13.12.2023
The famous “Kingfisher” or “Halcyon” days (in Greek, “Αλκυονίδες μέρες”) are days when the sun shines strongly in the winter. There are no clouds or winds, and the temperature is unusually high for the season. Halcyon days usually come close to the Christmas holidays.
According to the Greek myth, the Kingfisher days are a result of Zeus. Alcyone was the daughter of the king of the winds, Aeolus. Alcyone’s husband was Kyekas, who one day went fishing and never returned. Alcyone searched for the body for days, and when she could not find it, the gods had pity on her and turned her into the “kingfisher” bird (in Greek, Αλκυόνι). In another myth, Alcyone saw her lover’s ship being sunk by the winds, and in her sadness she fell off a cliff and died. The gods were impressed by her display of love and turned the couple into kingfisher birds. Alcyone laid her eggs by the sea, but the babies were carried away into the sea. Zeus had pity on her and granted her a few days in the winter with warm weather, so that she could hatch her eggs. Zeus ordered Aeolus, the king of the winds, to stop the winds on these days.
Apart from the myth, Greece’s Meteorological Service has another explanation for the phenomenon. Director of Forecasts for the National Meteorological Service, Antonis Lalos, said that officially, Halcyon days are “three or four days together characterized by sunshine, and a high temperature difference between the day and the night, sometimes between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius in many cases.” Data shows that Halcyon days usually happen between about December 15 and early February.
In Crete, Rhodes, and the islands of the southern Aegean, the winters are mild, and the weather doesn’t usually drop to freezing. In Gavdos, an island just south of Crete, for example, the coldest month of the year has an average high of 16 degrees Celsius. In January in Heraklion, Crete, the average temperature is 12.5 degrees Celsius. We will cover winter in Crete in another article, where the weather is considerably warmer than in Greece’s mountains on the mainland.
Halcyon Days in Greece are an excellent time to visit some of the country’s UNESCO Heritage Sites. For example, the Greek countryside is full of historic monuments, UNESCO Heritage Sites, Byzantine churches and Monasteries, and temples to the ancient Greek gods. In the Peloponnese alone, you can visit Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae and Tiryns. Halcyon days are also a good time to take a journey outside of the city to the sea or to the mountains. We’ve even compiled a list of areas in Greece where you can see both in the same day.
05.10.2026
Leonard Cohen's poem "Days of Kindness", from 1985, describes Greece as being a good place to read by moonlight on the terrace. He knew this from experience. Hydra was his home for much of the 1960s. He arrived in the spring of 1960, aged 25, and bought a house on the island, where he wrote much of his early work. Many places on Hydra still carry traces of him, even now that Hydra has become far better known.
16.04.2026
Greece is often associated with ancient history, island landscapes, and carefully preserved traditions. Less discussed, however, is another layer of its identity: its place names. Across the mainland and the islands, thousands of villages carry names that can sound unexpectedly funny or strikingly literal to a modern Greek speaker. These are not recent inventions or deliberate attempts at humor. Most date back centuries, shaped by geography, daily life, local dialects, and historical circumstances. What makes them stand out today is the shift in language over time. Words that once served as straightforward descriptions of land, resources, or communities can now feel unusually direct or unexpectedly humorous. Looking at these names more closely offers insight into how earlier generations observed their surroundings and chose to define them.
20.03.2026
Greece has long been more than a travel destination. For centuries, writers have been drawn to its history, natural beauty, and authenticity, finding in Greece not just a setting, but a source of inspiration that shapes narratives, characters, and perspectives.
19.02.2026
02.01.2026
In Greece, the holiday season does not end on New Year’s Day. Instead, it culminates in one of the most symbolic celebrations of the year: Epiphany, known in Greek as Theofania. More than a religious holiday, Epiphany in Greece represents the triumph of light over darkness, a spiritual “new beginning” for individuals and communities. For anyone living in Greece, or dreaming of owning a home here, Epiphany offers one of the most authentic snapshots of local culture. From the blessing of the waters to ancient folk rituals, this day reveals the deep connection between the Greek people, nature, and tradition.
30.12.2025
Crete is stepping into the global spotlight once again. According to Airbnb’s latest travel trend insights based on worldwide search data from Q3 2025, the island — and especially the iconic Samaria Gorge National Park — ranks among the most sought-after nature destinations for 2026. This surge reflects a broader shift in how people choose where to travel, live, and invest. Travellers are no longer looking only for beaches or city breaks. Instead, they are drawn to authentic natural environments, outdoor experiences, and destinations that offer both beauty and balance, qualities that Crete delivers effortlessly.
19.12.2025
Greece is known mostly for its pristine beaches and its endless summers. Also, Greek cuisine, with its unique Mediterranean dishes, is widely sought after. What might feel surprising is the magical beauty during Christmas in Greece. The country has a long festive season that runs from Christmas to Epiphany (the “Φώτα” on 6 January), full of local customs, food traditions, and small village rituals that still matter to people today. Winter destinations are also famous in Greece, as according to the latest Monitoring Sentiment for Intra-European Travel report (Wave 23) by the European Travel Commission (ETC), Greece ranks among the top 10 most desired European destinations for travel between October 2025 and March 2026, holding a solid 7th place.
19.12.2025
Spending New Year’s Eve on Greek islands is about much more than fireworks, food and champagne. It’s about little family rituals, centuries-old customs and the warm feeling of being part of a close community. For anyone dreaming of a holiday home or a new life in Greece, New Year's Eve is one of the unique moments to experience the soul of island life, when most tourists aren’t there, and you can experience authentic community moments with locals. As we’ve mentioned in an older blog post, cutting the famous Vasilopita, a special bread to honour the Greek Santa Claus, is the most important custom happening in almost every house in Greece at the turn of the year. A lucky coin is baked into the cake, and whoever finds it will have good luck for the next year or may even take a gift. But let’s explore a bit more of Greece’s rich traditions and local communities, from its enchanting islands to the unique customs celebrated on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
