Photo: Thomas Gravanis

Cinema under the stars is a cherished Athenian institution during the steamy summer months. Every neighbourhood has at least one open-air movie house—some as old as the history of cinema itself.

By Carolina Doriti

Watch, don't touch.

Photo: Thomas Gravanis

Watching movies outdoors is one of our favourite pastimes. You can see why.

Courtesy: Aegli

Aegli

Cine Dexameni

Up the stairs and into another world.

Photo: Thomas Gravanis

Anyone up for a movie with Plaka as a backdrop?

Photo: Thomas Gravanis

Cine Paris

Cine Thision

Sunlight gives way to neon, inviting you in for a screening.

Photo: Thomas Gravanis

Come early to get a good spot.

Photo: Thomas Gravanis

Zefyros

Vox

Movies call for snacking.

Photo: Thomas Gravanis

Boboniera

Open since: Nostalgic Boboniera opened in 1918 in the tree-lined suburb of Kifissia.

Why go: For an escape from the city-centre on sultry summer nights, when you can enjoy Kifissia’s cooler climes and experience one of Greece’s oldest—and unluckiest—cinemas. It was twice destroyed in fire, once in 1925 and again in 1928, but was refurbished both times. You can order pizza, too. 

Top tip: Boboniera has been declared a protected landmark, but was upgraded recently and the screen and sound quality is superb.

"Boboniera has been declared a protected landmark, but was upgraded recently and the screen and sound quality is superb."

A movie by the sea? Yes please.

Photo: Thomas Gravanis

Cine Flisvos

Factbox

  • Summer cinemas are open between May and late September (depending on the weather).
  • Most cinemas offer two screenings per night, one around 21:00, after sunset, and the second, around 23:00.
  • Films in Greece are never dubbed (with the exception of children’s films).
  • Smoking is usually allowed.