The beloved Athens Open Air Film Festival returns for its 15th edition, transforming iconic locations around the city into open-air cinemas — from archaeological sites and public parks to cultural landmarks. With digitally restored classics, cult favorites, and themed film marathons, this summer-long celebration of cinema is entirely free of charge.

 

In collaboration with institutions such as the Hellenic Foundation for Culture, the Museum of Cycladic Art, and the French Institute of Greece, the festival blends film with literature, history, and art.

Follow the hashtag #aoaff15 for updates.

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

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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.

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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.

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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’)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

This summer, the Maria Callas Museum of the City of Athens welcomes locals and  visitors with a series of creative and engaging events that bring together art,  imagination, and the vibrant atmosphere of the city.

Every Sunday in July, Mitropoleos Square transforms into an open-air art corner with La Mia Maria: Create your own  carte postale!, a colourful drop-in activity for all ages. On the night of the July full  moon, the museum stays open late for Under the Moonlight—a special evening  experience featuring reduced admission, music from a live DJ set, and breathtaking  views of the Acropolis. Throughout July and August, visitors of all ages can also join interactive guided tours offered in Greek and English, and discover the life and legacy of  Maria Callas in new and inspiring ways. 

Where will your own carte postale travel? 

Every Sunday of July, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, children and adults alike can create their own  commemorative carte postale featuring a portrait of Maria Callas using the stencil technique. 

In this fun activity, you will get to know the great opera diva through an artistic process full of  colors and imagination. When you leave, you’ll have a unique keepsake that will remind you of  this special encounter with your very own Maria Callas. 

Every Sunday, Mitropoleos Square comes alive with creativity and joy! Come with your friends  or family, enjoy a stroll through the city center, and make a stop for some art, imagination,  and… your very own carte postale! 

Duration of creating the carte postale: approximately 15 minutes 

Location: Mitropoleos Square – directly across from the entrance of the Maria Callas Museum Free participation – No reservation required, first-come, first-served basis 

The Maria Callas Museum, recently honored with a special commendation at the EMYA 2025,  invites visitors to experience the world of opera and the life of one of its greatest divas through  the guided tours offered in English. This unique museum is entirely dedicated to celebrating  the remarkable work and personality of Maria Callas. 

Among its priceless exhibits are rare and personal items from the life and career of this  extraordinary artist, whose extraordinary vocal range, distinctive tone, stage presence, and  musical mastery forever transformed the opera landscape. 

A visit to the museum is an immersive experience that awakens all the senses. Visitors delve  into the opera world and Callas’s legacy through engaging, experiential learning, enhanced by  audiovisual presentations, multimedia technology, texts, soundscapes, and historical artifacts. 

Date: July 16 & 30, August 7 & 21 

Time: 12:00 PM 

Duration: 50 minutes

Cost: 14€ – Reduced ticket categories also apply 

Discover the magic of Maria Callas through a unique family experience in the heart of Athens! 

A must-visit cultural destination, the Maria Callas Museum invites families on an inspiring  journey into the world of the legendary soprano. Through interactive exhibits and modern  audiovisual displays, children are introduced to the fascinating universe of opera in a way that  is fun, creative, and memorable. 

Our specially designed family tours keep both young and older visitors engaged, offering not  only knowledge but also moments of connection and shared discovery. 

Dates: July 16 & 30, August 7 & 21 

Time: 13:30 

Duration: 50 minutes 

Cost: €7 per child (ages 9–17), €14 per adult, €30 per family (two adults and at least one child  aged 9–17) 

Note: Family tours can also be arranged on alternative dates upon request. For more information, please contact us at visit@mariacallasmuseum.gr or +30 210 44 04 204 (Monday–Friday, 11:00–18:00).

September 15-21 - Join us for a transformative Brain-Health & Yoga Retreat on the sacred slopes of Mount Olympus, where science meets serenity and ancient energy inspires deep renewal.

This unique retreat combines cutting-edge, evidence-based brain-health practices with the timeless wisdom of yoga, breathwork, and mindfulness.

 

Through expertly guided sessions, you’ll explore the powerful connection between mind and body, gaining practical tools to enhance mental clarity, emotional resilience, and nervous system regulation.

 

Each day includes gentle yet energizing yoga flows, calming meditation, breathwork techniques, and brainhealth workshops to reduce stress and get a clear mind, all designed to help you rewire thought patterns and restore balance from within. Nourishing meals, spacious time in nature, and an intimate community atmosphere further support your journey.

 

Set against the mythic backdrop of Mount Olympus — a place of natural majesty and spiritual significance — this retreat offers the ideal environment to disconnect from everyday demands, reconnect with yourself, and return home with renewed clarity, vitality, and purpose.

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.

 

The Athens Epidaurus Festival presents the world premiere of The Oath of Europe, a deeply evocative new play by internationally acclaimed playwright and director Wajdi Mouawad, starring the legendary Juliette Binoche. This unique production brings together a multicultural cast of six actors from different continents in a polyphonic performance that navigates themes of inherited trauma, war, silence, and identity.

Inspired by ancient mythology and rooted in the aesthetics of Greek tragedy, The Oath of Europe unfolds as a fragmented memory — a mosaic of voices, testimonies, and ghosts from the past. It tells the story of a woman forced to confront a buried childhood memory of atrocity, in a work that resonates with today’s fractured world.

Staged for the first time at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, this international co-production with Théâtre National de la Colline (Paris) is part of the Festival’s Contemporary Ancients cycle and is supported by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. A bold and lyrical exploration of myth and modern history — and one of the summer’s most anticipated theatrical events.

The Athens Epidaurus Festival presents an extraordinary evening of classical music under the stars at one of the world’s most breathtaking venues — the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. On July 15, the celebrated Mahler Chamber Orchestra, known for its dynamic, conductor-free performances, takes the stage with internationally acclaimed pianist Yuja Wang, who also leads the ensemble as musical director for the evening.

Together, they’ll perform a powerful program featuring beloved works by Beethoven, Chopin, Stravinsky, and Tchaikovsky, blending romantic lyricism with avant-garde intensity. Wang, praised for her technical brilliance, charisma, and emotional range, is considered one of the most exciting classical artists of our time. Her presence, combined with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra’s exceptional musicality, promises a performance of rare artistic synergy.

This special night is part of the Classical Music Cycle of the festival and is a highlight of the summer season — perfect for music lovers, culture seekers, and anyone looking to experience the magic of live music in an unforgettable ancient setting.

When most people think of summer in Greece, the images are predictable: sunbathing on white-sand beaches, sipping ouzo at seaside tavernas, watching the sun melt into the sea. And while those are undeniably part of the magic, there’s another Greece waiting to be discovered.

 

This is a Greece of hidden waterfalls, sea caves, open-air cinemas, and ancient paths under starry skies. Ready to go off-script?

 

Here are 10 unique summer experiences in Greece that will transform your idea of what summer can be.

Milos is volcanic, wild, and full of hidden coves and surreal sea caves, and the best way to explore them? By kayak. Paddle through tunnels of white rock, swim in translucent water, and land on beaches that are inaccessible by road.

🛶 Best Spot: The caves around Kleftiko and Sykia on the southern coast.

2. Chase Waterfalls in Northern Evia or Pelion

 
@analytis.mp3

Greece is more than islands; it’s full of lush gorges and waterfalls. Cool off in natural rock pools shaded by plane trees, just a few hours from Athens.

Try: The waterfalls of Drymonas in Evia or Tsagarada’s Fakistra Waterfall in Pelion. Ideal for a day trip with a picnic.

3. Watch a Film Under the Stars at a Greek Open-Air Cinema


@yuksel_pecenek

It’s not just a movie; it’s a ritual. With a breeze in your hair, jasmine scent in the air, and a cold drink in hand, Greece’s θερινά σινεμά (summer cinemas) are pure nostalgia.

Where to go: Cine Thisio in Athens, with the Acropolis glowing behind the screen, or Cine Kalisperitis in Kimolos.

4. Learn Pottery in Sifnos, the Island of Clay


@mrchrissharples

Sifnos is a hub of ceramic art. Sign up for a pottery workshop with a local artist, and get your hands into the same clay that’s been shaped for centuries.

🏺 Best studios: Atsonios or Peristeriona in Kamares.

5. Spend the Night in a Treehouse in Evritania


@dimvsd

Karpenisi in summer, transforms into a green paradise, filled with rivers, forests, and cool mountain air. One of the most magical ways to experience it? Sleeping in a treehouse nestled among fir trees.

Surrounded by nature, you can swing in a hammock, wake up to birdsong, and fall asleep under the stars. It’s the kind of stay that makes you feel like a kid again, whether you're with family, your partner, or on a solo recharge.

6. Spend the Night in a Monastery on a Remote Island


@jcamatsos

If you're craving silence, introspection, or just a break from modern chaos, spend a night (or two) in a working Greek monastery. Many are open to respectful visitors in the summer months, offering basic lodging, shared meals, and early-morning liturgies.

It’s not about religion but about stillness, starlit courtyards, stone cells cooled by mountain air, and waking to the sound of chanting echoing through the hills.

 

Greece’s islands are famed for their postcard-perfect villages, those dreamy whitewashed settlements draped in bougainvillea, built amphitheatrically on cliffs or tucked into olive-covered hills. While Santorini and Mykonos often steal the spotlight, the true heart of the Aegean and Ionian seas lies in the less-hyped island villages that are just as breathtaking, more serene, and wonderfully authentic.

Here are some of the most beautiful Greek island vilages that we can’t stop dreaming about, and maybe, neither will you.

Chora – Amorgos


@annakarin6.0

Mystical and minimal, Chora of Amorgos is a Cycladic masterpiece. Tucked inland and surrounded by windmills and rugged peaks, it feels like a walk back in time. Quiet streets, hidden tavernas, and a strong local character give it depth and allure.

Why it stands out: It's untouched, has zero glitz, and is full of hidden Byzantine chapels, stone archways, and incredible authenticity.

Olympos – Karpathos


@diokaminaris

This village on the island of Karpathos is unlike anywhere else in Greece. Perched high on the mountains, Olympos feels like an open-air folklore museum, where women still wear traditional dress and the dialect is ancient.

This is where time stands still, and every stone street seems carved from history and myth. Remote, wild, and soul-stirring.

Chora - Astypalaia

This butterfly-shaped island belongs to the Dodecanese, but its Chora is pure Cycladic fairytale: white houses cascading below a Venetian castle, blue domes popping out above rooftops, and windmills watching over the main square.

Top vibe: Romantic, peaceful, and unbelievably photogenic. The view of the Kastro (castle) at night is hauntingly beautiful.

Ano Syros – Syros


@i.tsimi

While Ermoupoli is the grand neoclassical capital of the Cyclades, Ano Syros is its medieval crown. Winding uphill streets lead you past Catholic monasteries, domed churches, and arched doorways.

Bonus points: It's the birthplace of Markos Vamvakaris, father of rebetiko music, and the view over Ermoupoli’s harbor is dreamy.

Chora - Serifos 


@elena_dim_

Built amphitheatrically up a rocky hill, Chora of Serifos offers dramatic views and classic island architecture. It’s quiet, rugged, and ideal for slow travelers. Once you hike up through its wind-swept alleys, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most panoramic sunset views in the Aegean.

Vibe: A little wild, a little romantic, and totally unforgettable.

Apeiranthos – Naxos

@kidsareatrip

While Naxos’ main Chora is also stunning, Apeiranthos is a marble village that feels like a Cycladic secret. Tower houses, Venetian architecture, and artisan shops nestled in stone-paved alleys offer a refreshing alternative to the classic white-and-blue palette.

Pro tip: Stay for lunch in one of the traditional kafeneia, it’s like eating inside a time capsule.

Chora – Kythira


@Teog79

Technically closer to the Peloponnese than the Aegean, Kythira’s Chora blends Ionian elegance with Cycladic charm. Topped by a Venetian castle, it overlooks the sea and the island’s wild cliffs, dotted with Byzantine chapels and hidden coves.

Best for: Romantics, road-trippers, and fans of moody beauty.

April 26th - May 2nd & October 25th - 31st, 2026

Embrace Tranquility and Adventure in Crete! Step into a retreat that beautifully balances inner peace with the thrill of discovery. Set in the picturesque village of Prines, just above Rethymno, this experience invites you to reconnect — with yourself, with nature, and with the soul of Crete.

 

Crete, Greece’s largest and most varied island, offers a landscape of contrasts: majestic mountains, secret gorges, sun-drenched beaches, and ancient paths whispering stories of gods and legends. Whether you're hiking wild trails, swimming in crystal-clear waters, or wandering through timeless villages, every moment is a celebration of life and beauty.

 

This is more than a retreat — it's an invitation to explore, recharge, and awaken your senses. From invigorating yoga sessions to immersive cultural adventures, Crete offers a journey for both body and soul.

 

 

Nestled on the island’s northern coast, Rethymno blends old-world charm with natural elegance. Meander through its historic alleyways, indulge in the rich flavors of Cretan cuisine, and unwind by golden beaches surrounded by olive groves and rolling hills. It's the perfect base for a journey into authenticity and wonder.

May 17th-23rd, June 21th - 27th, September 20th - 26th & October 11th - 17th, 2026 

Discover Northern Greece’s Hidden Gems with Nefeli Nine and Nomads Path

Embark on a journey through some of the most breathtaking and lesser-known landscapes of Northern Greece — a land where ancient history, vibrant culture, and awe-inspiring mountain scenery meet.

Designed for lovers of hiking and the great outdoors, this unique experience takes you deep into the heart of Vikos Aoos National Park. From seasoned hikers to curious nature enthusiasts, the trails here offer an unforgettable immersion into Greece’s wild beauty and rich heritage.

Walk along timeworn stone paths, cross the iconic bridges of Zagorochoria, ascend the storied Vradeto Steps, venture into the dramatic depths of Vikos Gorge — the world’s deepest canyon — and hike to the mythical Dragon Lake, nestled high in the Pindus mountains.

This is your chance to explore the untouched side of Greece — far from the crowds — through verdant valleys, historic trails, and awe-inspiring natural wonders.

 

The Nefeli Nine week-long wellbeing program is thoughtfully crafted to deliver visible, lasting results, ones you can feel and sustain long after your retreat ends.

Forget crash diets, relentless crunches, or uninspiring workouts. This retreat is about balance — a holistic approach to wellness that blends movement, meaningful travel, discovery, and nourishing food.

You’ll explore some of Greece’s most breathtaking trails, suitable for all fitness levels and ages. You’ll savor abundant, organic meals inspired by slow living and the longevity principles of the Blue Zones. And each day, you’ll enjoy two beautifully tailored yoga sessions — designed specifically for you, your body, and your energy.