The collection is arranged chronologically, with the oldest artifacts near the entrance and the newest near the exit.

Like the agora, the Agora Museum requires some kind of guide—person, book, or audio—to make sense of the artifacts on display. If you don’t know what you’re looking at, if you can’t listen to the stories and understand the history, you won’t get much from a visit here. There is the occasional wall text and informative caption available in the museum, but you can’t count on these to tell the whole story.

You should devote at least half an hour to this collection. With the right information, you can profitably spend an hour or two.

You will be asked to check larger rucksacks and bags before entering the museum. The check room is located at the southern end of the Stoa of Attalos.

Water fountain and restrooms are located in the Stoa of Attalos—on the north end. Although there are no benches in the museum itself, you can step out into the Stoa for a rest-break on one of the benches located along the central spine of columns.

Videos and photos are allowed inside the museum. But, please, no flash or artificial lighting.