Bernard Tschumi's 2009 Acropolis Museum is the most thoughtful museum building in Europe. Glass floors above an in-situ archaeological dig at the entrance, the original Caryatids (5 of 6 - the sixth is in the British Museum), and a top-floor Parthenon Gallery of exact dimensions facing directly towards the Parthenon itself, 300 metres uphill.

The Parthenon Gallery displays the surviving frieze, metopes, and pediments alongside white plaster casts of the missing pieces (still in London at the British Museum) - a visual argument for repatriation that has shifted UK public opinion since 2009. Entry is EUR 15. Allow 2-3 hours.

Pro Tip: Visit the Acropolis Museum after the Acropolis itself - the museum's Parthenon Gallery makes more sense once you have just walked the Parthenon platform. Friday late opening (until 10pm) is the quietest. The museum cafe terrace has the best Acropolis view in Athens.