Even if you decide to travel at the last minute for Easter, there are affordable and nearby destinations in Athens for an unforgettable getaway.
Easter is just around the corner and if you haven’t had time to plan a trip, there are plenty of last-minute getaways close to Athens. Whether you prefer the sea or the mountains, several nearby and budget-friendly destinations let you soak up the reverent atmosphere of the season without long journeys or big expenses. Below you’ll find five ideal options for an unforgettable Easter escape, combining easy access, accommodation choices, beautiful landscapes and authentic Easter experiences.
Loutraki
Just an hour from Athens, Loutraki is ideal for last-minute escapes. Accommodation, as well as tolls, are more affordable than in other resort towns. Here you’ll spend time by the sea without setting foot on a ferry. Over Easter, the scents of spring fill the air of the spa town and the beach comes alive with people.
On Good Friday the Epitaphios of the Church of Panagia Giatrissa is carried through the city’s neighborhoods, accompanied by choirs chanting, while a highlight is the procession along Loutraki’s seafront road and the Epitaphios entering the sea. On Holy Saturday, the Resurrection is celebrated with particular splendor and on Easter Sunday you can savor traditional spit-roasted lamb at the town’s restaurants and then continue with a stroll along the beach for coffee or dessert with sea views. On Easter Monday in Perachora the Perachora Cultural Association revives the traditional «Yarentis Dance», a custom celebrated with a live music orchestra and treats.
Karystos
Karystos offers a unique blend of mountains and sea in every season. For those seeking an easy and close getaway from Athens, Karystos, Marmari and the surrounding areas are ideal for families and more. From Rafina you’ll reach Marmari by ferry in just one hour and from there Karystos is a 10-minute drive. Access is also possible from the port of Agia Marina to Nea Styra (45 minutes). Alternatively, you can drive via Chalkida in under two hours.
The charming seaside town has an island vibe and welcomes visitors with spring aromas, distinctive flavors and the traditions of a small place that create a unique sense of reverence and tranquility. Warm local hospitality and the area’s natural abundance make it a standout destination for an unforgettable Easter escape. On Good Friday you’ll follow the Epitaphios procession through the alleys and the picturesque harbor, while on Holy Saturday the scene is magical with fireworks in the sky, little caiques in the port and Resurrection chants.
Delphi
One of Greece’s most important archaeological destinations, Delphi, is perfect for an Easter trip thanks to the countless nearby excursions it offers. Just 2.5 hours from Athens, the village of Delphi is the ideal place to stay, with breathtaking views. Besides the archaeological site of Delphi, which is well worth visiting, the village is great for strolls and meals with views toward Amfissa and the Gulf of Corinth.
With Delphi as your base, you have the chance to experience Roumeli Easter in the surrounding areas. On Good Friday in Amfissa a special custom is revived, the «Tears of the Virgin Mary». At noon, locals and visitors sit in cafés and meze tavernas and all share Lenten dishes without oil, accompanied by tsipouro and ouzo (which symbolize the tears). On Easter Sunday the Lakkos custom is revived in Livadeia, with revelry and spits throughout the town and the same happens in Arachova, Itea and Amfissa.
Kalamata
Kalamata is one of Athenians’ favorite destinations in the Peloponnese. In just 2.5 hours from the capital you can admire the sea of the Messinian Gulf with the imposing Taygetus as a backdrop. During Easter, Kalamata fills with people of all ages who enjoy Messinian flavors and the traditions of the city and the surrounding villages.
You’ll experience a different Epitaphios in Kitries at midnight, with the faithful descending the old cobbled path to the village square. Fishermen place it on a caique, circle the bay of Kitries and it returns to the harbor so the procession can continue through the village. In Kalamata, the Epitaphios processions from every parish in the city meet in the central square, creating an impressive scene. On the night of the Resurrection, the churches fill with people chanting «Christ is Risen» and on Easter Sunday, besides the traditional lamb, you’ll also eat the local suckling pig.
Aegina
Easter in Aegina carries the scent of spring, with distinctive customs that add color to the solemn days. In just 35 minutes by Flying Dolphin and in one hour by ferry from Piraeus, you’ll arrive at the port of Aegina, which from afar looks like a painting. This Saronic island is among Athenians’ favorites thanks to the distance, as well as the budget-friendly options it offers for accommodation and food.
If you find yourself on the island during those days, you’ll have the chance to experience an island-style Easter with distinctive customs and traditions. On the night of Good Friday the town’s three Epitaphioi, the Metropolis, Panagitsa and Agios Nikolaos, meet on the seaside boulevard. On Holy Saturday the Resurrection is spectacular across the island, including at the Monastery of Saint Nektarios. The most impressive and distinctive custom is revived on Easter Sunday in Perdika, where after the spits comes the burning of Judas. On Easter Monday in the forecourt of the Holy Cross, the Dance of Lampri is a traditional celebration that begins just before noon, with live music, dancing and egg tapping.
