By AV TEAM
As the sun slips behind the Acropolis and a soft evening breeze drifts through the narrow streets of Athens, the city surrenders to one of its most cherished summer rituals: open-air cinema. From late spring through early autumn, locals and travelers alike gather beneath the stars to watch films in some of the city’s most enchanting outdoor settings.
Cine Paris
Few venues capture the spirit of the Athenian summer quite like Cine Paris. Nestled in the heart of Plaka beneath the watchful silhouette of the Acropolis, the historic open-air cinema has long been synonymous with magical movie nights under the stars. First opened in the 1920s, Cine Paris became an enduring symbol of the city’s cinematic culture, a place where generations gathered to escape into film against one of the world’s most extraordinary backdrops. Now, nearly a century after its debut and four years after its final screening, the legendary cinema has reopened, beautifully restored and ready to welcome audiences once again. Its revival marks not only the return of an iconic venue, but also the continuation of a deeply beloved Athenian tradition. Under the artistic direction of Greek streaming platform Cinobo, Cine Parispresents a thoughtfully selected programme that honours both its cultural legacy and timeless atmosphere. The experience extends well beyond the screen: guests are invited to arrive from 19:30 onwards to enjoy the golden hour from the cinema’s newly renovated bar before settling in for the evening’s film.
22, Kydathinaion Str., +302103252996, www.cineparis.gr
Ecran
Freshly renovated yet faithful to its old-world character, Ecran welcomes cinephiles into a lush garden hideaway where chilled beers, warm summer air and indulgent nachos from the upgraded canteen set the mood for long cinematic evenings. Intimate and effortlessly atmospheric, the cinema pairs its relaxed charm with a carefully curated programme of award-winning films and thoughtprovoking retrospectives designed to inspire conversation long after the credits roll. Declared a protected open-air cinema in 1997, Ecran occupies a distinctive place in Athens’ cultural history. It first opened shortly after the fall of the Greek dictatorship, quickly establishing itself as one of the city’s leading art-house cinemas. Over the years, it became known for introducing Athenian audiences to independent international productions, the French New Wave and daring avant-arde filmmaking, shaping generations of devoted film lovers in the process.
Zoodochou Pigis & Agathiou Str., +302106461895
Cine Thissio
Watching a film at Cine Thissio feels almost dreamlike. Frequently celebrated as one of the world’s most beautiful cinemas – named Best Cinema in the World by CNN in 2014 and included among the BBC’s top ten theatres globally – it remains Athens’ most iconic openair screening venue. Its enduring magic lies not only in its cinematic legacy, but in its extraordinary setting. As darkness settles over the city, the Acropolis rises beside the screen, softly illuminated against the night sky, creating a backdrop that feels uniquely Athenian and utterly unforgettable. Operating continuously since 1935, Cine Thissio has preserved the nostalgic elegance of another era. Hidden within a flowerfilled garden, the cinema charms visitors with retro seating, vintage 1960s decor and an atmosphere suspended somewhere between memory and summer reverie. The experience is made even sweeter by the offerings from its beloved coffee bar: homemade sour-cherry spoon sweets, handcrafted sour-cherry liqueur, frozen sour-cherry juice and warm handmade cheese pies, small rituals of flavour that complete one of the city’s most enchanting summer experiences.
7 Apostolou Pavlou Str., Thissio, +302103420864
Cine Athinaia
Tucked quietly among the elegant residential streets of Kolonaki, Cine Athinaia feels less like a cinema and more like a well-kept neighborhood secret. For decades, it has been part of the district’s summer rhythm, offering generations of Athenians unforgettable evenings beneath the stars. Its intimate garden draws a loyal mix of longtime locals and younger cinephiles, all gathered among fragrant jasmine and cascading greenery that soften the surrounding cityscape. The atmosphere is understated yet deeply charming, a rare sense of calm and intimacy in the heart of Athens. No evening at Cine Athinaia is truly complete without a slice of Mrs Eleni’s legendary homemade cheese pie, a beloved ritual that has become almost as iconic as the cinema itself.
50 Charitos Str., +302114130430
Pool Your Cinema
Few cinematic experiences in Athens feel as effortlessly glamorous as Pool Your Cinema, the open-air screening concept perched on the seventh floor of the historic Hotel Grande Bretagne. Introduced in 2021 for hotel guests
and residents, the venue combines the nostalgic romance of outdoor cinema with the polished elegance of one of the city’s most iconic addresses. Set beside the hotel’s rooftop pool, screenings unfold against sweeping
views of Lycabettus Hill, the Acropolis and the shimmering lights of Athens below. From timeless classics to crowd-pleasing Hollywood favourites, every film is accompanied by an atmosphere of quiet luxury and summer escapism. The experience is further elevated by a refined menu curated by the hotel’s award-winning executive chef, Asterios Koustoudis. Guests can indulge in caramelised popcorn infused with Madagascar vanilla, Black Angus cheeseburgers, handmade nachos and other elevated comfort-food favourites, thoughtful details that transform an evening at the cinema into a full sensory experience.
1 Vassileos Georgiou A’ Str., Athens, +302103330000
Thursday-Friday-Saturday-Sunday / Time of arrival 21:15 , screening begin 21:30
