Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation — Attraction in Athens

This review is not related to the collection of the museum. As a tenant of the neighborhood very close to the museum I have received nothing but disrespect and arrogance from the management of the museum and the B&E foundation. This is a domestic area, densely populated with significant problems regarding the traffic, the parking and the urban noises. Throughout the years the management team of the museum and the foundation, possibly due to their affiliations of the ruling government and municipality, are treating this whole neighborhood as if it were theirs to run and control and without taking into consideration their environment. On a weekly basis they organize all types of social events taking over the streets with privately appointed valets. They stop the traffic on the central street in front of the museum without caring about the rest of us and take their guests’ cars and park them on the streets- as if the public space is their property. Sometimes they even occupy parking spaces beforehand together with the help of the police for their upcoming events later in the day. The most outrageous thing is that the museum does have a private parking which obviously the management uses for their own cars. One would expect from an art space to have a different approach and type of respect to the environment and neighborhood that...

We have been members of this museum for a couple of years. Our most recent visit was May 2025. We went specifically to see a temporary exhibition of the Greek- American painter Nicholas Kovtaxis (Νικόλας Κονταξής).

The museum is four floors, each with a different theme, such as contemporary, Greek, etc. Two of the floors are more or less static exhibits, but the other floors have rotating exhibits. The museum is rarely crowded so it is possible to get close to the pieces and spend as much time as one wishes contemplating pieces. The galleries have seating available for contemplation.

The cafe is huge and has a beautiful atrium that feels like being outside, but with the comfort of climate control. The stairs have art nooks and for me, some of the larger pieces are well viewed from the stairs.

The bathrooms are spotless and impeccable. The gift shop has a decent selection of gift items, jewelry, mugs, cups, notebooks, prints, books and much more. We usually spend 2-3 hours per visit. Membership includes invitations to many events throughout the year centered around the collection and geared towards both adults...

A hidden gem for art lovers. Don’t miss it!

The Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation is a breathtaking cultural haven in the heart of Athens. From the moment you step inside, it's clear this is more than just a museum—it's a masterfully curated experience. The selection of artworks is superb, featuring an impressive lineup of modern and contemporary masters. Each piece is given space to breathe, and the lighting is exceptional—designed to enhance the colors, textures, and emotional weight of the works without overwhelming them. It’s rare to see art lit with such precision and care. One of the most memorable features is the central staircase—a stunning architectural element that spirals elegantly through the building, drawing your eye upward and making the journey between floors feel like part of the exhibition itself. It’s both functional and sculptural—a work of art in its own right. The foundation strikes a perfect balance: intimate yet expansive, scholarly yet accessible. Whether you’re an art lover or a casual visitor, this place offers a moment of quiet awe in the middle of the city. Absolutely...