This summer, art lovers heading to Greece will find no shortage of reasons to split their time between Athens and Hydra. From major museum exhibitions and landmark retrospectives to bold digital installations and island-based artist projects, here’s what not to miss, whether you're drawn to ancient forms, contemporary questions, or both.

ATHENS

Oscar Murillo: A Telegram to my dear Suki at Gagosian, 20 June to 30 August 2025

Drawings, paintings and a video work explore the fragility and power of mark-making as a form of communication. Gestures become charged exchanges, highlighting connection, rupture and urgency in today’s cultural and political climate.

Top tip Head to Kolonaki, the nearby neighbourhood known for its cafés, boutiques and restaurants.

Marlene Dumas: Cycladic Blues at the Museum of Cycladic Art, 5 June to 3 November 2025

Over thirty paintings and works on paper by Marlene Dumas are placed in conversation with ancient artefacts from the museum’s permanent collection at Megaro Stathatos. Curated by Douglas Fogle in collaboration with the artist, it’s the museum’s first solo exhibition in Greece dedicated to Dumas.

Top tip Across the road, the Botanical Gardens are perfect for a quiet hour. There’s a small café tucked in the northeast corner and a low-key ‘zoo’ with goats and waterfowl at the centre.

In a Bright Green Field at Benaki Museum, 12 June to 13 September 2025

This group show brings together twenty-nine emerging artists from Athens, Nicosia and beyond, exploring more connected relationships with nature and community. It reflects how younger generations are engaging local histories to consider global futures.

Top tip: Download the free audio tour on your phone and don’t forget headphones.

Theodoros, Sculptor, Anti-Retrospective at EMST, 8 February to 25 January 2026

The first major exhibition of sculptor Theodoros since his death, bringing together key works and archival materials from the artist’s bequest to the museum. The show celebrates his progressive vision and enduring influence on sculpture in Greece.

Top tip: Head to the rooftop afterwards for panoramic views of Athens, including the Acropolis.

HYDRA

Andra Ursuța: Apocalypse Now and Then at DESTE Foundation Project Space, Slaughterhouse, 24 June to 31 October 2025

Ursuţa’s first major exhibition in Greece blends archaeological display with speculative fiction. Her new bronze sculptures reinterpret classical forms and present an imagined museum of future relics.

Top tip: Jeff Koons’ Apollo sculpture from his 2022 show is now a permanent installation outside the Slaughterhouse.

Hydra School Projects: Lithos/Lethe curated by Dimitrios Antonitsis, 20 June to 7 September 2025

Now in its 26th edition, Hydra School Projects returns with eight artists showing work in the sunlit former classrooms. Dimitris’s marble sculptures appear throughout, culminating in an installation in the courtyard curated by Tatiana Gecmen-Waldek and Ekaterina Juskowski.

Top tip: Walk six minutes to Koutsikou Hydra, a concept store with stylish apparel and accessories.

Historical Archive Museum of Hydra

Located on the east side of the harbour, the museum focuses on the island’s naval history and its pivotal role in the Greek War of Independence. Exhibits include artefacts donated by prominent Hydra families, offering a thoughtful look at the island’s contribution to modern Greece.

Top tip: Five minutes away is local taverna Kryfo Limani, known for its fried zucchini balls and relaxed terrace views.