Summer evenings in Athens are made for being outdoors, and CineFIX offers a particularly memorable way to spend one. Perched on the rooftop terrace of the National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST), this open-air cinema combines classic films with one of the city’s most striking views: the Acropolis illuminated against the Athenian night sky.
The rooftop cinema takes its name from the history of the building itself, which once housed the historic Fix brewery. Today, the space has a very different atmosphere, bringing together cinema, culture and the unmistakable energy of an Athenian summer evening.
Photo by Melitini Nikolaidi
For 2026, CineFIX presents #HEAT, a season inspired by the many ways heat can shape a story. From scorching deserts and sleepless nights to desire, obsession and tension, the programme explores films where the heat is more than just a backdrop — it becomes part of the drama.
The selection moves between Hollywood classics and European arthouse cinema, making the screenings a great option for both film lovers and travellers looking for something different to do after a day of exploring Athens. Watching a film outdoors, with the city stretching out below you and the Acropolis glowing in the distance, is an experience that feels distinctly Athenian.
Two atmospheric films to look forward to
The 2026 programme continues on Thursday 27 August at 8:30 pm with David Lean’s epic Lawrence of Arabia (1962), starring Peter O’Toole and Omar Sharif. Set against the vast and unforgiving landscapes of the Arabian desert, the film is a fitting choice for a season centred around heat, intensity and extraordinary landscapes.
On Thursday 3 September at 9 pm, CineFIX turns to Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Sheltering Sky (1990), an atmospheric adaptation of Paul Bowles’ novel. Set largely across the Sahara, the film follows travellers navigating an unfamiliar landscape while confronting isolation, relationships and a growing sense of unease.
Both films offer more than a traditional cinema experience — their settings, atmosphere and themes become even more evocative when watched outdoors on a warm Athenian night.
All screenings are presented in English with Greek subtitles, making CineFIX an easy addition to an Athens itinerary for international visitors as well as locals.
If you are looking for an evening that goes beyond the usual sightseeing, CineFIX is a chance to experience Athens from a different perspective: under the stars, surrounded by art and with the Acropolis as your backdrop.
