History & Culture

Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter in Greece later than the rest of the Christian world. Why is that? How do Orthodox Greeks decide when to celebrate? Why does the date of Easter change every year in Greece? When is Easter in Greece in 2026?

Greek Christmas carols, or kalanda, are a cherished tradition that has stood the test of time. Rooted in ancient Greece and evolving through the centuries, this practice sees children visiting homes on Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Epiphany Eve to sing carols, often accompanied by musical instruments like triangles, guitars, or harmonicas. If you're in Greece or visiting for the Christmas holidays, open your door to the festive carols on Christmas and New Year's Eve!

The first picture that comes to mind when thinking of Greece is a sea view from an island in the Aegean, with the hot summer sun. But Christmas in Greece is one of the best times of the year. In Greece’s big urban centers, like Thessaloniki and Athens, the city is transformed with lights. And in Greece’s villages, we see local food traditions and Christmas markets. In this article, we discover all of Greece’s unique Christmas traditions.

Pyrgi, a medieval village on the island of Chios, is a living canvas of geometric art. Its iconic “Xysta”—intricate black-and-white patterns covering nearly every building—have transformed the village into an open-air museum. This rare artistic tradition, rooted in history, has earned Pyrgi recognition as a preserved settlement and global attention, most recently in a BBC documentary titled “The Greek Island of Geometric Wonders.”

What made the Future King of the Netherlands buy a home in the Peloponnese in Greece?

Back in 2012, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands bought a luxury villa in the southern region of Greece, the Peloponnese, which is famous for its picturesque beaches, UNESCO Heritage sites, and great traditional Greek food. King Willem-Alexander spent 4.5 million euros on the property, hoping to find a holiday home for his family with privacy and plenty of Greek sun.

Laid-back luxury, stunning views of one of the world's top island destinations and personalized attention - that's what you can expect at this historic stay. The Archipel mansion is located in the old neighbourhood of “Fraggomahalas” at the highest point of Fira, which is the capital of Santorini. The original property was built in the early 18th century and was completed before 1830. At that time, the Mansion had an important collection of archaic and Hellenistic sculptures and ceramics, many of which came from the Ancient Thira excavations. These sculptures are now shown in the archaeological museum of Fira, where they were donated in 1956.

I just bought a home in Greece, and I need a name. I’d like it to have a classic Greek name with meaning, not just the name of the street or town. I just have one problem: I don’t speak Greek. What are some Greek words I can use for the name of my home?