Christmas season is coming and search engines are on fire, as the last undecided people are trying to find where to travel in Greece and abroad for their Christmas holidays.
If you look the Greek map, you’ll find plenty of – mostly – mountainous gorgeous places to travel.
I have previously written an article about the winter destinations that I consider ideal for a Christmas holiday, but I decided to create a new guide with a bit more unique places. Of course I’ve added again 2-3 mainstream destinations that can’t be missed.
But where you should go eventually in Greece for Christmas holidays?
The best Christmas destinations in Greece
Aridaia-Loutra Pozar
We start our list from Aridaia, an ideal destination to combine it with Loutra Pozar, which is located 13km northwest of Aridaia.
The thermal, warm waters, with a constant temperature of 37oC, have been gushing out of the mountains for thousands of years.
The facilities of the complex are organised in a small spa town with hotels, swimming pools, changing rooms, restaurants and bars.
At a distance of 7km from Aridaia is the Byzantine Castle of Chrysi, dating back to the 8th century AD. North of Aridaia is a historical, though not particularly well known, monastery of the Almopia Province, the Holy Monastery of Saint Hilarion, Bishop of Moglenon.
Kastoria
A special destination to spend Christmas in Greece is Kastoria.
In Kastoria you will find the “Magic Lake District”, a theme park full of activities for children. This year’s main character at the “Magic Lake District” will be Pinocchio.
From Kastoria, you can also organize a road trip to the Prespes. In Kastoria, after your ride on the lake, you can visit the Folklore Museum of Kastoria and the Dragon’s Cave.
Kaimaktsalan
Is there anything better than spending a snowy Christmas? You can travel to Western Macedonia to Kaimaktsalan, the third highest mountain in Greece.
You’ll enjoy the ski resort, but also the beautiful Lake Vegoritida. Kaimaktsalan has emerged as a must winter destination in recent years and not without reason.
At its top, and on the border line, there is the chapel of Profitis Ilias which is a monument of the 1st World War.
In Kaimaktsalan there are hotels, traditional guesthouses, rooms and apartments for all budgets. For entertainment you can find restaurants, taverns, cafes and clubs.
Elati and Pertouli
The villages of Elati and Pertouli, built on the slopes of Koziaka, a long mountain in the south of Pindos, are the perfect destination for a quiet Christmas holiday.
Book a traditional room with a fireplace for an authentic holiday at the mountains and enjoy the home-made food in taverns.
Nearby you will find the ski resort and dozens of attractions to spend unforgettable moments on your holiday.
Tzoumerka
Tzoumerka is an ideal destination for all seasons of the year. It’s a fantastic place for your Christmas holidays, as you can do a lot of excursions.
For your base you will have the beautiful Syrrako, where you will find the birthplace of the poet Kostas Krystallis, which now serves as a folklore museum.
In Syrrako you will stay at the Old School Boutique Hotel, which used to be a school and is the largest building in the village.
It has beautiful rooms that offer you relaxation and rest, and you can eat your breakfast while enjoying the wonderful view of the village.
From Syrrako you will start your excursions. You will visit the cave “Anemotrypa”, which is located just three kilometers from the village of Pramanda. In Pramanda don’t miss to visit the tavern “Bougas” to eat the best ribs of your life and traditional cheese pie.
A must do excursion is a trip to the village of Kalarrites. Before you arrive you will make a stop at the Holy Monastery of Kipina, which will enchant you as it is built into the rock.
Arriving in Kalarrites you will gaze at the cobbled streets of the village and the central square, where young and old gather.
Don’t miss to visit the Elliniko and the museum of contemporary art “Theodoros Patagiannis”.
There you will also find the Holy Monastery of Tsoukas and at the back of the monastery you can admire the gorge of the river Arachthos.
Nymfaio
A favorite Christmas destination is Nymfaio in Florina.
Nymfaio has been classified since 1978 as a “preserved traditional settlement”. You will admire the cobbled paths and traditional stone houses at an altitude of 1,350 meters.
The Arcturus organisation is active in the area with an environmental information centre for the brown bear and wolf 1.5 km outside the village. Don’t miss it.
In the village you can also see the half-ruined headquarters of Pavlos Melas, while the old school is the Nikeios School, which operated for many years and due to lack of students is now a conference centre of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and one of the three public information points of the NGO Arcturus.
Ioannina
I couldn’t forget my favourite Ioannina, which I visit every year at Christmas and I can tell you for sure that it is one of the best places to spend your Christmas holidays in Greece.
The fog on Lake Pamvotida creates a mysterious scene. Every year, the village of Santa Claus is set up in the Frodzou Park, where you will find many activities for children.
Of course in Ioannina you will enjoy delicious food, baklava and other traditional sweets, handmade pies and juicy meat.
Zagorochoria
One of my favourite places in Greece is the gorgeous Zagorochoria. I always combine my Christmas holidays in Ioannina with a trip to Zagorochoria.
There are so many gorgeous places to choose from, Papigko, Aristi, Tsepelovo, Monodendri, are just a few places to put on your list.
One of the day trips you can organize is to start in the morning from Aristi, take a walk along the Voidomatis River and then climb a winding road to reach Megalo Papigko. There you will eat the finest chocolate pie at Koulis’ café and admire the snow-covered mountain peaks, the infamous Towers of Astraka.
You will continue your trip with a stop at Kolimbithres, which will have been filled with water from the rains and snow and you will end the tour with a visit to Mikro Papigko.
Metsovo
Last but not least, the amphitheatrically built Metsovo with its stone-built houses with red tiled roofs is a gem on the slopes of Pindos, ideal for a Christmas holiday.
One of the most famous attractions of the area is the E. Averoff Gallery, where about 250 paintings by 19th and 20th century painters are on display.
You’ll stroll around the main square, shop for souvenirs and of course get some Metsovone cheese to take home. If you have time, make a visit to the Folk Museum of Metsovo, an old mansion, where you can see how a family lived at that time.
In 1991, the apartment of Evangelos Averoff opened on the third floor, with personal belongings and photos from his life. Tickets cost €5 for adults and €2 for students and pupils.
If you’re lucky and it’s snowing, you’ll also find the Anilio ski resort open for snow skiing.
Of course you can make an excursion from Metsovo to the nearby Zagorochoria and of course stop by Ioannina for a coffee by the lake.
