All three are in central Athens, open to visitors (not just hotel guests), and easy to reach whether you're staying in Monastiraki, Syntagma or elsewhere. They're different in atmosphere and price — so there's something here for most budgets and moods.
1. A for Athens — Our Top Pick in Monastiraki
⭐ Most recommendedIf you have time for only one rooftop during your stay in Athens, this is the one to choose. A for Athens is a small boutique hotel sitting directly above Monastiraki Square — and its rooftop bar has one of the most direct and unobstructed views of the Acropolis you'll find anywhere in the city centre.
You're not looking at the Acropolis from across a busy road or through a hotel atrium. You're sitting outdoors, at rooftop level, with the Parthenon right in front of you. On a clear day you can see every column. At sunset the light turns golden and the whole hill seems to be on fire. In the evening, when the Acropolis is illuminated, the view is simply breathtaking.
What to order
The rooftop serves cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks, coffee and food. The menu uses local, seasonal ingredients — nothing over-complicated, nothing overpriced for a prime Monastiraki location. The cocktails are the main draw. Ask for one of their house specials and find a spot with the best angle on the rock.
They also do breakfast on the panoramic terrace — which, if you time it right (say, 8–9am before the heat and crowds arrive), is a genuinely special way to start a day in Athens.
When to go
The rooftop is good at almost any time of day, but the two standout moments are late afternoon into sunset (the Acropolis lights up beautifully as the sun drops behind Philopappos Hill) and after dark, when the whole city glitters and the illuminated Parthenon seems close enough to touch.
If you go in summer, bear in mind it's popular — especially around sunset. It's worth arriving 20–30 minutes before you want the best light to be sure of a good spot.
📋 Practical Information
| Area | Monastiraki (above Monastiraki Square) |
| Best for | Cocktails, coffee, light food with Acropolis view |
| Best time | Sunset & evening; also breakfast |
| Price level | €€–€€€ (cocktails approx. €12–16) |
| Reservation | Recommended for sunset/evening (can be full) |
| Open to non-guests | Yes |
| Acropolis view | Direct, unobstructed, front-on. One of the best in Athens |
| Google Maps | Open in Maps → |
| Website | aforathens.com |
| Getting there | Exit Monastiraki Metro (Lines 1 & 3), 1 min walk |
💡 Kathy's tip for A for Athens
Go up around 6:30–7pm in summer. That's when the angle of the light hits the Parthenon perfectly. Order something cold and just sit for a moment before you look up. The view catches you off guard every time, even if you've seen it before.
2. 360 Cocktail Bar — Panoramic Views, Lively Atmosphere
🍹 Great for cocktails360 Cocktail Bar is also in the Monastiraki area, just a few minutes walk from A for Athens — and the name tells you what you're getting: a wide, sweeping panorama across Athens. The Acropolis is part of that view, along with the rooftops of Psirri, the flea market, Lycabettus Hill in the distance, and the city sprawling out towards Piraeus.
Where A for Athens feels more intimate and design-forward, 360 has a livelier, more casual energy. It's a popular spot with both locals and tourists, and the atmosphere tends to be fun and sociable rather than quiet and romantic.
What to order
Cocktails are the main focus — a range of classic and house creations. The bar also serves wine, beer and non-alcoholic options. It's a place to linger over drinks rather than come for a full meal.
The view
The view here is genuinely panoramic — you see more of the city than you do from A for Athens. The Acropolis is visible but at more of an angle rather than directly head-on. If you want to see the Parthenon straight ahead and up close, A for Athens edges it. If you want to take in the whole of Athens spread before you, 360 is hard to beat.
📋 Practical Information
| Area | Monastiraki (near Ifestou Street & the flea market) |
| Best for | Cocktails, relaxed drinks with panoramic city view |
| Best time | Afternoon into evening; lively on weekend nights |
| Price level | €€–€€€ |
| Reservation | Usually not necessary, but useful at busy times |
| Open to non-guests | Yes — it's a standalone bar |
| Acropolis view | Panoramic view; Acropolis visible at an angle |
| Google Maps | Open in Maps → |
💡 Kathy's tip for 360
360 and A for Athens are close to each other, so you could actually do both in one evening — start at A for Athens for sunset, then move on to 360 for a drink later. The flea market area below is a good place to walk around before or after.
3. Electra Metropolis Athens — Elegant Rooftop near Syntagma
🏨 Most elegantOn the other side of the spectrum — in terms of style and setting — is the rooftop of Electra Metropolis Athens, a five-star hotel on Mitropoleos Street, a short walk from Syntagma Square. The rooftop sits on the 10th floor of the hotel and has two venues worth knowing about.
M Bar — cocktails by the pool with Acropolis view
The M Bar is the rooftop cocktail bar on the 10th floor, set next to the hotel's outdoor pool. This is the spot to come to if you want signature cocktails with an Acropolis backdrop in an elegant hotel setting. The atmosphere is calm, refined and a notch above the Monastiraki options — less touristy, more of an upscale Athens experience.
Open daily from 11:00 to 00:30 (until 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays). You do not need to be a hotel guest to visit.
Metropolis Roof Garden — dining with a view
Right next to M Bar, the Metropolis Roof Garden is a full restaurant serving creative Mediterranean cuisine — an award-winner for Contemporary Greek Cuisine (FNL award). You can come here for lunch, dinner, or just drinks at the bar (bar open 12:00–01:00). The Acropolis view from the 10th floor is superb and unique — you're looking at it from the east/southeast side, with the city and Lycabettus Hill in the background.
This is the rooftop for a special occasion dinner or a long, leisurely lunch where you don't feel rushed. It's a different experience from the Monastiraki spots — more restaurant than bar, more composed than spontaneous.
📋 Practical Information
| Area | Syntagma / Mitropoleos (between Syntagma & Monastiraki) |
| Rooftop venues | M Bar (cocktails) + Metropolis Roof Garden (restaurant & bar) |
| Floor | 10th floor |
| Best for | Elegant cocktails, creative Mediterranean dining, special occasions |
| Best time | Evening for cocktails; any time for dining |
| Hours | M Bar: 11:00–00:30 (Fri–Sat: 01:00) · Roof Garden bar: 12:00–01:00 · Kitchen: 12:00–23:30 |
| Price level | €€€–€€€€ |
| Reservation | Recommended for Metropolis Roof Garden (especially weekends) |
| Open to non-guests | Yes |
| Acropolis view | From the east side — wide, elevated, panoramic |
| Google Maps | Open in Maps → |
| Website | electrahotels.gr |
| Getting there | 5 min walk from Syntagma Metro (Lines 2 & 3) |
💡 Kathy's tip for Electra Metropolis
The M Bar is the easiest way to experience the Electra Metropolis rooftop without a dinner reservation. Walk in, order a cocktail, and take in the view from the 10th floor. It feels like a different Athens up there — quieter, more polished, and with a perspective on the Acropolis you won't get in Monastiraki.
Map — All 3 Rooftop Spots
All three rooftops are in the historic centre of Athens and easy to combine with a walk through Monastiraki, Plaka or up to Syntagma Square.
Quick Comparison
| Rooftop | Area | Best For | Atmosphere | Price | Acropolis View |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A for Athens | Monastiraki | Cocktails, coffee, sunset | Stylish, intimate | €€–€€€ | Direct, head-on, very close |
| 360 Cocktail Bar | Monastiraki | Cocktails, lively drinks | Casual, social, fun | €€–€€€ | Panoramic, Acropolis at angle |
| Electra Metropolis (M Bar / Roof Garden) | Syntagma | Elegant drinks, fine dining | Refined, upscale hotel | €€€–€€€€ | 10th floor, wide Acropolis view from east |
🤔 Which one should you choose?
- For the best direct Acropolis view and a classic rooftop moment: A for Athens — this is our first recommendation and the one most visitors remember.
- For cocktails and a lively panoramic atmosphere: 360 Cocktail Bar — relaxed, casual, and great city views in all directions.
- For an elegant evening with fine cocktails or Mediterranean cuisine: Electra Metropolis (M Bar or Metropolis Roof Garden) — the most polished of the three, ideal for a special dinner or a refined sundowner.
- Tight budget? A for Athens and 360 are more casual and generally more affordable than Electra Metropolis.
- Special occasion? Book the Metropolis Roof Garden — the food and setting are exceptional.
- In a rush with only one hour? Head straight to A for Athens, order one cocktail, sit down, look at the Acropolis. That's enough.
Getting There from Ioulianou 50
All three rooftops are reachable by metro from the apartment:
🚇 To A for Athens & 360 Cocktail Bar
Take the metro from Victoria (Line 1) south to Monastiraki — about 5 stops, 10 minutes. Both rooftops are less than 5 minutes walk from Monastiraki station.
🚇 To Electra Metropolis Athens
Take the metro from Victoria (Line 1) to Omonia, then switch to Line 2 (Red) towards Agios Dimitrios and get off at Syntagma. The hotel is a 5-minute walk along Mitropoleos Street. Total: about 15–20 minutes.
All three rooftops are also walkable from Syntagma or Monastiraki if you're already in the historic centre. A for Athens and 360 Cocktail Bar are right next to each other — you can easily visit both in one outing.
— Kathy
Sources: Official hotel websites (aforathens.com, electrahotels.gr), venue pages for M Bar and Metropolis Roof Garden, Google Maps.
