Best Indoor Cinemas in Athens Center for Winter Movie Nights

Fancy taking a break from all the sightseeing in Athens? How about catching a movie at a historic downtown movie theater? Well, we prepared for you this guide for the best historic indoor cinemas in Athens center!

Ah, the movies! Who doesn’t like them?

We, Athenians, surely do and not only during the summer when we flock to the world-renowned open air cinemas of Athens. 

In fact, as the avid movie goers we are, we like our movie theaters all year round!

What about the language barrier, we hear you ask. Well aren’t you lucky to be in Greece!

Contrary to many other european countries, in Greece we don’t dub foreign films, but we use subtitles.

So, if the original language of a film is a language you understand, then you have nothing to be afraid of and you can be sure you will enjoy the movie you have chosen.

Small exceptions to this rule are usually films that are addressed to children as well as most of the animated movies.

However, the latter often come both in dubbed and subtitled versions.

So, take a stroll with us and discover the best indoor cinemas in Athens center for a different taste of the athenian nightlife.

P.S. If you’re visiting Athens between November and March, make sure to check out our Winter in Athens Guide for even more ways to enjoy the city!

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Best Indoor Cinemas in Athens Center on the Map

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Athinaion

Athinaion is conveniently located in lower Ambelokipi area, relatively close to the Kolonaki neighborhood, and is one of the historic movie theaters of Athens, having opened in 1960.

Its name was decided by public voting of the moviegoers of the time, choosing from a selection of five possible names proposed by the then owner, and getting a free ticket in return!

Here you will find all the latest releases, from blockbusters to award winning dramas to rom-coms and horror flicks.

It features two screens, a common characteristic of many older movie theaters in Athens.

At some point they partitioned the typical-for-the-era expansive screening room into two, in order to serve modern day demands.

The main screening room features the best quality in projection and sound you can find in downtown Athens and can also play movies in 3D.

Athinaion is also famous for still carrying a specific artistic torch until today: it is the last movie theater which features hand-painted billboards, an almost extinct form of art in today’s digital age.

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Cinobo Opera

Right in the heart of a very cultural neighborhood, you can find Cinobo Opera.

It is located between the Academia, the old National Library building, and the old National Opera building (check the 3-day itinerary of Athens for more on the area).

It has operated almost continuously since its opening year in 1948 and many Athenians consider it one of the best indoor cinemas in Athens center.

Here, again, you will find two screening rooms; the main screen of considerably larger seating capacity is dressed in its distinctive blue hues.

Very recently, it started its second life under new ownership and management by the Greek streaming platform Cinobo.

A favorite of good quality cinema fans, Cinobo committed to preserving its legacy as a film theater.

Beside a wide variety of good international and domestic movies, Cinobo Opera often hosts cinematic events and premieres.

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Elli

Across the street from Opera, there is Elli: a little gem of a cinema and a standard meeting point of film lovers in Athens.

Built in 1952, it stood out as a state-of-the-art cinema, with its beautiful mid-century modern marquee in lit vintage font.

In 1995 it was extensively renovated but preserved its original character (thankfully keeping the marquee too) to fit the contemporary standards.

In its single screen you can watch quality European and International films, as well as selected Greek productions.

Don’t forget to visit its foyer, which is on a level below the screening room.

There, you can get refreshments and set the mood before a movie.

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Nirvana Cinemax

In the prominent Alexandras Avenue, in the Ambelokipi neighborhood, you can pay a visit to a historic staple of the area, Nirvana cinema.

It first opened in 1939 as an open air summer cinema; later, in 1964 it stopped operating for a year, while an apartment building was being erected on the spot, only to reopen a year later as a luxury indoor movie theater.

Recently, it underwent extensive renovation.

The once enormous screening room of 800 seats was split into two more or less equally sized modern screens with state-of-the-art equipment.

It features a tasty variety of popular and arthouse films, with an affinity for European cinema. 

The location of the venue is right between Mavili Square and the one end of Panormou street, an area bustling with shops, bars and cafes, in case you want to grab a drink or a quick bite afterwards.

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Danaos

Very near to the other end of Panormou street, in Kifissias Avenue, Danaos cinema is a classic meeting point for moviegoers for more than half a century.

It opened in 1952 with one big screening auditorium.

Later, in 1998, it added a second, smaller, more intimate screening room.

Danaos boasts one of the largest screens in Athens with top quality projection and sound specifications.

Here you can find a wide range of international, european and film festival movies, as well as the occasional cinematic event or presentation.

Danaos is also one of the venues hosting the Athens International Film Festival every fall, which is a highly recommended experience if you happen to be around during that time.

This is also a very vibrant neighborhood, with many local eateries, cafes and bars, perfect for hosting your post-movie discussions through the night.

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Best Arthouse Indoor Cinemas in Athens

Asty

Asty cinema has not only been one of the best indoor cinemas in Athens center.

It has also been the city’s flagship arthouse venue and a classic meeting point of the city’s cinephiles.

Operating since 1939 on the same spot, in Korai Square, it is run by two brothers who took over from their late father, also operating their own film distribution company.

The venue features a single screen in a cosy screening room and you can catch the latest arthouse films from all the important festivals around the world.

The building is of high historical significance, as it served as the Gestapo headquarters during the German Occupation of Athens.

The air-raid shelters in its basement were turned into prisons by the Germans.

Today they operate as a National Memorial site and are open to the public.

Nowadays, the building boasts a majestic arcade on ground level with several coffee shops and eateries, making it a perfect meeting point before descending the steps to catch a movie at Asty.

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Trianon

Nestled near the multicultural Victoria Square, Trianon is another beloved cultural meeting spot for the city’s film enthusiasts.

It keeps a nice balance between international and domestic arthouse films, and it often hosts film festivals and special screenings.

Although primarily a cinema, Trianon also occasionally hosts a variety of cultural events.

These include presentations, round-table discussions, and even theatrical performances.

It features one large screening room with a sliding roof which opens during the summer, thus making it a quasi open-air cinema venue.

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Mikrokosmos

If you happen to find yourself around the buzzing Koukaki neighborhood, you can also visit another arthouse gem, Mikrokosmos cinema.

Located in Syngrou Avenue, very close to the National Museum of Modern Art, it features a medium sized screening room, with slick yet comfortable design.

Having opened in 2004, Mikrokosmos recently celebrated 20 years of bringing to the athenian cinephile crowd a fine selection of international arthouse films as well as independent greek productions.

Often the venue hosts smaller film festivals, such as the Athens Short Film Festival.

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Independent Cinemas in Athens

Astor

Astor is located inside the arcade of the building in Korai Square (the same building where Asty cinema is), and is a usual meeting point for greek filmmakers and cinephiles.

It first opened in 1947 on Stadiou street having taken its name from John Jacob Astor, the first American multimillionaire, in an attempt to evoke a sense of ultimate luxury.

However, after extensive renovation in 2015, the entrance was moved inside the arcade.

Today Astor is a hot spot for independent cinema and several film festivals.

In its cool amphitheatrical screening room you can watch international and domestic indies and special screenings.

It takes pride in its impressive foyer, which features a beautifully designed bar.

There you can have a drink or some coffee and snacks, while it often features a variety of cultural events.

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Cinobo Patission

A dying classic venue in the busy Patission street (Alexandra Cinema) was recently reborn as Athens’ first repertory cinema, under the curation of the greek streaming platform Cinobo.

Cinobo Patission fulfilled the long overdue wish of many Athenian moviegoers and film buffs to have their “own Prince Charles Cinema”.

So, it immediately became a favorite.

Here you can find monthly tributes to beloved directors and actors, screenings of classic films, reruns of recent movies, thematic days and film marathons.

It also houses the very successful Midnight Express club, the first club dedicated solely to post-midnight screenings of favorite cult, camp, horror, animation treasures and other oddities.

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Discount Days and Winter In Athens Guide!

So, there you are!

Here is your guide of the best indoor cinemas in Athens center, in case you feel a sudden nostalgia for the silver screen during your winter visit.

Also, keep in mind that almost all of the venues offer a discount day with reduced-price tickets once a week.

You can find more information on the specific day by contacting the cinema directly, as it might change occasionally.

Lastly, if you are looking for more unique ideas for your stay, be sure to check out our Honest Guide to Athens Tours.

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