The best rooftop bars in Athens

Address: 23, Mitropoleos Street, Athina 105 57
Website: houses.ergonfoods.com

Vertigo Pool Bar at St. George Lycabettus Lifestyle Hotel

There are aerial views, and then there are the views at St. George Lycabettus Lifestyle Hotel. Quite different from any other on this list, Vertigo is already located more than halfway up Mount Lycabettus, the tallest hill in Athens, so views stretch up towards the hill’s peak as well as almost 360 degrees across the city. From here, you’ll spot the Acropolis, yes, but so much more too: the Panathenaic Stadium, the Athens National Garden, and the Greek Parliament building at Syntagma Square, for example, swathed and surrounded by countless beige-painted apartment buildings. On a clear day, you’ll see as far as the Aegean Sea, and perhaps even across towards some of the Saronic islands. But it’s not all about the views. This is a place to meet, greet and soak up summer evenings, and is loved by an assorted crowd: couples on first dates, friends gathering for special-occasion dinners, and hotel guests – some fresh out of the rooftop pool – mingle, sipping Champagne and cocktails under bright yellow awnings or yellow-and-white striped parasols.

Address: Kleomenous 2, Athina 106 75
Website: sgl.gr

Point A at Herodian Hotel

This somewhat hidden bar is perhaps the closest you’ll get to the Acropolis without spending a morning trekking up its craggy hillside slopes, but arrive just before sunset for an even more surprising view. Point A’s open-air terrace also overlooks The Acropolis Museum and, as the sun begins to sink, some of the museum’s ancient exhibits come to life from within its walls, illuminated by the contrast of light from inside it as the skies outside begin to darken. Truly a view like no other in the city. The drinks list is pretty impressive too: some of the best Greek wines served include a dry white Santorini 2023 Assyrtiko produced by Estate Argyros, one of the oldest wine families in Greece, and a dry red Rare Earths Mavros Konos 2022 made from Agiorgitiko grapes in the Peloponnese village of Nemea. The cocktail to order for a taste of Greece in a glass? The Greek Collins, with tsipouro, peach liqueur, lime juice, a bergamot soda and honey-infused sage.

Address: Rovertou Galli 4, Athina 117 42
Website: herodion.gr

Kalua Athens

A Mykonos implant, Kalua first opened on the island as a nightclub before reopening as one of its most-loved beach clubs, a place where relaxed afternoons segue into energetic evenings. With almost 20 years of serving the Mykonos crowds, Kalua arrived in Athens with plenty of know-how about crafting and curating nights to remember (or not). In the Greek capital, the setting – a bar and restaurant spread across the top two floors of NYX Esperia Palace Hotel – might be entirely different from the beachfront cabanas lining Mykonos’ shores, but the boho-chic, sunset-to-sundown vibes remain – and translate. Arrive in time for sunset to see the skies turn all shades of orange behind the Acropolis, set to the mellow tunes of the DJ. Post 11 pm, the night transforms into an all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza, with live singers, music and dancers to entertain (Wednesday to Saturday).

Address: Stadiou 22, Athina 105 64
Website: kaluaathens.gr