Europe’s best Art House Cinemas – Spotted by Locals!

Cinema by Silveiro Neto

When the weather is getting you down, museum’s hold no interest for you and money is tight, a visit to an Art House Cinema can be a great option! Screening old classics in small, rustic rooms, an Art House Cinema charges little money for a great cinematic experience.

Guaranteed quality movies to keep you entertained, be it a foreign film or a documentary, in this list you’ll find some of Europe’s nicest and coziest Art House Cinemas as spotted by our Locals! In random order, we present a list of 35 Art House cinemas in 33 of our 41 cities in Europe.

Enjoy!
Vester Vov Vov (by Elina Roivainen)

1.) Vester Vov Vov, Copenhagen (by Elina Roivainen)
“[...] absolutely the cutest cinema in the city [...] Vester Vov Vov’s café plays a big role in creating the good, old cinema atmosphere: Cane chairs, big movie posters and checked floor, not forgetting the glass roof.”

Irida (by Kinimatografie)

2.) Irida, Athens (by Margarita Kalogeropoulou)
At Irida, the University cinema “[...] you have the chance to watch cult-movies that otherwise you would probably not have the chance to see in the big screen, for free.”

Kino, Budapest (by András Nagy)

3.) Kino, Budapest (by András Nagy)
“[...] it rather guards the fire of art movie culture. [...] The two functions of Kino are totally integrated creating one cultural space where you can have a Kino-coffee, watch a movie and discuss the experience with others.”

Cine Dore, Madrid (by Aneta Quraishy)

4.) Cine Dore, Madrid (by Aneta Quraishy)
“This (Cine Dore) has got to be the most popular film lovers hangout. [...] If you don’t speak Spanish, don’t worry all films here are original version so if you’re in luck you’ll find your pick in English, Swedish or even Bengali. There are several themes and seasons chosen each month.”

The Movies, Amsterdam (by Madelien Schippers)

5.) The Movies, Amsterdam (by Madelien Schippers)
“The Movies was built in 1912 and is the oldest cinema still in operation in Amsterdam. [...] When you enter the venue you will quickly imagine yourself back in time, due to the classic art deco interior.”

The Odeon Movie Club, Dublin (by Damian Byrne)

6.) The Odeon Movie Club, Dublin (by Damian Byrne)
“The programme features classic movies based around a different theme each month. Big, comfortable chairs, tables and candlelight create a kind of supper club effect, with a full waiter service throughout. There is no cover charge, so the bar (The Odeon Movie Club) makes its money on the food and drinks.”

Skalvija, Vilnius (by Julija Stancevit)

7.) Skalvija, Vilnius (by Gabija Venclovaite)
“Skalvija is a small and cosy art – house cinema in the centre of Vilnius. It is the oldest of the few cinemas [...] showing non – commercial and classic movies. Skalvija is also the major venue for cinematic events [...]“

9.) Studio, Bucharest (by Alex Olteanu)
“Those cinemas (Multiplex cinemas) are totally impersonal. The cinema has to embrace you somehow and to have its own personality. Well, this is why every Wednesday I go to ‘Studio Cinema’. Many film festivals take place here.”

10.) Mal Sehn, Frankfurt (by Christian Paulus)
“Kino Mal Sehn is for all cinephiles arthouse-movie-lovers. [...] Almost an institution in Frankfurt (since 1984), the first arthouse cinema in town. It also houses various film festivals or special events with international topics.”

Central, Berlin (by Herrmann Königs)

11.) Central, Berlin (by Herrmann Königs)
” [...] interesting, independent and international films are right here. Usually they play films in their original language and have subtitles in English or German, respectively.” at Central Cinema in Berlin!

12.) Uto, Zurich (by Sabine Schweizer)
“This cinema is a relic from the past, full of charm and atmosphere. Hardly anything has been renovated over the last few years (or maybe decades?). The 280 seats are all covered in burgundy velvet and they’re not numbered, so it’s the first come, first served practice. Most of the films on the programme are indie films and hits from years gone by – in the original languages with German and French subtitles.” at Uto in Zurich!

Cines Verdi, Barcelona (by Christofor Rosique)

13.) Cines Verdi, Barcelona (by Bill Sinclair)
“The cinema is a member of the Europa network so there’s always a good choice of quality films in the original language with subtitles, and free notes with every film. Cines Verdi is not the place to go to see the latest Hollywood blockbuster.”

Kino Pod Baranami, Krakow (by Karolina Kolodziej)

14.) Kino Pod Baranami, Krakow (by Karolina Kolodziej)
“[...] it’s a non-commercial, small cinema. Nothing to do with multiplexes. A couple of rooms (named as colours), cafeteria, no special effects. They receive quite a lot of awards – including the one for best European cinemas (judged by programme) – as they often involve themselves into different kind of festivals and events.” at Kino Pod Baranami in Krakow!

Kino Europa, Zagreb (by Karla Lončar)

15.) Kino Europa, Zagreb (by Karla Lončar)
Kino Europa is “one more place where they’re able to watch latest independent films, national and international festival laureates, and all those movies they won’t easily find in some Movieplex. Kino Europa has also become a national movie center that is a host to many film festivals and art related promotions as well.”

16.) Les Scalas, Geneva (by Delphine Rieder)
“Les Scalas is one of the last independent cinemas in Geneva. Right in the middle of the Eaux-Vives, it has the particularity to show tons of little movies from many different countries around the world. Many huge film lovers prefer this place over imposing giant movie theatres built by huge companies.”

Rue Champollion, Paris (by Tamara Mesarić

17.) Rue Champollion, Paris (by Tamara Mesarić)
Rue Champollion is not a single cinema, but rather a street with three important art house cinemas! “Film festivals, different movie cycles, sometimes even the public lectures add to the feeling that if you are a film fan you are in the right place.”

Filmhouse, Edinburgh (by Stu Anderson)

18.) Filmhouse, Edinburgh (by Stu Anderson)
“The Filmhouse is definitely a cinema for lovers of cinema. It specialises more in niche cinema, and it does it very well.”

Xenix, Zurich (by Roman Rey)

19.) Xenix, Zurich (by Roman Rey)
“If you’re a film lover and thinking about watching a motion picture in Zurich, you should do that at Xenix. Why? Because it is one of the most reputable indie-cinemas in our country with a wild history and many myths and legends attached to it.”

Movie Theatre de Klappei, Antwerp (by Igor Daems)

20.) Movie Theatre de Klappei, Antwerp (by Igor Daems)
“The theatre itself is tiny but I think that makes the movie experience more real. I prefer this to the big movie complexes you can find anywhere, in every city. There’s only one theatre here so don’t expect a lot of choices. They play mostly classics and independent movies.” at de Klappei in Antwerp!

The Horse Hospital, London (by Matt Bramford)

21.) The Horse Hospital, London (by Matt Bramford)
“Film fans won’t want to miss out on a trip to the Horse Hospital – independent cinema at its best. [...] fashion films and independent screenings. Classic films from the golden age of cinema are shown alongside cult classics and films you never knew existed.”

22.) Tuškanac cinema, Zagreb (by Nikolina Demark)
“There’s nothing posh or capitalistic about this little gem. They don’t sell popcorn and there are no glossy posters, but they’ll give you a chance to watch the best that European cinematography has to offer.” at Tuškanac cinema!

23.) Dokumentarfilm Salon, Hamburg (by Louise Kunth)
“Every second Tuesday there is a special cinema-experience. [...] All films are carefully selected and refer to interesting, political and social topics.”

Cinema Vendôme, Brussels (by Theophane Raballand)

24.) Cinema Vendôme, Brussels (by Ianthe Lancsweert)
“The cinema doesn’t host a large crowd but mostly a film respecting and knowledgeable audience. During the year the Vendôme cinema offers various film festival. Like an African film festival, a short film festival, a Chinese film festival and other specific screenings.” at Vendôme Cinema.

Kino Svetozor, Prague (by Filip Grimm)

25.) Kino Svetozor, Prague (by Filip Grimm)
“[...] focused on art films (or let’s say less mainstream films) as well as festivals. [...] Every week there is a premiere of an art film, Mondays are reserved for screening of documentary films and Wednesday nights for minor and experimental genres such as video art, net art, animation, commercials, video-clips, short films etc.” at Kino Svetozor.

Kino Muranow, Warsaw (by Stefan Markiewicz)

26.) Kino Muranow, Warsaw (by Stefan Markiewicz)
“Kino Muranów is smaller than those chain cinemas but its atmosphere beats all modern cinemas. And if you are a big movie buff like me this cinema will be perfect for you as they offer a wide range of good quality cinema. In 2003 the cinema received the European Cinemas Award for the best cinema in terms of repertoire.”

Kinoteka, Ljubljana (by Jošt Derlink)

27.) Kinoteka, Ljubljana (by Jošt Derlink)
At Kinoteka “They show movies from Europe mostly, but also from other parts of the world, like Japan or, of course, America, but never too commercial. You can find different genres, from dramas to black comedies and thrillers.”

Filmcasino, Vienna (by Linda Nepicks)

28.) Filmcasino, Vienna (by Linda Nepicks)
“Maybe there is no nicer cinema in Vienna (apart from Gartenbaukino and Künstlerhauskino) than Filmcasino. [...] there are often very interesting small film festivals taking part in filmcasino – e.g. latin movie film festival or queer film festivals.”

Topkino, Vienna (by Linda Nepicks)

29.) Topkino, Vienna (by Linda Nepicks)
Topkino is another recommendation by Spotter Linda. It’s a three-in-one local, that offers classical and awardwinning films, dinner and drinks!

Mk2, Paris (by Tamara Mesarić)

30.) Mk2, Paris (by Tamara Mesarić)
“At MK2 you can watch the best independent movies, often those selected at the festivals specialising in that genre. Not rarely are they classics to be. Opened to mainly European films, there are world productions as well.”

31.) Illegal Cinema, Belgrade (by Dušan Lopušina)
At this Illegal Cinema in Belgrade, “It’s a place where marginalized and hard-to-find films are shown – documentary, activist, queer, anarchist, forbidden and underground films are screened in a limited space of about 30 seats.”

Grosvenor Cinema, Glasgow (by Gill Davies)

32.) Grosvenor Cinema, Glasgow (by Gill Davies)
Grosvenor Cinema has “[...] huge leather armchairs and there’s loads of leg room. If you fancy stretching out or snuggling up, book one of the leather couches at the back. [...] I like the fact you can take drinks from the bar next door into the cinema with you. [...] Films shown are a mix of the latest blockbusters, old classics and cult movies.”

ARS Cinema, Krakow (by Damian Olek)

33.) ARS Cinema, Krakow (by Damian Olek)
“If you think that big megaplexes suck then you will love ARS cinema. ARS is one of the oldest cinemas in Krakow …”, ARS Cinema, established in 1916.

Ciak Cinema, Rome (by Sabrina Favoriti)

34.) Ciak Cinema, Rome (by Sabrina Favoriti)
A small and cheap venue in Rome, where you can watch and enjoy qualities films in cozy seating, at Ciak Cinema!

Cinema King, Lisbon (by Irene Pomatto)

35.) Cinema King, Lisbon (by Irene Pomatto)
Local Irene says the following about Cinema King in Lisbon; “This place is probably a legend amongst those into films that have no explosions, no Bridget Joneses and no mainstream appeal. [...] The highlight is the projection room being totally visible to patrons from a big window in the main corridor …”

We’ve reached the end of this list of great and local’s favorite Art House Cinemas in Europe. Have you ever been to one of these? Or do you perhaps have another recommendation? Leave us a comment!