From timeless icons in the city centre to hidden gems along the coast, here are the most best open-air cinemas in Athens to catch a film this season. 

Athens comes alive after dark, when the city’s legendary open-air cinemas flicker to life. These alfresco screens that are tucked into leafy courtyards, rooftops with Acropolis views, and seaside promenades are less about blockbusters and more about ritual. Here you’ll be sipping a chilled glass of wine, hearing cicadas hum between dialogue, and watching stories unfold beneath a starlit Athenian sky.  

With so many to choose from, we share the most atmospheric spots to catch a film right now- plus the nearby addresses worth knowing for a late-night drink or bite.

Aigli Cinema | Zappeion Gardens

Set within the leafy embrace of the National Garden and beside the neoclassical Zappeion Megaron, Aigli is one of Athens’ most elegant open-air cinemas. The setting feels almost timeless with rows of deckchairs shaded by greenery, the night air carrying the scent of jasmine. Arrive early to wander the garden paths or linger over a cocktail at Aigli’s own stylish bar-restaurant before the screening. When the credits roll, you’re steps away from Syntagma’s late-night scene: rooftop terraces like Retirè at Ergon House, Metropolis Roof Garden, and Buena Vista for Acropolis views, or modern dining spots such as Feedέλ Urban Gastronomy and Ekiben.

A: Zappeion Gardens, Vasilissis Olgas Ave, Athens 

Cinema Riviera | Exarcheia

A cult favourite since 1969, Riviera captures the bohemian soul of Exarcheia with its ivy-clad courtyard and relaxed, artsy vibe. Screenings span everything from Greek indie gems to foreign classics and it’s always subtitled, drawing a crowd that feels part cinephile, part neighbourhood regulars. Start your evening with a beer at Stepa, a low-key local bar, or mezze and ouzo at Ama Lachei; Pharaoh serves great meze plates with a cool vibe. When the film ends, the night is just beginning- head to the buzzing square where bars spill onto the pavements, from cocktails at Sousourada and newly opened Bar Ideal (Not in Athens) to natural wines at Gamay.

A: Valtetsiou 46, Exarcheia

Boboniera | Kifissia

Since 1918, Boboniera has been the summer ritual of choice in the leafy northern suburb of Kifissia. Surrounded by grand mansions and shaded squares, this historic cinema carries the charm of a bygone era, where locals have gathered for over a century to watch films under the night sky. Pair your screening with dinner at one of Kifissia’s refined restaurants, with our favourites being Papaioannou for seafood, Zabri for Mediterranean flavours, or the classic Blue Pine. No evening here is complete without a stop at Varsos, the legendary pastry shop nearby, where an ice cream cone feels like the sweetest encore.

A: Levidou 11, Kifissia

Open-Air Cine | Flisvos

Right on the waterfront, Cine Flisvos is where Athenians escape for a breezy summer night by the sea. Arrive in time for a sunset stroll along the marina, then settle in for a film with the scent of salt air and grilled fish drifting from nearby tavernas like Nisos, Cruiser, or To Bakaliaraki. After the credits roll, the evening continues at Flisvos Marina, where bars and lounges line the promenade, some favourites include Cruiser Exclusive Bar, The Whale, and Villa Grigio 46, all perfect for cocktails with the boats glittering under the night sky.

A: Flisvos Marina, Palaio Faliro 

Zéphyros | Petralona

Dedicated to classics and restored gems, Zéphyros is a cinephile’s sanctuary in the laid-back neighbourhood of Petralona. First opened in 1932 as a stage for Greek shadow-puppet shows and varieté performances, it closed in the 1970s before being lovingly revived in 1988. Today, it screens everything from documentaries and experimental works to timeless films that keep alive the nostalgic spirit of old Athens (foreign-language movies are shown with Greek subtitles). Make a night of it with dinner at boho-chic Upupa Epops or ASTER for Mediterranean plates, then end with a drink at Kyrios Xou, a neighbourhood favourite.

A: Troon 36, Petralona

Main image of Zéphyros