Celebrating Christmas in Greece, the 6 best travel destinations

Frankly speaking, in the world travel map, Greece may not be the top choice destination for Christmas. However, actually, this is an excellent time to visit Greece. Compared with summer, there are far fewer tourists in the scenic spots, restaurants, and on the streets. You may even have the illusion that the whole city belongs to you.

In addition to the newly decorated Christmas trees, Greece also has ornamental boats with twinkling lights - this is a modern interpretation of an ancient tradition. Every year at this time, mothers will take their children to decorate the boats to commemorate St. Nicholas. The aroma of cloves and cinnamon-flavored biscuits and cakes wafts from the bakeries. Wherever you go, people will happily and sincerely say "Merry Christmas" and "Happy New Year" to you.

The mild winter climate in Greece increases its attractiveness to tourists, allowing you to comfortably visit the iconic attractions. Especially in the mountains, the weather is fine, and Christmas is a great opportunity to taste traditional seasonal delicacies. Sitting by the fireplace, drinking warm honey raki, and enjoying a sumptuous slow-cooked meal.

Here, I would like to share with you the 12 destinations in Greece that we think are most suitable for Christmas. This is definitely not an exhaustive list. Welcome to write down your own winter wonderland in the comment area.

The fashionable mountain town of Arachova in Viotia, central Greece, is only two and a half hours' drive from Athens. It is a unique and international tourist town. Some people describe it as "the Mykonos of winter", which is actually a bit unfair because Arachova is just Arachova and irreplaceable.

Arachova is close to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Delphi (8 kilometers away) and the Parnassos Ski Center, so it is especially popular in winter, especially among Athenians who want to take a short weekend trip. To avoid the town from being too commercialized, local merchants strive to create a more down-to-earth and authentic atmosphere.

Arachova is built on the southern slope of Mount Parnassos, overlooking the Kirfi Mountains. During Christmas, the streets and houses are decorated with festive lights, which are extremely beautiful. There are various shops and restaurants on the main street of Delfon, which can satisfy tourists with different tastes. In recent years, the catering industry in Arachova can be described as "booming".

When it comes to the Zagori region in northwestern Greece, no amount of praise is enough. This land spans 1,000 square kilometers, with dense forests, mountains, deep canyons, primitive rivers, waterfalls, caves, and other natural landscapes dotted among them. The 46 villages built of stone and slate are collectively called "Zagorohoria". In September this year, it was just included in the World Cultural and Natural Heritage List by UNESCO. It is really a perfect picture of "mountain paradise".

If you think a certain village in Zagorohoria is beautiful, then when you arrive at the next village, you will think it is even more beautiful. Therefore, this area is the precious heritage left by the greatest architect in Greece. During Christmas, Zagorohoria is extremely beautiful, with the central square and buildings glittering, and the surrounding mountains covered with white snow. The seasonal food is also delicious, with organic vegetables, dairy products, and meat in abundance, as well as various pies made by local farmers.

There are many accommodation options in Zagorohoria, and the quality is quite good. If you want to integrate into urban civilization, the cultural city of Ioannina is just a short drive away, and it has many interesting places in itself.

The Florina region in northern Greece is famous for its beautiful lakes, with charming surrounding scenery and beautiful villages built of stone. The town of Florina itself is located among the snow-capped mountains and is extremely charming during Christmas, with festive decorations and lights everywhere.

The town is built along the banks of the Sakoulevas River and can be reached by train from Thessaloniki in two and a half hours. Over the years, its idyllic scenery has inspired countless artists, poets, and film directors. So if you go there for a visit, don't forget to visit the Contemporary Art Museum and the Florina Art Gallery. There are many exhibitions throughout the year.

The historical buildings in the town include Byzantine churches and Ottoman monuments. It is also very interesting to chat with locals in traditional cafes and taverns. In Florina, the common firewood piles outside the houses are a unique scenery. The smell of wood smoke dominates the streets of the town, adding a special charm to Christmas. Remember to dress warmly. The temperature in December may drop below freezing. Locals drink tsipouro mixed with a little honey or sugar in the cold morning. Other local winter delicacies include hearty stews and desserts.

Staying in the Florina region, the picturesque village of Nymfaio is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts to spend Christmas. The village is surrounded by dense birch forests, located at an altitude of 1,350 meters on Mount Vitsi, overlooking the spectacular view of the Florina Valley. Nymfaio is also famous for its biodiversity, providing a refuge for endangered bears, wolves, and Eurasian lynxes. Outside the village is the famous Arcturos Brown Bear Sanctuary, which has been established for 30 years.

Christmas is a special time for Nymfaio. The traditional stone houses and cobblestone paths emit a strong festive atmosphere under the illumination of the lights. Local restaurants and taverns serve a variety of winter seasonal dishes, hearty stews, and grilled meats, as well as stuffed Florina peppers, paired with the best Greek wine. It's really wonderful!

Going west again, back to the wilderness of Epirus, this time to the charming stone town of Metsovo located in the heart of the Pindus Mountains. This Vlach village was an important military and trading post in the 18th and 19th centuries, with a long history, cobblestone streets, rural cuisine, and various local handicrafts, including textiles and traditional embroideries. The main square still echoes the ancient history of Metsovo, where old people sit and chat in Vlach, which has Balkan roots.

Metsovo is proud of having various levels of accommodation and activities suitable for all ages - from religious tours to forest food exploration, to winter skiing. At Christmas, it is a sensory feast here, with the church bells ringing and the smell of burning firewood in the air.

Don't forget to taste local dishes and wine at the Katogi Averoff Hotel and Winery, and visit the elaborately arranged folk museum and art gallery. For cheese lovers, Metsovo is the hometown of the unique nut-smoked metsovone cheese. Recently, metsovone was rated as one of the best cheeses in Europe by CNN Travel.

Lake Plastira is located in the heart of Greece, half an hour's drive from the city of Karditsa. It is an attractive tourist destination all year round. The lake is surrounded by wild mountains and surrounded by fir trees. It is especially beautiful in winter and at Christmas, with many relaxing and enjoyable things to do.

In addition to the trails around the lake and leading to the peaks of the majestic Agrafa Mountains, there is a dense network of trails, which is very suitable for moderate hikes in the forest. This area is particularly suitable for yoga retreats. The calm lake and the magnificent scenery provide an ideal environment for relaxation. You can also cycle, canoe or kayak, and ride horses. The 15th-century Pelekiti Monastery is also well worth a visit. It is located on the steep slope above the village of Karista.

Gourmets will also like it here. There is a traditional dish called "spetzofai", which is made by stewing sausages and peppers with tomato sauce, very suitable for the long winter nights.

Continuing to stay in the wild natural beauty of Western Thessaly, explore Megalo Chorio in the Evrytania region, a picturesque stone village located on the banks of the Karpenistiotis River. Although the literal meaning of the village name is "big village", it is actually not very large. There are tourist shops on both sides of the central road, and you can easily walk from one end to the other within 15 minutes.

However, it is indeed picturesque, perfectly showing the majesty and momentum of the Greek mountains. The Church of St. Gerasimos is particularly eye-catching, with its tall bell tower standing in one corner of the central square. There is also an interesting folk museum in the village, located in an old manor. There is also an interesting folk museum in the village, hidden in an old mansion.

Another great advantage of Megalo Chorio is that it is only 13 kilometers away from Karpenisi, which is a perfect base for visiting the villages in the Evrytania region and many natural attractions. After passing through the village of Dipotama, you will encounter the Proussos Monastery, which is an important pilgrimage site in Greece. The monastery has a small museum with historical and religious relics.

The local cuisine is also popular among tourists, especially cold cuts, cheese, and handmade pasta. Be sure to try "boubari", which is similar to sausage and is a Christmas delicacy.