Athen’s best open-air cinemas
Cinema arrived in Greece in 1896. In the summer of 1900, in the crowded cafés of Syntagma square, films were projected outdoors for the first time by the so-called provolatzides, who unfolded big pieces of cloth to screen movies in popular areas of the city. Shortly afterwards, the first official open-air cinemas started popping up, with free entrance at first. They became so popular that by the 1960s over 500 cinemas were operating in Attica.
Today, there are 65 outdoor cinemas in Athens. Some are municipal, some private; some are hidden in parks, others are by the sea or in forgotten courtyards between apartment blocks.
Dexameni, Cine Paris, Vox, and more—here are some of the capital’s most historic open-air cinemas, each with its own mood and personality.
Open since: Dexameni opened in 1905, right on the roof of the Roman Hadrian’s Aqueduct and water tank (dexameni means cistern in Greek). The cistern supplied Athenians with water until about the mid 20th century. It operated as a cinema until 1909, when it was used as a stage for traditional shadow-puppet theatre, reverting to a cinema in 1991.
Why go: Cool, green Dexameni square has a laidback island vibe. After the movie, join the locals for an ouzo, coffee or meze at popular Dexameni café under the trees.
Top tip: On Wednesdays, Dexameni offers two tickets for the price of one.
Location: Dexameni Square, Kolonaki, 106 75
Open since: Cine Paris has a chequered past. First opened in Plaka in 1920 by a Greek hairdresser who had fallen in love with the city of Paris, the picture house moved to its current location on Kidathineon Street—only to shut a few years later due to financial difficulties. In 1986, the kiosk owner across the street bought and reopened it. The cinema closed again during the COVID pandemic, but reopened in all its glory in the spring of 2024 and now operates under the guidance of the successful Greek film streaming platform Cinobo.
Why go: Your attention will be deliciously divided between what’s on the screen and the magnificent Acropolis view visible from the terrace. The bar stocks a great range of whiskeys and warm cheese pies.
Top tip: Don’t miss the shop selling retro film posters, next to the ticket booth.
Location: 22 Kydathineon, Plaka, 105 58
Open since: Sitting pretty on Apostolou Pavlou, the pedestrian street that meanders around the Acropolis hill, Cine Thision has been operating since 1935.
Why go: Another contender for the world’s most beautiful open-air cinema. Enjoy the glorious view of the illuminated Acropolis and the film of your choice with one of the snack bar’s unusual delicacies. We recommend thinly sliced bottarga with a glass of organic wine.
Top tip: The ice-cold sour-cherry drink (vyssinada) is amazingly refreshing, as is the home-made sour cherry preserve drizzled on ice cream.
Location: 7 Apostolou Pavlou, Thissio, 118 51
Open since: Across the street from the historic Blue Condominium in edgy Exarchia, this outdoor cinema opened in 1938.
Why go: Vox may not be the fairest of them all—but it has a great backstory. The Blue Condominium is a 1930’s apartment block, admired by the modernist architect Le Corbusier. Its initial dark blue colour (now sadly it is painted white) was chosen by Spyros Papaloukas, a renowned Greek artist of the day. Past residents include many famous politicians, artists and intellectuals.
Top tip: The cinema terrace overlooks the 24-hour hustle of Exarchia square—great for people-watching if you find yourself bewildered by the arthouse films (in various languages) that Vox specialises in.
Location: 82 Themistokleous, Exarchia, 106 81
Open since: 2003; this is one of the newest open-air cinemas in Athens.
Why go: For an outdoor cinema experience by the sea, that’s still comfortably close to the city-centre. Located in the Flisvos Marina Park in Palio Faliro, about a 15-minute drive from downtown Athens (or a pleasant 20-minute tram ride from Neos Kosmos), this 500-seat venue lets you enjoy the Athenian sea breeze while watching the latest blockbuster.
Top tip: Forget popcorn: here, you can munch on tasty meatballs, kalamaki (pork skewers) and loukoumades, fluffy little doughnuts served with a scoop of ice-cream.
Location: Flisvos Park, Palio Faliro, 175 61
The open-air cinemas of Athens offer more than just films; they provide a unique cultural experience that blends history, community, and the arts.