One of the best ways to experience Greece is to enjoy the many rooftop bars Athens is home to.
With its incredible history and culture, Athens has been a bucket list travel destination for a long time.
I didn’t anticipate all the incredible views I would get from virtually everywhere in Athens!
Whether it’s the rooftop of a hostel bar or a five-star hotel, you’ll never tire of views overlooking this ancient city.
My favorite view was of the Acropolis, which I couldn’t take my eyes off—luckily, you don’t have to with how many epic rooftop bars Athens offers.
If you plan a Greece vacation, book the top Athens activities below through GetYourGuide:
12 Most Instagram-Worthy Rooftop Bars Athens is Home to
1. Hotel Novotel Athenes
The top floor of Hotel Novotel Athenes, in the center of Athens, features the city’s best rooftop pool.
It’s stunning and provides 360° views of the Acropolis, Lycabettus Hill, and Syntagma Square.
The private pool is surrounded by lounge chairs, cabanas, and a bar to relax after a long day of sightseeing. There’s also an outdoor jacuzzi and a restaurant serving traditional Greek cuisine.
This is the perfect spot to enjoy a cozy Saturday night while sipping their signature cocktails and watching the sunset.
The restaurant chefs serve some of the best Greek dishes in Athens, including stuffed grape leaves, smoked swordfish salad, and traditional moussaka.
During the day, only hotel guests can relax and enjoy the pool lounge and bar, but everyone is welcome to enjoy the chill-out music, cocktails, and spectacular views in the evening.
2. Retiré at the Ergon House
The Ergon House Athens rooftop bar, Retiré, is the perfect green escape in the heart of the centuries-old city.
It offers a beautiful urban oasis surrounded by green trees and twinkling fairy lights, making you feel like you’re in a lush tropical jungle.
Retiré stands out from the other rooftop bars in Athens with a more relaxed atmosphere, food trucks, wooden benches, and leaf canopies.
Visit in the afternoon for stunning views of the city, or wait until the evening to appreciate Athens illuminated at night.
The view gets ten times better because the cocktails here are excellent—they’re beautifully presented and have an outstanding flavor balance.
You likely won’t be able to resist having just one!
The frozen specialty cocktails with creative twists are perfect to beat the heat during the Mediterranean summer.
3. Attic Urban Rooftop
Attic Urban Rooftop, situated in the heart of Athens on Ermou Street, offers breathtaking views of the Acropolis, Lycabettus, and Attica region.
This area is one of the most photogenic in the Plaka neighborhood—you must visit for the Instapics!
Arrive in the late morning to capture stunning shots of the delicious brunch and mimosas, or come at golden hour and enjoy a cocktail on one of the swings while snapping photos.
The menu offers a delicious variety of drinks ranging from signature cocktails, craft beers, glasses of champagne, and local wine.
If all the walking around the ancient city has caught up to you, their coffee is the perfect pick me up.
Attic Urban Rooftop is beautiful and famous for lunch and dinner, so make a reservation beforehand.
The food, drinks, and views are out of this world, making it one of the best rooftop bars Athens has.
4. Skyfall Cocktail & Food Bar
Romance is in the air at Skyfall, the perfect rooftop bar for intimate date nights with picturesque views of the Acropolis, Lycabettus, and Zappeion from each level.
Skyfall has a luxurious atmosphere with elegant table settings and attentive service that sets it apart from other restaurants.
It’s the perfect spot to celebrate a special occasion or treat yourself—the menu is impressive and adds to the indulgent experience.
Start your meal dining on stylish bite-sized appetizers such as charcuterie boards, chicken gyoza, and shrimp pouches.
Next, choose from local and international dishes, including pasta, flatbread pizzas with seasonal toppings, and T-bone steaks served with garlic butter.
Grab a glass of wine, and don’t skip the signature cocktails. They’re truly delicious!
The Skyfall Martini, made with vodka, passion fruit, and raspberry liqueur, is my favorite.
5. A for Athens
A for Athens is a top cocktail bar in Athens famous for its skilled mixologists who can create any drink imaginable.
Their menu is full of creative concoctions, including my favorite, the Spicy Margarita.
They also make delicious classics—if you don’t find anything you like, the mixologists will make you something unique.
If you’re not interested in cocktails, A for Athens has an impressive wine menu featuring hundreds of bottles from worldwide.
This an excellent place for groups, as they have many outdoor chairs and tables with unobstructed views of the Acropolis.
The seating arrangement is cleverly planned, so even if you don’t get a table at the terrace’s edge, you’ll still be able to enjoy the view.
A for Athens is a fantastic rooftop restaurant in Athens at any time of day.
They serve a delicious breakfast buffet, a brunch option with cheese, and pastrami-stuffed buns, yum!
6. 360 Cocktail Bar
For the ultimate rooftop experience, visit 360 Cocktail Bar on Monastiraki Square.
Located atop one of the tallest buildings in downtown Athens, this bar has an incredible wraparound terrace with breathtaking city views.
This is the place for a fun night out, ranking it among the best rooftop bars Athens offers.
The signature drinks are handcrafted masterpieces—from frozen cocktails like the Greek Summer Breeze to favorites such as Cosmopolitans, there’s something for everyone!
Not fond of cocktails? There are many wines and craft beers as well.
7. The Foundry Rooftop Garden
The Foundry’s Rooftop Garden is an ideal spot for a breath of fresh air away from the bustling streets and ruins of downtown.
You’ll find grass-lined floor tiles, pergolas with thick vines, and swaying trees, offering a serene atmosphere that transports you to paradise.
This roof garden serves wines from small Greek vineyards, beers from local microbreweries, and freshly made pizzas.
Their picnic platter is a fantastic option for sharing and includes cured meats, cheeses, and bread.
If you fall head over heels with the wine, bring a bottle home to share with friends and family.
8. The Artist
The Artist is one of the most unique bars in the Athens neighborhood of Gazi that can be enjoyed throughout the year.
Unlike other open bars vulnerable to weather changes, The Artist is divided into two sections with temporary roofs that protect from rain.
This area is a favorite among locals and is set away from the main tourist attractions, making the energy here extra special.
Enjoy various sunset views from the rooftop terrace on a summer evening.
Despite being tucked on a quiet backstreet, this rooftop bar is full of beautiful plants, cozy lighting, and a welcoming environment.
9. Olympias Athinas Rooftop Bar
Olympias Athinas Rooftop Bar is a highly-rated rooftop bar located on top of the historic Olympias Hotel.
Despite being located near the center of Athens, it provides spectacular views of the Acropolis.
The bar has a modern and sophisticated atmosphere, and it’s surrounded by ancient history.
I highly recommend visiting after dark to witness the Acropolis complex illuminated in the night sky.
Along with the killer view, Olympias Athinas Rooftop Bar offers a wide variety of cocktails, from a classic Mojito to adventurous sips, like the signature Olympic Martini.
They also have an extensive wine selection—for a bite to eat, enjoy traditional Greek food such as grilled octopus, salads, and tzatziki dip.
The staff offers fluffy blankets to keep you warm when you visit in the winter, elevating the experience.
10. Manouka
Manouka is located on the Athens Utopia Hotel rooftop—it’s one of the top rooftop bars Athens has to offer for Friday nights.
Enjoy your drink on the large terrace with a jaw-dropping panoramic view of the city, including the Parthenon.
At Manouka, you can dine on tasty bar bites that seem more like edible art!
The menu mainly contains international dishes with a creative touch, like spaghetti bolognese with hoisin sauce and a surf ‘n’ turf burger.
If you think the food is impressive, wait for the wine. Browse hundreds of bottles from local regions and various areas worldwide with the on-site sommelier’s help.
11. Couleur Locale
Those visiting Athens with young children should consider visiting Couleur Locale.
This family-friendly rooftop bar is open all day and showcases Greek culture with a modern twist alongside views of the Acropolis and city center.
The bar is located in a lively neighborhood inspired by Athens’ past, with two floors to explore.
Guests can admire the dramatic panoramas all year thanks to the temporary roof on the upper floor—in case of rainy or chilly weather, go to the cozy lower floor.
Expect one of the best brunch menus in Athens, perfect fuel for your day of adventures.
My favorite was the fresh fries topped with fried eggs, feta cheese, Cretian cheese, and tomato jam. My taste buds were in heaven!
Occasionally, they host events and in-house DJs in the evenings for ultimate nightlife vibes.
12. Buena Vista Social Bar
Are we still in Greece, or did we catch a flight to Cuba? Buena Vista Social Bar brings an authentic Cuban atmosphere to the heart of Athens.
This spot is unique because it’s a hidden gem rooftop bar that not many people are aware of.
Despite the weathered green doors, overhanging plants, and aged signs, you’ll uncover a vast roof garden once ascending the multicolored stars—I’m obsessed with this rooftop bar’s vibe!
While this place is on the city’s outskirts, you can still enjoy a clear view of the Acropolis.
Visit in the evening for the full experience of sipping on classic cocktails and enjoying the impressive selection of rums.
The bar also serves yummy tapas and desserts, perfect for snacking as you catch up with friends and enjoy the views from above.
This guide to the best rooftop bars Athens offers is all you need for an incredible Greek adventure!
Explore my Athens content for more travel recommendations.
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Planning a Trip to Greece: Everything You Need to Know
FAQs
There are many Athens rooftop bars worth visiting on the weekends.
Athens is generally safe to visit if you stay aware of your surroundings and trust your gut.
I recommend Attic Urban Rooftop or Manouka.
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
