Choose from 4,530 Fun Things to Do in Europe
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Museum of the History of the Ancient Olympic Games
Every four years the city-states of Ancient Greece used to call a truce and head to Olympia for an athletics competition in worship of Zeus. The tradition began in 776 BC and continued until suppressed by Roman Emperor Theodosius I in 394 AD as too pagan.
Today, Olympia is one of Greece's most visited historic sites and has the Museum of the History of the Ancient Olympic Games.
This small museum has got plenty of information about the origins of the Olympic Games but is small enough that the kids won't get bored. You can take it all in in about half an hour.
It's located in a neo-classical building a little away from the archeological site of the ancient games but worth finding for its information about the ancient games held from 776BC to 393 AD. Did you know that races with armor were introduced in 520BC, and the race for chariots drawn by four foals in 380BC? Or that the winners in the Ancient Olympics were granted special life-long privileges like having all their food paid for by the city?
Today, Olympia is one of Greece's most visited historic sites and has the Museum of the History of the Ancient Olympic Games.
This small museum has got plenty of information about the origins of the Olympic Games but is small enough that the kids won't get bored. You can take it all in in about half an hour.
It's located in a neo-classical building a little away from the archeological site of the ancient games but worth finding for its information about the ancient games held from 776BC to 393 AD. Did you know that races with armor were introduced in 520BC, and the race for chariots drawn by four foals in 380BC? Or that the winners in the Ancient Olympics were granted special life-long privileges like having all their food paid for by the city?
Address: Olympia, Greece
From $ 112
Museum of the History of Science
The Museum of the History of Science functions as both a public museum and a department of the University of Oxford. The museum occupies the world's oldest surviving purpose-built museum building, the Old Ashmolean. There are family-friendly programs and events, gallery tours, talks and lectures, and sessions designed for school groups. The museum has around 18,000 objects in its collection, although only about one fifth of these items are on display at any one time. Digital archives are kept on all items in the museum's collection.
Dozens of exhibits are on display at the museum. Themes include a wide range of topics such as photography, time, measurements, atmospheres, highlights on specific scientists, astronomy, and much more. The museum also holds an unrivaled collection of early scientific instruments. Aside from the permanent exhibitions, the museum has special exhibits that highlight other areas of their collection which change throughout the year. Audio guides and other multimedia enhance your visit to the museum. There is a small museum gift shop where souvenirs can be purchased.
Practical Info
The Museum of the History of Science is located on Broad Street in Oxford, England. Opening hours are noon to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday. Admission is free.
Address: Broad St, Oxford, United Kingdom OX1 3AZ, England
Hours: Tues-Sun 12pm-5pm
From $ 80
Museum of Natural History (Haus der Natur)
Located in two buildings on Museumsplatz near the River Salzach, Salzburg’s natural history museum was founded in 1924. It is an offshoot of the Salzburg Museum, which incorporates seven branches including the Toy Museum (Spielzeug Museum) and the Monatsschlössl ethnology museum at Schloss Hellbrunn as well as its main branch at the Neue Residenz. Along with a series of exhibitions focusing on dinosaurs, geology, the natural world and space travel, there’s an aquarium and reptile zoo featuring alligators and poisonous lizards.
The separate and largely interactive science center is wonderfully child friendly and displays across its three floors of hands-on exhibits examine energy, the human body and noise – this being Salzburg, the Audio Lab features the music of Mozart; it also has a science lab where junior experiments can be safely conducted under supervision.
Practical Info
Museumsplatz 5. Open daily 9am–5pm. Admission adults €8, children over 4 €5.50, under 4 go free. Bus number 1 or 10 to Mönchsbergaufzug.
Address: Museumsplatz 5, Salzburg, Austria
Admission: Adults: €8
From $ 11
Museum of the Great War
In the heart of the World War I Somme battlefields stands Château de Péronne, a castle that now houses the Museum of the Great War, often called Historial. The exhibitions solely focus on World War I, its origins, repercussions and conclusions, from the early years to the deadly finale, placing war in a social context and stressing the common suffering of the combatants. It also presents the war from a civilian standpoint, which were equally mobilized by the war effort in this affected region. The museum features two permanent exhibits; the first one, “Prisoners of War”, deals with all aspects of captivity and presents the harsh reality of 500,000 French, 160,000 British and 85,000 Germans prisoners of war. The second exhibit, “Children in World War I”, highlights the way children were subject to and of propaganda, how schoolbooks dwelled on patriotic duty to inspire future soldiers and nurses, for example. The Historial, which was envisioned in the context of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme and opened its doors in 1992,keeps a collection of more than 70,000 civil and military objects. The museography and interior architecture simultaneously illustrate what life was like for soldiers on the front and at home.
Practical Info
The Museum of the Great War is located inside Château de Péronne on Place André Audinot in Péronne, Picardie. It is two hours northeast of Paris and can be reached by car via A1 and exit 13. The museum is open every day except Wednesday from 9:30am to 5pm between October and March, and from 9:30am to 6pm between April and September. It is closed from mid-December to mid-January. Entry costs €9 per adult and €4.50 per child.
Address: Château de Péronne Place André Audinot, Peronne, France
Hours: Open daily, except Wednesday from 9:30am to 5pm between October and March, and from 9:30am to 6pm between April and September. Closed mid-December to mid-January.
Admission: €9 per adult and €4.50 per child
From $ 229
Museum of Modern Art (MUMOK)
The Museum of Modern Art (MUMOK) is one of the largest museums of modern and post-modern art in Central Europe. Founded in 1962, the museum features 10,000 pieces by 1,600 different artists, including some of the biggest names in 20th- and 21st-century art, like Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Gergard Richter and Yoko Ono. Classical modernism, nouveau realism, Vienna Actionism, photorealism and pop art are all represented.
The museum’s Wednesday evening film program screens thematic film series and films related to the works of art on display. Visitors inspired by the art on display have the chance to participate in hands-on workshops to experiment with various artistic techniques. Once per month, Art on Thursdays invites guests to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine before taking a gallery tour.
Practical Info
Free tours of the Museum of Modern Art collection are included in the cost of admission. Visitors up to the age of 19 get in for free.
Address: Museumsplatz 1, Wien 1070, Austria
Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-7pm
Admission: Adults € 10, Students & Military € 7, Visitors Age 19 & Younger Free
From $ 24
Museum of Science and Industry
Visitors can delve into Manchester’s inventive and industrial heritage at the Science and Industry Museum. Housed in a building that served as the world’s first passenger railway station, the museum includes a wide collection of vintage vehicles, historical machinery, hands-on exhibitions, and other engaging offerings.
The Basics
Manchester played a pivotal role during the Industrial Revolution, and it’s been known as a hub of innovation ever since. The Science and Industry Museum contains five exhibition areas: the 1830 Station, the 1830 Warehouse, the Power Hall, the New Warehouse, and the Air and Space Hall. The collection chronicles the city’s best-known breakthroughs and inventions, including everything from a replica steam locomotive to “Baby,” the world’s first stored-program computer and arguably the very start of modern computing.
Free to enter and open to the public daily, the museum is an excellent stop on city walking tours and cultural ventures, and can also be seen during hop-on hop-off bus tours of Manchester.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Science and Industry Museum is a must for families and those interested in the history of innovation.
- The museum is fully accessible to visitors with disabilities, and it also offers stroller parking.
- Interactive exhibitions are designed to appeal to visitors of all ages, while the museum’s Treasure Hunter app, complete with games and activities, keeps kids entertained.
- The Warehouse Café is a good place to grab a bite or a quick drink.
How to Get There
Located in the city center, the Science and Industry Museum can be accessed by multiple forms of public transportation. The free Metroshuttle stops nearby at Byrom Street, and the nearest Metrolink tram stop is Deansgate–Castlefield. The museum is within walking distance of Deansgate railway station; Oxford Road station is also nearby. Bicycle storage is available on-site.
When to Get There
In addition to permanent displays, the Science and Industry Museum hosts numerous temporary exhibitions as well as creative classes and events for families, so it’s worth checking the calendar before you visit to see what’s on. Engaging exhibits and an extensive collection mean families can easily spend half a day here. The museum is open daily 10am–5pm.
Liverpool Road Station
The Science and Industry Museum is as much a destination for its setting as for its exhibitions. After all, the museum is housed in a famed heritage site: the now-shuttered Liverpool Road Station, which first opened in 1830. The station was the original terminus for the first intercity railway in the world, and its original features have been carefully preserved.
Address: Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester M3 4FP, England
From $ 16
Museum of Military History (Hadtorteneti Muzeum)
Get an overview or go in depth into Hungary’s military operation and history, from traditional uniforms to key battles and important historic figures. The Museum of Military History is located in the city’s original army barracks, which date back to the 1830s. Exhibits trace back time to the Middle Ages, through revolutions and major world wars, to the present day. There’s an impressive display of flags, coins, armor, and weaponry that collectively show how they have each evolved over the ages.
Most of its artifacts are from the period following the 1848 War of Independence, offering a fascinating look at both Hungary’s own history and role in World War I and II. Cannonballs are still visible in the museum’s walls from the fighting that took place during the revolution.
Much of the museum is interactive and hands-on, making for an informative and immersive visit. There’s also a chance to learn about the separation of Hungary from Austria, as well as a collection of battle themed art.
Practical Info
You’ll find the Museum of Military History in the Buda district of the city. To get there take bus 16, 16A or 116, each of which stops nearby.The nearest metro station is Moszkva tér M. Signs are in Hungarian (with some in English,) but it’s still possible to get most of the information by walking through.
Address: Toth Arpad setany 40, Budapest, Hungary
Hours: Tues to Sun from 10 am - 4 pm
Admission: HUF 400
From $ 38
Museum of Royal Feluccas
Spain has always been known for its naval history and accomplishments, from military to exploration. The Royal Museum of Feluccas showcases several large barges used by the royal family to navigate the Tagus River. The ships utilized by Spanish royalty, ornately decorated royal feluccas, can be seen just outside of the Spanish capital at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Aranjuez. Visitors can view the boats of Charles IV, Ferdinand VII and Elizabeth II, as well as a beautiful gondola that once belonged to King Philip V.
The long, narrow boats are gloriously detailed and were used in ports and on rivers. Most date back to the 17th century. There are also small historic items and old photographs of the era, marking a fascinating glimpse back in time. Be sure to explore the expansive royal gardens that surround the museum.
Practical Info
The museum is located at the Palacio Real in Aranjuez, which is a 28 mile journey from Madrid. Walk through the Jardin del Principe to get there. It is open Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays) from 10 am to 5:15 pm. Admission is €3,40.
Address: Plaza de Parejas, s/n, Aranjuez, Madrid 28300, Spain
Hours: Tues-Sun 10am-5:15pm
Admission: €3,40
From $ 67
Museum of Military History (Heeresgeschichtliches Museum)
Located in the middle of the Arsenal and designed by Ludwig Foerster and Theophil Hansen in the 1850s, the Museum of Military History (Heeresgeschichtliches Museum) is the oldest museum in Vienna and one of the most important military history museums in the world. The museum’s five sections take visitors through the history of the Habsburg empire and Austria, beginning in the late 16th century and continuing through the dissolution of the Austrian monarchy in 1945.
Much of the gallery space features pre-Turkish conquest weaponry, but various medals, military uniforms, flags and artwork depicting battles are also on display. A “tank garden” behind the museum exhibits several armored battle vehicles from Austria and around the world. Rotating special exhibitions focus on more recent international conflicts.
Practical Info
The Museum of Military History is open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm. Admission is free for visitors under the age of 19 and for everyone on the first Sunday of every month.
Address: Arsenal Objekt 1, Wien 1030, Austria
Hours: Daily 9am-5pm
Admission: Adults: € 6, Visitors 19 years & younger: Free
From $ 139
Museum of Natural History
Opened in 1822, the Museum of Natural History is one of Lille’s oldest and is the only of its kind in Nord / Pas-de-Calais. The fact that the museum still stands to this day is nothing short of a miracle, seeing as it overcame two World Wars and yet continued adding items to its ever-expanding collections – that now comprises of over 200,000 specimens. It now focuses on two main themes, mineralogical and zoological. The former has tens of thousands of minerals and paleontological items, some of which date back 400 million years. The latter, on the other hand, contains 1,500 mammals, 1,000 reptiles and 100,000 insects to name a few, including several now-extinct species from around the world like the Iguanodon dinosaur, the Tasmanian Tiger and the Passenger Pigeon. Throughout its exhibitions the museum present the history of earth and life with various interactive displays and informative posters, encouraging visitors to care for the rapidly disappearing species and preserve the planet’s precious legacy.
Practical Info
The Museum of Natural History is located on rue de Bruxelles in Lille, close to Lille Grand Palais metro station. The closest parking is located on rue de Cambrai. Entry costs €4 per adult and €2.60 per child. The museum is closed on Tuesdays. It is otherwise open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9:30AM to 5PM, and on weekends from 10AM to 6PM.
Address: 19 Rue de Bruxelles, Lille, France
Admission: Adults: €4
From $ 29
Museum of Public Art
Madrid is full of beautiful museums with both classic and modern art on display, but the outdoor Museum of Public Art showcases another side of the Spanish art scene. The open-air museum, uniquely situated under a bridge in the middle of the city, features 17 pieces of abstract sculpture by (until now) undiscovered artists. It is a public space used both for recreation and for the discovery of unique local art. Two generations of Spanish avant-garde artists are represented, from Joan Miró, Julio González, and Alberto Sánchez in the 1920s and '30s to the pre-Civil War artists such as Eduardo Chillida.
Groundbreaking art blends seamlessly into the existing structure of the city and is accessible to anyone and everyone, which makes this unique museum particularly notable. Aside from the sculptures, be sure to check out the murals, gardens, and waterfall that make up this beautiful outdoor space.
Practical Info
The museum can be found at Paseo de la Castellana in Madrid, at the overpass joining Juan Bravo and Eduardo Dato streets. It is free of charge and open all hours of the day.
Address: Paseo de la Castellana, 40, Madrid 28046, Spain
From $ 51
Museum of Modern Art Rupertinum
Salzburg’s modern art museum consists of two parts; the MDM Rupertinum is housed in an elegant medieval palace in the Altstadt (Old Town) while the MDM Mönchsberg sits on a rocky crag above the city. Together the MdM Salzburg buildings offer over 3,000 meters of exhibition space for 20th- and 21st-century Austrian art and began life in 1983, when local art collector Friedrich Welz donated his entire collection of works by Oskar Kokoschka to the city. Displays include temporary exhibits along with paintings drawn from the museums’ core collection, including Austrian favorites Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, a scattering of French Impressionists and an 18,000-strong collection of contemporary Austrian photography.
Practical Info
Wiener-Philharmoniker-Gasse 9. Open Tue, Thur–Sun 10am–6pm; Wed 10am–8pm. Admission combined with the MDM Mönchsberg: adults €12, seniors & students €8. Single ticket: adults €8, seniors & students €6. Buses 8, 10, 20 and 25 can be taken to the Rathaus (Town Hall).
Address: Mönchsberg 32, Salzburg, Austria
Admission: Varies
From $ 29
Museum of Technology (Technisches Museum)
The Vienna Museum of Technology is a place to play with science. The museum prides itself on being a showplace for technological developments past, present, and future. By regional, and even international, standards the museum boasts unique collections. The collections include exhibits from the fields of transportation, energy, heavy industry, everyday life, mobility, media worlds, and musical instruments. In addition to the collections, interactive demonstrations and live laboratories enriched with graphics, experiments, films and texts provide educational entertainment for adults, kids, families, and groups. The museum’s unique multimedia presentations show the influence of Austria’s technological achievements on its modern society, economy, and culture.
A highlight is the high voltage demonstration in which a ‘singing’ Tesla coil creates extremely high voltage that forms lightning bolts – and they play music! The electricity from the coil’s discharge gets channelled in such a way that the lightning itself becomes a speaker, playing a musical repertoire ranging from ‘The Blue Danube’ to ‘Smoke on the Water’. Several other technological innovations and regular special exhibits make a visit to this museum a worthwhile experience for visitors of all ages.
Practical Info
The museum is easily accessible by public transit, and is free to visit on the first Sunday of each month.
Address: Mariahilfer Str. 212, Vienna 1140, Austria
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; weekends and bank holidays, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Admission: Adults: 12 €
From $ 15
Museum of Natural History (Musee d'Histoire Naturelle)
Founded during the French Revolution in 1793, the Museum of Natural History, or Musee d'Histoire Naturelle, took over the grounds of Louis XIII’s Royal Medicine Plant garden and prevailed under the guidance of naturalist pioneers Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck and Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire. Despite once rivaling the University of Paris’ scientific research departments, the museum is now best famed for its educational collections, focusing its research on environmental studies and preservation work.
Today, the vast museum complex is split into three different areas – a Paleontology museum, a Taxonomy wing and a Geology museum. The Museum of Paleontology is renowned for its prolific collection of bones and fossils, including a spine-tingling display of dinosaur skeletons and a lifelike collection of exotic taxidermy. Next up, the Taxonomy division focuses on plant life, with indoor and outdoor exhibits featuring a herbarium, containing around 8 million plant specimens, a small zoo and aquarium and some of the city’s most spectacular botanical gardens stretching over 26 hectares, including tropical greenhouses, a manmade labyrinth and a colorful rose garden. Finally, the Geology section houses a wide range of interactive exhibits alongside the acclaimed Gallery of Mineralogy.
Today, the vast museum complex is split into three different areas – a Paleontology museum, a Taxonomy wing and a Geology museum. The Museum of Paleontology is renowned for its prolific collection of bones and fossils, including a spine-tingling display of dinosaur skeletons and a lifelike collection of exotic taxidermy. Next up, the Taxonomy division focuses on plant life, with indoor and outdoor exhibits featuring a herbarium, containing around 8 million plant specimens, a small zoo and aquarium and some of the city’s most spectacular botanical gardens stretching over 26 hectares, including tropical greenhouses, a manmade labyrinth and a colorful rose garden. Finally, the Geology section houses a wide range of interactive exhibits alongside the acclaimed Gallery of Mineralogy.
Address: 57 Rue Cuvier, Paris 75005, France
Admission: Prices vary per Exhibit
From $ 140
Museum of the Macedonian Struggle
Skopje's Museum of the Macedonian Struggle features 13 exhibits detailing Macedonia history from the beginning of its resistance against Ottoman rule through its declaration of independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. Visitors can take a look at each exhibit to see artifacts from different periods in history, from weapons and documents to furniture and artwork. Travelers will also see more than 100 wax figures of historical Macedonian figures throughout the museum, as well as portraits of the most important revolutionaries and intellectuals in Macedonian history and paintings of important historical scenes.
Guided tours are available to take visitors through the exhibits and past Macedonia's original Declaration of Independence. The museum even opened on Sept. 8, 2011, the country's Independence Day.
Practical Info
The Museum of the Macedonian Struggle is located on the Old Town side of the Vardar River, just across the Stone Bridge from Macedonia Square and not far from the Museum of Archaeology and the Holocaust Memorial Center. It is within easy walking distance of most central Skopje hotels.
Address: Str. Iljo Vojvoda, Skopje, Macedonia
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
From $ 13
Museum of Natural History (Museum d'Histoire Naturelle)
Switzerland’s largest natural history museum will have visitors believe they are travelling to several different ecosystems all in one place, thanks to highly immersive dioramas. It’s home many of Louis Jurine’s (one of Switzerland’s most notable entomologist and naturalist) collections, notably the hymenoptera, the coleoptera, and the hemiptera sets. The multi-storey museum has an entire floor dedicated to lifelike stuffed regional fauna, which will undoubtedly have visitors do a double take - noteworthy specimens include polar bears, penguins, and even whales. If taxidermy is not your forte, the superior floors focus on the evolution of mankind and the evolution of astronomy. And although every single item hosted by the museum is fascinating in its own right, the real star of the show is Lucy, a bronze statue of the famous Australopithecus and oldest known human fossil. The earthquake simulator is also a big hit – especially with families.
Insider’s Tip: Don’t miss the moon stones on the top floor. They were gifted to the museum by the NASA!
Practical Info
Natural History Museum of Geneva is located in the Eaux-Vives area on route de Malagnou. It can be reached by public transit as it is located right next to Villeruse station on tram line 12. It is also possible to get there by car; coming in from central Geneva, head towards route de Malagnou, take a left on rue de Villeruse to get to the Villeruse parking lot behind the museum. Rates are CHF 1 per 25 minutes. Admission is free. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm, but it is closed on Mondays as well as December 25 and January 1.
Address: 1 Route de Malagnou, Geneva, Geneva Canton 1208, Switzerland
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Closed on Mondays as well as December 25 and January 1.
From $ 27
Museum of Modern Art Monchsberg
Salzburg’s superb museum of modern Austrian art comes as a contemporary change after the city’s relentless Baroque charm. It has two branches: the MDM Rupertinum and the MDM Mönchsberg. The latter perches above the city on the rocky crag of Mönchsberg, one of five steep hills that form part of the city’s skyline; it was designed by Munich architects Friedrich Hoff Zwink following a competition launched in 1998 and has a series of light-filled, airy galleries tucked behind its ultra-modern white-marble façade. The four-floor museum opened in 2004 and holds exhibitions of contemporary painting, installations and temporary exhibitions from contemporary Austrian artists as well as open-air displays on the surrounding terraces. The neo-Gothic 19th-century Amalie Redlich Water Tower that stands next to MDM Mönchsberg has been incorporated into the gallery and hosts workshops and other events. The museum’s award-winning M32 restaurant has a panoramic terrace for views across Salzburg and the River Salzach; it is one of the city’s most popular summer dining spots.
Practical Info
Located at Mönchsberg 32, the museum is open on Tuesdays and from Thursday to Sunday. Hours are 10am to 6pm regularly, and until 8pm on Wednesdays. Admission combined with the MDM Rupertinum costs adults €12, and seniors and students €8. Single tickets cost adults €8, and seniors and students €6. The Mönchsberg funicular goes up the hill to the museum from Anton-Neumayr-Platz and runs daily between 8am and 7pm (later in summer); return fares are €3.50 for adults and €1.80 for those under 14.
Address: Mönchsberg 32, Salzburg, Austria
Admission: Varies
From $ 29
Museum of Socialist Art
The Museum of Socialist Art in Sofia focuses on the art and history of Bulgaria during the communist period from 1944 to 1989. The museum was opened in September 2011 and includes a statue park and indoor exhibition space. More than 70 statues and busts of former socialist leaders, including a giant statue of Lenin that once stood in the center of the city, have found a new home in the park. The statues generally include only the title, creator, and in some cases the town where the statue came from. There is also a red star that once topped the Socialist Party headquarters.
The gallery has art on display that focuses on the socialist period. There are 60 paintings and 25 easel representations. Some of the art depicts life during World War II while other pieces show socialism in the country, including some scenes of happy life under party rule. There is also a video hall for screening documentary films and newsreels from the communist times.
Practical Info
The Museum of Socialist Art is located at 7 Luchezar Stanchev Street.
Address: 7 Lachezar Stanchev, Sofia, Bulgaria
From $ 5
Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMCO)
Geneva’s MAMCO is a vast contemporary art museum located in a former physical laboratory in an up-and- coming area filled with dozens of trendy art galleries and hip coffee shops; a veritable hub for Geneva’s creative types. The museum itself is specialised in experimental exhibits and notoriously non-traditional, keen to push the limits of originality by continuously coming up with bold ideas and novel styles. While MAMCO does have a mindboggling and acclaimed 4,000-item permanent collection, what really sets it apart is the four temporary exhibits it welcomes every year in order to keep things diversified and unexpected.
Insider’s Tip: As the museum is highly conceptual and features several non-traditional works, a guided visit (every Sunday at 3pm in French and every Wednesday at 7pm in English) is an absolute must; especially for the audacious FlatLand collection on the first floor, which contemplates how life would be life if we lived in just two dimensions instead of three.
Practical Info
MAMCO is located at 10 Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers in Geneva, Switzerland. The museum is a 20-minute walk from the historic center of Geneva; alternatively, it can be reached by tram via lines 12 and 15 at stops Plainpalais and Rond-Point, as well as by car. Coming in from Geneva’s main ring road route 1, take exit 1a and take a right on Rue des Acacias and a left on Avenue Henri Dunant to park at Parking Plaine de Plainpalais, which is just a two-minute walk from the museum. Rates are CHF 1.- for every half hour. The museum is open between 12pm and 6pm Tuesdays to Fridays, between 11am and 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as until 9pm the first Wednesday of every month. It is closed on Mondays. Entry costs CHF 8.- but is free of charge on the first Sunday as well as the first Wednesday evening of every month.
Address: 10 Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers, Geneva, Geneva Canton 1205, Switzerland
Hours: The museum is open between 12pm and 6pm Tuesdays to Fridays, between 11am and 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as until 9pm the first Wednesday of every month. It is closed on Mondays.
Admission: CHF 8.-
From $ 27
Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil
The cultivation of olives and the production of olive oil have been vitally important to Greece for centuries and hills covered in silver-leafed olive trees form an iconic part of the landscape. The country’s homage to its most important crop opened in 2002 in Laconia, one of its main olive-producing regions, and offers an informative take on the cultural and economic importance of olives as well as taking visitors step by step through the process of producing olive oil, soap and other by-products. As well as ancient amphorae used for transporting olive oil, mill stones and flat-bottomed Byzantine storage jars, highlights of the exhibition include clay tablets from the 14th century BC, which are inscribed with the health-giving properties of olive oil.
A variety of olive presses from all across Greece date from ancient times right up to the industrial age and include examples powered by water, steam, diesel and even by animal. Among the olive trees in the museum grounds are several sizeable presses, including replicas of ones from prehistoric, Classic and Byzantine times. A small store offers a range of local, organic and flavoured olive oils for sale as well as handmade soaps.
Practical Info
129 Othonos-Amalias St, Sparta. Open Mar¬–Oct 15 10am–6pm; Oct 16–Feb 10am–5pm. Admission adults €3, concessions €1.5. Southwest of Athens in the Peloponnese, Sparta is best reached by car from Athens; the journey is 133 miles (213 km) and takes around two hours 25 minutes hours via the E65.
Address: 129 Othonos-Amalias St, Sparta, Laconia, Peloponnese 231 00, Greece
Hours: Open daily Mar–Oct 15 10am–6pm; Oct 16–Feb 10am–5pm
Admission: Adults: €3; Concessions: €1.5
From $ 92