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Tip of the day – Cinematic Experiences in Athens

Tip of the day – Cinematic Experiences in Athens 1024 682 Cloudkeys

If you’re a cinema lover visiting Athens, you’re in for a treat! No matter the season, the city offers unique movie-going experiences that will add unforgettable memories to your trip. Of course, summer is extra special—Athens is one of the world’s top cities for open-air cinemas, where watching a film under the stars is a must. For a full list of Athens’ cinemas, check out our detailed guide Cinemas in Athens, but here we’re shining a spotlight on some of the most unique cinematic experiences in Athens—and even a few just outside the city that hold a special place in our hearts.

Athens International Film Festival Opening Nights)

When: September – October 

The Athens International Film Festival Opening Nights, was founded by the Athens Film Society (a Non-Profit Organisation) with the intention of highlighting lesser-known aspects/genres of independent cinema, introducing audiences to some of the best productions of the year and establishing itself as the ideal opening of the upcoming movie season. The Festival was launched in September 1995 and continues successfully until now.

According to a CINEMA magazine survey, the Festival audience roughly consists of 60.000 film-goers, who are interested in learning about the latest movie trends from all over the world and watching the most successful productions of the season before anyone else. Our goal is to present them with a handpicked selection of independent productions from all over the world.

More details here

Athens Open Air Film Festival

An experience we all wait to live the last summers in the city. A screen that is moving around Athens and gives you the opportunity to watch some old, classic movies with a live gig playing behind as a soundtrack, or fits perfectly with the city landscape. The program of this summer has again some really good suggestions not only about movies, but also about spots in the city that otherwise you wouldn’t have the chance to visit them. The official start of the festival is today in Zappeio courtyard. Stay tuned for the program.

MONDAY 18 MAY 2026 | 20.30
 The Birthday Party @ Aegli Zappeio

WEDNESDAY 10 JUNE 2026 | 21.00
Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars | Zappeio  Courtyard

THURSDAY 18 JUNE 2026 | 20.30
ULYSSES’ GAZE (1995, 179’) | Open-air theatre of Kolonos (Ippiou hill, Ioannninon & Kapaneos streets), Athens

TUESDAY 23 JUNE 2026 | 21.30
GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (2014, 99’) | Kotzia Square

– JULY –

WEDNESDAY 1 JULY 2026 | 21.30
THE VIRGIN SPRING (1960, 89’) | Eleftherias Park (Vasilissis Sofias avenue)

MONDAY 6 JULY 2026 | 21.30
LA FEMME INFIDELE (1969, 98′) | Open-air cinema LAIS, Iera Odos 48 & Megalou Alexandrou 134-136, Athens

WEDNESDAY 8 JULY 2026 | 21.30
HAPPY DAY (1976, 105’) | ELIVIP Yard, Ermou 134-136, Athens

THURSDAY 9 JULY 2026 | 21.30
THE RIVER (1951, 99΄) | ELIVIP Yard, Ermou 134-136, Athens

SATURDAY 11 JULY 2026 | TERROR FILMS MARATHON 
Plato’s Academy Park, Monastiriou 137, Plato’s Academy, Athens
21:30 CAPE FEAR (1991, 129’)
23:45 ΠΑΡΑΣΚΕΥΗ ΚΑΙ 13 | FRIDAY THE 13TH (1980, 95’)
01:20 ISLAND OF THE DAMNED / QUIÉN PUEDE MATAR A UN NIÑO? (1976, 112′)

THURSDAY 16 JULY 2026 | 21.30
DIVA (1981, 117′) | Stoa Arsakeiou Yard, entrance from Pesmazoglou 5

WEDNESDAY 22 JULY 2026 | 21.30
THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE (1962, 123’) | Drakopoulou Park, Labrou Porfyra 5, Athens

SATURDAY 25 JULY 2026 
Dionysiou Areopagitou pedestrian street (& Parthenonos street), Athens
21:30 AIRPLANE! (1980, 88′)
23:00 TOP SECRET! (1984, 88′)

– AUGUST –

MONDAY 24 AUGUST 2026 | 21.00
Open-air cinema LAIS, Iera Odos 48 & Megalou Alexandrou 134-136, Athens
A NOS AMOURS (1983, 95′)

WEDNESDAY 26 AUGUST 2026 | 21.00
THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY (1966, 177’) | Municipal Stadium of Kallithea EL Paso, Grigoriou Labraki 7, Kallithea

Check here for more info and updates before your visit!

Park Your Cinema @ SNFCC

Summer at the SNFCC and the screenings at the Great Lawn continue: The well-established Park Your Cinema series returns  presenting the films selected by Thessaloniki International Film Festival. This year’s theme of Park Your Cinema brings together films that explore the emotional complexity of human relationships — not in a heavy-handed way, but with insight, lightness, humor, and style. Unresolved romances, unfinished breakups, friendships that blur into something more, families with hidden secrets, and guilt dressed in humor. “It’s Complicated”:

From romantic comedies of the ’90s to modern European dramedies, the protagonists of these films are, well… a little lost. They’re searching, confused, scared, falling in love — and then starting over again. What they all have in common: nothing is simple, nothing is clear — and that’s where the magic lies. After all, are there any relationships truly worth exploring that aren’t, at least a little, complicated?

And don’t forget Park cinema Kids Edition to enjoy your summer nights with all family!

If you want to combine your visit with other activities to do in SNFCC,  check here our travel blog’s bage!

Pool your cinema @ Hotel  Grand-Bretagne

What if you could spend your  night at the rooftop of the most luxurious hotel in Athens watching some old classic movies as having by your side some delicious finger food and cocktails next to the pool and under the view of Acropolis and Lycabettus hill? Yes, you can do it here!

The GB Pool of the Hotel Grande Bretagne opens its doors again for the season of summer 2025 and every Friday-Saturday-Sunday welcomes its guests to live a distinct summer cinema experience in the heart of Athens. Located at the 7th floor of the hotel and offering amazing views of the Lycabettus hill, the GB Pool Bar celebrates Greek summer in the most picturesque way. All-time classic favorites, Hollywood blockbusters and romantic comedies show up on the big screen and keep us the best company.

Local food shouldn’t be a miss from this experience, since it consists an important part for the right cinema evening with good friends. A Executive Chef with his culinary and pastry team have prepared the perfect snacks to pair with the wine or the beer that we will savor while we unwind at our relaxing lounge chairs.

Check the program of the movies, and if you need more information you may call from 10:00 to 18:00 at +30 210 3330748.

4, 5, 6, June 2026: Gilda (1946)

11, 12, 13 June 2026: One Battle after another

18, 19, 20 June 2026: Sinners

25, 26, 27 June 2026: F1 The movie

2, 3, 4 July 2026: Dirty Dancing

9, 10, 11 July 2026: The last viking

16, 17, 18 July 2026: A big bold beautiful journey

23, 24, 25 July 2026: Rental Family

30, 31 July, 1 August 2026: Materialists

6, 7, 8 August 2026: Now you see me: Now you don’t

Bookings are allowed until one day prior to the film screening.

Stellar Gastro Cinema

The best, themed, gastro-film nights in town at one of the most beautiful terraces of the city. Check here more info, the program and the food  menu and book your place below:

13 & 14 June 2026: Diamanti (2024), Ferzan Özpetek

19 & 20 June 2026: Ricordi (2018), Valerio Mieli

26, 27, 28 June 2026: C’è ancora domani (2023), Paola Cortellesi

3, 4, 5 July 2026: La grazia (2025), Paolo Sorrentino

10, 11, 12 July 2026: El robo del siglo (2020), Ariel Winograd

17, 18, 19 July 2026: The  Wedding Unplanner (2020), Dani de la Orden

Location: Kaniggos 15 Athens, 106 77

ALREADY LOOKING FORWARD FOR SUMMER 2026

Cine War Museum

Recently, in the yard of Athens War Museum, you can watch movies and enjoy your dinner at the restaurant after your visit in the museum which it is one of the most important museums of Athens. Along with enjoying a great film with top-notch sound and image quality, you can savor premium beers, finger foods, signature cocktails, and homemade sweets. Your entrance ticket even includes a welcome drink. It’s the perfect opportunity to combine a movie with a visit to this fascinating museum. With easy access by metro, this is a must-experience addition to your summer in Athens itinerary.

Location: Cine War  Museum (Rizari 2, Athens, 106 75, Metro: Evangelismos)

Check here the weekly schedule of the movies and  book  your tickets!

CineFix – EMST Athens

Each summer, National Museum of Contemporary Art Athens transforms its rooftop into one of the most impressive outdoor cinemas in Athens, CineFIX, recalling the name of the former brewery in which it is housed. With panoramic views of the entire city, including the Acropolis, Museum’s rooftop terrace provides ideal conditions for the screening of works in moving image.

  • Sunday 25 May, 21:00 | An evening with Palestinian filmmaker Mahdi Fleifel.
  • Sunday 1 June, 21:00 | Rumba Rules, New Genealogies, 2020
  • Thursday 5 June, 20: 30 | AKOE/AMFI: The Story of a Revolution (*Just to sleep on his chest…), 2023
  • Thursday 19 June, 21:00 | Kala azar (Janis Rafa, 2020)
  • Thursday 26 June, 21:00 | Cinema for Companion Species. Curated by Filipa Ramos, with the curator in attendance. A series of recent short and mid-length films by Abi Palmer, Jafar Panahi, Michela de Mattei and Invernomuto, exploring companion animals, wolves, domestic life, and the limits of control.
  • Thursday  3 July, 21.00 | Three works exploring human–animal relations:
    • Parting Shots from Animals (1980)
    • High-Rise Pigs (2025)
    • The Age of Remedy (2024)
  • Thursday 10 July, 21.00 | Cow (2021), Andrea Arnold
  • Thursday 17 July, 21.00 | The Lives of Non-human Others
  • Thursday 21 August, 21.00 | Selection of short films by acclaimed Greek director Menelaos Karamaghiolis: GREEK ANIMAL RESCUE (2017), SHOULD DISABLED ANIMALS PUT TO SLEEP? (2023), A BIRD IN SEARCH OF A CAGE (2012-2019)
  • Thursday 28 August 2025: Johan Grimonprez, Soundtrack to a Coup d’État, 2024, 150′
  • Thursday 4 September 2025: The films of Driant Zeneli
  • Thursday  11 September 2025: Albatross (2017) by Chris Jordan
  • Thursday 18 September 2025: Flow (2024) by Gints Zilbalodis
  • Thursday 25 September 2025: Dog on trial (2024),  18.00 & 20.00

Book your tickets  here!

ALREADY LOOKING FORWARD FOR SUMMER 2026

Epi Kolono  Theater Yard

From summer 2025, Epi Kolono theatre opens its courtyard and turns into an open air cinema with 4€ admission. In the old schoolyard of the Epi Kolono, in the shade of the plane tree and the scents of jasmine, with a new configuration and the setting up of a multimodal screen, films loved and appreciated all over the world will be hosted. A summer cinema made by theatre people, for cinephiles looking for quality screenings of independent cinema in an authentic and creative environment. Book your place here!

Wednesday 1 July 2026: Chinatown (1974) by Roman Polanski, 21.00

Thursday 2 July 2026: After hours (1985) by Martin Scorsese

Friday 3 July 2026: The Maltese Falcon (1941) by John Houston, 21.00

Saturday 4 July: Housekeeping (1987) by Bill Forsyth, 21.00

Sunday 5 July 2026: Body Double (1984) Robert de Palma, 21:00

Tuesday 7 July 2026: In the name of the father (1993) by Jim Sheridan, 21:00

Wednesday 8 July 2026: Corpse Bride (2005) bv Tim Burton:

Thursday 9 July 2026: Chinatown (1974) by Roman Polanski, 21.00

Friday 10 July 2026: After hours (1985) by Martin Scorsese. 21.00

Saturday 11 July 2026: The Maltese Falcon (1941) by John Houston, 21.00

Sunday 12 July 2026: Housekeeping (1987) by Bill Forsyth, 21.00

Saturday 14 July 2026: Body Double (1984) Robert de Palma, 21:00

Wednesday 15 July 2026: In the name of the father (1993) by Jim Sheridan, 21:00

Thursday 16 July 2026: Corpse Bride (2005) bv Tim Burton

Friday 17 July 2026: Chinatown (1974) by Roman Polanski, 21.00

Saturday 18 July 2026: After hours (1985) by Martin Scorsese, 21.00

 Sunday 19 July 2026: The Maltese Falcon (1941) by John Houston, 21.00

Tuesday 21 July 2026: Housekeeping (1987) by Bill Forsyth, 21.00

Wednesday 22 July: Body Double (1984) Robert de Palma, 21:00

Thursday  23 July 2026: In the name of the father (1993) by Jim Sheridan, 21:00

Friday 24 July 2026: Corpse Bride (2005) bv Tim Burton

Drive-In festivals

The return of the Drive-In to Greece is now a reality—a trend that began in America in the 1930s. While drive-in cinemas gained massive popularity in the U.S. and Europe, they were never as widespread in Greece. Several drive-ins did exist, often screening B-movies, and later, strictly erotic films when the cinemas struggled to attract larger audiences. Drive-ins were found across Greece, including in Attica and Thessaloniki, with one of the most famous being in Ammoudara, Crete. In Athens, the first drive-in locations were in Marousi and Agia Paraskevi, and a short-lived drive-in also operated in Malakasa from 1977 to 1980. Today, the structure still stands, though the site is now abandoned and in disrepair. Even the big screen captured the drive-in.  Recently, an attempt has been made in Greece to revive the drive-in culture through the Syros Film Festival, as well as the 1st En Lefko Film Festival with a screening at Lycabettus. There also drive-in local festivals in Glyfada area  (Golf club) and  in Chaidari. Perhaps the drive-in can finally be revived again, as it is an alternative, economical and nostalgic proposal for a cinema outing.

Cine Aliki in the park @ Pedion Areos

In many neighborhoods of Athens, you’ll often find a film festival taking place in the central square, a park, or another charming location. These events typically offer free admission, and while the sound and image quality might not be top-notch, they provide an authentic local experience that’s worth checking out to get a feel for the city and meet the locals. One such festival is held in the largest park in central Athens, Pedion Areos.

Cinematic experiences out of Athens worth travelling to meet them!

Cine Kalisperitis at Kimolos  Island

This is undoubtedly the most beautiful open-air cinema in the Aegean Sea. It’s also a nomadic cinema, as in recent years it hasn’t just remained on its home island of Kimolos, but has also traveled to Milos, Gavdos, and even uninhabited islands like Polyaigos, across from Kimolos. Who knows, maybe it will explore even more Greek islands in the future. In any case, visiting Kimolos for this unique experience is a must during your Greek holidays. And while you’re there, don’t miss the nomadic libraries, found on almost every beach and corner of the island.

Costa Navarino open air cinema @ Messinia, Peloponnese

The picturesque location of the Bay of Navarino is the perfect setting for a cinema experience under the stars.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Whatever you decide to attend, tonight or the next evenings, have fun, a cold beer, and enjoy your nights in Athens!