There’s something magical about watching a film outdoors. The soft hum of cicadas, the scent of night-blooming jasmine and the flicker of the screen beneath the stars. In Crete, this magic comes to life in two of the island’s most atmospheric open-air cinemas. Whether you’re staying in Chania or Rethymno, these venues invite you to slow down and enjoy a truly timeless summer ritual.
CINE KIPOS – CHANIA MUNICIPAL GARDEN
Hidden within Chania’s lush Municipal Garden, Cine Kipos has been showing films under the open sky since 1912, making it the oldest outdoor cinema in Crete still in operation. With wooden benches shaded by towering trees and a quiet, nostalgic ambiance, it’s a place where locals and visitors gather to enjoy movies in the warm evening air. Here, cinema feels personal. No flashy premieres or red carpets, just the shared experience of a good story told beneath the stars.
ASTERIA OPEN AIR CINEMA – RETHYMNO
Tucked away in Rethymno’s Old Town, Asteria Cinema is a cozy, neighborhood favourite with a relaxed atmosphere. Located on Ioanni Melissinou Street, just steps from the Fortezza, this charming spot screens two films every evening, making it easy to combine with a stroll or dinner in the old harbor.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF SUMMER STORY
These cinemas aren’t just places to watch a movie. They’re part of Crete’s living heritage, where history, community and culture meet. Whether it’s your first time in Crete or your tenth, a summer night at an open-air cinema is always worth discovering.
