From its ancient ruins to its edgy rooftop bars, Athens has always balanced history with hedonism. This is a city that doesn’t just come alive at night – it glows. As daylight fades, locals and visitors alike rise above the streets to toast the Parthenon with icy spritzes and skyline views. Whether you're after a rooftop pool for a mid-afternoon dip, an artfully plated dinner under the stars, or a low-key cocktail spot in a hip, graffiti-strewn neighbourhood, there’s a stay that fits the bill. The best hotels with a rooftop bar in Athens range from glossy grande dames to intimate design dens – each offering a new perspective on this endlessly compelling city.
Best for pools
The best of both worlds? A super rooftop bar beside a super rooftop pool – it's the perfect place to recover from a hard day's sightseeing and shopping!
- M Bar, on the tenth floor of the luxuriously cosmopolitan Electra Metropolis and next to its stunning outdoor pool, has killer views to match its rather good cocktail list.
- Chill out high above up-and-coming Metaxourgeio at Views, the sleek roof-level bar at Novus City Hotel right next to its seasonal outdoor pool (open May to October).
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St George Lycabettus has a fabulous rooftop pool, with bar of course, also boasting epic city views.
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Divani Caravel's rooftop pool is open year round, accompanied by its pool bar; both enjoy views of Lycabettus Hill and are the perfect spot for sundowners.
Best for foodies
Sip a sundowner, dine al fresco with the lights of Athens twinkling below, then return to the bar for a nightcap. What could be more agreeable? You'll find bars twinned with fine-dining restaurants atop several hotels in the city centre.
- Book a table at the Tudor Lounge on the top floor of the grand King George Palace for imaginative pre-prandial cocktails, fine wines and a menu that's rated among the best in Greece.
- The rooftop restaurant at Neoma offers panoramic Acropolis views alongside a sophisticated menu of Mediterranean flavours and fine wines. This sleek hotel in Koukaki brings polished service and impressive presentation to the table – literally. It’s a refined yet relaxed spot for dinner and drinks under the stars.
- The Hotel Grande Bretagne boasts two bars – open-air, summer-only Bar 8 and the GB Rooftop Bar – to complement its GB Roof Garden Restaurant, acclaimed for its contemporary Mediterranean menu.
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Ergon Bakehouse is far more than its name suggests – the rooftop is home to a vibrant restaurant where locally sourced produce stars. It’s a buzzing all-day space with views of Mount Lycabettus and a meze-sharing culture that flows beautifully into cocktail hour. A modern Greek foodie’s dream, from morning coffee to nightcap
- The Herodion Hotel has the fantastic Point, a restaurant and bar on its rooftop. Here you can enjoy a wide range of inventive cocktails, plus Mediterranean and Greek gourmet dishes.
- The rooftop SENSE Restaurant at AthensWas Design Hotel delivers refined, seasonal Greek cuisine with a creative twist, served on an elegant terrace directly facing the Parthenon.
- With its haute-Mediterranean menu and white-marble rooftop terrace, The Dolli’s all-day restaurant pairs beautifully plated dishes with uninterrupted views of the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill – it's a glamorous spot where locals and guests linger well past sunset.
Best for hipsters
Stylish Athenians mingle with hotel guests in the trendy rooftop bars of hip hotels in lively neighbourhoods like Monastiraki, that buzz with conversation day and night.
- A converted warehouse with exposed brick and a soulful design, Asomaton feels totally at home in arty Thissio. Its rooftop plunge pool and bar serve up relaxed Acropolis views alongside well-crafted drinks. The crowd is design-conscious and low-key, just like the vibe.
- Blending industrial edge with urban greenery, The Foundry boasts a rooftop picnic garden that’s as photogenic as it is peaceful. It’s ideal for sipping natural wines or local beers as you overlook Athens’ rooftops – the Acropolis popping up in the distance. Hip yet unpretentious, it’s a creative hangout above Psyrri.
- For urban style and Acropolis views it's hard to beat the Roof Garden bar at The Zillers, one of our favourite boutique hideyholes. There's an all-day snack menu and an inspired cocktail list.
- For cooler evenings, Air Lounge, on the ninth floor of the colourfully minimalist Hotel Fresh, has an indoor lounge that opens onto its terrace.
- At the New Hotel, the Art Lounge on the 7th floor is where to come for both superb cocktails and food, accompanied by panoramic city views. Plus, there's a choice of 2000 art books to borrow if you're looking for another way to while away the day.
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O&B Athens Boutique Hotel combines industrial-chic interiors with a rooftop bar that offers intimate Acropolis views and a laid-back, creative vibe perfect for the artsy crowd.
- At 18 Micon Street, raw concrete and vintage furnishings meet rooftop cocktails and Acropolis vistas – an ideal perch for design lovers and urban explorers.
Best for views
- Perched high above the city centre, The Pinnacle has a wraparound rooftop terrace with one of the most sweeping views in Athens. The Acropolis, Lycabettus Hill and the Aegean all appear in the same eyeline – a striking backdrop to an aperitivo. The hotel’s art deco design only adds to the drama.
- The rooftop bar at A for Athens offers a postcard-perfect perspective of the Acropolis, looming large over Monastiraki Square. It’s a view so iconic it almost feels surreal, especially as the sun sets and the lights flicker on. Few spots in the city put you this close to the action with such cinematic clarity.
- True to its name, the rooftop at 360 Degrees Hotel serves up panoramic views in every direction – from the Acropolis to Lycabettus Hill and beyond. Whether by day or glittering night, the outlook is the star of the show. Order a spritz and take it all in from one of the best perches in town.
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