Must-see nightlife in Central Greece

  • Casablanca

    Pelion Peninsula

    A hand-painted sign, just north of Horto, points out the 200m path down to this delightful cafe alongside the Diplomats’ Holidays complex. Themed for the…

  • Cafe Rakomelo

    Central Greece

    Alexandros Karveli serves Greek coffee made the old-fashioned way, along with espresso drinks and Greek mountain tea. But the real reason to come to his…

  • Poco Pico Cafe Bar

    Meteora & Thessaly

    Big Coffee may be encroaching on Volos, like everywhere else, but with its comic artwork – check out the unbelievably smutty glass-topped table – this…

  • Kyklos Tsipouradhiko

    Meteora & Thessaly

    Very simple, very friendly bar, with tables out in an alleyway that leads off the northeast corner of the large Plateia Riga Fereou. Inside, you’ll find…

  • Megalo Kafeneio 1929

    Central Greece

    Now a round-the-clock bohemian hang-out, often cloudy with cigarette smoke, this grand vintage cafe featured in the classic 1975 Greek movie The…

  • MeZen Tsipouradhiko

    Meteora & Thessaly

    The name of this hip and hugely popular central tsipouradhiko, the flagship of a small Greek chain, is a pun on zen and mezed, short for mezedhes. Little…

  • Melopoleio Cafe

    Delphi

    Smart little cafe on the inland side of the main through road, with a cosy interior plus streetside watch-the-world-go-by seating. Over the course of the…

  • Pinakoti Pinakoti

    Pelion Peninsula

    It's hard to imagine a more perfect location for an all-day cafe than Pinakates’ pedestrian-only village square. It's just below the main road in front of…

  • Art Cafe

    Pelion Peninsula

    Unwind over a coffee or Greek mountain tea – served in cast-iron Japanese teapots – while admiring the gulf views as you sit outside this delightful cafe…

  • Fairydust Coffee

    Meteora & Thessaly

    Cheerfully celebrating the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, this charming cafe is kitted out with all sorts of Lewis Carroll references. The real appeal of joining…

  • Café Apollon

    Delphi

    A happy blend of old and new, Apollon is a charming, traditional kafeneio (coffeehouse) on the inside, coupled with a broad tiled terrace with stunning…

  • Fortounis

    Kalambaka

    A favourite for snacks and drinks, with low-key music most evenings, this long-standing ouzerie (places serving ouzo and light snacks) attracts a young…

  • Anna Na Ena Milo

    Pelion Peninsula

    Snug cafe where the quirky interior is decorated with children's book covers (including the one that gave the cafe its name, Anna Na Ena Milo – Anna Have…

  • Just Winebar

    Meteora & Thessaly

    Most evenings, deciding which Plateia Tachydromeon bar to drink in can be a question of finding one that’s not already filled with students. Just is a…

  • Kavouras Tsipouradhiko

    Meteora & Thessaly

    Tucked into a tiny street between the shopping thoroughfares of Dimitriados and Iasonos, this is one of the oldest tsipouradhika (bars serving tsipouro…

  • Café Agora

    Delphi

    Rejoicing in panoramic veranda views of the gulf, Agora is primarily a nice spot for an evening drink, though it also serves very acceptable pizzas and…

  • Sonar Jazz & Blues

    Meteora & Thessaly

    Music is very much the mainstay in this cavernous, high-ceilinged corner bar in the Manavika district, with exposed-stone walls, framed pop-culture…

  • Alter Ego Music Bar

    Meteora & Thessaly

    This chill music bar is hard to find, behind the Agiou Nikolaou church in the heart of town. It doesn’t open until 9pm, but most nights the beat goes on…

  • Saloon Park

    Central Greece

    Part mountain lodge, part Wild West theme park, this unlikely local favourite stands 3km southwest of town on the road to Prousos. For grown-ups, the…

  • ABG Cafe

    Meteora & Thessaly

    With its colourful, well-shaded front garden, this lively cafe makes a good stop for wi-fi, coffee and cocktails. A cool jazz soundtrack makes for a…

  • Byron Cafe

    Central Greece

    Relax over a morning coffee or evening drink in the appropriately lordly chairs at this shady oasis, named after the English hero of the Greek Revolution…

  • Kafeneio Mikas

    Kalambaka

    The older generation of locals congregate at the simple pavement tables of this old-fashioned cafe, sipping coffee or ouzo and watching the modern world…

  • Aeriko Café-bar

    Pelion Peninsula

    Northwest of Portaria, halfway to Makrinitsa, this rather chic and hugely popular cafe basks in enormous terrace views, across Volos to the sea. Well…

  • Onar Bar

    Central Greece

    This woodsy, wedge-shaped and welcoming whiskey bar, renowned for its expert proprietor and marvellous menu of mellifluous malts, also serves beer and…

  • Astra Cafe

    Delphi

    Perfect chill-out spot by day, pounding disco-bar later on; this plush two-tier, indoor-outdoor cafe commands a magnificent gulf-view perch at the western…

  • Polidroso Cafe

    Pelion Peninsula

    Hip little cafe on the large four-level plateia (square) of Pouri, managed by the convivial Anna and Dimitris. As well as good coffee and drinks, and live…

  • Zampas

    Central Greece

    With its little blue street-front tables alongside a public fountain, this long-established kafeneio (coffeehouse) is the nicest place to sip a coffee or…

  • Paralos

    Pelion Peninsula

    Tucked in behind the village church, just up from the beach, this cool bar has a front patio that’s equipped with well-padded chairs and benches. The…

  • a:m The Bar

    Central Greece

    Strictly a late-evening affair; arrive at 9pm and you'll be the first one there on most nights. Cocktails, coffee, beer on draught, plus good and loud DJ…

  • Kafeneio Hamouzas

    Central Greece

    This traditional cafe on the upper square spreads outdoors in summer. It's always good for a morning coffee, afternoon beer or glass of firewater, served…

  • Art Cafe

    Central Greece

    For original artwork, strong coffee, sturdy drinks and mellow music, head to this smart-looking cafe 100m east of Plateia Isaia (a little further out than…

  • Absinthe

    Galaxidi

    Chill main-street dive with excellent homemade mezedhes to accompany ouzo and other drinks, plus live music on weekend nights to help make the heart grow…

  • Me Mostra

    Pelion Peninsula

    This sharp little tsipouradhiko in a stone cottage serves great mezedhes and tsipouro. You'll find it alongside the main village car park, 100m up beyond…

  • Cine Celena

    Central Greece

    This arty, cinema-themed cafe, facing Plateia Lakka across the main road, offers coffee, wine and mixed drinks from morning until late. The owners also…

  • Dock Cafe

    Central Greece

    Nafpaktos offers few joys to compare with parking yourself on a plush cushioned seat to relax over an espresso or cocktail, right on the quayside wall of…

  • To Kioski

    Galaxidi

    Classy waterfront spot beneath the shade of a mulberry tree, with excellent coffee, teas and a full bar, along with desserts such as homemade ice cream…

  • Rapsody

    Kalambaka

    Comfortable and inviting espresso and wine bar, with indoor/outdoor seating and decent prices for good coffee drinks, wine and sandwiches.

  • Dégagé

    Central Greece

    Hip, modern, friendly and swanky cocktail bar at the northwest corner of Plateia Eleftherias.

  • Kerasia Tsipouradhiko

    Meteora & Thessaly

    For more than 30 years, a husband-and-wife team have kept their heads down and clients happy at this veteran Palaia-district tsipouradhiko. Locals trek…

  • Theophilos Cafe

    Pelion Peninsula

    This historical kafeneio (coffeehouse) stands on the terrace just above and beyond the church. Be sure to check out the superb fresco inside, painted by…