Astronomy Cafe

  29/9/21

We three middle aged guys had seen enough of the sights of evening nighttime Faliraki and had noticed that we lived close to the number one attraction that... read more us thus place.

I wanted to visit at 8pm after a day at the local Mantomata bay so phoned up to book our slot. On our returning quite late I phoned again to change the slot to 8:30. By the time we actually returned and had a quick snack we definitely were cutting it close given we had to walk the 700m, mostly up a steep hill, to get there. I walked fast ahead to get to buy the tickets at the desk at 8:15. Just about made it! My friends trailed behind but arrived in time to catch their breathe and have five minutes.

The only signposting to the cafe was at the high junction with the road from the Mandomata Beach, it would be good to have one at a junction lower down. Not everyone have smart phones.

I was warmly welcomed by the boss and Christina at the entrance. Simone (?) behind the bar who was taking the bookings was relaxed and happy to wait for my friends to arrive as I phoned to confirm they were making it up the hill. I decided not to buy any cocktails till after, another guest did though as he had been recently and recommended them to me.

The garden at night looked amazing with interpretation Displays and sundials everywhere amongst the aromatic herbs. At 8:30 the bell rang and we were summoned to the observatory along with about six other people all wearing masks.

Christine closed the door, gave us instructions not to touch the walls or the lenses and the show began. Suddenly it went dark red light and the walls moved... very odd and disorienting! The three telescope array moved around and lined up with the hatch, Christina pressed some buttons on a remote and a strong blue laser shot into the heavens...... a computer screen behind showed images from the Hubble telescope and others combined and enhanced of the area we were viewing. Christina started her presentation, a bit of time was required to adjust to her accent and she had a lot to say. Each of us took turns to view down the eyepiece at each view after rotating the telescope. I expected big close ups but saw small images of Saturn with its rings and Jupiter with its moons, all good though. Do not expect colourful images, especially nebullae as the stock images you see in media are computer generated enhancements. Mars though would be red, although it was below the horizon on our visit.

Christina took questions happily, as people took turns to view, and answered them all competently as she is a serious astronomer and is up with the latest findings and research. A video display outside in the garden showed the Perseverance Rover on Mars (we actually know the 'driver' and I have put them in touch with each other!).

Stergos is a great believer in spreading the astronomical world to the public and even hosts school classes in the winter, organising three hour long sessions with follow up work. He wants to inspire the next generation of star gazers.

There was no detailed horoscopy as this was science and not fiction experience (sorry I'm a scientist!).

After the talk we looked around the fabulous garden and had two rounds of his famous cocktails, the best we have had in Rhodes at good prices too! The two specials and planetary ones were unique and very well presented. They get through a lot of cinnamon sticks! We left at 10:38 to selfie pose by Apollo 11 astronauts and wend our way back down, appreciating the night view over Faliraki as we descended! A great and special evening out!

  Visted the cafe with a large group and was made to feel unwelcome from when we arrived. Ordered food and drinks (pancakes not the best) waiters (male) very rude and... read more asking the children to sit down when with adults looking at the exhibits. we were asked to sit altogether in one area but not enough room so had to use some other tables and chairs and you could tell they didn’t like this. Asked several times if we could buy tickets and was rudely told to wait until they were ready (no explanation on how or when to purchase tickets for the done). The male waiter continually hovering over us and making the whole group feel uncomfortable and on edge.

The owner then had the audacity to ask a member of the party to move off the chair as they was too big in front of the whole table of people ( bearing in mind this individual had sat there for an over an hour with nothing said) when I spoke to the owner and said how rude he was he got very aggressive went and spoke to another group of people in German about us. Another member of our party approached him and he screamed and pointed and shouted in her face causing a big scene. This Cause huge distress to 13 children as he was threatening them that their parents were going to prison whilst running around threatening to ring the police as he wouldn’t allow us to pay our bill and leave.

whilst he was shouting at other member of our group his staff 2 young ladies were very apologetic for our experience and their bosses behaviour and were embarrassed.

I Definitely avoid and wouldn’t recommend this establishment unless you are awilling for a torrent of abuse by a gruntled owner.

  Wow !

Just wow !! I would recommend that experience to anyone !! I don’t know anything about stars or solar system but it was so nice to... read more see a Saturn !! That kind of things you see on a internet, but it’s better to see in real !! The cocktails were nice as well, we’ve asked to change something and it was no problem to the bartender ! I would highly recommend that to anyone !

  We went here for a date night on holiday and it did not disappoint amazing experience, lovely cocktails, beautiful view and very informative! My partner proposed at this location because... read more it was so beautiful so will always hold a special place in our hearts! Also when the staff found out we got engaged they were so lovely and gave us a little goody bag and put a heart watermelon in our cocktails the little added touch made the evening that’s more special!

  Even if your not into this stuff it's still amazing. My boyfriend loves it so we went and I think I left happier than him. Book before u go as... read more we had to wait 2 hours that was my fault though. The host is an astronomer so very knowledgeable and his equipment must have cost an absolute fortune. Very well set out and we seen Saturn with its rings and all, Jupiter and a huge view of the moon. Drinks were nice and cheap enough. Very happy with the experience

  I love astronomy and cocktails so this was such a fun night out.
I use a wheelchair but can go up some stairs so could see out of the... read more telescope and staff brought me a chair.
Such a friendly place, fantastic cocktails and really chilled out evening. Observatory was fascinating. We went back for a second time.
Would suggest a taxi as it's a steep hill and not lit up.
We highly recommend!

  I love to learn and see new things. This evening was very interesting. Had fun time in the cafe with a friend and also got to learn and experience night... read more sky through a telescope! The owner was very knowledgeable. Definitely worth the visit!

  Thoroughly recommend a visit to this place for a different experience on your holiday. Firstly we walked there and back and although its probably only 25 mins from town it... read more is quite a hill up to the cafe and would not suit less mobile people. We booked online from the UK in advance at 10 Euros each (at the time £17.80 for two from my card) which secures a half hour slot in the observatory with the owner who gives a fantastic talk and we were able to view a Nebula, a galaxy, Saturn and a great view of Jupiter with four of its moons as it is close at the min. Although you pay to go in the observatory a visit to the cafe and its lovely gardens which at night are beautifully floodlit, is free. I recommend the bar especially the Pistol Star cocktail which was very nice and potent! They also do a light menu if you are want a snack, freshly made to order and they give you a bleeper/pager so you can enjoy the gardens and then go and get your drink/food once ready. Great evening out!

  Really unique and interesting astronomy viewing experience at this relaxing cafe / bar with beautiful scenic views. Serves food and great drinks all at very reasonably priced by great hosts.... read more Absolutely recommended!

  Myself and my partner were stopping in Pefkos last week. We could not leave the island without visiting this place. So much so we did the following:

Paid for... read more car hire (2 days) €60
Fuelled the car €20
Booked a hotel in Faliraki €70
Taxi to and from the Astronomy Cafe €16

Total spent to visit this: €166

There was a little but not significant amounts of cloud, certainly not enough to scupper the chances of seeing some fantastic sights. The sun had been beaming all day.

When we excitedly arrived at the cafe, we exited our taxi and headed into this attraction that we had built up such an excitement for.

CLOSED DUE TO BAD WEATHER. Yes, that's what a little A4 sign said on the gate. Considering these guys are experienced with astronomy, they certainly do not know weather!.

Myself and my partner were extremely gutted, disappointed that we had invested so heavily to visit this place. We checked their Facebook, we checked their website and there was absolutely no mention of a closure for "bad" weather.

We have now returned to the UK and can certainly say, if we return to Rhodes, we will not visit this place.

Gutted!