A CUSTOMARY JOURNEY THROUGH THE ISLANDS
Easter in Greece is a collective experience, a blend of tradition, community and religious reverence. As candles flicker in a sea of believers and fragrant smells from home-cooked meals rise above the villages, Easter wakes something deeply customary. With variations of traditions in each Greek island, there's always something special to discover during this time.
WHEN IS ORTHODOX EASTER IN 2026?
In 2026, Orthodox Easter falls on Sunday, April 12th. Starting on April 4th with Lazarus Saturday, building up to the Holy Week from the 6th to the 11th of April, leading up to the Resurrection on Saturday and Easter on Sunday.
EASTER IN CORFU
Easter in Corfu is one of the most celebrated in Greece, blending Orthodox tradition with a vibrant, almost theatrical atmosphere.
Fogatsa: This Corfiot brioche-style bread, lightly citrusy is traditionally prepared within the Holy Week and eaten on Easter Sunday with red eggs.
Philharmonic Bands: On Good Friday, three philharmonic bands dressed in red, blue and black uniforms accompany the Epitafios through the island's elegant streets, creating a moving and memorable experience.
Clay Pot Throwing: On Holy Saturday morning at 11:00, large clay pots, named 'Botides', usually painted red and decorated with wishes are thrown from balconies in the old town, shattering dramatically below. This striking tradition, unique to Corfu, has Venetian influences and symbolises renewal and new beginnings, drawing visitors from around the world.
EASTER IN RHODES
In Rhodes, Easter or 'Lambri' as it is known locally is marked by traditions that connect entire communities.
Kalafounoi Bonfires: On Holy Saturday evening, large bonfires known as Kalafounoi are lit outside village churches ahead of the Resurrection service. In some areas, an effigy of Judas is burned, marking the symbolic transition from mourning to celebration.
Lambriotis: On Easter Sunday, families gather to enjoy 'Lambriotis', a traditional Rhodian dish of goat stuffed with rice, herbs and spices and slow-cooked overnight in wood-fired ovens, offering a distinctive local interpretation of the Easter feast.
Vournes in Agios Isidoros: Celebrations continue into Easter Monday with the lively custom of Vournes, where villagers playfully "fine" participants and those who refuse must be dipped into a large water trough, creating a joyful atmosphere of laughter and connection.
EASTER IN KOS
Easter in Kos is a celebration of both faith and culinary traditions that brings families together.
Lazarakia: Preparations begin on Lazarus Saturday with the baking of 'lazarakia', small sweet breads shaped in memory of Lazarus and traditionally flavoured with spices such as cinnamon and clove, marking the symbolic beginning of Holy Week on the island.
Easter Lamb: On Easter Sunday, families gather to enjoy a traditional stuffed lamb dish, prepared with rice, herbs and local flavours.
EASTER IN CRETE
In Crete, Easter is celebrated with heartfelt authenticity, particularly in the island's villages where visitors are often welcomed as part of the community.
Kalitsounia: Preparations begin early in Holy Week with the baking of 'kalitsounia', small pastries filled with local cheese and herbs, a distinctive Cretan Easter delicacy shared among family and neighbours in the days leading up to the Resurrection.
Lamb Antikristo: On Easter Sunday, families gather outdoors to prepare 'antikristo', lamb slow-roasted around an open fire, a traditional Cretan cooking method that turns the Easter feast into a communal event lasting throughout the day.
EASTER IN ZAKYNTHOS
Easter in Zakynthos is marked by deeply rooted local customs and distinctive Holy Week processions that unfold across the island's churches and town centre.
Ionian Ecclesiastical Music: Throughout Holy Week, services are accompanied by Zakynthos' unique Ionian-style sacred music, performed by choirs rather than bands.
BOOK AND UNCOVER GREECE'S TRADITIONS
Easter in Greece is more than a religious period; it is a rich tapestry of traditions with indigenous variations alive through each island's experience. To encounter these traditions firsthand, these welcoming destinations await with Atlantica Hotels & Resorts, providing a base for your Easter discoveries.
