Destinations for Easter: classic and alternative, 6 ideas for an excursion

There are stunning places in every corner of Greece to “escape the metropolis” for Easter. Introducing 6 destinations: everything worth seeing and trying, and the Easter customs of the place.

A few days separate us from Easter, and in every corner of the country during this pre-holiday period, authentic customs and traditions will be revived by local residents. At Easter, we tend to visit places that retain their picturesque, but at the same time “enliven” local customs and leave us wonderful memories. We’ve rounded up six classic and alternative destinations for you to have a great time at Easter, seeing customs and sights, and tasting traditional dishes handed down from generation to generation.

1. Leonidio

Leonidio has been described as a traditional settlement and one of the most beautiful places in Arcadia to celebrate the traditional Easter. The picturesque city is located three hours from Athens and combines mountains and sea in a unique way. You will find stone mansions scattered throughout Leonidio, picturesque houses and impressive tower mansions that will not leave you indifferent. This is a place with its own character, which has preserved traditions, as well as the local Tsakonian dialect.

In Leonidio, you can have a great time in the settlement by the sea (Plaka and Pulitra), take a trip to Tiros, which is nearby, and visit the mountain settlements such as Citalia, Pigadi. Don’t forget to visit the village tavern (“Metropoli” or “Fisherman’s Tavern”) or at least have a cup of coffee in the central square of the city.

2. Corfu

Corfu, a picturesque Ionian island with a Venetian feel, is one of the most popular Easter holiday destinations. You can get to the island by plane or by ferry from Igoumenitsa – flights are quite frequent during this period.

Walking through the Old Town is like a real “open-air museum”. The entire Old Town has retained its Venetian character. In some lanes, if your eyes fall on the linen hanging on the balconies, you may get the feeling that you are in neighboring Italy, between Naples and Venice. Be sure to make a stop at the Church of St. Spyridon. This is an impressive temple, built in 1859, and inside is the tomb of the saint.

There are many attractions in Corfu such as the Old Fort, Achillion – the palace built by Princess Sissi of Austria, Paleokastritsa and Mon Repos, the country palace where Prince Philip was born.

Taste traditional Corfu dishes at Nino’s Kitchen in the Old Town, pastitsada and sofrito. Enjoy dessert at Periklis Alexis’ shop, open since the 50s. In Corfu, it is customary to cook cilihurdu instead of stew – a dish in a pot with lamb giblets and a thick sauce.

Every year Corfu is flooded with visitors from all over the country to experience the traditional Easter with all the customs of the island. Starting from Palm Sunday, the inhabitants sacredly follow the traditions.

At 12:00 noon on Easter Sunday, Liston Square hosts a big feast when residents throw earthenware water jars (“μποτήδες”) from their balconies. The philharmonic orchestra performing in the central square makes the festivities even more impressive.

3. Chios

Medieval villages and the exhilarating, unforgettable aromas of mastic and orange make Chios a very special Aegean island with a long history and Easter customs. On the northern side of the port, the castle and the Ottoman baths stand out, and in the Tabakika area there are windmills that have become the “calling card” of the island.

To discover the beauties of the island, you need to have time at your disposal. The most touristy side of Chios is the south, dominated by mastic villages.

Also worth a visit is Mesta, one of the most beautiful medieval villages of Chios, as well as Pirgi and Campos. Dine in the fishing village of Lagada, which serves the freshest seafood and fish. And in the port, try the most magnificent and fragrant Easter bun – chureki (bakery “Τσουρέκι της πόλης”).

One of the most impressive Easter customs is the epitaph (επιτάφιων μέσα στη Χώρα), while the Resurrection at Pirgi is revived by the custom of Phanos. However, Chios is especially famous rocket battles in the village of Vrontadoswhere a show with rockets and fireworks begins on Sunday night.

4. Kalamata

In recent years, Kalamata has attracted more and more visitors in all seasons. With the favorable spring weather, shopping and walks by the sea are an ideal pastime.

Walking through the historical center, one of the most characteristic places of the city in the Peloponnese, the visitor will see many cultural, historical and religious monuments that will take him back to the events that marked the history of Greece. The Church of the Holy Apostles, one of the most famous monuments associated with the revolution of 1821, is located on March 23 Square and got its name in honor of the date of the liberation of Kalamata from the Turkish conquerors.

The Kalamata Railway Park is like an open-air museum, has been awarded and stretches over 20 hectares. The theme park with lakes, old trains, playground and sports fields is impressive. If you find one of the local olive factories open, it’s worth taking the time to see how the oil, the region’s finest product, is made.

You can grab a bite to eat at Oinopantopoleio, which combines traditional dishes with more modern technology, while the modern Thiaso Café features Pie of the Day and Pork Belly.

On the night of Good Friday, the epitaph takes place on the embankment. At the same time, the “epitaphians” meet by the sea, and then burn Judas, arranging a stunning spectacle. One of the most famous Easter customs is “Σαϊτοπόλεμος”, which takes place on Sunday evening.

5. Meteora

At the entrance to the Kalambaka area, the imposing rocks of Meteora rise majestically, on which the monasteries are built. All those who saw them were in awe. Beneath the imposing cliffs lies Kastraki, a small village that combines the scenic beauty of the countryside with the landscape of Meteora, an ideal proposition for a stay.

Undoubtedly, it is worth visiting the six monasteries in Meteora – there used to be 30 of them – and plunge into the special atmosphere that prevails, especially during the Easter season. Easter in Meteora is simply mesmerizing and deserves you to visit this place at least once in your life.

6. Hair

Volos is a modern city of Thessaly, which combines mountains and sea in a unique way, as it is built on the edge of the Pagasitic Gulf and at the foot of the Centaurs Mountain. In Volos the visitor will enjoy walks on the sea, taste delicious seafood dishes with sea bream and see the unique villages of Pelion. In fact, the most touristy of them are Makrinitsa, the “balcony of Pelion” and Portaria.

Hair remains true to tradition. On Good Friday, an epitaph is held at the church of Agios Konstantinos (on the waterfront), and in the villages of Pelion, where there are many monasteries, a special, authentic atmosphere of a religious holiday reigns during the Easter period.

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