Greek Easter in an Arcadian Village with Kids: 4 Days

Easter is the biggest celebration of the Greek year, and nowhere is it lived like in a mountain village: candlelit processions, bells at midnight, red eggs and lamb roasting on the spit while the whole village eats together. In 2027 Orthodox Easter falls on Sunday 2 May and Easter Monday (3 May) is a public holiday, so Good Friday 30 April to Easter Monday 3 May is a 4-day family break. We live in Lagkadia – this is how we celebrate.

Day 1 (Good Friday): Athens – Arcadia
Pick-up in Athens in a private car or minivan with child seats and the drive to the stone villages of Gortynia (about 2½ hours). In the evening, join the procession of the Epitaphios through the village lanes, with candles and church bells.

Day 2 (Holy Saturday): Lousios gorge and the Resurrection
A morning walk in the Lousios gorge or a visit to Dimitsana, and red eggs to dye with the children in the afternoon. Just before midnight the whole village gathers at the church for the Resurrection: candles are lit from the Holy Light, bells ring and fireworks light up the sky, followed by the traditional magiritsa soup.

Day 3 (Easter Sunday): lamb on the spit
The big day: lamb roasting on the spit from the morning, music, dancing and egg cracking (tsougrisma) at the table. Children play outside all day while the grown-ups turn the spit.

Day 4 (Easter Monday): Arcadia – Athens
A slow morning in the village and the drive back to Athens, with a lunch stop on the way.

Hotels in the mountain villages fill up early for Easter, so ask us soon. We can also arrange Easter Sunday lunch with a local family or taverna, more nights, or a start from Kalamata or Tripoli. We reply within 24 hours.