25 of the best · Athens, Greece
Watching a film under the stars with the Parthenon lit up behind the screen is one of the great Athens experiences. Here are the city's best open-air summer cinemas and the indoor cinemas that keep the lights down all year. Films are shown in their original language with Greek subtitles.
Our 25 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Athens.
The back story
From the golden age of Greek film to the open-air cinemas of summer, where you watch a film under the stars with the Acropolis lit up beside the screen: the story of how Athens fell in love with the movies.
Parthenon views
Athens' most famous summer cinema, on the pedestrian promenade below the Acropolis, open since 1935. From the back rows you watch the film with the floodlit Parthenon above the screen; CNN once named it one of the best cinemas in the world. First-run films in their original language with Greek subtitles; arrive early in high season. Closed for the winter; reopens in spring 2027.
7 Apostolou Pavlou StreetExplore View on map
Rooftop in Plaka
A rooftop garden cinema on Plaka's main street, founded in 1920 and now programmed by Cinobo, with the illuminated Acropolis rising behind the screen. New releases, restored classics and themed tributes; come before sunset for the view. Closed for the winter; reopens in spring 2027.
22 Kydathineon StreetExplore View on map
The newest official trailers and upcoming films, updated automatically as they are released. Most films reach Athens cinemas in their original language with Greek subtitles.
Trailers play from the official YouTube channels of Rotten Tomatoes Trailers and the studios, and update automatically. Use the playlist button in each player to browse more.
How Athens fell in love with the movies, and our tips for a night at the cinema.
The back story
From the golden age of Greek film to the open-air cinemas of summer, where you watch a film under the stars with the Acropolis lit up beside the screen: the story of how Athens fell in love with the movies.
Athens' summer cinemas run from about May to October. They are now closed for the winter and reopen in spring 2027.
The oldest in Athens
The city's oldest open-air cinema, in the gardens beside the Zappeion Hall, where films have been shown since 1903. Around 400 seats under the trees, mainly new releases, with pizza and cocktails from the bar. Its season usually runs to the end of October; then it closes for the winter and reopens in spring 2027.
Zappeion GardensExplore View on map
Sofas and deckchairs
A comfortable rooftop cinema with city views, sofas and deckchairs, showing blockbusters and new releases with subtitles, plus pizza, ice cream and cocktails. Closed for the winter; reopens in spring 2027.
14 Kifisias AvenueExplore View on map
Neighbourhood favourite
A classic Kolonaki garden cinema hidden among apartment blocks, regularly rated one of the best summer cinemas in Athens, showing new releases in a relaxed, bougainvillea-framed courtyard. Closed for the winter; reopens in spring 2027.
50 Charitos StreetExplore View on map
Kolonaki classic
A much-loved summer cinema on a leafy square on the slopes of Lycabettus, reached up whitewashed steps from Kolonaki, with festival winners, European and French films and the occasional blockbuster. Closed for the winter; reopens in spring 2027.
Dexamenis SquareExplore View on map
By the sea
A big seaside summer cinema in Flisvos Park, next to the marina on the coast road, that hosts many of the summer's avant-premieres, with restaurants and a children's playground nearby. Closed for the winter; reopens in spring 2027.
Flisvos Park, Palaio FaliroExplore View on map
Retro charm
A retro neighbourhood summer cinema in Patisia with a vintage entrance and a programme of films you often can't catch anywhere else in the city. Closed for the winter; reopens in spring 2027.
115 Naxou StreetExplore View on map
Leafy courtyard
A leafy courtyard cinema in Neapoli, below Strefi hill, with arthouse films and restored classics in a calm, local setting. Closed for the winter; reopens in spring 2027.
165 Mavromichali StreetExplore View on map
Rooftop in Plaka
A rooftop garden cinema on Plaka's main street, founded in 1920 and now programmed by Cinobo, with the illuminated Acropolis rising behind the screen. New releases, restored classics and themed tributes; come before sunset for the view. Closed for the winter; reopens in spring 2027.
22 Kydathineon StreetExplore View on map
Garden cinema
A green garden cinema in Exarcheia with yellow chairs and a loyal following, known for tributes to great directors, restored classics and European and world cinema. Closed for the winter; reopens in spring 2027.
46 Valtetsiou StreetExplore View on map
Parthenon views
Athens' most famous summer cinema, on the pedestrian promenade below the Acropolis, open since 1935. From the back rows you watch the film with the floodlit Parthenon above the screen; CNN once named it one of the best cinemas in the world. First-run films in their original language with Greek subtitles; arrive early in high season. Closed for the winter; reopens in spring 2027.
7 Apostolou Pavlou StreetExplore View on map
1938 rooftop
A rooftop cinema on Exarcheia Square, open since 1938, with city views and a mix of new releases and classics in a lively, student-heavy neighbourhood. Closed for the winter; reopens in spring 2027.
82 Themistokleous StreetExplore View on map
Classics and cult films
A cinephile's summer cinema in Ano Petralona that shows only reissues of classic films, from Hitchcock to Fellini, at some of the lowest prices in town, with homemade walnut pie and ice cream at the canteen. Closed for the winter; reopens in spring 2027.
36 Troon StreetExplore View on map
Open all year, from arthouse classics to IMAX.
1930s arcade cinema
A single-screen cinema in a 1930s arcade off Stadiou Street, one of the oldest in the city, known for indie films, restorations and cult seasons. Open all year.
28 Stadiou Street (Korai Arcade)Explore View on map
Hand-painted posters
A classic cinema on Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, famous for the giant hand-painted film posters on its façade, showing mainstream new releases. Open all year.
124 Vasilissis Sofias AvenueExplore View on map
Arthouse revival
A classic city-centre cinema revived by the distributor Cinobo, with carefully chosen arthouse and international films and many festival screenings, including the Athens International Film Festival. Open all year.
57 Akadimias StreetExplore View on map
Family-run since the 1970s
A family-run two-screen cinema on Kifisias Avenue, an Athens institution since the 1970s, showing quality new releases and festival films. Panormou metro is a short walk away. Open all year.
109 Kifisias AvenueExplore View on map
Retrospectives
The Greek Film Archive (Tainiothiki tis Ellados) has two indoor screens and an open-air screen at its Lais centre by Kerameikos, with retrospectives, restored classics, Greek cinema and festivals such as the Archaeological Film meeting. Open all year.
48 Iera Odos StreetExplore View on map
Cinema bar
An arthouse cinema with its own bar, near Koukaki, hosting retrospectives, guest Q&As and independent films from around the world. Open all year.
106 Syngrou AvenueExplore View on map
Historic film centre
A historic film centre near Pedion tou Areos park, with arthouse films, premieres and special screenings, and an open-air screen at the same address in summer. Open all year.
21 Kodrigktonos StreetExplore View on map
IMAX and Gold Class
The city's biggest multiplex, inside The Mall Athens in Marousi, with 14 screens including an IMAX auditorium, two Gold Class luxury screens and a Dolby Atmos screen. Hollywood blockbusters in English with Greek subtitles. Open all year.
35 Andrea Papandreou Street, The Mall AthensExplore View on map
Summer cinemas by the sea and Glyfada's all-year multiplex. The open-air cinemas are closed for the winter and reopen in spring 2027.
Garden cinema since 1976
A small, cosy summer cinema surrounded by trees on a quiet side street in Vouliagmeni, screening films every night of the season since 1976, with Dolby sound and a garden bar. Closed for the winter; reopens in spring 2027.
Theseos Street & Aiolou StreetExplore View on map
Sofas and beanbags
Glyfada's big summer cinema, tucked behind the Arian Arcade on Metaxa Street. First opened in 1959 and restored in 2018, it seats around 500 on sofas, beanbags and even beds under string lights, showing the season's blockbusters, with a well-stocked canteen. Closed for the winter; reopens in spring 2027.
11 Angelou Metaxa StreetExplore View on map
Since 1962
A neighbourhood summer cinema in Ano Glyfada, first opened in 1962 and brought back to life in 2015 after sixteen years closed, showing new releases in a relaxed garden setting loved by local families. Closed for the winter; reopens in spring 2027.
Open all year
The southern suburbs' indoor cinema, in central Glyfada, with four screens, high-definition digital projection and 7.1 surround sound. New releases in their original language with Greek subtitles; screenings start from late afternoon. Open all year.
7 Zissimopoulou StreetExplore View on map
Open-air cinemas run from about May to October and close for the winter; indoor cinemas are open all year. Most films are shown in the original language with Greek subtitles, except children's films, which are often dubbed. Check programmes and times before you go.
26 of the best Restaurants
20 of the best Cafés
20 of the best Bars
25 of the best Nightlife
20 of the best Hotels
20 of the best Attractions
21 of the best Art
20 of the best Beach Clubs
25 of the best Fitness + Spa20 of the best Medical & Health
71 of the best Shopping29 of the best Real EstateGetting around Transport
13 of the best Car Rental & Sales
Islands from Piraeus Greek Islands