{"id":170284,"date":"2021-12-27T15:54:34","date_gmt":"2021-12-27T10:24:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/traveltriangle.com\/blog\/?p=170284"},"modified":"2025-02-28T13:32:57","modified_gmt":"2025-02-28T08:02:57","slug":"christmas-in-greece","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/traveltriangle.com\/blog\/christmas-in-greece\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas In Greece In 2026: A Guide For The Lovers Of Christmas Festivities!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Greece is a summer paradise for tourists from around the world. However, Greece is worth a visit during the colder months if one wants to experience the snow-capped mountains, sugar-dusted treetops, smoke wafting from the village chimneys, the sweet smell of Christmas delicacies and unique Christmas traditions about each region of the Greek Islands.\u00a0 Though not a popular Christmas destination, Greece has much to offer during the festivities. So, here\u2019s why one should spend this Christmas in Greece<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Christmas Traditions In Greece: A Unique Affair<\/h2>\n
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Image Credit: Shutterstock<\/a><\/p>\n

Traditions and customs are crucial to Greeks’ everyday lives. Greeks believe that goblins\/bad spirits, or kallikantzaroi, as they call them, appear during the 12-day celebrations of Christmas until the day they observe Epiphany, which generally falls on January 6th. They are believed to enter the house through chimneys. Hence, the Greeks burn the Yule log, which is nothing but a huge log set that is burned all through the 12 days of Christmas.<\/p>\n

On the Epiphany, the local priest sprinkles the blessed waters and closes the doors for the visit of the kallikantzaroi until next year. Epiphany is celebrated with equal warmth as Christmas when young men swim through the cold waters of Greece to retrieve the cross that the priest had thrown into the waters. Whoever retrieves it is believed to enjoy good luck for the rest of the year.<\/p>\n

Also Read:<\/strong>\u00a0Christmas In Turkey<\/a><\/p>\n

The Christmas Displays: Lightens Up The Streets<\/h2>\n
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Image Credit: Shutterstock<\/a><\/p>\n

Greek Christmas is a traditional holiday; thus, not much of the Western decorations style can be seen around the houses. Instead of the shiny, bright ornaments and lights dangling from the Christmas trees, traditional Greeks dangle a cross covered with a sprig of basil leaves. A shallow bowl is attached to it with some water to keep the basil fresh, and a family member sprinkles water from that bowl all around the house once a day to drive away evil spirits.<\/p>\n

Apart from this, Greeks hung pomegranates and trimmed them over the front doors of their homes. The dried fruit was then thrown on the ground, and they stomped their foot on it until it broke the house, which signified prosperity and good luck.<\/p>\n

Christmas In Athens: A Western Influence<\/h2>\n
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Image Credit: Shutterstock<\/a><\/p>\n

The Syntagma Square in Athens and the Aristotelous Square in Thessaloniki host huge Christmas trees and displays like karakia or Christmas ships adorned in blue and white lights in the streets, and events like outdoor skating, shopping, music and theatre festivals are organised.<\/p>\n

One can unwind in the relaxing atmosphere here, enjoying the street performances, delicious food stalls, or dancing. Young children often sing kalanda or Christmas carols along the streets while playing the drums and triangle and carrying boats decorated with nuts as part of their Greek tradition. A fireworks display can be observed during New Year\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Related Posts:<\/strong>\u00a0Christmas In Greece<\/a><\/p>\n

Christmas Delicacies: Savour The Delicious Treats<\/h2>\n
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Christmas holidays in Greece, like any other country, are all about feasting with loved ones. The traditional Greek Christmas food mainly consists of roast lamb or pork served with a spinach and cheese pie and salads\/vegetables on the side. Over the years, Greeks have included turkey in their Christmas meal. The Greeks bake a lot of sweet filo pastry dishes like baklava, kataifi and theeples.<\/p>\n

Spiced cookies like melomakarona and fresh butter cookies called kourabiedes are very popular during Christmas and the New Year. Apart from these, a traditional Christmas table is decorated with christopsomos (sweet bread), which are laced with a cross sign on the top and are eaten on Christmas Day. Vasilopita, or St. Basil\u2019s pie, is eaten on New Year\u2019s Day and is baked with a coin inside, and whoever finds it first is believed to have good luck throughout the year.<\/p>\n

Weather In Greece During Christmas: Enjoy In The Serenity<\/h2>\n
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Weather in Greece on Christmas varies within regions of the islands. The mainland weather is generally cold with a cloudy sky, rain and snow in the mountains. The average temperature is about 13oC. However, the island weather varies and is noticeably warmer than the mainland.<\/p>\n

The larger islands like Crete are quite sunny but windy. Island hopping is limited during these seasons, but you can travel to Crete. The weather here is about 15-17oC, and the people of Crete have their own Christmas tradition. The Cretans participate in the Santa Run, where people dress up like Santa Claus and run for charity.<\/p>\n

Related Posts:<\/strong>\u00a0Christmas In Russia<\/a><\/p>\n

Things To Do For Christmas In Greece<\/h2>\n

Here is the list of things to do in Greece while you are celebrating Christmas with your friends and family. Keep scrolling down to know more!<\/p>\n

1. Skiing<\/h3>\n
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Image Credit: dell640 for DepositPhotos<\/a><\/p>\n

When considering vacationing in Greece, one usually envisions sun-kissed beaches and historic sites. Skiing in Greece is an exciting experience because of the country’s fantastic ski resorts.<\/p>\n

Greece has many ski resorts, making it an excellent place for winter activities. It’s not just islands and beaches. From December to March, skiers can discover different slopes and have a distinctive skiing experience in a nation renowned for its rich cultural heritage.<\/p>\n

Best Time To Visit: <\/strong>December to March
\nPrice: <\/strong>INR 3500 onwards
\nBest Ski Resorts: <\/strong>Parnassos Ski Resort, Karpenisi Ski Resort, Vasilitsa Ski Resort
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Europe Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle<\/h3>\n

Explore the most beautiful places in Europe, from Paris to the Venice canals and the Greek islands to the Swiss Alps. Book customized packages by expert agents on TravelTriangle. Inclusive of airport transfers, cab, resort, sightseeing and meals. Best holiday experience Guaranteed. Book Now<\/p>\n

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