If you want to see the islands of Greece truly come to life, a holiday during Easter is the time to go. Though the islands make for a beautiful getaway any time of year, springtime celebrations featuring lively street festivals, musical marching bands and enough flowers and food for a 24/7 feast will turn your travel plans into a tour of vivid Greek traditions.

To become fully immersed in authentic Easter celebrations, booking one of the overwhelmingly beautiful luxury villas in the Greek Islands keeps you within walking distance of the local events while giving you a secluded place to recharge.

How to Celebrate Easter in Greece

Weeklong Easter celebrations in Greece begin on Palm Sunday, locally known as Megali Evdomada (the Big Week). Greek people spend this week in remembrance of Jesus’ last days walking the Earth. It’s common for families to attend church each evening this week, with the most important days being Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

Each of the Greek Islands celebrates in its own splashy, unique way. A bit of island hopping would do a person well, allowing you to fully experience the blooming celebrations throughout the country.

The island of Corfu, situated in the Ionian Sea, has an astounding 19 bands that mark the island with individuality and musical fervour. On Good Friday, parades fill the streets during the procession of the epitaph, which is meant to honour the passing of Christ. While this event is sorrowful in nature, the philharmonic bands of Corfu fill the air with beautiful sounds, and the season’s most vibrant flowers dress the epitaph colourfully, bursting with optimism.

On Holy Saturday, you’ll want to spend a good bit of time resting in your villa in preparation for the evening’s festivities. Resurrection happens at midnight, and after that, a great deal of celebrations ensue. Make sure you’re dressed in flashy celebratory attire (think New Year’s Eve) to fit in with the locals. Much like NYE, the stroke of midnight calls for a kiss!

Many Greeks will have spent Lent fasting, avoiding nearly all animal products including meat, dairy and eggs. The resurrection marks the end of the fast, and traditional Greek magiritsa soup is passed around. Other traditional feast favourites include baked treats like cookies, plenty of bread and eggs dyed red to symbolise the blood of Christ. After the feasts end in the middle of the night, you’ll want to follow suit with the locals and get some rest for the next day’s itinerary.

Enjoy the Fresh Air This Easter

Much like how most people view the progression from winter into spring, April in Greece is a month of looking forward – and what better time to make the most of the outdoors? The best place to adopt a sense of Easter elation might just be on one of the marked footpaths throughout the Greek Islands. While the beaches have their own appeal, you don’t want to miss out on the possibility of uncovering a waterfall or enjoying a forest jaunt.

Outdoor activities are incredibly common for families during Easter. In fact, Easter Sunday is typically marked by brightly coloured kites filling the salty ocean air. And with over 13,000km of coastline, there’s no doubt you’ll find yourself the perfect coastal nook where you can enjoy your first swim of the year.

Gathering together with friends and family on Easter Sunday completes an Easter holiday in Greece. One cannot make up for 40 days of fasting overnight, so plenty of food is passed around on this last day of the Big Week. Between parades, island hopping and roving around from trail to town, your holiday spent in Greece during Easter is sure to satisfy your travel bug, and leave you revitalised for the coming summer.