Athens from above: 10 great rooftop bars that need to be added to your Athens visiting list!
You can find roofgardens every Athens neighborhood offering a spectacular view and special atmosphere. There are many buildings in Athens suitable to have a roof bar on top.
The growth of the city of Athens significantly accelerated, after World War II. The need of housing more and more people resulted in building a huge number of apartment buildings. As time and money were scarce, those blocks of flats were built lacking any remarkable architectural design, but they all had a flat roof!
Μany initiatives have lately shown that people start seeing these “dull buildings” from an alternative perspective: as a challenge for creativity. What is better than a big flat space, looking out over the city, to create a cozy place for a summer cocktail or cultural event?
Let’s have a look at a few of these places where you can have a relaxing afternoon coffee or late evening cocktail while overlooking Athens.
1. A for Athens
Located in the center of Athens, right next to Monastiraki square, A for Athens is at the top floor of a hotel (with the same name).
It has become quite popular and is often very crowded. If you do manage to find a spot, you get a first-row view of Monastiraki square, Plaka and the Acropolis.
Address: 2-4, Miaouli Str., Monastiraki
2. 360 Cocktail Bar
Located next to the Monastiraki metro station, it has more space than A for Athens, so your chances to find a seat are better here.
Nice view over Monastiraki Square and the Acropolis. It is open daily 09:00-03:00, on weekends 09:00-04:00.
Address: 2, Ifaistou Str., Monastiraki
3. Couleur Locale
This bar is hidden in Normanou street, 300 meters from the Monastiraki metro station. This lively place offers food,
drinks and a close view to the Acropolis. Ideal for a night out with friends, but keep in mind that it might be hard to find a spot.
Address: 3, Normanou Str.
4. Thissio View
Close to the Thissio metro station and at the most lively pedestrian street of Athens, you can enjoy your coffee or drink from morning
till night with a wonderful view of the Acropolis.
Address: 25, Apostolou Pavlou Str. & Agias Marinis, Thissio
5. Athens Style
Located in the heart of Athens, this bar offers impressive view of the city, ideal for taking amazing pictures.
The bar is part of a youth hostel featuring a more casual atmosphere and affordable prices.
Address: 10, Agias Theklas Str., Monastiraki
6. Gazarte
Located in Gazi, a very popular neighbourhood, Gazarte succeeded in combining all kinds of entertainment:
bookstore, cinema, concerts, restaurant, events and of course… a roof bar. The aromatic plants, trees and flowers on its welcoming terrace
with a view on Technopolis give the impression of a garden overlooking Athens by night.
On several summer evenings live music sessions are organized at the bar.
Address: 32-34 Voutadon Str., Gazi (Kerameikos metro station)
7. Bios
As indicated on their website, Bios is a “meeting center for the arts and media of today”. Featuring different spaces, this multi-purpose venue
of industrial design features theater productions, events, exhibitions and music. The rooftop bar is spacious and has a worthwhile view.
Movies are projected on the wall of the terrace.
Address: 84, Peiraios Str. // Phone number:
8. The Athens Gate Hotel
The last three years more and more hotels started creating roof gardens and everybody is very welcome to enjoy a drink on those
restaurants or bars, even when you are not a hotel guest. On the 8th floor of the Athens Gate hotel you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Acropolis,
the New Acropolis Museum and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Address: 10, Sygrou Avenue (very close to the Acropolis metro station) /
9. Cafe of the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art
A hidden place in bustling Athens. This cafe is located on the highest floor of the museum and looks out over the area of Gazi.
From the terrace you can also see the Acropolis on your left hand side. As it is so hard to find, the place is calm and you will more easily find a table.
Keep in mind that the cafe is only open from Thursday to Sunday between 10:00-18:00.
Address: 22, Ag. Asomaton Str. & 12, Dipilou St.
10. Public Shop Cafe
The café is located on the top floor of the Public bookstore at Syntagma Square. It is not a rooftop bar, but the view is breathtaking.
The café is mostly indoors, but there is a small balcony in front, looking out over Syntagma Square and the Greek Parliament building.
It is open on weekdays 09:00-23:00 and on Saturdays between 09:00-22:00.
Address: Karagiorgi Servias 1, Syntagma square (5th floor)
Of course these are only a few of the spots you can discover on the rooftops of Athens. Many hotels also have their swimming pools next to the roof bars!
Contemporary Athens has plenty of other places and events to offer.
Feel free to click here and dowload the
free “Timeless Athens eBook”
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Ready to visit a roofbar, and order your drink or coffee in Greek?
Before you go, take a look at this useful ebook :
https://masaresi.com/product/orderingcoffee/
Included in the eBook is;
all the necessary vocabulary you need,
useful sentences,
common dialogues,
how to make your own frappe,
and the Greek audio for the correct pronunciation.
