THE BEST 4+1 OUTDOOR CINEMAS IN THESSALONIKI

Last update: May 22, 2022

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CONTENTS
1) CINE "NATALI"
2) CINE "ALEX"
3) CINE "APOLLON"
4) CINE "ELLINIS"
5) CINEMA WITH A VIEW

The outdoor cinemas of Thessaloniki are part of the history of the city for more than a century. Today, these unique open air sites (steeped in a retro atmosphere with neon lights, director’s chairs, the scent of jasmine, summer cocktails, hot dogs, and popcorn), although fewer when compared with how many operated in the past, are still some of the best options for entertainment.

The first open-air movie venues in Thessaloniki appeared before the Great Fire of 1917. A few years later, in the decade of 1930s, there were about 50 outdoor cinemas in the city while in the 1960s, there were more than 150. In Aristotelous Square alone, there used to be five of them. Currently, however, there are less than a dozen with less than half of them being at the center of the city.

The importance of these “urban oases” for the city of Thessaloniki has been officially recognized since some of the oldest ones have been declared historical sites by the state. In this article, you can find the best 4+1 outdoor cinemas in Thessaloniki with all the useful details about them such as their location, opening hours, ticket prices, official websites, and contact information. The outdoor cinema season in Thessaloniki usually starts in early May and ends in October.

1) CINE "NATALI"

Natali outdoor cinema in Thessaloniki
Natali outdoor cinema in Thessaloniki

Cine “Natali” is a beautiful outdoor cinema in Thessaloniki, located at the beginning of the New Waterfront just across the popular “Umbrellas” installation. It opened in 1970 and in 1996 it was declared a historical site under state protection. It is a unique place full of greenery and surrounded by the countless balconies of the adjacent apartment buildings. It occupies a large area with a maximum capacity of 500 people.

Cine “Natali” is a great choice for a night out that can be combined with an earlier stroll along the waterfront during the sunset. At the canteen of the cinema, you can find drinks, popcorn, hot dogs, chips, and more.

2) CINE "ALEX"

Cine Alex outdoor cinema in Thessaloniki
Cine Alex outdoor cinema in Thessaloniki

Among all the active outdoor cinemas in Thessaloniki, Cine “Alex” is the oldest one. It opened in 1968 (in the decade during which the city had more than 150 similar venues) and even to this day it retains much of the charm and the vibe of that period. In 1996, it was declared a historical site under state protection.

Cine “Alex” started as a family business and still is. Today, it is run by the younger daughter of the original owner. Every day, you can choose between two new released movies or two showings of one movie. Its capacity is 250-300 people and it probably has the best canteen and cocktail bar among all the outdoor cinemas in the city. Monday to Wednesday the ticket price for the general admission is reduced.

3) CINE "APOLLON"

Apollon outdoor cinema in Thessaloniki
Apollon outdoor cinema in Thessaloniki

Cine “Apollon” started operating in 1984. It is a carefully maintained outdoor cinema with a friendly atmosphere that got a new life and new owners in 2012. Every day you can usually choose between two new released movies. Cine “Apollon” is also a place where certain cinema clubs of the city organize special events with showings of old classic films.

Every Monday and Tuesday you can watch a movie with a reduced-price ticket. At the canteen of the cinema, there are the usual snacks and drinks such as mojitos, sangria, beer, and more. After the end of the movie, you can continue your night at the adjacent bars of the area that are housed in historic old mansions (“Dentro sto Bar” and “Casablanca”).

4) CINE "ELLINIS"

Ellinis outdoor cinema in Thessaloniki

Cine “Ellinis” is located next to Thessaloniki’s International Fair, just under the OTE Tower. It is the most central outdoor cinema in the city and it operates since 1991. In 2016, a second venue, Ellinis 2, was created under the large canopy of the adjacent “Ioannis Vellidis” conference center. Every day you can choose among mainstream movies, European movies, or animated movies for children. Ellinis 1 can host at least 350 people (that can be increased to 450) while Ellinis 2 can host up to 130.

In case the weather is rainy, Ellinis is the best choice among all of the outdoor cinemas in the city. The original venue has a shelter for up to 120 people while Ellinis 2 is entirely covered. Both of them have a separate canteen with a wide variety of snacks and drinks including cocktails with names inspired from classic movies such as 007, Casablanca, etc. Every Thursday you can buy two tickets for the price of one. With a purchase of tickets that cost 16 euros or more (e.g. two standard tickets), you get a free parking space at the facilities of “Ioannis Vellidis” conference center.

5) CINEMA WITH A VIEW

Thessaloniki Concert Hall - Building M2
Cinema with a View - Thessaloniki Concert Hall Rooftop

Since 2015, Thessaloniki Concert Hall, in cooperation with Thessaloniki Film Festival, hosts the “Cinema with a View” outdoor movie showings at the rooftop of the new concert hall building “M2” (designed by the famous architect Arata Isozaki). It is located at the south-east end of Thessaloniki’s new waterfront and it offers a great view over Thermaikos Gulf after the sunset.

The movie showings usually begin in June and they end in September with a pause between late July to late August. There is one movie each day (displayed for only two consecutive days) and it is usually a selection from releases of the previous 1 or 2 years. Similarly to cine Natali, “Cinema with a View” can be combined with a walk along the new waterfront of Thessaloniki. At the rooftop, you can also find a small basic canteen while on the 5th floor of the building, there is a beautiful bar-restaurant (Allegro).

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