We all know Greece as the ultimate summer travel destination but truly, there’s so much this place has to offer during Winter! Plus, you’ll get to avoid the summer crowds.

Large areas of woodland with snow-capped peaks, forest trails and old pathways, rapid rivers crowned with stone bridges and striking lakes create the ideal setting for having a truly memorable experience during your winter holidays.

The biggest ski resorts in the country are on Parnassos, Kalavryta, Kaimaktsalan, Vasilitsa, Tria-Pente Pigadia, Pelion and Mainalo Mountains and they will offer you unforgettable snowy adventures against an all-white setting.

You will enjoy the natural beauty of the mountainous areas with the numerous cloud –capped peaks and the wide network of signposted trails while you go hiking or mountaineering. If you love mountain biking, or you use a 4WD vehicle, you will discover many off road routes that will lead you deep into the heart of Greek nature.

You can practice water sports in lakes such as Orestiada, Ioanninon, Plastira, Kerkini, Vegoritida, or bird watching or simply go for a romantic stroll, enjoying the view of the snowed landscape reflected in their still waters.

Seasons may change yet the perennial beauty of some destinations remains, only to be enhanced in winter! Kastoria, Ioannina, Metsovo and Karpenisi are typical examples.

In Kastoria, one of Macedonia’s gem towns, you will enjoy going on a tour of the lake’s serene surroundings. Wander in the town’s traditional upper class neighbourhoods, see the Byzantine monuments and visit Dispilio (7km SE of Kastoria) a lake settlement of pile dwellings dating back to 5000 BC.

Loannina, the capital of Epirus region is a beautiful old town with an amazing cultural heritage, imposing monuments and picturesque neighbourhoods. Visit Lake Pamvotida, one of the area’s top sights and the picture-perfect islet of Kyra Frosyni located right in the centre of the lake. You will feel as if transported to the past, to an era of secrets and legends.

Metsovo is a town with a noble air about it, perched on a mountain slope and built according to the Epirus architectural style. Visit the impressive art and culture sites, taste the famous local dishes and feel your energy levels soar as you practice sports in the area’s forests and mountains.

Dotting the countryside, partly covered in clouds or lying under a cloak of pure white snow, these villages are the meeting point for those jet-setters who wish to enjoy their trip to the countryside as well as winter sports in style, and at the same time have lots of fun in night clubs until sunrise. Arachova in Central Greece and Palaios Agios Athanasios, a picture-perfect traditional village in Macedonia, are the most popular destinations at a stone’s throw from ski resorts.

Undoubtedly, the greatest holiday season in the winter is Christmas time, as numerous local traditions and customs come alive across the country. Decorated Christmas trees and little ships ornament houses and streets. Bells are ringing and children sing Christmas carols in towns and villages. The most typical customs are momogeroi in many parts of Macedonia and Thrace, ragoutsaria in Kastoria town, a custom connected with ancient festivities in honour of the Greek god Dionysus, and fires in Florina town. On New Year’s Day there are customs for bringing good luck, like hanging a big onion bulb at the front door or breaking a pomegranate at the house’s entrance door. On Theophany Day (the twelfth day of Christmas) running waters are sanctified during the morning mass, when the cross is thrown in the waters by the priest while at the same time men and women dive in the water and compete in trying to catch it!

During the Greek Halloween period (Apokria) carnivals take place, the biggest ones in Patras and Xanthi. Observe the customary reproduction of a vlach wedding in Thebes, tzamales in Ioannina, gaitanaki in Livadeia, the burning of tzaros in Xanthi, boules in Naoussa, and alevromoutzouromata in Galaxidi .

(Content and Images source: Visit Greece FB Page | Visit Greece Website)

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