Back in the day, I had visited a drive-in movie, where the speaker hung from the car window and we hid in the protected environment of the vehicle. But, in Santorini, Greece another style of outdoorsy movie watching was popular, the open air cinema. An outdoor theater sans the automobile.
I suppose this makes making out in the back seat extremely challenging.
Kamari village located on the popular island of Santorini boasted one of the best open-air cinemas in the world and after we filled our bellies with delicious wild mushroom risotto and saganaki at Nichteri it was was movie time.
When we arrived to the Open Air Cinema Kamari at 8:45 and there were about 20 people in line. Though it wasn’t necessary on this particular evening, I made a reservation the day before. This reservation allowed us to enter the theater a few minutes before the walk-ins to get first dibs on prime seating when the doors opened at 8:50.
The crowd was a little light on this night, not because of the movie choice which was Maleficent, but more likely because it was the night of the World Cup and Greece was in it.
As we walked in there was a strong smell of incense that invaded the air. With about a hundred seats to choose from, we selected a smaller section on the left hand side since it was non smoking.
Then we hit the bar. Yes, the bar.
It sold all the typical theater fare, not traditional Greek food, but also cocktails, wine and beers. One red wine for me please.
We got out drinks and took our seats. Jazzy music played in the background and cats meandered through the aisles while we waited for the movie to start.
We also caught up on email during this time as they had really good and free WIFI. Is this the best open air cinema ever?
Loud bells started dinging, as the music faded to let us know the movie is about to begin. I put my phone away to enjoy the show.
Every once in a while we could hear the motorbikes pass by or a plane fly overhead, just as a reminder that you are outside. But, that just adds to the ambiance.
Midway through the movie stopped for an intermission.
Time for another cocktail and popcorn refill.
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Open Air Cinema Kamari | Main Road, Kamari, Santorini Greece | Website | Map
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Oh wow! Sounds so exciting! I would love to watch a movie alfresco. It would be wonderful… a different experience.
I’ve never seen or think of seeing a open air movie but would love to do, it would be a new experience.
This must have been such a rich experience. Thanks for sharing it with us. I really would love to go to this place and particularly smell the incense in the open air! This is double experience.
Your photos say that you have been there after the sunset. Am I right? I’m asking this as Sunset is one of the main moments of the day at Santorini. I cannot change it with anything else. I’ve not been there, but I fell in love with this island since I’ve seen the pictures on the web.
I have been there during sunset, though the days I was there they were not as brilliant as the ones you see in photos. Good reason for me to return.