Knowing the holidays in Greece ensures that you won’t be having unexpected problems while traveling in the country. All the public institutions, some stores and even restaurants are closed on public holidays. And some religious holidays are the preferred time for traveling for the locals, hence the public transportation will be crowded. Plan and book in advance if you want to be in Greece for one of these holidays.

Here is a list of the public holidays in Greece:

• January 1, New Year’s Day





• January 6, Epiphany : celebrations take place in towns close to the sea. If you are in Athens, don’t miss the lavish celebration which takes place in the Port of Piraeus.

  >>read more about January in Greece




• Clean Monday, first day of Lent (a movable holiday): it’s the start of the Carnival Season in Greece




• March 25, Independence Day: it is also the feast of the Annunciation, an important Greek Orthodox holiday. The Independence Day parades take place all over the country, but they are special on Tinos and Hydra.

  >>read more about March in Greece




• Orthodox Good Friday: a movable holiday, it’s a day of lent, when all chores are forbidden in the house. Museums are either closed or offer free admission for everyone.

  >>read more about Good Friday in Greece




• First and Second Day of Easter (a movable holiday): Easter is the most important Greek holiday and most of the restaurants and tavernas will be closed on Sunday. On Monday, while the banks and other public offices are closed, most of the tavernas are open.

  >>read more about Easter in Greece




• May 1, Labor Day: the day is celebrated with parades and other festivities. The public institutions are closed and some roads are also closed due to the parades.

  >>read more about May in Greece




• Pentecost, White Monday (a movable holiday)
• August 15, Assumption: it is one of the most important Greek Orthodox holidays. The ferries are crowded so plan in advance if you want to travel during this period; there are celebrations all over the country.

  >>read more about August in Greece




• October 28, Ochi Day: coastal cities usually have parades on this day. In Thessaloniki is also the celebration of the patron saint, St. Dimitrios

  >>read more about October in Greece




• First and Second Day of Christmas, December 25 and 26: it is one of the important Greek Orthodox holidays. On Christmas Day most of the tavernas and restaurants are closed. On the second day of Christmas, the public institutions remain closed, but some of the tavernas and restaurants are open.

  >>read more about Christmas in Greece

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