EUROPE'S MOST BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR CINEMAS NAMED

@annamas

Summary:

• Time Out names top outdoor cinemas across Europe after crowning Sydney's Westpac OpenAir as world's best
• Barcelona's Mies van der Rohe Pavilion leads European entries with screenings on marble walls beside reflecting pools
• List includes 19 European venues from Spanish beaches to Austrian town squares and Greek amphitheaters

Outdoor film screenings have transformed summer entertainment across Europe. Time Out recently published its global rankings after naming Sydney's Westpac OpenAir the world's most beautiful outdoor cinema.

Barcelona's Mies van der Rohe Pavilion tops the European selections. This architectural landmark was originally built for the 1929 International Exhibition before demolition one year later. The current structure opened in 1986 at its original Montjuïc location.

The venue now hosts Pantalla Pavelló, screening architecture-themed films projected onto travertine marble walls. Audiences gather around the reflecting pond for these unique presentations. María José Gómez, Time Out Barcelona's director, notes the venue sacrifices comfort and sound quality for unmatched atmosphere.

Spain dominates the European rankings with four entries. Amante in Ibiza, Sala Montjuïc in Barcelona, and Cinema Lliure a la Platja in Catalonia all secured positions alongside the Mies Pavilion.

France claims second place with Cannes' Cinéma de la Plage. This beachfront venue has operated since 2001, attracting locals, film industry professionals, and late-night moviegoers to its seaside screenings.

Vienna's Rathausplatz ranks third among European venues. The Austrian capital offers free outdoor screenings in the shadow of its gothic town hall. Programming includes Offenbach operas and Rolling Stones concerts alongside traditional films.

Croatia contributes the ancient Arene de Pula, where Roman architecture provides the backdrop for modern cinema. Greece offers multiple venues including Athens' Cine Thisio and Santorini's Open Air Cinema Kamari.

The complete European list spans 19 venues across 12 countries. Notable entries include Kosovo's Fortress Cinema, London's Rooftop Film Club, and Venice's Cinemoving San Polo. Each location combines film viewing with distinctive architectural or natural settings.

Amsterdam's West Beach Film Festival brings cinema to waterfront locations, while Paris hosts documentary screenings at Gare aux Docs. Berlin's Kreuzberg Open-Air Cinema and Chester's Moonflicks round out the diverse selection.

These venues demonstrate how outdoor cinema has evolved beyond simple summer entertainment. Each location offers unique combinations of film, architecture, and natural beauty that transform standard movie viewing into memorable experiences.

Complete European List:

1. Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, Barcelona
2. Cinéma de la Plage, Cannes
3. Rathausplatz, Vienna
4. Arene de Pula, Croatia
5. Cine Thisio, Athens
6. Amante, Ibiza
7. Piazza Grande, Locarno
8. Fortress Cinema, Kosovo
9. Adventure Cinema at Lowther Castle, Cumbria
10. Rooftop Film Club, London
11. Sala Montjuïc, Barcelona
12. Cinema Lliure a la Platja, Catalonia
13. West Beach Film Festival, Amsterdam
14. Open Air Cinema Kamari, Santorini
15. Gare aux Docs, Paris
16. Kreuzberg Open-Air Cinema, Berlin
17. Cine Manto, Mykonos
18. Cinemoving San Polo, Venice
19. Moonflicks, Chester, UK