Your Insider’s Guide to Athens Art Galleries

Courtesy: Zoumboulakis Galley

Athens is heaven for art-lovers. The capital’s art scene is red-hot and Athenian galleries are a great place to eavesdrop on what local artists think and feel about current issues. A city art insider distills the vibrant gallery circuit in Athens.

By Kiriakos Spirou

Kolonaki

With over 20 galleries, big and small, scattered around the slopes of Mount Lycabettus, Kolonaki is Athens’ art HQ. There’s something to see (and buy) for every taste. Keep an eye out for the smaller and younger spaces; they’re great for scouting promising new talent.

Gagosian Athens

The name of mega-gallerist Larry Gagosian is associated with some of the biggest stars of the international contemporary art scene. With locations across the USA, Europe, and in Hong Kong, the Gagosian gallery opened its Athens location in 2017, at a small ground-floor apartment near Syntagma. It later moved into a majestic modernist mansion further uphill on Lycabettus, in a quiet and prestigious corner of Kolonaki. Apart from the world-standard exhibitions that are frequently on display, the all-white listed building is reason enough to visit. At Athens, the Gagosian shows artists with links to Greece — such as Brice Marden, an American minimalist painter who fell in love with Hydra back in the 1970s and produced many of his works there — as well as other well-known and highly collectible names such as Sterling Ruby and Giuseppe Penone.

Photo courtesy of Gagosian Athens

More to see in Kolonaki: Nitra Gallery, Crux Gallery, Athens Art Gallery, Alma Gallery, Evripides Gallery, Skoufa Gallery.

Syntagma

The area between Kolonaki and Syntagma Square mixes state affairs, embassies, museums and high-profile law firms. The galleries here are more than dressed for the part.

More to see in Syntagma: Ikastikos Kiklos DL

Acropolis

Thissio & Petralona

Low-rise buildings and slow traffic make the urban neighbourhoods of Thissio and Petralona deal for gallery walks and outings. The galleries here are part of the old guard, but never run out of fresh ideas.

Monastiraki & Psirri

There's contemporary art even in Athens’ most touristy area, Monastiraki, if you know where to look.

The Project Gallery

Hidden somewhere in the antique shop-filled alleys of Monastiraki, The Project Gallery was founded in 2018 and is a space for new visual art. The entrance is almost blocked by second-hand closets and vanity sets, but walk past them and into the arcade to find the staircase that leads up to the gallery space (also accessible via elevator). Inside, a very modern and cleancut exhibition space sharply contradicts the atmosphere of the street outside. Exhibitions here are often group shows, presenting the work of interesting local and international artists—while on the programme you will also find performances, talks and other events. After looking at the art, a mandatory drink at the building’s famed rooftop bar should be on your agenda.

Photo courtesy of The Project Gallery

More to see in Monastiraki: a.antonopoulou.art Gallery, TAF The Art Foundation

Metaxourgeio & Keramikos

The plan to posh-up Keramikos and Metaxourgeio back in the Noughties didn't quite stick, but the edgy galleries that relocated here as part of that movement have stayed.

More to see in Metaxourgeio: We Are Bud project space, Athens Municipal Gallery, ATOPOS CVC, Vamiali's Gallery

Ambelokipi

A short walk from Kolonaki and the Athens Concert Hall, the northern slopes of Mount Lycabettus are worth exploring if you'd prefer to veer off the tourist path.

Art adventures in the Athens suburbs

Venture beyond the city centre to discover gallery gems that are well worth your time.

More outside the city centre: Depo Darm Contemporary Art Space, Rodeo Gallery, Carwan Gallery, The Intermission, DL Gallery