Guide to Kerameikos: Archaeological Museum, Tickets, History

Aktualisiert am 3. August 2023 von Athens-Tourist-Information
Kerameikos Athens Tourist Information

The Kerameikos in Athens is one of the most important archaeological sites in the city. It presents important finds from the ancient cemetery of Kerameikos.

In this complete guide to Kerameikos in Athens, you'll learn all about the Archaeological Museum, the archaeological site and the history of the historic district, as well as helpful information about how to get there and tickets.

What Can I Do at Kerameikos?

Visiting Keramiekos Athens Tourist Information

The most famous cemetery of ancient Athens is located in the historical district of Kerameikos. Important citizens and war heroes of Athens were buried here.

Today it is one of the most important archaeological sites in Athens. Visitors to Kerameikos can tour the archaeological site and discover ancient walls, stately tombs with sculptural masterpieces, and two city gates: the Sacred Gate and Dipylon, the two main gates of ancient Athens.

There is also a small museum on the site, the Archaeological Museum of Kerameikos. It shows important finds from the area, covering the period from the 3rd millennium B.C. BC to the time of Roman rule and were found during excavation work after 1915.

The exhibits are displayed in chronological order, as well as by origin and subject. In the first hall and in the atrium, visitors will find ancient sculptures. The remaining three rooms house finds such as pottery and vases, as well as tombstones and grave goods, including gold jewelry and everyday objects. This gives the visitor an insight into ancient ceramic production, but also into burial customs and the cult of the dead in antiquity.

The unique backdrop of the area is also ideal for a romantic walk.

Museum Shop

A small museum shop with a selection of books, gifts and souvenirs can also be found on the museum grounds.

Walkway Keramiekos Athens Tourist Information

Admission, Tickets and Guided Tours

  • Admission: Children under the age of 5, EU citizens under the age of 25 and visitors with a disability, among others, enjoy free admission. A complete and detailed list is available here.
  • Tickets: The ticket gives access to the archaeological site as well as to the museum of Kerameikos. Tickets are available at the on-site ticket offices and online. More information is available here.
  • Combo Ticket: There is a combo ticket valid for 5 days which gives access to the following museums: Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Museum of Ancient Agora, Archaeological Museum of Kerameikos, Hadrian's Library, Kerameikos, the Lykeion Archaeological Site, the North Slope of Acropolis, the Olympieion, the Roman Agora of Athens, and the southern slope of the Acropolis. It is available in our shop
  • Tip: Admission to the archaeological site and the museum of Kerameikos is free on the first Sunday of every month from November to March. Also on March 6th, April 18th, May 18th, the last weekend in September and October 28th.
Kerameikos Ariel View Athens Tourist Information

How Do I Get to Kerameikos?

The Kerameikos archaeological site is located in the Athens district of the same name, near the Acropolis. Thanks to its central location between two metro stations, it has good public transport connections. It can be reached from the Monastiraki district after an 11-minute walk or by taking the M1 metro line (to "Thisseio").

Visitors arriving from the cruise port in Piraeus can walk to the nearby Piraeus metro station and get on the M1 line. A single ticket is sufficient for the 15-minute ride to the "Thisseio" station. From there it is another 5 minutes walk.

Bull Statue Keramiekos Athens Tourist Information

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What are the opening hours of Kerameikos?

The archaeological site and museum of Kerameikos is open all year round. The current opening hours can be found on the official website of the museum.

Where is Kerameikos?

The archaeological site of Kerameikos is located in the district of the same name in Athens, close to the Acropolis and just an eleven-minute walk from the Monastiraki district. The full address is: Ermou 148, 10553 Athens

How do I get to Kerameikos?

Thanks to its central location between two metro stations, the Kerameikos has good public transport connections. From the Monastiraki district you can reach it with an 11-minute walk or by subway line M1 (to “Thisseio”).

Visitors arriving from the Piraeus cruise port can go to the nearby Piraeus Metro Station and board the M1 line. A single ticket is sufficient for the 15-minute journey to Thisseio station. From there it is a 5 minute walk.

Where can I buy tickets for Kerameikos?

Tickets are available at the ticket counters on site and online in our shop

History Keramiekos Athens Tourist Information

History of Kerameikos

In ancient times, Kerameikos housed one of the most important ancient cemeteries. As was usual at the time, the largest and oldest Attic cemetery extended outside the city walls. The area was also an important center for Attic pottery, which is why numerous clay vessels were found in the excavation work.

Scientific excavations on the site of Kerameikos were first carried out in 1863 by the Greek Archaeological Society. Since 1913, the excavations, archaeological research and restoration measures have been accompanied by the German Archaeological Institute. The finds from the older excavations can be seen in the National Archaeological Museum of AthensAll the finds discovered from the beginning of the German excavation work are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Kerameikos, which was founded in 1937 and expanded over time.

Today, Kerameikos, along with the Acropolis, the Agora and the Olympieion, is one of the most important archaeological sites in the city, making it one of the most worth seeing places in Athens.

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