Must-see entertainment in Greece

  • Kafe Astikon

    Kythira

    Very charming old cafe–music bar near the main square. The high-ceilinged and shadowy interior oozes atmosphere with its coral-green walls and its long…

  • Fagotto Jazz Bar

    Hania

    Established in 1978, this Hania institution in a Venetian building offers smooth jazz and blues, and occasionally live bands or DJs, in an intimate…

  • 500px Photo ID: 109977647 - Red dust of guitar Blues 1970's.

    Half Note Jazz Club

    Athens

    Athens' most serious jazz venue is a stylish place that hosts Greek and international musicians. Check the schedule ahead of your trip, as it's not open…

  • Cine Liostasi

    Ios

    Outside at Liostasi Hotel & Suites, halfway between Ormos and Hora, this lovely setting hosts a nightly outdoor cinema under the stars. The aim is to…

  • Ouzerie Anatoli

    Skopelos

    Wait until at least 11pm, then head to this breezy outdoor ouzerie (place that serves ouzo and light snacks), high above the north corner of the…

  • CineKamari

    Santorini

    After the caldera sunset, this is one of the finest ways to spend a Santorini evening. On the road into Kamari, this tree-surrounded, open-air cinema…

  • Greek National Opera

    Athens

    Having settled into state-of-the-art digs within the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, the Greek National Opera is going from strength to…

  • Megaron

    Athens

    The city's premier performance hall presents an impressive program of entertainments, including classical concerts, opera, theatre and dance shows,…

  • Onassis Cultural Centre

    Athens

    Housed in an eye-catching piece of architecture that livens up the dull urbanity of Leoforos Syngrou, this visual- and performing-arts centre is well…

  • The decoratively styled  facade of the National Theatre at Omonia, Athens.

    National Theatre

    Athens

    One of the city's finest neoclassical buildings hosts contemporary theatre and ancient plays. The organisation also supports performances in other venues…

  • Thission

    Athens

    Across from the Acropolis, this is a lovely old-style outdoor cinema in a garden setting. Sit towards the back if you want to catch a glimpse of the…

  • Cine Paris

    Syntagma & Plaka

    The Paris was established in the 1920s and it's still a magical place to see a movie. On a rooftop in Plaka, it offers great views of the Acropolis from…

  • Treno sto Rouf

    Gazi, Keramikos & Metaxourgio

    Look for the glowing headlight on a steam locomotive behind Rouf station. Attached is a string of old train cars converted into a restaurant, bar-cafe,…

  • Cine Dexameni

    Athens

    This classic open-air cinema is in a lovely spot in the quieter reaches of Kolonaki, adjacent to a very good all-day cafe and the ancient cistern of…

  • Olympion

    Thessaloniki

    Inside the Olympion complex in Thessaloniki's Plateia Aristotelous, this ornate, crimson-hued cinema was built in 1950 and hosts the Thessaloniki…

  • Dora Stratou Dance Theatre

    Athens

    Every summer this company of 75 singers and dancers performs Greek folk dances, showing off the rich variety of regional costume and musical traditions…

  • Gazarte

    Gazi, Keramikos & Metaxourgio

    At this respected arts complex, you’ll find largely mainstream music and a trendy 30-something crowd. A ground-level theatre hosts live performances and…

  • Aegli Cinema

    Syntagma & Plaka

    This historical open-air cinema showed its first film in 1903. Set in the verdant Zappeion, it's a little quieter than others.

  • Zefiros

    Athens

    The cinephile's outdoor cinema, running obscure international films (sometimes a tricky subtitle situation) and black-and-white favourites.

  • Perivoli tou Ouranou

    Syntagma & Plaka

    A favourite Plaka music haunt with dinner (mains €18 to €29).

  • Technopolis

    Gazi, Keramikos & Metaxourgio

    A variety of events are scheduled throughout the year at the city’s old gasworks, an impressively restored 1862 complex of furnaces and industrial…

  • Faust

    Athens

    Loud, raunchy, funny, just plain quirky: eclectic and popular bar Faust hosts it all on its small stage. Some events are free, others ticketed. The place…

  • Labyrinth

    Iraklio Province

    Established in 1982, Labyrinth is the brainchild of renowned Irish musician Ross Daly, one of the leading exponents of the Cretan lyra (lyre). This…

  • Theatro Skion Tasou Konsta

    Athens

    Greece's wise fool, Karagiozis, gave his name to the art of shadow puppetry (karagiozi), and they're on beautiful display in this tiny outdoor theatre…

  • 9D: Throne of Helios

    Rhodes Town

    This entertaining 20-minute movie takes viewers back to the very birth of Rhodes, its 3D effects complemented by a further six dimensions (!) including…

  • Fuzz Club

    Athens

    One of the best midsize music venues in Athens, this place is a little out of the centre, but worth the trip for a band you like (they host plenty of…

  • Old Oil Mill

    Around Athens

    Elefsina's current culture revolves around this vast ruined soap factory, a space constantly in flux as various arts and performance groups adapt it to…

  • White Door Theatro

    Fira

    Fira's popular Greek Wedding Show is a hit with visitors, featuring lots of traditional music, dance, fun and audience participation. Small plates …

  • Klimataria

    Meteora & Thessaly

    Once reserved for underground hideaways and speakeasies, rembetika, the mournful Greek equivalent of the blues, is alive and well at this late-night…

  • Steki Pinoklis

    Gazi, Keramikos & Metaxourgio

    Although this taverna opened in 2017, its musical taste and style skews much older. This is an excellent place to hear rembetika (blues) songs from Smyrna…

  • Cine Enastron

    Paros

    As good as it gets! Watch retro movies under the stars by the sea in this classic open-air cinema in Paros Park, a 10-minute drive around the coast, north…

  • Municipal Theatre

    Corfu Town

    This brutalist modern edifice at the edge of the Old Town serves as Corfu’s cultural powerhouse, putting on performances of classical music, opera, dance…

  • Afrikana

    Gazi, Keramikos & Metaxourgio

    Just out of the fray of the Gazi scene, this little bar occupies an old house, and its small stage hosts jazz and funk bands. The atmosphere is very…

  • Vox

    Athens

    Vox open-air cinema on Exarhia's main square has been around since 1938, and fortunately has received historic-building designation. Still, it has the…

  • Cafe Chantant

    Rhodes Town

    Locals flock to sit at the long wooden tables here and listen to live traditional Greek music while drinking ouzo or beer. It’s dark inside and you won’t…

  • Feidiou 2 Music Cafe

    Athens

    Cosy little space on the edge of Exarhia. Traditional music, usually rembetika (blues songs) and other heartfelt tunes, starts around 10pm most nights,…

  • Cine Athinaia

    Athens

    This summer-only open-air cinema is set at the end of a short pedestrian street of pleasant bars. On Mondays they offer a two-for-one deal on admission…

  • Orfeas

    Kos Town

    Right on the main square, this cinema shows English-language blockbusters with Greek subtitles, as well as domestic flicks. There are matinee and evening…

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