COMMUNITY CORNER

XpatAthens
Summer In Greece Through the Lens Of Iconic Films
There’s something otherwordly beautiful about summer in Greece—the light, the islands, the warmth of the people, and the timeless beauty of its landscapes. But beyond the travel brochures and Instagram reels lies another layer of allure: the Greece we’ve fallen in love with through cinema.
Over the years, filmmakers from around the world have chosen Greece as the backdrop for unforgettable scenes—turning real locations into cultural touchstones and cinematic daydreams. Whether you’re planning your next getaway or simply daydreaming from afar, here’s a look at some iconic films set in Greece that just might inspire your summer in a new way.
Mamma Mia! (2008) – Skopelos & Skiathos

No list would be complete without this feel-good musical. Set on the fictional island of Kalokairi, the real filming locations were the lush Sporades islands of Skopelos and Skiathos. Think whitewashed chapels perched on dramatic cliffs (remember the wedding scene?), sun-drenched beaches, and winding cobblestone paths that invite spontaneous singing. Even if ABBA isn’t your thing, the scenery alone is enough to book a ferry.
@loucosporviagem
The Big Blue (1988) – Amorgos

This cult classic by Luc Besson isn't just a story about free diving—it's a deep, meditative ode to the Aegean Sea. Filmed in Amorgos, especially around the iconic Monastery of Hozoviotissa, the film captures the surreal tranquility and mysticism of the Greek islands like no other. The island’s raw, untouched beauty and azure waters have gained a loyal following thanks to the film.
@turigaltravels
Before Midnight (2013) – Messinia, Peloponnese

The third film in Richard Linklater’s beloved trilogy brings Jesse and Celine to the sun-drenched olive groves and ancient stone houses of Messinia, in the southern Peloponnese. It's a quieter, more grounded look at Greece—one steeped in history, conversation, and golden hour light. If you're craving a trip that’s more about connection and less about crowds, this one's your aesthetic.
@nikos.tsiak
The Two Faces of January (2014) – Athens, Crete

A psychological thriller set in 1960s Greece, this film takes you from the majestic ruins of the Acropolis to the sun-bleached alleys of Chania, Crete. If you're fascinated by old-world intrigue and neoclassical elegance, this film paints a rich visual portrait of Greece beyond the islands.
@simytravelphotos
Mediterraneo (1991) – Kastellorizo

This Italian Oscar-winning film is a hidden gem set on the tiny Dodecanese island of Kastellorizo (also known as Megisti). It tells the story of a group of Italian soldiers stranded on a Greek island during WWII, where they slowly fall under the island’s peaceful spell. The film beautifully captures the laid-back pace of Greek island life, with pastel-colored houses, quiet harbors, and a sense of suspended time. A perfect watch if you're looking for something slow, sun-soaked, and soulful.
@nikospar1969
Films do more than entertain—they shape the way we dream about places. They give us moodboards for our own adventures. Whether you're hopping on a ferry to Skopelos, sipping wine in the Peloponnese, or simply rewatching these classics from your sofa, each of these films offers a unique lens on Greece in summer.
This season, let cinema be your compass.
Angeliki Vourliotaki - Counseling Support For Parents
📧 angie.vourliotaki@gmail.com
📞 6989298723
Elpida Trizi - Communication & Embodied Leadership Coach
You can find me here: Wonder Works

2025: Certified Somatic Coach by Strozzi Institute (SISC)
2023: Embodied Transformation by Strozzi Institute
2023: Organization and Relationship Systems Coaching (ORSC) Fundamentals
2022: Associate Certified Coach (ACC) by the International Coaching Federation (ICF)
2022: Certified Professional Coactive Coach (CPCC) by the Co-Active Training Institute (CTI)
2021-2022: The Neuroscience of Change “Understand the Brain – Transform your Coaching”, an online coach training by Coaches Rising
2020: Positive Intelligence: Online coaching learning journey and mental fitness program by Shirzad Chamine
2019-2020: Co-Active Coach Training Fundamentals and Intermediate by the Co-Active Training Institute (CTI)
2006: Reiki Level I practitioner
1996: MA in Image Studies from the University of Canterbury, UK
1994: BSc in Communication & Mass Media from the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
Get in touch with me here: Wonder Works
Athens Nomad Fest 2025
Athens Nomad Fest - Celebrate The Digital Nomad Movement In Athens



Harvest & Harmony Retreat | Monemvasia, Peloponnese
When: October 16-19, 2025
Where: Kinsterna Hotel | Monemvasia, Peloponnese
Price: €990 per person in shared room | €1490 per person in private room
Email: info@eutoniaretreats.com
Contact Number: Ms. Angeliki Mitakou + 30 6944146480 (Viber & WhatsApp)
Organizer's Page: Eutonia Retreats

2nd Hellenic International Jazz Festival 2025
Jazzèt Festival 2025 Program
SUNDAY 20/07/25
-
21:00 BAG OF NAILS (GREECE)
Panos Katsikogiannis (vocals, guitar) // Thanos Zacheilas (keyboards, vocals) // Ilias Katis (drums, percussion) -
22:00 ESPEN BERG TRIO (NORWAY)
Espen Berg (piano & composition) // Bárður Reinert Poulsen (double bass) // Simon Albertsen (drums)
MONDAY 21/07/25
-
20:30 NORTH SIDE TRIO – NEW JAZZ ARTISTS (GREECE)
Tommy Lynch (saxophone) // Alexandros Tziovas (double bass) // Dimitris Kondos (drums) -
21:00 ENOSIS QUARTET (SWEDEN, FINLAND, GREECE)
Orfeas Wardig Tsoukalas (saxophone) // Thodoris Kotsifas (guitar) // Oli Rantala (double bass) // Johan Birgenius (drums) -
22:00 HUMAN TOUCH (GREECE)
David Lynch (tenor & soprano sax, vocals, flute, piccolo, recorder, cajon) // Giotis Kiourtsoglou (fretless & fretted electric bass) // Stavros Lantsias (piano, keys, drums, percussion)
TUESDAY 22/07/25
-
21:00 LEFTERIS CHRISTOFIS TRIO (GREECE)
Lefteris Christofis (electric, acoustic, synthesizer guitars) // Lakis Tzimkas (electric bass) // Kostas Anastasiadis (drums) -
22:00 DWIKI DHARMAWAN’S ATHENIAN ENSEMBLE (INDONESIA, UK, GREECE)
Dwiki Dharmawan (piano) // Gilad Atzmon (saxophones, clarinet) // Ita Purnamasari (vocals) // Dede Yanto (multi-ethnic instruments) // Vyron Dolas (electric guitar) // Kimon Karoutzos (double bass) // Nikos Sidirokastritis (drums)
Athens Open Air Film Festival 2025
Upcoming Screenings – July & August
Saturday, July 12 | Plato’s Academy Park, Monastiriou 137, Akadimia Platonos
🎞 80s Horror Marathon
-
21:45 – The Fog (1980, 89’) – Dir. John Carpenter
-
23:30 – A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984, 91’) – Dir. Wes Craven
-
01:15 – Sleepaway Camp (1983, 88’) – Dir. Robert Hiltzik
All digitally restored prints
Monday, July 14 | Kotzia Square (Athinas Street entrance)
🎞 The Hairdresser’s Husband (1990, 82’)
21:30 | Dir. Patrice Leconte
In celebration of France’s National Day – in collaboration with the French Institute of Greece.
Thursday, July 17 | Anesis Open-Air Cinema, Kifisias Ave. 14
🎞 Any Number Can Win (1963, 118’)
21:00 | Dir. Henri Verneuil
With Jean Gabin & Alain Delon – digitally restored version.
In collaboration with the French Institute of Greece.
Tuesday, July 23 | Drakopoulou Park, Athens
🎞 A World of Gods and Monsters: Two James Whale Classics
-
21:30 – Bride of Frankenstein (1935, 75’)
-
22:45 – The Invisible Man (1933, 71’)
Friday, July 25 | Technopolis City of Athens, Pireos 100
🎞 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000, 119’)
21:30 | Dir. Ang Lee
Stunning martial arts epic in a digital restored version.
Tuesday, July 29 | Eleftherias Park, Vasilissis Sofias Ave.
🎞 Mamma Roma (1962, 106’)
21:30 | Dir. Pier Paolo Pasolini
Special screening curated by artist Marlene Dumas in collaboration with the Museum of Cycladic Art.
Thursday, August 21 | Anesis Open-Air Cinema, Kifisias Ave. 14
🎞 India Song (1975, 120’)
21:00 | Dir. Marguerite Duras
A haunting French classic – 50th anniversary screening with the French Institute of Greece.
Wednesday, August 27 | "El Paso" Stadium, Kallithea
🎞 For a Few Dollars More (1965, 132’)
21:30 | Dir. Sergio Leone
Spaghetti Western masterpiece starring Clint Eastwood – digitally restored for its 60th anniversary.
In collaboration with Athens Kallithea FC.
Tip: Arrive early to grab a good spot and enjoy the pre-screening atmosphere. All screenings start promptly and are subject to weather conditions. Bring your own blanket, snacks, and cinema-loving friends!
Full program and details: Athens Open Air Film Festival Official Website
Summer At The Maria Callas Museum

Brain-Health & Yoga Retreat on Mount Olympus
This unique retreat combines cutting-edge, evidence-based brain-health practices with the timeless wisdom of yoga, breathwork, and mindfulness.
Perfect for anyone seeking a holistic reset, whether you're navigating stress, seeking inspiration, or simply craving a deeply revitalizing experience rooted in nature and neuroscience.
When: September 15-21, 2025
Where: Mount Olympus
Email: brainhealthandyoga@gmail.com
Organizer's Retreat Page: Brainhealth & Yoga Retreat
