YOu might not get many answers, by tagging on to the end of a very OLD thread.

The NEW Acropolis Museum will not be open until end of this year (part of it will be open free until end of march 2008 -- then apparently it closes to complete the installation).

The Archeological Museum is a MUST -- I advise going to Rick Steve's website and printing out his do-it-yourself guide, which helps people to see the most important parts without totally collapsing.

ALSO, I hear that there is a desk right by the entry--ask about it -- where there are volunteer docents that speak English and will take you to areas you are most interested in.

The Benaki Museum is in a gorgeous Mansion; its interest for you will depend on your interest in the Byzantine era in Greece, and Orthodox Church stuff.

If you are more into ancients, a block away is the Goulandris Cycladic museum of marble prehistoric sculptures, a treat, if you have not been able to get to the tiny Museum in Naxos which has TONS of same.

If you're musical, check out in Plaka the Museum of traditional Instruments (free) which has all the old stringed ones, with earphones to hear how each sounds... a nice short visit.

Thanks, traveljan, for your helpful response - hadn't thought of the
G. Cycladic Museum which sounds fascinating too.
Did you find the NAM very crowded?

I don't know what you mean by crowded. Certainly not as crowded as the Met in NYC is most weekends ... Sometimes there are tour groups that go through.

IF you want to be more alone-ish, I would either get there at 9 am, or go through about noonish... the group leaders have dragged off their charges to some restaurant by then... or you can go around 4 pm, everybody's off taking a nap.

But crowds? Have you been to the Louvre? Musee d'Orsay? not compared. Remember -- this is not a museum of Paintings, where people get in the way of your view. THis is sculpture, and pots and stuff.

A guide book mentioned the crowds - but I've been to the Met and the Louvre, and you've put it in perspective - thanks again!

NAM docents are great.

I got a great laugh when one said that young visitors often mistake the sandal that Aphrodite is waving at Pan and Eros for a cellphone ....

http://tinyurl.com/2qe3dd

Bookmarking for a future trip - thanks for the info!

Started reading this post and replies thinking that it was perfect because my husband and I are planning a similar trip for early Oct 2008; then realized that it was an 07 posting. Briemand: did you ever post a trip report? I would be very interested in how you liked Crete. We will be there also for approx. 5 days, staying with friends from Belgium. Then we plan to spend 3 days in Athens. Trying to decide whether to squeeze in another island like Santorini or Mikinos. Thoughts?

It's tough for a lot of folks to squeeze another stop into a relatively short trip, but if you were to, do Santorini (assuming you haven't been or don't plan another trip soon.)

While I feel there are better options for long visits, the natural setting sets it apart and just one sunset over the caldera is one you'll remember forever.

topping