The Athens Conservatoire has been serving the theater and music scene in Greece for almost 150 years. As a non-profit arts institution, it plays a significant role in the advancement of those studies among young people.

Internationally acclaimed artists have graced Conservatoire's Music and Drama Schools, either as students or members of the faculty, inlcuding Maria Callas, Gina Bachauer and Mikis Theodorakis.

It works as a major cultural center in the heart of Athens, participating in a variety of artistic events and projects, such as theatrical productions, music events, workshops and conferences.

The Benizelos Mansion has been recorded as one of the oldest houses in Athens. It belonged to Angelos Benizelos, born in 1490 and a student of an important philosopher of the time. At the time, he was elected as a represantative of the Greeks living in Venice and was also a teacher, just like his father.

The mansion was then a home to the daughter of Angelos Benizelos, Regoula Benizelou, who in the 16th century became a nun and died after the Turks tortured her for her Christian works.

Today the house stands as a place to visit and admire. Visitors can also enjoy events, such as theatrical plays, photography exhibits and classical music concerts.

For several centuries, the theatre of Epidaurus has been home to the theatrical arts, offering audiences ancient drama plays and comedies, as well as performances of opera, dance and classical music.

The National Museum of Contemporary Art, also known as EMST, began its operation in 2000 and has since embarked on a great journey to preserve and present a rich collection of modern art pieces.

The museum is formed around nucleus works from Greek and foreign artists aiming to promote contemporary art in the country even more.

Apart from the exhibits, visitors also have access to a variety of conferences, events and screenings, as well as educational programs for children and adults. EMST also has a cafe and a restaurant.

Athens is a city thriving with world famous museums and ancient sites, including the National Archaeological Museum. Located in the center of Athens, the museum is the largest archaeological museum in Greece and has devoted itself to the preservation and display of precious Greek art.

Whether a local or a tourist, it is considered vital that you pay this global point of interest a visit and take a journey through time, from prehistory to Late Antiquity!

Peiraios 260 is an alternative cultural venue that is situated in a building complex in a former industrial area. The site is a contrast between old and modern and is the location for part of the Athens Festival, which offers a wide variety of events for a wide range of age groups.

The Odeon of Herodus Atticus goes as far back as 161 AD as a majestic stage, hosting plays and performances that would captivate the crowd in its spectacular ancient surroundings.

Sitting beneath the slopes of the Acropolis, this open-air theater was renovated in the 1950s in order to be able to facilitate the needs of the hundreds of events it offers every year, especially since it is the prime location for the Athens and Epidaurus Festival.

From classical music and Opera concerts, to famous Orchestras and ancient Greek theater plays, this magnificent venue covers all tastes!

The Megaron Athens Concert Hall is located in the heart of Athens and operates as a major cultural center with the vision of the great singer Alexandra Trianti.

Opening it's doors in 1991, it has since become one of Athens' landmarks regarding music, theater, dance, exhibitions and conferences. They host numerous events every week, from renowned Greek and foreign artists, to world class choirs and theater teams.

Megaron covers a wide range such as Opera, classical music, Ballet, orchestras, tributes, classic theater plays and much more!

The Museum of Cycladic Art has arranged six five-day terms in June and July that will fascinate the young friends of the Museum and make the summer in the city a creative adventure full of discovery.

Packed with interactive guided tours, screenings, storytelling, painting, construction and sculpture crafts, group games and activities, the Museum of Cycladic Art's 'summer camp' is an alternative summer activity for children 5-9 years old.

A game between Picasso and Antiquity is based on the temporary exhibition: «Picasso and Antiquity. Line and clay».

In this year's summer camp line and clay join contradictions and create a fertile field prone to dialogue between now and then, man and woman, war and peace, man and beasts and, finally, children and Antiquity, children and Picasso. This dialogue will carry on between mythology and folk tales and will sum up in children's artworks through different techniques.

To learn more, please visit the: Museum of Cycladic Art

The beloved film-loving summer date, the Athens Open Air Film Festival, in collaboration with the City of Athens Cultural, Sport and Youth Organization, returns in its 8th edition with magical screenings from June to August. Special city corners, archaeological monuments, parks, squares, beaches and some of the most beautiful museums and sites in Athens transform into an open-air cinema with free entrance to the audience.

The Athens Open Air Film Festival continues its solid collaboration with the British Council by suggesting classic masterpieces of the British cinema, among which some of the top adaptations of literary works within the framework of the “Classics Illustrated: Reading on the big screen” tribute which runs through this year’s program.

This article outlines all of the screenings for June so keep scrolling for full program info...

Friday, June 15^th / Plato’s Academy
Goldfinger, 1964 - by Guy Hamilton

The glittering Aston Martin. The woman named Pussy Galore. A naked female body dipped into gold. Gert Fröbe as a fatally cool rival. The first- class combination of cosmopolitan adventure, spy action and witty screenplay. Sean Connery as more irresistible a James Bond as ever. Shirley Bassey and her prominent voice in the theme song. Humour which becomes a necessary addition to an on-screen cocktail that is always served «shaken, not stirred»…

Duration: 110’ 
Starting Time: 21h30


Thursday, June 21^st / Ermou Pedestrian Precinct
Strictly Ballroom, 1992 - by Baz Luhrmann

European Music Day Celebration

The young dancer Scott Hastings trains from a young age in ballroom dances, something that is a family tradition. Being faithful to a totally unique personal style, he does his best to win the big prize in the national competition. A director who loves music, grand spectacle and who functions without guilt towards the pop culture’s bliss and film melodrama, Luhrmann delivers in his cinema debut an indulging dance lesson.

Starring: Paul Mercurio, Tara Morice, Bill Hunter, Pat Thompson, Gia Carides, Peter Whitford
Duration: 94’
Starting Time: 21:30

The Athens Open Air Film Festival collaborates for the fourth consecutive year with the Athens & Epidaurus Festival in a series of screenings with  free entrance which cinematographically mark the summer.

Monday, June 25th / Cine Riviera
The Young Runaway, 1968 - by Stavros Tsiolis

While waiting for the «Jungle» circus’ arrival in the village, the children pretend to be grown-ups, the birds are singing and midsummer young Maria meets young Alexis. Alexis will tell her that he is a runaway and shortly after, holding a crushed plastic bottle of milk in his hands, he will ask her the  magical question: «Maria, do you want to marry me when we grow up?».

Starring: Maria Papaioannou, Nikos Oikonomidis, Aggelos Antonopoulos, Ina Mauer, Maria Foka, Theano Ioannidou
Duration: 92’ |
Starting Time: 21h30

Electra awaits the appropriate timing to avenge her father's death, Agamemnon , King of Myceanae, who was murdered by his wife, Clytemnestra, and her lover Aegisthus. Opportunity arises when she meets again with her brother Orestis. Together they will both set to motion their lethal plan.

In 1962 Michael Cacoyannis delivers through «Electra» the most timely and simultaneously exemplary transfer of ancient greek tragedy to cinema.

Starring: Irene Papa, Giannis Fertis, Aleka Katselli, Manos Katrakis, Notis Peryalis, Takis Emmanuel

Music: Mikis Theodorakis

Duration: 110’/

Starting Time: 21:30