10 Best Rooftop Bars in Athens

Couleur Locale in the heart of the city centre offers casual, no-frills drinks and dining that's focused less on the decor of the bar and more on stunning views. Here you'll find yourself amid the hustle and bustle of a visitors' hub. This bar offers a refined and laid-back atmosphere with timeless vintage tile flooring, wood-and-tile tables and quirky mismatched ceramics surrounded by plants and greenery, plus glass walls and a glass roof, allowing for great views of the city from any angle.

The food and drinks are top-notch, and the decor is ultra-modern chic. What sets it apart, however, is the scenery. You can see from old Plaka to the Acropolis from this vantage point.

The 360 Cocktail Bar is named for the panoramic views of Athens it offers, right in the city centre, with delicious cocktails, good eats and majestic views of the Acropolis. The rooftop's wooden deck features a tiled bar with copper lanterns, and olive trees surround the tables with their flickering tea lights. The crowd here is largely 20-something and 30-something professionals who are well-dressed and are down to pay a bit extra for the high-end atmosphere and unmatched views.

Drink highlights here include Kallos, made from mastiha, a local spirit derived from mastic trees. The local vermouth is also a must-sample.

A for Athens is a rooftop bar in a boutique hotel that makes an excellent stop for first-time visitors, with a sheltered balcony and panoramic Acropolis views. It's a highly popular stopover, so it can get crowded. Still, it's worth it for the craft cocktails and speciality drinks, ranging from rum punch with edible suntan lotion and salted caramel martinis. This is a spot that delivers all around, from the fantastic city views to the genuinely unique cocktails from the expert mixologists behind the bar.

This bar is in the heart of the city centre. It's a casual and fun spot that will provide the ideal city views to kick off your trip.

City ZEN Athens is one of the city's newer rooftop cocktail lounges that's a favourite among the Instagrammer set looking to grab shots for their social media feeds. The crowd is young and hip, and so is the bar, located in a renovated, repurposed building in the heart of the city centre. This one is open for all-day dining and drinks and offers plenty of good bar eats and brunch-style foods, plus hot and cold beverages, including non-alcoholic options like coffee and smoothies.

Of course, wine and cocktails can be had, and the bar hosts regular live music. If you can stop during one of their Full Moon nights for jaw-dropping views.

The Thissio View rooftop bar is just a short walk from major city centre attractions, including a fantastic market street. It offers a restaurant/bar/cafe combo with striking sunset views. This is a spot that has just about everything. When the sun goes down, the brilliant colours erupt across the Parthenon and Acropolis in the distance, and you can sit and enjoy mouth-watering Mediterranean fusion cuisine while sipping such creative concoctions as spicy margaritas. The vibe is no-nonsense, laid back, casual and fun.

This is a spot to kick back and chill with mind-blowing views of iconic famous sites, delicious food, and fantastic cocktails. It's a spot to absorb the heart and soul of Athens culture.

Gazarte is in the heart of a newly developed city centre neighbourhood, offering live music played in a massive rooftop garden and surrounded by illuminated olive trees. This bar is one of the highlights of Athens's latest thriving nightlife scene, all built around repurposing the city's old gasworks. The music ranges from retro swing bands to acoustic singer-songwriters, rock and other genres. The cocktails are strong and tasty and are served in skull-shaped glasses and Mason jars. This spot is eclectic and vibrant while also offering fantastic views.

A word to the wise: this bar is wildly popular and gets very crowded. It's best to buy your ticket in advance to be sure you get in.

The MS Roof Garden in the heart of the city centre offers a lively new hot spot with drinks, dining and fabulous views all day and into the wee hours. This is a casual, calm and refined spot where you can enjoy good music with delicious meals ranging from gourmet choices to basic burgers with coffee, tea and delicious craft cocktails. The view over the city lets you capture astonishingly Instagrammable views of the surrounding streets and houses. The decor is simple, neat and ultramodern with a pure sense of elegant style.

This bar is conveniently located in the heart of the city centre. That puts it in easy access to tons of options for sightseeing, shopping and adventure.

Ciel Athens in the heart of the city centre offers all-day brunch and cocktails on a terrace with stunning views of the Metropolitan Cathedral, Acropolis, Lycabettus and Temple of Hephaestus. The architecture in this bar makes it stand out. It was designed by famed decorator Nikos Koroniou and entirely inspired by nature, offering dazzling colours that complement the monuments on view from the terrace.

The sense you get here is one of pure harmony with the surrounding vistas, with simple furnishings, beautiful plants and gorgeous wall art by Ampe Fereira. Be sure to try one of their signature cocktails like the Acropolis Sunset, Ciel Zombie, Ciel Daiquiri, Lady Margaret or Pathos.

Anglais Athens is a hidden gem among Athens rooftop bars, being centrally located but lesser known, while offering an inventive menu, plenty of local colour and fantastic city views. This is a spot that's favoured by locals more than visitors but offers ultramodern, stylish decor and a truly special vibe. It's marked only by a chalkboard sign that hints at its 6th-floor location. The menu is off the charts with offerings like fresh ceviche, carpaccio platters and incredible salads.

Craft cocktails here are trendy, chic and creative. The views stretch from Lycabettus Hill to far beyond the Acropolis, so you'll be sure to catch some great photos for your Instagram feed.

Loukoumi Bar is different from other rooftop bars, as it's more a coffee bar than a traditional cocktail lounge, with retro, mismatched and eclectic décor. The lighting is provided by distinctly retro lamps shaped like planets, and the view places the Parthenon and the Observatory front and centre, so you'll feel like you're launched into outer space while here. Every evening you'll see live music and theatrical performances. During the day, you can catch art installations, play chess and enjoy good food at reasonable prices.

This place gets crowded in the evenings. While reservations aren't necessary, getting here early is a good idea. It's right in the city centre.