Distinctive local customs, an atmosphere of solemn reverence and enchanting landscapes. In these parts of Greece, Easter is a unique experience.
With famous customs revived in every corner of Greece, cosmopolitan or devout, with family or friends, however you prefer it, the Greek Easter is a unique experience and the perfect excuse for an escape filled with tradition, colors and aromas in the heart of spring. Below we present Easter destinations in mainland and island Greece that stand out for their customs, offering visitors unforgettable experiences.
Corfu
The melodies of the philharmonic bands, the smashing of the botides, the finesse and the atmosphere of the old town make Easter in Corfu a one-of-a-kind experience you should live at least once in your life. The squares and the alleys of the old town become the setting for Greece’s most melodic and perhaps most famous Easter. On Good Friday evening, grab a spot early to watch the imposing Epitaphios of the Metropolis, which starts around 22.00. The streets are lit in purple, while the Old Philharmonic (Red) plays Albinonis Adagio, Mantzaros (Blue) Verdis Marcia Funebre and Kapodistrias the Elegia Funebre, Marianis Sventura and Chopins funeral march. The most iconic image of Corfiot Easter is the «botides». On Holy Saturday, at the First Resurrection held at 11.00, around the Liston you will see dozens of clay jugs of every size hurled from the decorated balconies and shattering with a bang on the ground.
Leonidio
Easter in Leonidio has a character all its own and is the perfect reason for a spring getaway that combines mountain and sea. This Arcadian town is built on the shores of the Myrtoan Sea, in the shadow of Mount Parnon, and lies about 90 kilometers from Tripoli. Here one of Greece’s most spectacular Easter customs is revived: the release of balloons. On Resurrection night, as soon as «Christ is Risen» is heard, dozens of homemade, colorful «balloons» are released and light up the sky, creating a dazzling spectacle. The magnificent Monastery of Panagia Elona, built in the cleft of a rock, is just 17 kilometers from Leonidio and definitely deserves a place on your Easter itinerary, as does an excursion to the seaside villages of Plaka and Poulithra or the villages of Mount Parnon.
Meteora
Meteora are an ideal destination for those who combine their Easter holidays with the religious character of the days. The famed monasteries built atop the towering rocks make up the second most important monastic complex in Greece after Mount Athos. All offer breathtaking views and each has its own unique atmosphere. Crowds of visitors arrive year-round to admire the monasteries and the impressive geological formations, to pray, to climb the rocks and to explore the landscape along wonderful trails. On the night of the Resurrection, a visit to one of the monasteries is recommended, such as Agios Stefanos, which is easily accessible. On Easter Sunday and the days that follow it is worth being in Kastraki and Kalambaka. With Meteora as your base you can make excursions to Elati, Pertouli, the Villages of Aspropotamos or Lake Plastira.
Monemvasia
If you want to experience a romantic Easter, as if stepping into a time machine, then Monemvasia is the ideal destination. The medieval castle town is at its best this time of year. Byzantine churches, labyrinthine cobbled lanes, the scents of the sea and wildflowers create a particularly picturesque scene. The devout atmosphere peaks on Good Friday, when the Epitaphios procession takes place in the castle’s alleys. On Easter Sunday afternoon, in the forecourt of the church of the Elkomenos Christos, you will watch the custom of the burning of Judas. Don’t forget to climb up to the Upper Town. On the edge of a cliff, 300 meters above the Myrtoan Sea, stands the church of Agia Sofia, built in the 12th century. From here, the view of Monemvasia and the sea that spreads at its «feet» is spellbinding.
Nafpaktos
Just 2.5 hours from Athens, Nafpaktos welcomes visitors winter - summer in a romantic setting that keeps its traditional color intact. The heart of Nafpaktos beats at the picturesqueVenetian harbor.It is the city’s landmark and one of the most beautiful harbors in Greece. Here, onGood Friday the setting is especially impressive. Hundreds of candles and lit torches welcome the Epitaphios processions, while a flaming cross illuminates the entrance to the harbor. Immediately after, the night sky is lit up by spectacular fireworks. This custom has been maintained since the 1950s, when fishermen «decorated» the embrasures with lit torches, wanting to greet in their own way the meeting of the Epitaphios processions of the city’s two churches (Agios Dimitrios and Agia Paraskevi) at the harbor.
Paros
If you want to discover another side of Paros, spring is the right season to visit. Paros at Easter is calmer and the customs come alive in its picturesque villages. Standing out is the custom of the reenactment of the Passion of Christ in the village of Marpissa, which you will watch during the Epitaphios procession on Good Friday night. Young and old, dressed as Roman soldiers or disciples of Christ, superbly reenact scenes from the Entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, the prayer on the Mount of Olives, the Martyrdom of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection.
Patmos
The journey to Patmos may seem quite time-consuming, but it is worth it. Its Chora is one of the most atmospheric in the Aegean. A stroll through the picturesque alleys, stone arches and courtyards blooming with bougainvillea, jasmine and geraniums will confirm it. The Monastery of St John the Theologian, a monastery with great history and architecture, rises in the heart of the Aegean and dominates life on Patmos. Here Easter is celebrated with special devoutness and grandeur. The ritual, the customs, the Ceremony of the Washing of the Feet and the reenactment of the Last Supper on Holy Thursday are reason enough to plan an Easter escape to the island of the Apocalypse. On Good Friday at the Monastery of St John, there is the reenactment of the Descent from the Cross, while on the evening of the same day the Epitaphios processions wind through the island’s cobbled lanes and meet in the squares of Chora and Skala. On Easter Sunday the Second Resurrection takes place, during which the Gospel is read in seven languages.
Santorini
From the unique energy of the volcano to the sublime Cycladic architecture, the blue domes, the minimalist cave houses and the world-famous cuisine, a trip to Santorini is an experience for all the senses. Spring is the ideal time to enjoy the island as it truly is: beautiful in its simplicity. Easter in Santorini mainly means the Epitaphios in the interior, specifically in the medieval village of Pyrgos. On Good Friday night, the village gleams from afar. Hundreds of tin lanterns are placed on rooftops, streets, and also on the walls of the medieval castle, creating a deeply devout scene through which the Epitaphios passes.
Syros
Syros is an ideal spring destination and one of the best choices to experience a truly unique Easter. Here, the island’s two religious communities, Orthodox and Catholic, celebrate Easter together. On Good Friday the Orthodox Epitaphios processions set out from the churches of Agios Nikolaos, the Dormition of the Theotokos and the Transfiguration of the Savior (the Metropolis) through the city’s picturesque lanes. The processions meet in Miaouli Square in front of the Town Hall. The Epitaphios of the Catholic church of Evangelistria has already taken place. A distinctive experience is the procession of the Catholic Epitaphios in Ano Syros, from the churches of Agios Georgios (San Tzortzis) and Agios Sebastian.
Hydra
In springHydrais a true feast for the eyes. During Holy Week on the island, age-old customs tied to the sea are revived. One of the most picturesque religious customs of Hydra and all of Greece is the Epitaphios procession of the parish church of Agios Ioannis the Forerunner in the Kaminia quarter, into the sea. On Good Friday night, after the Epitaphios has been carried through the neighborhood, the procession ends at the sea, where the Epitaphios, with great devoutness, enters the water, offering a unique spectacle. The custom is performed so that the waters may be blessed and bring luck to sailors and sponge divers. On Holy Saturday night, at the moment of the Resurrection, Hydra’s harbor is colored by spectacular fireworks, while the illuminated anchored ships fire flares and sound their sirens. On Easter Sunday the traditional burning of Judas takes place on the harbor’s quay.
Chios
Chios, the island blessed by nature, with its long history, medieval villages, wild-beauty beaches, the aroma of mastic and dozens of hidden treasures, weaves a unique mosaic of experiences for the visitor. In spring, it is beautiful, with enchanting landscapes, flavors and aromas that move even the most demanding travelers. Every year at this time, Chios draws all eyes thanks to the custom of the rocket war revived in the village of Vrontados. The two «rival» parishes, of Agios Markos and Panagia Erythiani, launch on Holy Saturday night thousands of homemade rockets aiming at the bell tower of the rival church, creating a spectacular sight. According to the prevailing version, this custom dates back to the years of Ottoman rule when Christians wanted to show the Turks how Orthodox celebrate the Resurrection.
