Greece is seeing a boom in Easter tourism this year as Orthodox and Catholic Easters coincide, with two out of three of the country’s top travel destinations reporting double-digit growth, according to data analyzed by digital tourism firm Nelios.
Direct hotel bookings this Easter have soared by 18.3 percent compared to the same period last year, with bookings made from an impressive 112 countries, each contributing at least one reservation.
Domestic tourism is also on the rise. This year, Greek travelers booked 12.6 percent more stays compared to last year, highlighting a rebound in internal demand.
Some exceptions aside, most travel destinations in Greece, according to the digital agency, are seeing growth, especially those offering authentic Easter experiences.
Crete is leading the way and is emerging as an undisputed Easter top travel destination, recording an 82.4 percent increase in direct bookings compared to last year. Strong performances are also seen in the Dodecanese Islands (+37.6 percent), the Peloponnese (+23.6 percent), Attica (+22.9 percent), and mainland Greece (+19.3 percent). The Ionian islands reported a slight uptick (+4.6 percent), with Corfu in particular, famed for its Easter customs, remaining a favorite, with bookings up by 32.8 percent.
The Cyclades on the other hand, Greece’s flagship summer destination, posted an overall decline during the Easter holidays (-11.4 percent), with the island of Santorini seeing the steepest drop (-20.2 percent).
Among foreign markets, Israel has emerged as the biggest growth driver with hotel bookings more than doubling (+178.5 percent year-on-year). Other markets showing strong growth include Romania (+36.2 percent), Italy (+26.1 percent), Spain (+22.8 percent) and the Netherlands (+ 22.1 percent).
Boom in tourism at Greece’s destinations with unique Easter traditions
In Heraklion, Crete, Easter feasting is not only for the living but for the dead as well. On Holy Friday, Cretans begin preparations to “dine” with their dearly departed on Easter Monday—and, yes, this peculiar feast takes place in the local cemetery.
On Easter Monday, people visit the graveyards carrying food and wine to the burial sites which have already been cleaned and decorated for the day. Relatives and friends of the deceased gather at the cemetery and have lunch, including traditional dishes and sweets, and exchange greetings. As they take part in this emotional ritual, they are not only honoring the memory of their dead but spreading the message of Christ’s resurrection.
Every Easter in Corfu, locals revive the old tradition of breaking “botides”, which are a special type of clay pot. Following the First Resurrection, which takes place in the island’s Metropolitan church, the bells of all churches begin to toll and people begin throwing thousands of botides filled with water and laurel from their windows.
The botides crash on the road and make a terrible racket, which in combination with the water and laurel is supposed to chase “evil” away. Easter Sunday is filled with music from the island’s numerous bands which march around the city center playing songs. This joyous and beautiful event alone attracts thousands of Greek tourists each year.
On the island of Hydra, the Epitaph of the neighborhood of Kamini is blessed after entering the sea waters while on the island of Zakynthos the priest and locals release white doves from the top of the church and their houses, respectively, after the first bell rings at midnight on Holy Saturday.
On Folegandros island, the icon of the Assumption is taken from the Church of Agios Georgios and then carried around town for three entire days. The icon procession passes through the homes of all religious people.
On the island of Patmos, where the Apostle John wrote the Book of Revelation, a representation of the Last Supper and the Washing of the Feet takes place in the central square.
On Kalymnos on Lazarus Saturday, there is a tradition in which the women bake man-shaped cookies, called ‘lazarakia,’ with a head, arms, and legs.
In the village of Arachova in central Greece, locals celebrate Easter along with the name day of Agios Georgios, a moveable feast that traditionally falls near Easter.
On Easter Sunday, a procession carrying the Agios Georgios icon parades around the village and winds uphill to the church. Over 3,000 villagers dressed in colorful traditional clothing follow the icon procession while dancing troupes entertain the crowd.
At the same time, others in town prepare and light pits with fire from the Resurrection candles for the roasting of the Easter lamb.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
