Helmi's Natural History Museum, Zakynthos: Hours, Address, Helmi's Natural History Museum Reviews: 4.5/5
Helmi's Natural History Museum
Helmi's Natural History Museum
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Museum's exhibitions offer in a pleasant way to the visitor the opportunity:to become familiar with the natural heritage of Zakynthos to be informed about suggested delightful routes he can take on the island to learn about the different life forms of the five continents.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
27 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
7
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
1
sephreniazalasta
49 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
As we entered, a faint whiff of salt and fish hit my nose .... the lights were off and the place was quiet. A man smiled, so genuine we couldn't leave. He took our money and pointed us in the direction of one room and then motioned for us to then go upstairs and then downstairs. His English was minimal, it didn't matter.
We entered the first room and I was amazed at the information that was readily available, and also the emotion that was behind the words. The second and third rooms showed us a huge collection of stuffed animals, preserved fish, skeletons, shells, a massive fossil and pinned butterflies/moths with some history and ecological information to boot!
It became apparent this was a collection of someone who loved nature, and had collected a wealth of things, that all they could do was share it with us. I felt very humbled that I was able to share the passion of such a collector. My husband and I joked that this was obviously an extension to someone's home, and the wife had probably booted the husbands "collection" out of the family home.
At the end, the man turned the lights off after us, and stood grinning at the lift. With a few gestures and short sentences, we found out that one man had amassed this collection - called Helmi (if only we knew ...) and that this smile filled man, was in fact Helmi! How amazed I was.
It doesn't take long to get there, to go round the museum, and some people may feel that it isn't worth the fee, but for me - seeing that man and his pride in his collection and the knowledge of the island and environmentalism he shows, it was worth every cent to me.
We entered the first room and I was amazed at the information that was readily available, and also the emotion that was behind the words. The second and third rooms showed us a huge collection of stuffed animals, preserved fish, skeletons, shells, a massive fossil and pinned butterflies/moths with some history and ecological information to boot!
It became apparent this was a collection of someone who loved nature, and had collected a wealth of things, that all they could do was share it with us. I felt very humbled that I was able to share the passion of such a collector. My husband and I joked that this was obviously an extension to someone's home, and the wife had probably booted the husbands "collection" out of the family home.
At the end, the man turned the lights off after us, and stood grinning at the lift. With a few gestures and short sentences, we found out that one man had amassed this collection - called Helmi (if only we knew ...) and that this smile filled man, was in fact Helmi! How amazed I was.
It doesn't take long to get there, to go round the museum, and some people may feel that it isn't worth the fee, but for me - seeing that man and his pride in his collection and the knowledge of the island and environmentalism he shows, it was worth every cent to me.
Written December 1, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Celtic Katie
Buckinghamshire, UK20 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
The museum is small but surprising. An eclectic mix of natural history from around the world that reflects the passion and dedication of its creator. A cross between the Horniman museum and the Tring Museum of natural history in the UK. The displays are beautifully presented (although some do reflect the inevitable effects of anno Domini!) and the information so clearly presented, often quirky and always accurate and interesting. We were warmly welcomed and because there were few visitors we were able to move around at a leisurely pace. The only reason to give it only a 4* is that I have a particular interest in the reptiles and amphibians of Zakinthos and they were sadly conspicuous by their absence. So glad we discovered this little museum.
Written May 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
christina s
Zakynthos Town, Greece15 contributions
Apr 2014 • Friends
The nature inside and outside at its upmost!!!
40 years of private collection depicted in the eyes of each visitor.
A man who made his interest an wonderful place where 6000 species are accomodated and revealed in front of our eyes.
For his effort and only you have to pay a visit....
....
40 years of private collection depicted in the eyes of each visitor.
A man who made his interest an wonderful place where 6000 species are accomodated and revealed in front of our eyes.
For his effort and only you have to pay a visit....
....
Written April 30, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Christian D
Harlow, UK5 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
When we visited, the butterfly exhibit was "closed" (the door was open with a man spinning on a chair) but the price was still 6 euros. There was no discount for older visitors. The first room with taxidermy animals had some which were clearly being eaten by pests and badly taxidermied. The second room had a rotting fish above the door and the room stunk of it. The stuffed animals all had googly eyes and labels were either non-existant, only in Greek or didn't say where the object was from. In the shop, you could buy many shells, poorly dried seahorses and other things. For a "natural history and marine" museum, it clearly doesn't protect any natural history and is more than happy to exploit the marine life and your wallet.
Written June 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Renee194
Bristol, UK170 contributions
Sep 2013 • Couples
I had been looking forward to our visit and completely support the goals of the museum. However you need to be aware that there is alot of stuffed exhibits which are rather manky and not the best example of taxidermy. Probably not the best conditions for them and dare I say the displays from around the world are random ! However the museum is very interesting and a great view from the roof terrace.
Written September 16, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Martin B
Ripley, UK12 contributions
Jun 2013
We saw this place on our complimentary island map and thought we'd give it a try.
So glad we did as it's a real find. Nice, well thought out and presented exhibits that give a detailed overview of the island's flora and fauna.
Well worth the effort and nice to see the programs to get kids interested.
Thanks for a lovely afternoon.
So glad we did as it's a real find. Nice, well thought out and presented exhibits that give a detailed overview of the island's flora and fauna.
Well worth the effort and nice to see the programs to get kids interested.
Thanks for a lovely afternoon.
Written July 3, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Malcolm P
Harrogate 26 contributions
Sep 2021 • Family
Lovely museum covering not only the natural history of zakynthos but across the world. Impressive collection of birds, butterflies and shells
Written September 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
71Isaac
Kilkis, Greece350 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
Why visit this small museum of natural history? Well, obviously it's no match for the really big and important museums of this kind at the capitals of the world. Having said that, the museum maintains a very interesting bird collection, along with many samples of crustaceans and a rich variety of butterflies. It is certainly a good and brief activity if you want to enrich your holiday experience with a taste of natural history.
Written July 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
s0fiaD
Athens, Greece72 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
It is a very nice to do stop especially if you have children. My two young boys loved it. We spent around one hour in the museum. It has some nice views of zante island from the top floor. A nice exhibition with many birds and butterflies. It also has sea life creatures. Kids love it.
Written July 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Chris W
Orpington, UK4 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
Interesting but not enough focussed on the island. However the most stunning collection of butterflies I have ever seen.
Written October 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Frequently Asked Questions about Helmi's Natural History Museum
- Helmi's Natural History Museum is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Helmi's Natural History Museum:
- (0.07 mi) Anatoli Labreon Traditional Guesthouse / Apartments
- (0.38 mi) Blue Sea Apartments
- (3.50 mi) Roula Studios
- (3.54 mi) Clio Hotel
- (2.85 mi) Apartments Pahnis Studios
- Restaurants near Helmi's Natural History Museum:
- (0.03 mi) Fagia
- (0.10 mi) Vrahos
- (2.28 mi) To Pirounaki
- (3.39 mi) San Leon Tavern Restaurant
- (3.16 mi) Rua Mat