Summer for us is always associated with the first movie in an open-air cinema. It is this feeling created by the retro spaces, the picturesque courtyards with the pebbles, the director chairs lined up between apartment buildings or on cool terraces and the smell of evening primrose… There are many choices, some of them all-time favourites of the cinephile audience, as well as some “hidden gems” waiting for you to discover them this summer.
By Stella Chamakioti
Ecran
Recently renovated, Ecran has a lush garden where you can enjoy award-winning movies and interesting tributes, along with cold beers and delicious nachos from its upgraded canteen. The historic open-air cinema, which began its operation shortly after the regime change in Greece, established itself at the time as the art cinema par excellence that brought avant-garde art movies, French new wave and independent international productions to the Greek audience and was characterized as alisted open-air cinema in 1997.
Zoodochou Pigis & Agathiou Str., +302106461895
Ticket price €7,50/ student-reduced ticket €6,50
Cine Thisio
“It's not just a cinema… it's an experience!” says the sign at the entrance of the historic cinema, which has been operating since 1935 in one of the busiest streets of downtown Athens. And how can it not be a special summer experience to watch a movie next to Pnyka Hill overlooking the Acropolis? The garden with the privileged view attracts many Athenians and visitors of the city. The cafeteria offers everything you might desire, from homemade sour cherry spoon sweet, handmade sour cherry liqueur, frozen homemade sour cherry juice and handmade cheese pie. “CNN Go” ranked Cine Thisio at the top of its list of the “10 Best Cinemas in the World”, while the BBC included it in its list of the “10 Most Beautiful Cinemas in the World”.
7 Apostolou Pavlou Str., Thisio, +302103420864
Monday to Wednesday €6.50 and Thursday to Sunday €8.50, only available at the box office
Cine Athinaia
Athinaia is a true citizen of Kolonaki. Tucked between the adjacent apartment buildings, the cinema has been writing its own story for years and continues to offer unforgettable evenings under the starry sky. In this middle-class cinema, you will meet old Athenians, cinephile youngsters and groups of friends who choose the secluded garden with climbing plants and jasmine. You can also taste the famous handmade cheese pie of Mrs Eleni.
50 Charitos Str., +302114130430
Ticket price €8/ student-reduced ticket €6
Pool Your Cinema
The summer on the 7th floor of Hotel Grande Bretagne, which opened its doors in 2021 for the residents and guests of the emblematic hotel, adds a special note to your summer nights. Watch favourite classic movies and Hollywood blockbusters in a romantic setting by the pool with the Lycabettus Hill, the Acropolis and the city lights as a background. Here, taste has a leading role, and you will enjoy exquisite finger food that bears the signature of the award-winning executive chef of Hotel Grande Bretagne, Asterios Koustoudis, such as handmade nachos, Black Angus cheeseburger and caramelized popcorn with Madagascar vanilla.
1 Vasileos Georgiou A’ Str., +302103330000 €50 (menu included, with wine or beer)
