Athens Summer City Guide with Skarlet Smatana
Welcome back to APAA’s summer series celebrating the intersection of travel and art around the world. This collection spotlights insider perspectives from our global membership, as we invite members to share personal guides to their cities—highlighting favorite restaurants, bars, things to do, and, most importantly, local art.
Next up, APAA advisor Skarlet Smatana takes us to Athens. Here are the galleries, museums, restaurants, and activities worthy of a modern-day odyssey.
Exhibitions
The Way We Live Now
at the George Economou Collection
The George Economou Collection opens a new chapter in its exhibition programme with The Way We Live Now, its first contemporary group exhibition drawn from the Collection’s holdings. Bringing together works by international artists, the exhibition explores how contemporary art reflects, questions, and reimagines the social, political, and emotional realities of our time.
On view through March 2027
David Weiss: Neocolor
at Melas Martinos
Showcasing David Weiss’s Neocolor series, the exhibition traces an important early chapter in the artist’s career, before his long-standing collaboration with Peter Fischli. These vibrant works reveal many of the ideas and playful experimentation that would later define their shared practice.
On view through September 12, 2026
Jeff Koons: ‘Venus’ Lespugue
at the Museum of Cycladic Art
The Museum of Cycladic Art presents a unique curatorial project that brings Paleolithic art into dialogue with contemporary art.
On view through August 31, 2026
Barbara Kruger
at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC)
The exhibition features thirteen newly created, site-specific large-scale works designed for the SNFCC’s outdoor spaces, including a monumental 90-meter-long wall mural on the building of the National Library of Greece.
On view through November 1, 2026
Through paintings, patchworks, and sculptural elements, Guglielmo Castelli transforms the gallery into a dreamlike landscape where memories and myths blur together.
On view through August 31, 2026
Urs Fischer: Eugène Atget
at Gagosian Athens
Urs Fischer pays homage to Eugène Atget through monumental collage-paintings that layer photography, silkscreen, and hand-painted interventions into vivid portraits of Los Angeles. The exhibition is especially rewarding for the contrast between the energetic works and the gallery’s refined neoclassical architecture.
On view through September 12, 2026
Museums
Renowned for its exceptional collection of Cycladic antiquities, the museum combines ancient art with a vibrant programme of contemporary exhibitions. A highlight of Athens’ cultural scene.
Greece’s largest archaeological museum presents an unparalleled journey through ancient Greek civilization, with masterpieces ranging from Mycenaean gold to monumental classical sculpture.
Located at the foot of the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum displays exceptional finds from the Sacred Rock in a light-filled contemporary setting.
Restaurants & Bars
Contemporary seafood restaurant in the Kolonaki area focusing on fresh fish and refined Greek flavours. Excellent choice for lunch or an elegant dinner.
A modern Greek taverna celebrating regional specialties and premium grilled meats. Great for lunch or a casual dinner with friends.
A cozy natural wine bar offering an expertly curated selection of Greek and international labels, paired with seasonal small plates in a relaxed, neighbourhood atmosphere.
Additional Must-Sees
Explore ancient neighborhoods
Wander through the streets connecting Monastiraki, Plaka, and the Roman Agora to experience layers of ancient history alongside vibrant cafés, galleries, and local shops.
Lycabettus Hill
The highest point in central Athens, offering the city’s most spectacular panoramic views.
National Garden
A peaceful oasis in the heart of the city, perfect for a leisurely stroll beneath shaded pathways, with hidden ponds, historic ruins, and lush Mediterranean vegetation.
