Athens

We’ve compiled the best of the best in Athens - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

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  • 1. Athens and Epidaurus Festival

    Music Festivals

    The city's primary artistic event (formerly known as the Hellenic Festival) runs from June through August at more than 50 venues, from ancient...

    The city's primary artistic event (formerly known as the Hellenic Festival) runs from June through August at more than 50 venues, from ancient sites and museums to abandoned but renovated factories and public spaces. The most beloved and enchanting venue is the millennia-old theater Odeon of Herodes Atticus at the foot of the Acropolis. The festival has showcased performers such as Maria Callas, Norah Jones, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Luciano Pavarotti, and Diana Ross; such dance troupes as the Royal London Ballet, the Joaquin Cortes Ballet, and Maurice Béjart; symphony orchestras; and the best of local groups performing ancient Greek drama. Usually a major world premiere is staged during the festival. Starting in 2006, the then creative director Yiorgos Loukos rejuvenated the festival, adding more youthful venues and bringing a wider gamut of performances, including world musicians, modern dance, and multimedia artists. The Odeon makes a delightful backdrop, with the floodlit Acropolis looming behind the audience and the Roman arches behind the performers. The upper-level seats have no cushions, so bring something to sit on, and wear low shoes, since the marble steps are steep. For viewing most performances, the Gamma zone is the best seat choice. Tickets go on sale three weeks before performances but sell out quickly for popular shows. They are available from the festival box office in Syntagma Square, at the box office outside the Odeon theater, and at major bookshops in Athens (for a full list, check the website). Prices range from €15 to as high as €120 for the big names; student and youth discounts are available.

    Athens, Attica, Greece
    210-928–2900-general information
  • 2. Cine Paris

    Plaka | Film

    This rooftop-garden movie theater, which offers Dolby Digital sound, is the oldest (dating from 1920) and most romantic in Athens. It's located...

    This rooftop-garden movie theater, which offers Dolby Digital sound, is the oldest (dating from 1920) and most romantic in Athens. It's located on pedestrianized Kydathinaion Street, which also means it's close to many hotels and tavernas. In the lobby there's a store selling vintage film posters. It is open from May to October. Most films are in English (with Greek subtitles).

    Kidathineon 22, Athens, Attica, 10558, Greece
    210-322–2071
  • 3. Cine Thisio

    Thissio | Film

    Films at this open-air theater, among the oldest in Athens (dating from 1935), come complete with a view of the Acropolis. It's on the Unification...

    Films at this open-air theater, among the oldest in Athens (dating from 1935), come complete with a view of the Acropolis. It's on the Unification of Archaeological Sites walkway and conveniently offers tables among the seating, for your film-munchies spread. In fact, the bar sells homemade cheese pie, sour cherry juice, and tsipouro accompanied with bottarga fish roe from Messolonghi.

    Apostolou Pavlou 7, Athens, Attica, 11851, Greece
    210-342–0864
  • 4. Dora Stratou Dance Theater

    Filopappou | Dance

    The country's leading folk dance company performs exhilarating and sublime Greek folk dances (from all regions) in eye-catching, authentic costumes...

    The country's leading folk dance company performs exhilarating and sublime Greek folk dances (from all regions) in eye-catching, authentic costumes in programs that change every two weeks. Performances are held Wednesday through Sunday from the end of May through September.

    Arakinthou and Voutie, Athens, Attica, 11741, Greece
    210-921–4650-theater
  • 5. Megaron Mousikis/Athens Concert Hall

    Ilisia | Dance

    World-class Greek and international artists take the stage at the Megaron Mousikis to perform in concerts and opera from September through June...

    World-class Greek and international artists take the stage at the Megaron Mousikis to perform in concerts and opera from September through June. Information and tickets are available weekdays 10–6 and Saturday 10–2. Prices range from €12 to €90; there's a substantial discount for students and those 8 to 18 years old. Tickets go on sale a few weeks in advance, and many events sell out within hours.

    Vasilissis Sofias and Kokkali, Athens, Attica, 11521, Greece
    210-728–2333
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  • 6. Athens Olympic Sports Complex (OAKA)

    Maroussi | Concerts

    Big acts fill what was originally the main Athens 2004 Games arena with music. Lady Gaga, The Rolling Stones, and Madonna have performed here...

    Big acts fill what was originally the main Athens 2004 Games arena with music. Lady Gaga, The Rolling Stones, and Madonna have performed here—the latter actually holds the arena record, with 75,637 people attending her 2008 show.

    OAKA complex, Off Kifissias 37, Athens, Attica, 15123, Greece
    210-683–4060
  • 7. Badminton Theater

    Goudhi | Concerts

    This state-of-the-art performance center specializes in slick song-and-dance acts from around the world, occasionally geared towards children...

    This state-of-the-art performance center specializes in slick song-and-dance acts from around the world, occasionally geared towards children, as well as events.

    Goudi Military Park, Athens, Attica, 15773, Greece
    210-884–0600
  • 8. Ejekt Festival

    Concerts

    The Ejekt Festival, which brings together global pop, rock, and electronica bands, usually takes place every June in one of the Olympic venues...

    The Ejekt Festival, which brings together global pop, rock, and electronica bands, usually takes place every June in one of the Olympic venues in the southern suburb of Faliro.

    ,
    210-9636–489
  • 9. Festival Vrahon "In the Shadow of the Rocks"

    Theater

    Performances by well-known Greek performers and ancient Greek theater classics are staged in an attractively remodeled old quarry, now known...

    Performances by well-known Greek performers and ancient Greek theater classics are staged in an attractively remodeled old quarry, now known as the Theatro Vrahon Melina Merkouri (and its sister stage nearby, the Anna Synodinou). The festival begins in early June and lasts until the end of September every year; most performances start at 9 pm. Buy tickets (€20–€100) at the theater before the show.

    ,
    210-762–6438
  • 10. Hunter Agency

    Kolonaki | Tickets

    Like Ticketmaster in the United States, Hunter Agency sells all sorts of performing arts and popular music concert tickets. ...

    Like Ticketmaster in the United States, Hunter Agency sells all sorts of performing arts and popular music concert tickets.

    Panepistimiou 42, Athens, Attica, 10679, Greece
    210-360–8366
  • 11. Lycabettus Theater

    Kolonaki | Concerts

    The specialty of this theater (capacity: 5,000), set on a pinnacle of Mt. Lycabettus, is popular concerts; past performers have included Bryan...

    The specialty of this theater (capacity: 5,000), set on a pinnacle of Mt. Lycabettus, is popular concerts; past performers have included Bryan Ferry, Marianne Faithful, Pink Martini, and Cesaria Evora. Since buses travel only as far as the bottom of the hill, either take a taxi, or buy a one-way ticket on the funicular and then walk about 10 minutes to the theater. Check local listings for scheduled concerts during the summer months.

    At top of Mt. Lycabettus, Athens, Attica, 10675, Greece
    210-322–7200
  • 12. Onassis Cultural Centre

    Neos Kosmos | Arts Centers

    The Onassis Cultural Centre hosts events from across the whole spectrum of the arts, mainly in their highly contemporary version, from theater...

    The Onassis Cultural Centre hosts events from across the whole spectrum of the arts, mainly in their highly contemporary version, from theater, dance, and music to performances of the written word. Inside the airy rectangular shell are two amphitheaters, a Greek bistro (Hytra Apla), an award-winning restaurant, a rooftop bar (in summer), and exhibition spaces that occupy more than 18,000 square meters and can be seen bustling with activity from October to June.

    Syngrou 107–109, Athens, Attica, 11745, Greece
    210-900–5800
  • 13. Philippos Nakas Conservatory

    Exarcheia | Concerts

    Inexpensive classical or jazz music concerts are held throughout the year at this conservatory. Tickets cost about €12. ...

    Inexpensive classical or jazz music concerts are held throughout the year at this conservatory. Tickets cost about €12.

    Ippokratous 41, Athens, Attica, 10680, Greece
    210-363–4000
  • 14. Public

    Syntagma | Tickets

    You can buy tickets for popular concerts and performing arts events at this electronics store chain with convenient locations in Central Athens. ...

    You can buy tickets for popular concerts and performing arts events at this electronics store chain with convenient locations in Central Athens.

    Karageorgi Servias 1, Athens, Attica, 10563, Greece
    80111-40000
  • 15. Romantso

    Omonia Sq. | Arts Centers

    An alternative cultural center located in a 1960s concrete block that used to be a printing plant for popular magazine Romantso. Come here...

    An alternative cultural center located in a 1960s concrete block that used to be a printing plant for popular magazine Romantso. Come here for a drink at the postindustrial minimalist bar, to attend a yoga session, a talk, or to watch a film at the auditorium (check the listings). Upstairs are "incubators" of emerging companies/start-ups.

    Anaxagora 3–5, Athens, Attica, 10552, Greece
    216-700-3325
  • 16. Attikon Cinemax Class

    Syntagma | Film
    Under Renovation

    With its old-fashioned red-velvet and gold-trim embellishments, huge crystal chandelier, wide screen, enormous seats, and central location,...

    With its old-fashioned red-velvet and gold-trim embellishments, huge crystal chandelier, wide screen, enormous seats, and central location, this is the best theater in all of Athens. It screens world premieres and classic rereleases.

    Stadiou 19, Athens, Attica, 105561, Greece
    210-322–8821

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