Tours and Tickets to Experience National Library (Vallianeion)

There are plenty of ways to experience the National Library of Greece. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

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The National Library of Greece is free to enter, though there are plenty of tours that can help you learn more about the library with an expert guide—and combine it with other Athens landmarks. Extensive multisite and half-day tours can reach nearly US$300, though more affordable options like small-group tours are priced below US$100.

There are restrictions on taking photos at the National Library of Greece. While you can take photos of the exterior and inside the lobby, photography is prohibited in other areas.

The National Library of Greece (or EBE) provides guided tours of the building at its headquarters, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center. These tours, available between Tuesday and Friday, are free and can accommodate between five and 25 people. Requests for tours must be made online in advance.

To see some of the most prized pieces in the National Library of Greece, look to its Special Collections department, which holds printed books and pamphlets dating back to the 15th century, including the oldest printed Greek books. These are housed on the 4th level of the library at the SNFCC.

The National Library of Greece has different opening hours for its various departments, including reading rooms that are open daily from 9am to midnight. The General Collections Department and Magazine Collection are open Monday to Friday, 9am–8pm, and Saturdays 9am–2pm; these areas of the building are closed on Sundays.