A rooftop overlooking the Acropolis or the city! It’s a bit of a cliché, but terraces and rooftops in Athens are magical. So here are just a few of the addresses we tried out. There’s something for every taste and budget.
Rooftops in Athens: terraces with breathtaking views
Rooftop bars and hotel terraces. We don’t necessarily dare go there… yet many hotels in Athens have beautiful rooftops. They are generally accessible even without being a customer of the establishment.
A for Athens
This is probably THE most beautiful view of Athens. Located just above Monastiraki Square, the panorama is incredible. A little pricey… but the view makes up for it.
Open all day, from breakfast to dinner.
The 360°
Also located on Monastiraki Square. It’s not easy to find the entrance. It is located at Ifestou 2…
Great view too!
MS Roof Garden
Located right next door to A for Athens, it enjoys the same view as its neighbor and offers a fine selection of cocktails from 9 Euros.
What could be better than sipping a cocktail while admiring Monastiraki Square and its famous mosque, with the Acropolis in the background? Add the sunset and you’ve got it all!
Royalty Hotel Athens: a rooftop with meticulous service
Less well known, the Royalty Hotel Athens deserves its place among the rooftops to do in Athens. Right next door to its colleagues MS Garden and A for Athens, the atmosphere is more intimate. We tried it out on a Saturday night, after failing to find a table for 2 in the capital’s other, more reputable rooftops, with their very high noise levels and busy waiters. We found attentive service, an excellent welcome, and a succulent house cocktail, the Jack Sparrow. The Acropolis view is not the most spectacular, partly obstructed by a structure in the building, but the setting is pleasant and tranquil. If you want to enjoy a drink away from the hustle and bustle of the nightlife, we recommend it!
Athinas & Agias Eirinis 43, Athens, Greece
Bar and restaurant
The Galaxy on the Hilton terrace
More chic, treat yourself at the Hilton. A splendid view, refined and inventive cuisine… and of course the view of the Acropolis.
Restaurant of Grande-Bretagne
Here too, luxury and refinement in the classic Hotel Grande-Bretagne. Mediterranean cuisine executed to perfection… what else!
Thea Terrace: sunset just a few minutes from Syntagma
At Thea Terrace, you can watch the sun set over the city center. Beware, the sun sets early in Greece! At the end of June, he disappeared at 8.30pm. Tell the hotel reception desk you’re going to the rooftop, then take the elevator. The setting is elegant and uncluttered. Here you can enjoy a drink and/or dinner. The menu features both Greek and international dishes, including ravioli, sea bass with fennel, beef and sautéed potatoes…
Apollonos 21, Plaka, Athens – Greece, 10557 – Tel: +30 210 3234350,
E-mail: reservation@centralhotel.gr
Museum terraces: we don’t always think of them…
And yet, museums often offer snacks in beautifully laid-out areas, sometimes with lovely views!
The Acropolis Museum café
Obviously, it’s the ideal place to get a great view of the Acropolis. There’s no need to pay for a museum ticket, and you can even avoid the queue by telling the guard that you’ve come just for the coffee. Take the elevator and it’s magic! The Acropolis just a few metres away: outside or behind the bay windows, cool thanks to the air-conditioning! A simple coffee or a small salad. On Friday evenings, the restaurant is open until midnight (please make a reservation).
The terrace of the Benaki Museum
Once again, you don’t need to visit the museum to enjoy a meal on the terrace in the chic Kolonaki district. With its large sunny terrace, it’s a great spot for a coffee or a salad.
Restaurants with terrace
In Plaka, many restaurants promote their terraces or rooftops. Beware, not all of them are “incredible”, and above all the quality of the catering is sometimes disappointing. Here is a selection of two beautiful terraces in Athens with a view. We’ve also chosen to present them to you because they offer good, traditional Greek cuisine.
Avissinia in the heart of Monastiraki
You can hardly see this tavern, yet it nestles between two second-hand dealers. Here, a traditional cuisine where you can enjoy good mezzes and also Greek specialties. Plus, musical evenings at weekends.
Kuzina
A very good modern Greek cuisine. This charming restaurant on Adrianou Street, the tourist street running alongside the Greek Agora, is quite famous. Its very touristy location may put you off, but don’t hesitate to step through the doors of this restaurant – you won’t be disappointed! It’s halfway between a tavern and a gourmet restaurant, ideal for indulging at affordable prices.
The Hill: the chic choice at thisseio
The Hill is located in the lively tourist district of Thisseio. It overlooks the pedestrian street with its many cafés and bars leading to Filopappou Hill and the Acropolis, and is directly opposite the Temple of Hephaistos.
From the roof garden, you have a magnificent view of the Acropolis, from which you are very close, with only the hill separating you from the monument.
There are few Greeks at the tables, but you’ll hear French, English and German spoken… The wine list is extensive, with a long list of Greek and international wines. What’s more, the waiters can help you make the right choices. The restaurant’s menu features Greek dishes with a twist. We tried Greek Orzo pasta dishes, which were very good. We found the unmistakable tomato sauce and lots of flavor thanks to the addition of many aromatic herbs.
27 Apostolou Pavlou str. – Thissio, Athens 11851
T: +30 210 346 9077 – info@hillathens.gr
The capital’s trendy bars: cocktails and music
In the second half of the evening, enjoy the lively atmosphere of Athens. On the rooftop, enjoying a simple cocktail in front of the sumptuous Acropolis becomes idyllic. Enjoy.
Couleur Locale
One of our favorites, as it is located in a narrow street of Monastiraki. An elevator takes you up to this incredible terrace, very lively in the evening. Young and pleasant atmosphere.
Citizen
Entrance is from street Aiolou, 11. Musical ambience at night on top of this modern building.
Thisio View
Along the pedestrian street leading to the Acropolis. A bit touristy but a beautiful view without question.
Bios
A little out of the way near Keramikos, this venue dedicated to the arts (theater, music, exhibitions) has a beautiful terrace. Arty atmosphere.
The most unusual and off the beaten track terraces in Athens.
You wouldn’t suspect them at all from the street. Don’t expect gastronomic food but rather an incongruous break. Ideal for an unpretentious lunch break.
Syntagma Square 2
This “restaurant” (more like a boui-boui) is run by a Cretan. An elevator takes you straight up to the terrace just above the square. Open for lunch only.
The Public terrace on Syntagma Square
Public is a big bookshop in Greece. So it’s impossible to believe that the brand has devoted the space at the top of this building to a café-restaurant. But it’s really fun, so don’t miss out.
Dinner in the Sky
So for the more adventurous, you can find yourself literally in the sky over Athens, enjoying a fine meal. An impressive experience, and of course an incredible 360° view of the capital. Book your place at Dinner in the Sky
Sophie B., Laure M., Séverine C., Virginie W. and Elodie H.
