Every summer, Athens transforms through its beloved open-air cinemas. Whether tucked away in historic courtyards, overlooking leafy squares, surrounded by gardens or just steps from the sea, watching a film beneath the stars remains one of the city’s most cherished seasonal traditions.
From Psychiko and Filothei to Kifissia and Drosia in the north, and from Faliro to Glyfada and Vouliagmeni along the coast, these 12 cinemas combine history, character and carefully curated film programs. All that’s left is to choose a movie, gather your company and settle into a seat under the night sky.
Northern Suburbs
Cine Psychiko Classique – Neo Psychiko
One of the most established open-air cinemas in Athens’ northern suburbs, Cine Psychiko Classique has been welcoming moviegoers for decades. Easily accessible from Kifisias Avenue, it combines the timeless atmosphere of a classic Athenian summer cinema with a program featuring commercial releases alongside selected arthouse films and restored classics. Its proximity to central Athens makes it a perennial favorite for a summer night out.
Until Wednesday, the cinema is screening Olivia Wilde’s comedy The Invite.
Cine Filothei
Dating back to the 1940s, with its current layout completed in 1961 in the heart of Filothei’s tree-lined Drosopoulou Square, Cine Filothei has long served as a cultural meeting point for residents of the upscale suburb and visitors from across Athens. Today, it is regarded as one of the city’s most historic open-air cinemas.
This summer, the venue welcomes audiences following an extensive renovation under new management. The refurbishment includes brand-new seating, upgraded projection and sound systems, modern lighting, refreshed aesthetics and an enhanced bar area, all while respecting the cinema’s historic identity. Programming is curated by Greek distributor Rosebud.21, featuring new releases alongside carefully selected classics.
Until Thursday, audiences can watch Birthday Party, Toy Story 5 and Amélie.
The cinema also maintains an imaginative and regularly updated Instagram account where visitors can follow its latest program.
Cine Aigli – Chalandri
One of the largest open-air cinemas in Athens’ northern suburbs, Cine Aigli has become a favorite meeting point for residents of Chalandri, Psychiko, Marousi and the surrounding areas. Modern facilities, high-quality projection, a spacious snack bar and a varied film selection make it ideal for those seeking the charm of an outdoor cinema without sacrificing comfort.
Its program typically includes the summer’s biggest box-office releases alongside family-friendly films. If tickets for the outdoor screenings sell out—reservations are only available at the box office—the cinema’s air-conditioned indoor theatres remain open throughout the summer.
Among this week’s screenings is Moana.
Boboniera – Kifissia
With its spacious courtyard and more than a century of cinematic history, Boboniera has become an institution in Kifissia and one of Greece’s most iconic open-air cinemas. Often referred to as the “Grand Dame of Kifissia,” it is widely considered the country’s oldest continuously operating summer cinema, having first opened during 1918-1919.
In its early decades, Athenians travelled to what was then the countryside outside the city to watch silent films accompanied by live music. Its enduring popularity helped it survive fires and redevelopment plans, and in 1997 it was officially protected for its historic use, together with 46 other open-air cinemas across the Attica region.
One of its distinctive features is its balcony, where generations of teenage film lovers have watched movies over the decades.
This week, Boboniera is screening The Odyssey.
Chloe – Kifissia
Hidden inside a cool, leafy courtyard on Kassaveti Street, Chloe has been part of central Kifissia since 1960. Together with Boboniera, it forms the area’s historic cinema duo, consistently offering carefully selected European and American first-run releases throughout the summer.
Its iconic green sign is framed by plane trees, ivy and a pine tree standing beside the screen, creating one of the suburb’s most tranquil movie settings.
Until Wednesday, July 15, it is screening the comedy The Invite.
Aliki – Drosia
For those willing to venture further north beyond Kifissia, Aliki offers one of the most relaxing summer cinema experiences in Athens. Located in Drosia’s central square, its lush garden provides welcome shade and cool air even during the hottest nights of July and August.
Far removed from the pace of central Athens, the cinema has cultivated a loyal audience that returns year after year.
Until Wednesday, July 15, it is screening The Invite.
Southern Suburbs
Cine Flisvos – Flisvos Park
Opened in the early 2000s as part of the redevelopment of Athens’ waterfront, Cine Flisvos has become synonymous with summer evenings along the Athenian Riviera. Located just moments from Flisvos Marina, it is among the city’s most atmospheric outdoor cinemas.
Palm trees, sea breezes from the Saronic Gulf and the relaxed coastal setting create an experience that feels closer to a holiday than a trip to the movies, attracting locals, visitors from across Athens and tourists alike.
The cinema is operated by the team behind the revival of Amaryllis cinema in Agia Paraskevi and also manages Aliki in Drosia.
Current screenings include the Greek-dubbed version of Moana, Curly Hairs and Obsession. From Thursday, the program will include The Odyssey.
Cine Alimos
This large municipal open-air cinema has been operated by the Municipality of Alimos since opening on July 10, 2016. Its spacious facilities and program—which balances mainstream hits with arthouse selections—have made it a popular destination in the southern suburbs.
Acclaimed Greek filmmaker Yiannis Smaragdis, who inaugurated the cinema a decade ago, returned this year to celebrate its tenth anniversary with a screening of his commercially successful historical film Kapodistrias, based on Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first governor of independent Greece.
The location also carries cinematic significance: in 1938, pioneering producer Filopimin Finos established Greece’s first major film studios in nearby Kalamaki.
Marilena Cinema – Glyfada
For many residents of Upper Glyfada, Marilena was the neighborhood’s only open-air cinema and a fixture of family summer outings. It opened in 1962 under Kostas Krassas, who later built his home above the cinema entrance in 1970—a reflection of the family’s close connection with the venue. His son Dionysis quite literally grew up inside the cinema.
Marilena remained a local landmark until the mid-1990s before closing in 1999.
Following a full renovation, it reopened in 2015 under new operators Spyros Panas, Maria Cheva and Argyris Argyroulis. Today it forms part of the Summer Cinemas network.
From next Thursday, it will screen The Odyssey.
Arian Urban Open Air Cinema – Glyfada
One of the few Athenian summer cinemas to return after decades of abandonment, Arian first opened in 1959 as part of a cinema complex combining indoor and outdoor theatres.
Its 500-seat summer venue operated behind the historic Arian Arcade on Angelou Metaxa Street until closing in 1986, when television and home video forced dozens of open-air cinemas across Greece to shut their doors.
After remaining closed for 32 years, it reopened in 2018 following a complete restoration, preserving its historic name while adding modern facilities.
This summer, it is screening all the major blockbuster releases of the 2026 season.
Melina Mercouri Municipal Cinema – Ilioupoli
Named after the internationally renowned Greek actress and former Minister of Culture Melina Mercouri, Ilioupoli’s municipal cinema has become one of Attica’s leading publicly operated outdoor cinemas.
In recent years it has strengthened its cultural role through film tributes, discussions with filmmakers and free public screenings. Its first major renovation in decades was completed in 2021, upgrading lighting, sound equipment and the surrounding grounds.
Programming is developed in collaboration with the Ilioupoli Film Club, which has been active for 37 consecutive years. The venue regularly hosts director Q&As and special events, including discussions with collaborators of Oscar-winning Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos in 2024.
Akti Cinema – Vouliagmeni
A favourite summer destination on the Athenian Riviera since 1976, Akti Cinema is located at the corner of Theseos and Aiolou streets in Vouliagmeni. Its beautiful garden setting combines first-run releases and commercial hits with the relaxed atmosphere of a seaside evening.
Equipped with Dolby sound, the cinema hosts nightly screenings throughout the summer months and sits just a short walk from the waterfront.
Current screenings include The Invite and The Ballad of Dreams.
