Easter in Greece: Fascinating Customs and Enchanting Destinations!
Easter in Greece is an exhilarating collage of traditions, delicious food, and customs that will introduce you to the country’s authentic side and people, unveiling another face of this popular Mediterranean destination.
So, if you’re planning to celebrate Easter in Greece, keep reading! We share everything you need to know, from the most interesting Greek Orthodox Easter traditions and customs to drool-worthy Greek Easter foods and enchanting destinations.
Let’s discover the delights of Easter in Greece!
When is Easter celebrated in Greece?
The Greeks celebrate Easter approximately a couple of weeks after Western countries do, meaning Greek Easter falls between mid-April and early May. Clean Monday, which typically falls in early to mid-March, marks the beginning of a 40-day-long fasting period, during which many Greeks abstain from meat, fish, and dairy. However, that doesn’t mean restaurants don’t serve food that contains them, so you can savor every Greek delicacy you would during the rest of the year.
Additionally, during the 40 days leading up to Easter, people attend church services and other religious ceremonies. If you want to delve deeper into Greek traditions, you can join them, but you shouldn’t necessarily be a Christian to enjoy the Greek Easter to the fullest. There are so many things to do and discover during that time of the year that getting bored won’t be an option -Greece never fails to fascinate!
Greek Easter traditions
Easter in Greece intertwines with many traditions, which vary across regions and span from religious to ancient practices. Depending on what village or island you visit, you can dive into different aspects of the local lifestyle, but even if you stay in a hotel in Athens city center, there are still many Greek Easter traditions you can enjoy!
Most Easter traditions in Greece are revived during Holy Week (Megali Evdomada), which ends with the Easter Sunday celebration. Each day of the week has its unique customs and traditions. For example, on Holy Thursday, people dye eggs red, representing the blood of Christ.
The next day, all the churches in the country recreate Christ’s funeral with the procession of the epitaph, while Easter celebrations peak on Holy Saturday with the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. People gather at the churches and light their candles with the Holy Light, brightening the night and singing ‘Hristos Anesti’ which means ‘Christ has risen’!
Finally, on Easter Sunday, the most fun day of the Holy Week, families and friends gather to roast lamb, listen to folk music, dance, and break their red eggs by hitting them against each other.
Easter in Greece: The food
Food plays a central role in Easter celebrations in Greece, so you cannot fully experience the latter without enjoying the former! The most delicious Greek Easter foods you should try are:
- Easter bread (tsoureki)
- Roasted lamb
- Magiritsa (soup with herbs, eggs, lemon, and lamb liver)
- Easter cookies
- Dolmadakia
- Kokoretsi
- Meat pie
For the ultimate Greek feast experience, wash down all these delicacies with a glass or two of local wine, tsipouro, or ouzo!
The best destinations for Easter in Greece
So, where can you enjoy the Greek Easter experience to the fullest and combine Easter traditions with otherworldly landscapes, attractions, archaeological sites, and more? Here’s our ultimate list:
1) Santorini
Although many consider it a summer holiday destination, Santorini has a year-round appeal and is one of the top destinations for Easter in Greece. If you want to enjoy an authentic Easter experience in Santorini, we recommend choosing a traditional village for your stay, such as Messaria. By staying in a hotel in Messaria or another traditional village in Santorini, you will witness the customs firsthand and participate in the celebrations with the locals, introducing yourself to the local culture!
2) Corfu
Corfu is arguably one of the top destinations for Easter in Greece, thanks not only to its enchanting beauty but also to its fascinating traditions. On Holy Saturday, Easter celebrations climax in Corfu with the revival of customs throughout the island. One of the most fascinating ones is the procession of the epitaph on Good Friday with the Corfu’s Philarmonic Orchestra playing Easter marches. It’s one of those experiences you never forget!
3) Nafpaktos
Nafpaktos, a picturesque coastal town, is one of the most unique destinations for Easter in Greece! Located close to Athens, this lesser-known Greek town stands out for its Venetian harbor and castle, which create a nostalgic aura that will make you feel transported to another era. It’s undoubtedly a destination you should have on your radar! But apart from its beauty, another reason why you should celebrate Easter in Nafpaktos is its Easter traditions. The most impressive one takes place on the evening of Good Friday, with the town’s epitaphs gathering at the Venetian port and countless torches being lit around it. Don’t forget to bring your camera with you to capture the scenery!
4) Chios
Are you in the mood for an explosive Greek Easter experience? Every Easter, the inhabitants of Vrodados village in Chios revive the famous custom of Rocket War, throwing rockets from one church to the other. The rockets, made from a mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter, are thrown as soon as the ‘Hristos Anesti’ (Christ has risen) is heard at midnight on Holy Saturday. The spectacle is truly magical, as the rockets light up the night sky, turning night into day!
5) Syros
If you want to celebrate Easter on a Greek island, Syros is one of your best options! Located close to Athens and oozing retro charm, this Cycladic island has a peculiarity that makes Easter celebrations even more interesting: it consists of two parts, the Catholic and the Orthodox, each with its churches and faithful. So, being in Syros at Easter allows you to experience Orthodox and Catholic Easter traditions. Fascinating, right?
Celebrating Easter in Greece is a unique experience that will introduce you to each area’s traditions and make you feel like a local. So, find your perfect destination and embark on a magical Easter trip to this Mediterranean gem!
