On this page of the free Athens travel guide, you can find the most important Athens libraries, owned by the Greek state or privately supported. And as a bonus to book lovers from around the world, there is also a selection of the coolest Athens bookshops.
For each of the Athens libraries and bookshops you may find:
- the name of the Athens library or bookshop and perhaps a video or a photo;
- a short description of the Athens bookshop or library;
- visiting information including opening times, address and map location, telephone if available, and details on how to get to these Athens libraries and bookshops using public transport.
Athens libraries
The National Library of Greece
Operating in three buildings (Vallianio, Votanikos, and Kiskin), the National Library of Greece has a huge and impressive lecture hall. In it, you can discover its vast collection of historical documents.
Opening times and other useful information for these Athens libraries
- Vallianio Megaro – Newspaper Reader. The Vallianio Megaro building of the National Library is open from Monday to Friday between 09.00 and 14.00.
- Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (Kiskin) – General Collection; Manography, Archives, and Special Collections; Lending Department Reading Room; Magazine Reader. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center is open from Monday to Friday between 09.00 and 14.00.
The National Library of Greece – Vallianio Megaro
Address: Omonoia 32, Athina 106 79 | See on map
Public transport: Subway line 2 (Red line) can take you to the nearby Panepistimio station.
Tel. +30 21 0338 2541
The National Library of Greece – Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (Kiskin)
Address: Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea 176 74, Greece | See on map
Public transport: Buses 126, 229, 550, A2, B2, and trolleybus 10 can drop you at nearby bus stops. The tram connecting Syntagma Square to Glyfada can take you to the nearby Delta Phalirou tram station.
Tel. +30 21 6809 1000
Library of the Hellenic Parliament
Inside the imposing building of the Parliament, there is a beautiful library that is open to the public. It is one of the general Athens libraries, with the aim to support parliamentary work.
Opening times and other useful travel information
The Library of the Hellenic Parliament is open for the public on weekdays between 09.00 and 14.00 and between 17.30 and 20.30, and on Saturdays between 09.00 and 14.00.
Library of the Hellenic Parliament
Address: Lenorman 218-220, Athina 104 43, Greece | See on map
Public transport: Subway line 2 (Red line) can take you to the nearby Sepolia station.
Tel. + 30 21 0370 7227
Central Library of the Municipality of Athens
Housing over 55,000 books focused mostly on literature, history, and art, it is the perfect place to go to discover rare volumes. It ranks third in size and importance among Athens libraries, after the National Library and the Library of the Hellenic Parliament. However, it is the first among Athens libraries for its newspaper archives.
Opening times and other useful travel information
The Central Library of the Municipality of Athens is open on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays between 09.00 and 15.00, and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 09.00 and 17.00.
Central Library of the Municipality of Athens
Address: Domokou 2, Athina 104 40, Greece | See on map
Public transport: Subway line 2 (Red line) can take you to the nearby St. Larissis station.
Tel. +30 21 0884 7561, +30 21 0884 6021
The National Library of Greece, the Central Library of the Municipality of Athens, and the Library of the Hellenic Parliament are the three oldest Athens libraries.
Gennadius Library
The Gennadius Library is a privately supported research and rare books library. With over 120,000 books, archives, and manuscripts, the Gennadius Library is one of the most complete Hellenistic libraries in all the world. However, it has volumes in almost all languages.
Opening times and other useful travel information
The Gennadius Library is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 09.00 and 17.00, on Thursdays between 09.00 and 20.00, and on Saturdays between 09.00 and 14.00.
Gennadius Library
Address: Souidias 61, Athina 106 76, Greece | See on map
Public transport: Subway line 3 (Blue line) can take you to the nearby Megaro Mousikis and Evangelismos stations.
Tel. +30 21 0721 0536
Eugenides Foundation Library
Specialized in science and technology, the Eugenides Foundation Library is open since 1966. It also has a children’s section and a children’s reading club. Visitors can easily borrow books and use the computer room of this library.
Opening times and other useful travel information
The Eugenides Foundation Library is open every day except on Sundays. On Mondays and Saturdays between 08.30 and 15.30, and from Tuesday to Friday between 08.30 and 20.00.
Eugenides Foundation Library
Address: 387 Syggrou Ave Palaio Faliro, Athina 175 64, Greece | See on map
Public transport: Buses 126, 229, 550, A2, B2, and trolleybus 10 can drop you at nearby bus stops. The tram connecting Syntagma Square to Glyfada can take you to the nearby Delta Phalirou tram station.
Tel. +30 21 0946 9600
Athens bookshops
Lexikopoleio
Lexikopoleio is the only bookshop in Athens that has books of literature for sale in five different languages: English, Frech, Italian, Spanish, and, of course, Greek. Upstairs, you can find language dictionaries that are quite varied. Lexikopoleio also has comics, children’s books, the local and foreign press. Depending on the number of languages you know you might end up spending a few good hours in this lovely and friendly bookshop.
The books in foreign languages are sold at the same price as in their country of origin.
Opening times and other useful information
Lexikopoleio is open every day except for Sundays. On Mondays and Wednesdays, it is open between 09.00 and 18.00. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays it is open between 09.00 and 21.00. On Saturdays, it is open between 10.00 and 16.00.
Lexikopoleio
Address: Stasinou 13, Athina 116 35, Greece | See on map
Public transport: Subway line 3 (Blue line) can take you to the nearby Evangelismos station. You are also about the same distance from the Zappeio tram station. Buses 550 and trolleybus 10 can also drop you at nearby bus stops.
Tel. +30 21 0723 1201
Booktique
The little bookshop is located in Kolonaki. It features not only books in Greek, but also in other foreign languages. At Booktique, you can also buy yourself a new bag or some jewelry, all made by local Greek artists.
Opening times and other useful travel information
Booktique is open every day except on Sundays. On Mondays and Wednesdays, it is open between 09.00 and 18.00. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays it is open between 09.00 and 21.00. On Saturdays. it is open between 09.00 and 19.00.
Booktique
Address: Patriarchou Ioakim 21, Athina 106 75, Greece | See on map
Public transport: Subway line 3 (Blue line) can take you to the nearby Evangelismos station.
Tel. +30 21 0723 5425
Euripides
Euripides offers books in English and Greek in two Athens bookshops:
- Euripides at the Stoa was the first bookshop of the small chain. From a small corner bookshop, it grew into one of the largest in Greece. On its four floors, it offers thousands of volumes in Greek and foreign languages, children’s books, art books, and albums, travel books and maps, and dictionaries. It has a café on the 1st floor inside the bookshop and another outside, in the courtyard.
- Euripides in Kifissia has a similar offer in books and an elegant café of its own.
Opening times and other useful travel information
The Euripides Bookshops are open every day except on Sunday. From Monday to Friday they are open between 09.00 and 21.00. On Saturdays, they are open between 09.00 and 18.00.
Euripides at the Stoa
Address: Andrea Papandreou 11, Chalandri 152 34, Greece | See on map
Public transport: Subway line 3 (Blue line) can take you to the Agia Paraskevi station.
Tel. +30 21 0680 0644
Euripides in Kifissia
Address: Leof. Kifisias 310, Athina 145 63, Greece | See on map
Public transport | Subway line 1 (Green line) can take you to the Kifissia station.
Tel. +30 21 0807 5792
Le Livre Ouvert
At this French library, you can find not only the works of French writers but also foreign writers translated in French. Le Livre Ouvert has the classics and the latest releases for you to browse and choose from. It is also a meeting point for French-speaking residents, whether expats or true Athenians.
Opening times and other useful travel information
Le Livre Ouvert is open every day except on Sunday. On Mondays and Wednesdays, it is open between 09.00 and 17.00. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays it is open between 09.00 and 20.00. On Saturdays, it is open between 10.00 and 16.00.
Le Livre Ouvert
Address: Solonos 77, Athina 106 79, Greece | See on map
Public transport: Subway line 1 (Green line) can take you to the nearby Omonia station. Subway line 2 (Red line) can take you to the nearby Omonia or Panepistimio stations.
Tel. +30 21 0362 9703
Poems n’ Crimes Art Bar
Located near the Monastiraki Square, Poems n’ Crimes is not only a bookshop but also a café-bar and printing office. The café offers traditional Greek food cooked with a twist and lovely wines, which go great with a good book.
On warm evenings, you may come across a nice concert in the hidden backyard.
Opening times and other useful information
Poems n’ Crimes is open every day except on Sundays. On all other days, it is open between 09.00 and 00.00.
Poems n’ Crimes Art Bar
Address: Agias Irinis 17, Athina 105 51, Greece | See on map
Public transport: Subway lines 1 (Green line) and 3 (Blue line) can take you to the nearby Monastiraki station.
Tel. +30 21 0322 8839
Athens libraries and bookshops also available on GPSmyCity.