Athens is known for its ancient ruins and as the gateway to the Greek islands, but it’s also famed for its incredible rooftop bars offering amazing views of the Acropolis. With so many options boasting this iconic landscape, how do you choose? I visited 14 rooftop bars, each with its own twist on this spectacular view, to help you decide.
If you are short of time then Monastiraki square is a rooftopers mecca. Three quarters of the square is wall to wall rooftop bars! Before I went, I was quoted some extortionate prices for having those magic seats with uninterrupted Acropolis views for sunset. I was genuinely quite shocked at how these rooftop bars had cleverly capitalised on the demand at the expense of the average tourist. But if Santorini can do it, so can Athens! But for those prices service, drinks and food need to be worth that spend too. So I investigated and also have alternatives with no minimum spends or deposits. So read on, there’s a rooftop to suit everyone in Athens.
A is for Athens
Best for: 🥂🍷🍹
Location: Monastiraki Square (map)
Acropolis View: Close and spectacular!
Vibe: Fancy
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes – all day
Booking available? Yes and advisable though there is a minimum spend to do so.
Lift available? No
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2024
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: This rooftop bar in Athens caught my eye before I had left the UK. However, reserving a table required a minimum spend of 35 Euros per person, which felt steep when I just wanted a drink so I decided to wing it. I’m glad I did because it was unbearably hot at 6 PM (in early June). We simply couldn’t sit on the rooftop (it was empty, unsurprisingly!) and had to take shade on the floor below, which defeated the purpose. So, this spot is best for late nights in summer or early evenings in winter.
Website: Click here
Hyper Astro Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🍷🥂🍹🌺
Location: Monastiraki Square (map)
Acropolis View: Close and spectacular!
Vibe: Chilled
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Lift available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2024
Warm/dry weather only? Yes/No – there is cover but full on rain it wouldn’t be enough
Rooftop review roundup: I am almost ashamed to admit that is rooftop bar didn’t make the shortlist to visit. Especially as it turned out to be one of my absolute favourites – especially in Monastiraki Square. We were touted to go up, which is normally a red flag but it was pure magic. Flower arch for the insta girlies, the insane Acropolis views, tunes and the cocktails – with fun names like ‘Love me or bye’ were spectacular. But the key selling point was shade over snuggly sofas coupled with fast, helpful and fun service. It was a shame that the sun umbrellas had to be up and block some of the views but if they didn’t have them then it would be too hot to sit there. This is a must for those wanting a rooftop bar in Monastiraki Square.
Website: Click here
Attica Urban Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🌺 🥂🍹🍷
Location: Monastiraki (map)
Acropolis View: Close and spectacular!
Vibe: Bustling
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Lift available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2024
Warm/dry weather only? No – there is an indoor area
Rooftop review roundup: Another famous rooftop – it is amazing what putting a swing and some flowers round it has done to the popularity of this rooftop bar! Yes there were queues for the swing. Yes I waited my turn! When in Athens… This was another rooftop bar I took a chance on by turning up, having been quoted 150€, for a bottle of Sparkling wine, cheese and charcuterie platter and a bottle of mineral water for ‘front row’ seats for sunset. It was like Santorini all over again. It was really busy and I wouldn’t want to be sat by the swing as there was always a line for those magic shots! It is worth a drink to sit in the swing for the photo but other than that it wasn’t that special when there is so much other rooftop bar choices.
Website: Click here
360 Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🥂🍷🍹
Location: Monastiraki Square (map)
Acropolis View: Close and spectacular!
Vibe: Fun
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2024
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: I had read reviews calling this rooftop bar a bit of a ‘wannabe’ with bad service and a high minimum spend for food. However, I found the staff to be accommodating and kind. The view of the square below was lovely, though there was no shade, so we stayed below deck until it cooled down. The cocktail menu, featuring names of Greek islands, was a fun touch, especially after just visiting them. Definitely worth a drink.
Website: Click here
The Dolli Rooftop Restaurant
Best for: 🥂🍽️🍱🥗
Location: Monastiraki – 3 minutes walk from the square (map)
Acropolis View: Close and spectacular!
Vibe: Classy
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Lift available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2024
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: I had read countless reviews about the poor food quality at some of the most popular rooftops and decided to splurge on this rooftop gem. Serene, stunning, and perfect for sunset, it was worth every penny. The menu was pricey but rooftop reasonable for the outstanding food, impeccable service and of course the views were perfect. Dining away from the chaos of Monastiraki Square was heavenly. This spot is ideal for a date night or anyone who prefers a quieter, more refined rooftop experience. Plus, it has a rather special rooftop pool – I only wish I could have afforded to stay here!
Website: Click here
Stork Rooftop Bar and Restaurant
Best for: 🥂🍹🧉🍽️🥘🥙
Location: Near the Acropolis on top of Niche Hotel (map)
Acropolis View: Slightly to the side – still spectacular!
Vibe: Chill
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Lift available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2024
Warm/dry weather only? No – they have magic doors and roof that all come away!
Rooftop review roundup: I chose this rooftop restaurant for our last night and it couldn’t have been a better choice. Away from the madness of Monastiraki, Stork promised the same magical views but with great service, food and I was seriously impressed with it all. Though I may have been a little ambitious with the lamb risotto – it was huge! Utterly delicious and the waiter told me they had every faith I could finish it! I did not! Great perching spots or if you need shade then they keep the restaurant indoor until after sunset then like magic it all opens up. Definitely in the top 3 for Athens.
Website: Click here
Rooftop Terrace on St George Hotel
Best for: 🥂🍹🍺
Location: Near Lycabettus Hill (map)
Acropolis View: Quite far but it does also boast a great view of Lycabettus Hill
Vibe: Quiet
Prosecco price:🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Lift available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2024
Warm/dry weather only? No – there is an indoor area
Rooftop review roundup: If you have climbed Lycabettus Hill or even just the stairs to the funicular then you deserve a rooftop rest after – or at least I did! It was quiet in the day – with air con inside which at 40 degrees outdoors, was welcome. Cocktails were refreshing but what I loved about this rooftop bar was the view of the hill to capture just where we had been.
Website: Click here
Metropolis Roof Garden
Best for: ☕️🍷🥂
Location: Between (map)
Acropolis View: From the side – still impressive
Vibe: Chilled
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Lift available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2024
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: We stopped in here for a mid morning coffee after visiting the Acropolis, they were just finishing breakfast for hotel guests but they were so accommodating and let us stay to enjoy the view of where we had just climbed, over a coffee – highly recommend doing the same.
Website: Click here
GB Roof Garden
Best for: 🍽️🍷
Location: (map)
Acropolis View: From the side and a bit further away than some but still outstanding to see – it also offers views to the Olympic stadium.
Vibe: Classy
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Lift available? Yes
Children allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2024
Warm/dry weather only? No – it has cover
Rooftop review roundup: We turned up for lunch without a reservation and the matradee couldn’t have been more accommodating or kind. Found us seats in the shade with the great view. The waitress was also really lovely but slow. So slow that we ended up just having a drink and leaving. This was a rooftop to have a lazy long lunch on, not a quick bite when on a tight schedule and I was quite jealous I hadn’t built that into my plan but even a drink was great to enjoy here.
Website: Click here
Point of View
Best for: 🍷🍺🥤
Location: On top of The Dorian Inn Hotel (map)
Acropolis View: Quite far but still impressive
Vibe: Low key
Prosecco price:🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Lift available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2024
Warm/dry weather only? There is an inside
Rooftop review roundup: I loved this rooftop name, as my motto is all about how life is about having a good point of view as well as a good view, so had to visit. Set on a 3 star hotel in a quieter less upmarket neighbourhood, this wasn’t your boujee rooftop. Very low key in decor but with some fun quotes and a pool for guests. The food was fine and the wine cheap so if you are staying here then it would be ideal but I wouldn’t make a special trip here if you aren’t.
Website: Click here
Sky Lounge at Melia
Best for: 🍹🍸🍷
Location: North on top of the Melia Hotel (map)
Acropolis View: Pretty impressive but some buildings in front of it making it a less of a stand out
Vibe: Holiday
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Lift available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2024
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: I thought this was just for guests in the day and dinner for the public at night but if you are passing then you can perch at the bar for a pit stop! Getting in the pool is just for the guests and due to the set up it would be weird to be there as a non guest for any longer. By night though they transform into a dinner venue for all and it is stunning but again the area isn’t as popular.
Website: Click here
Urban Roof
Best for: 🍹🥂🍽️
Location: By Athens city park (map)
Acropolis View: It is far away – so far they have binoculars!
Vibe: Chill
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Lift available? Yes but then there are some more steps
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2024
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: This was such a treat! Popped in for a drink in the day and it was heavenly. Whilst it is open to the public (not the pool) in the day it is like all Athens rooftops, so hot that the main area is covered until dusk. Cosy and great cocktails if you are in this area or staying then it would a must visit.
Website: Click here
Wyndham Grand Athens
Best for: 🍻🍷☕️
Location: North of the city (map)
Acropolis View: Far but impressive
Vibe: Hotel guests
Prosecco price:🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Lift available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2024
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: The sister rooftop to Wyndham across the road but this one boasts those magical views you came to Athens for! As a guest at either you can utilise both rooftops for the price of one! This really is a rooftop for hotel guests – the area isn’t great which is why the hotel is more affordable so if you are looking for somewhere to stay then this works well for a rooftop with a pool and view then this is it. There is also a metro right outside.
Website: Click here
Wyndham Residence Hotel Rooftop
Best for: ☕️
Location: North of the city (map)
Acropolis View: None
Vibe: Hotel guests
Prosecco price:🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Lift available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2024
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: I am including this rooftop because it doesn’t have the Acropolis views! I realise that defeats the purpose but it’s sibling rooftop to the Wyndham Grand and it is confusing which is which. So hopefully this will help those looking at these hotels. More on staying here as I wouldn’t recommend it.
Website: Click here