What makes it 79% Couple-Friendly: Quiet icon halls and shaded 19th-century gardens plus on-site café create a relaxed, romantic cultural outing that is easy to fit around other Athens sights.
Why 2-3 hours visit duration is ideal for couple trip: Allows time to see the main Byzantine galleries, explore the post-Byzantine wing, stroll the Villa Ilissia gardens and enjoy a coffee break.
Explore Byzantine permanent galleries:
Walk through 20 halls of frescoes, icons and liturgical objects from the 4th–15th centuries.
Tip: Start in gallery 1 and follow the chronological route to grasp artistic evolution.
Visit the "From Byzantium to Contemporary" wing:
Discover post-Byzantine art from the 15th to 20th centuries.
Tip: Spend extra time by the modern icon displays where mixed media pieces stand out.
Stroll Villa Ilissia gardens:
Wander the themed areas—Well-Cistern, Paradise and River Ilissos.
Tip: Go in the morning to catch fragrant herbs and avoid midday heat.
Relax at Ilissia Café-Bistro:
Enjoy coffee, Greek desserts or a light lunch in the shaded courtyard.
Tip: Order a local pastry and sit by the fountain for a quiet moment together.
Browse the museum shop:
Find postcards, guidebooks and reproduction icons.
Tip: Look for limited-edition art prints that make unique keepsakes.

Steven dos Remedios
This is a world class museum for fans of Byzantine and early Christian artifacts. Their collection of icons is superb and they are presented in chronological order which reveals changes in pigments and techniques. There are several rare depictions of Mary nursing Jesus.
Michał Michał
Must-visit place to understand Athens not only from an ancient perspective. Suprisingly a big collection even thou Thessaloniki were more important for Byzantine Empire. Again not a fan of Greece's museum policies. I'm trying to respect the fact these things may still be read in a religious context but discussion with a security guard only because back of my wifes head appeared in a corner of a p...
JJ G
I was surprised to learn that when it became the capital of the newly-independent Greek state in 1934, Athens only had 700 inhabitants. Villa Ilissia, built for the Duchess of Plaisance, was one of the first buildings to be built in the new capital. Villa Ilissia now houses the Byzantine and Christian Museum, which traces the history of the Byzantine Empire from its founding to its fall in 1453. ...
George Syros
These halls display how the middle ages were far from dark in the eastern Mediterranean. The collection is largely ecclesiastical, as the various invaders of the empire left little else untouched. Nevertheless, the coin collection with the chronological depiction / succession of emperors is quite impressive. Wonderful building with a pleasant courtyard and a café-restaurant that could be an attrac...
CJW
Beautifully presented museum with very well displayed pieces. Some good explainers accompanying the works and all presented in chronological order as you make your way through the museum. Highly recommended for anyone of a curious mind (me) but with limited knowledge of the period (also me) but it informed and educated really well.
In spring and autumn the gardens bloom and temperatures are mild. In summer, plan indoor gallery time at midday and use the shaded café. Winter visits are quieter—take advantage of empty halls.
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| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Admission for two adults | EUR 16 |
| Coffee and snack for two | EUR 20 |
| Total Estimated | EUR 36 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Address: Leof. Vasilissis Sofias 22, Athina 106 75, Greece
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