National Museum of Contemporary Art Αthens (ΕΜΣΤ)

This is the best thing I saw in Athens during my five day stay. Every single exhibition is totally worth your time and entry fee. Disturbing 'Why Look at Animals?' making you think about your life choices. A good run through history (very recent one) of Greek feminist movements. Excellent sculptures by Theodoros. Every second here was valuable, highly recommend this as your half day (or the whole day!) activity when you are in Athens.

EMST Athens is a cultural breath of fresh air, sleek, modern, and thoughtfully curated. The exhibitions balance bold contemporary voices with global perspectives, creating an inspiring space that sparks thought and conversation. A must-visit for art lovers and curious minds alike. Athens isn’t just ancient history anymore! I love the Acropolis views from the cafe on the 4th level and the fact that the ticket is reusable for a second visit within a month!

ΕΜΣΤ is the museum of contemporary art in Athens. Coming over its troubled beginnings it now seems that it has the potential to create a new momentum for the Athenian and Greek art community, diverting the focus and the vision from the Ancient Greek culture and diversifying the cultural landscape. The exhibition of Janis Rafa, Emma Talbot and Sammy Baloji show that there is the vision for the museum showing contemporary artists, while the exhibition of Thodoros show that there is space for reflection on the Greek contemporary art history.

The museum ranks among my most favorite museums in the world: whenever I come to Athens I give it a visit. It convinces with extremely well curated exhibitions, always concerning socio-economic matters that easily evade our attention, combining high art with topics kindling curiosity.

One of the most intentionally and emotively curated gallery experiences. Each section's arranged so that your experience develops as you move through. Actually very moving if you are able to dwell and spend time in each space. The modern building's interior is full of detail too. Very grateful to have been able to visit.

The building itself isn’t visually appealing, but the collection of Greek modern art inside is surprisingly strong. I discovered several new artists and also saw works by Picasso, Monet, Manet, Baselitz, and more. It’s a small museum with a compact but meaningful selection.

With contemporary art museums there is this common mistake that you need to actually be an admirer of contemporary art (or art in general) to have a valuable visit in them. It's not completely true. It might help if you are, but I can find more than one reason to give such a museum a go. For one - usually the building is quite fun to walk around. For two - there are usually less visitors than in other kinds of museums. For three - and it's kind of connected to the previous point - the toilets are usually more comfortable than in other public places. This one for example has a toilet on each level (almost). And there are 7 levels altogether I think. My personal honest opinion about the building - it's a very good space for contemporary exhibitions. Lots of big spaces, interconnected and flexible. We saw some nice art during our visit.

Big spaces with white walls are a perfect blank canvas for new art. Recently converted from a former brewery, it's central and compliments the Ancient History that Athens is famous for. Hopefully in time, Athens will become an important hub for new work and also living artists.