Cinema
Greece watches films outdoors in summer and indoors in winter, and both are worth doing.
Dates marked confirmed come from the organiser. Dates marked annual happen every year but the next date is not published yet, so check before you book.
Summer open air cinemas
The therina, open air cinemas, are a genuine Greek institution. Deck chairs, a bar, a jasmine covered courtyard and a film under the stars, with a break halfway through. Films are shown in the original language with Greek subtitles, so English language films play in English. Screenings start around sunset and later shows run to about 23:00. Walk up for the view first
Cine Thisio
The oldest open air cinema in Athens, on Apostolou Pavlou below the Acropolis, and the one with the illuminated Parthenon in view above the screen. Book ahead for the early show if you want the view seats. The Acropolis is right above it
Cine Paris
A rooftop cinema in Plaka with the Acropolis behind the screen. Small, long established and usually booked out at weekends.
Aigli Zappiou
The historic open air cinema in the Zappeion gardens, and the most comfortable of the three, with a 4K projector and Dolby 7.1 sound under the trees.
The winter cinema season
When the open air cinemas close for the year the indoor screens take over, and this is when the arthouse and festival films arrive. Same rule on language: original audio, Greek subtitles.
Dates ahead
Athens International Film Festival, Opening Nights
Greek and international premieres across the city, with screenings at the Megaron concert hall and the Astor cinema.
National Theatre Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses
A cinema screening of the National Theatre Live recording of Les Liaisons Dangereuses.
The Metropolitan Opera Live: Così fan tutte
A big screen showing of Mozart's comic opera from the Metropolitan Opera's cinema series.
The Metropolitan Opera Live: Macbeth
A big screen showing of Macbeth from the Metropolitan Opera's cinema series.
NAZA by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor
A film screening by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor at Onassis Stegi.
CineFIX #Guest: Archives in bloom, a screening with the Athens Palestine Film Festival
A special screening at EMST in collaboration with the Athens Palestine Film Festival.
Athens Palestine Film Festival
A three day festival of Palestinian cinema at Onassis Stegi.
Athens International Children's Film Festival 2026
Three days of films for children and teenagers, each with an age guide, from Baby and Me sessions for ages 0 to 3 to teen features, with live dubbing and an audio described screening.
ArteKino Festival 2026
Three days of new European cinema with ARTE at Onassis Stegi.
National Theatre Live: The Misanthrope (screening)
Martin Crimp's version of Molière's comedy with Sandra Oh, directed by Indhu Rubasingham; recorded at the Lyttelton, in English with Greek subtitles.
The Public Private House: 9 Stanzas for Athens, by Tassos Langis
A film by Tasos Langis about Athens, screened at Onassis Stegi. Greek title: «Η Δημόσια Ιδιωτική Οικία: 9 στροφές για την Αθήνα | Τάσος Λάγγης».
SOUEL by Alexandros Voulgaris (The Boy)
A film by Alexandros Voulgaris, written by Ioanna Karystiani, at Onassis Stegi through December. Greek title: «ΣΟΥΕΛ | Αλέξανδρος Βούλγαρης (The Boy)».
The Met: Live in HD, Samson et Dalila (screening)
Saint-Saëns's opera with Aigul Akhmetshina and Clay Hilley, conducted by Giacomo Sagripanti.
The Met: Live in HD, The Magic Flute (screening)
Julie Taymor's production of Mozart's opera, the one that launched the Met's live transmissions in 2006.