Easter in Greece
A Very Special Time to Be in Greece
I’ve been lucky enough to be in Greece several times during their remarkable Easter celebrations. Well, not lucky as once I’d experienced a Greek Easter by chance for the first time, I’ve chosen to go back there at Easter when I could.
It’s the kind of time that you really have to be there to appreciate how exceptional it is. It’s like Christmas, New Year and Easter all rolled into one. It’s the biggest event in the Greek year, a time of processions and parties, of solemnity and celebration.
When is Greek Easter?
Greece celebrates the Orthodox Easter, which doesn’t usually coincide with the Western Easter, so if you plan a visit, check your dates first. Easter Sunday in Greece this year is April 16, so you still have time to arrange a visit.
You should aim to get there by Thursday at the latest, and definitely be there for Saturday night, in the build-up to the midnight celebrations. Sunday is the day for family get-togethers and lots of food, drink and music. I certainly discovered that when I was privileged to witness first-hand how a family celebrates Easter on Rhodes.
Is Easter a Good Time to Visit Greece?
Aside from seeing the Easter celebrations, it’s usually a good time to visit. Easter traditionally marks the start of the summer holiday season, when hotels and restaurants that have been moth-balled for the winter throw open their doors again and welcome visitors. It’s not usually too crowded, people are pleased to see the first visitors of the year, and the weather is usually starting to pick up and be very pleasant.
Easter in Athens
Easter is really big in Athens, as you’d expect. Learn a bit more about it on our page about Easter in Athens.
Easter in the Islands
My advice, though, would be to go somewhere much smaller than Athens for Easter. It’s easy to get lost in the big city, and not know where to go. Each neighbourhood will be celebrating, as well as the city-wide events. But choose somewhere small and you’re more likely to get really involved with events, and see things first-hand, as I was also lucky enough do when I spent one Easter on Symi in the Dodecanese. Top Tip: pack some ear plugs!
Easter in Corfu Town
Corfu Town is another place that goes the extra mile over the Easter weekend, as well as being a lovely base for a holiday. I once spent two weeks there while researching a guidebook and there’s a heck of a lot to see. You can read a little about what they do at Easter on our page on Corfu’s Festivals and Events.
Greek Easter 2024
If you can’t make it to Greece for this Easter, then plan ahead for 2024. I can see that I’m going to have to do that, as Easter Sunday 2024 is also my birthday, May 5th! What an unforgettable birthday that would be!
Till next time, thanks for reading, and happy travels or dreams of travel.
Mike and Donna