Romantic Christmas in Greece: Festive Getaways

Holidays with family and gatherings and tables are lovely. However, sometimes you want to disappear with your other half.

You want to forget about the world and experience magical moments together out of town. The perfect antidote to this is a romantic Christmas in Greece.

The smell of a fireplace, traditional festive sweets, extravagant decorations, and winter landscapes. These compose the authentic Greek Christmas experience.

If you are still looking for a winter destination that will host you at Christmas, sit back and read the following guide to a romantic Christmas in Greece!

Zagorochoria

Escape from the everyday life of the city with an excursion to Zagorochoria. Choose one of the 48 traditional villages for your stay and rent a car to discover the rest in comfort.

The natural landscape in Zagori of Pindos is unique. Subsequently, the images you will see on your Christmas in Greece will make you forget your troubles and will help you recharge your batteries!

“Zagori” is of Slavic origin and means “beyond the mountains.” Enjoy the beauties of nature, walk on the mountain and breathe fresh air. You can also walk across cross-stone bridges and savor traditional pies!

Some of the most famous villages are Mikro and Megalo Papigo, Ano Pedina, Monodendri, Aristi, Tsepelovo, and Vovousa. As you will see, the area is developed touristically. Therefore, here you will find beautiful and hospitable family hostels for an unforgettable Christmas getaway!

Zagorochoria is located about 470 km away from Athens and 350 km away from Thessaloniki, depending on which village you choose for your stay. Please keep in mind that you can book cheap airline tickets to Ioannina. From there, you can rent a car to go up to the area’s mountain villages.

Kastoria

Wear your warmest coat and enjoy your Greek Christmas walk next to the icy waters of Lake Orestiada. What’s more, continue your wandering in the picturesque districts of Kastoria, which is built amphitheatrically on a peninsula.

Admire the majestic mansions in the Dolcho district and the aristocratic atmosphere in Apozari. In addition, you will admire Byzantine churches and beautiful houses, which follow the typical Macedonian architecture.

Do not miss a stop in the prehistoric settlement of Dispilio, located a few kilometers outside the southern entrance of Kastoria. Get ready for a journey back to 5000 BC. and taste what life was like in this Neolithic lake settlement.

From the 6th to the 8th of January, Kastoria celebrates the Ragoutsaria! The local custom derives its origin from the ancient Dionysian ceremonies. The carnival of Kastoria is accompanied by a crazy spree, orchestras with traditional bronze instruments, and, of course, Greek wine tasting!

Kaimaktsalan

Do you dream of snowy landscapes, whitewashed mountain slopes, lit fireplaces, grilled sausages, and traditional, stone hotels for the Christmas holidays? If you answered ‘yes,’ Old Agios Athanasios is our proposal for a short vacation this year!

The protected settlement is located on a plateau at 1,180-1,240 meters. It lies on the slopes of Mount Vora and is surrounded by beech forests.

Above the village dominates the “Piperitsa,” as the top of the mountain is called. Moreover, at a distance of 10 km is the ski center Kaimaktsalan. It is where you will get to enjoy one of the best romantic ski resort getaways in Greece.

The village was built in the late 16th century. Still, from the mid-1950s, the inhabitants began to look for more mild weather conditions. As a result, they created a new town, Neos Agios Athanasios, a few kilometers below.

Today, it is considered one of the best winter destinations in Northern Greece for romance. However, do not be surprised if you find it difficult to find accommodation during the Christmas and New Year periods!

Didn’t think an adventure honeymoon in Greece would be possible in the winter? This area is suitable for skiing, hiking, horse riding, and archery lovers. In addition, other activities are offered for both young and old crowds. The Kaimaktsalan ski resort is open from November to the beginning of May. There, you will find slopes of various levels of difficulty.

Agios Athanasios is 605 km from Athens and 123 km from Thessaloniki. After exiting the Thessaloniki-Veria national road, follow the signs for Edessa. In Edessa, there is a sign for the ski center, while the settlement is located about 30 km away.

Plastira Lake

Snow in the mountains, activities on the lake, and nature walks on beautiful paths in the forest. And all this, just 325 km away from Athens and 240 km from Thessaloniki.

In the villages near Lake Plastira, with Kalivia Pezoulas and Neochori being the most developed tourist destinations, you will warm up with tsipouro and wine and enjoy delicious appetizers next to lighted fireplaces overlooking the lake!

Metsovo

“Nested” at an altitude of 1,150 meters, Metsovo is one of Greece’s most popular winter destinations. The mountainous charm of Metsovo will leave you speechless. Its traditional stone houses, cobbled streets, and squares with whitewashed mountain slopes are enough reasons to choose it for the Christmas holidays or a Greek Valentine’s Day escape.

Do not miss a visit to the Folklore Museum of Metsovo, the E. Averoff Gallery, and the Tsanaka Museum. Winter sports enthusiasts can also load their ski boots and snowboards into their cars. Then, they can start early for the nearby ski resorts, such as Politsies or Profitis Elias, Karakoli, and Zygos-Anilio.

Metsovo is located 50 km away from the city of Ioannina via the Egnatia Highway. Rent a car from the airport of Ioannina. Subsequently, in less than an hour, you will be in your cozy accommodation in Metsovo.

Athens is about 5 hours from Metsovo – 410 km to be specific. At the same time from Thessaloniki, you will need to drive at least 2 hours -200 km- to reach it.

Do not forget to taste and buy the traditional, smoked cheese of Metsovo called metsovone.

Arachova

The high society of Athens and the whole of Greece renews its appointment with Arachova every year during the Christmas and New Year period. This wonderful area is popular for couples on their first vacation together in Greece.

Domestic celebrities and lovers of winter sports choose the mountain town of Viotia for their festive getaway. Arachova overflows with chalets and luxurious hotels.

Built amphitheatrically at an altitude of 1,000 meters on the southern slopes of Mount Parnassos, Arachova welcomes thousands of visitors every year. Besides, it is only 160 kilometers away from Athens!

Its ski resort offers opportunities for snow adventures, both for the beginner and the more advanced public. And if extreme sports are not your thing, there is no need to worry! In Arachova you will find many traditional taverns, to spend wonderful and delicious moments!

Take a break from ski slopes, taverns, cafes, and bars, and visit the church of Agios Ioannis. Its magnificent Byzantine frescoes and the chapel of Evangelistria will leave you speechless. The latter houses the Arachovite flag of the rebellious Roumeli. Very close to Arachova -in about 12 km- is the “navel of the Earth,” Delphi.

Why not use this dreamy spot to plan your elopement in Greece?

Nymfaio

It is one of the ten most beautiful villages in Europe! If you have not yet visited Nymfaio, the Christmas and New Year period is an excellent opportunity to see it too! It is built at an altitude of 1,350 meters, about 60 kilometers away from the city of Florina.

Its cobbled paths with stone mansions and the alpine landscape are the setting you are looking for for a romantic Christmas in Greece. An indispensable companion on your trip to Nymfaio is warm clothes and anti-skid chains!

Nymfaio is about 180 km from Thessaloniki and is offered as a nearby destination for residents of Northern Greece. Athens is about 560 km away, but the Christmas holidays are ideal for a short day trip to Nymfaio. Save kilometers by booking a plane ticket to Thessaloniki!

Pelion

Christmas in the mountain of Centaurs means fluffy snow, plenty of appetizers, and wine next to lighted fireplaces. It also means stone fountains, luxury guesthouses, and traditional cobbled streets. So how do you choose which village of Pelion to visit?

Portaria and Makrinitsa are probably the most developed tourist villages in the area. Admire the Pelion architecture, try local delicacies, and enjoy the view to Volos and the Pagasitic Gulf, which stretches in front of you.

In the middle of Greece, Pelion is a fantastic choice for a romantic trip or winter honeymoon in Greece! You will wander the picturesque villages, buy traditional products from the Agrotourism Cooperative, admire the mansions of unique architectural value, and marvel at the unique setting of greenery. Taste the excellent homemade pies and the traditional food.

Pelion is a charmer year-round because it is also home to some of the best beaches in mainland Greece.

Karpenisi

Escape from everyday life and enter the Christmas mood with an excursion to Karpenisi. Taste traditional delicacies, such as Evrytania sausage, feta, katiki, and honey from the fir forests of the area, and try “berry,” a type of tsipouro made from blackberry distillate.

Karpenisi is a popular winter honeymoon destination in Greece. During the Christmas season, the hotels in Karpenisi welcome visitors from all over Greece and abroad. Athens is 280 kilometers away. Velouchi Ski Center is located just 10 km away from Karpenisi. It attracts ski and snowboard lovers, thanks to its modern facilities.

Karpenisi has terrific hiking trails, with the most popular being the path that connects Megalo Chorio with Gavros, a village next to the bank of Krikelopotamos.

For the more athletic travelers, there is the Riding and Adventure Park. There, in addition to horseback riding, you can try climbing, archery, and cycling.

Mountainous Corinth

Ziria, the mountain on which the villages of Mountainous Corinth are built, is one hour away from Athens, has incredible routes and some of the most beautiful landscapes to see in the broader surroundings of the city. Mountainous Corinth is one of the top itinerary items on a romantic road trip in Greece.

Of course, the most popular destination here is Trikala, Corinth, with its stone houses, but also from here start some of the best routes that the area has to offer. The decorated Trikala of Corinth will put you in a festive mood from the first moment you set foot there.

The snowy landscape with the traditional settlements and the inhabitants’ hospitality will be the best Christmas present you will make to yourself and your other half!

Ski lovers can enjoy their favorite sport at the ski resort of Ziria. Additionally, nature lovers can stop at Lake Doxa and enjoy the enchanting landscape among the fir trees.

Nafplio

Christmas is one of the most beautiful times of the year – and an excellent time to visit Greece on a honeymoon. Τhe opportunity for a few days vacation, the fairy lights, and the decorated trees everywhere; cities become more beautiful when they wear their holiday clothes! Especially when and without their Christmas costume, they are already beautiful.

One such city is Nafplio! Listen to the carols in the picturesque alleys of Nafplio, take a walk in the Christmas bazaars set up in the city, and enjoy the magic of Christmas overlooking Bourtzi! Its dreamy alleyways are the perfect spot for a Greek wedding proposal.

Nafplio is located 150 km away from Athens in the Peloponnese. Look for offers on airline tickets to Athens, rent a car, and in an hour and a half, you will be in the enchanting Nafplio!

Mountainous Arcadia

Tripoli is an hour and a half away from Athens, and from there we have to choose between beautiful, picturesque villages, true treasures of Greek architecture.

You should not miss the Skiritida Forest, a vast area of ​​40,000 acres crossed by a circular path for those who love hiking.

Of course, if you do not want hiking, there is a highway that passes through the forest so that you can enjoy nature again in the comfort of your warm and cozy vehicle.

Kalavrita

The town of Kalavrita is only two hours away from Athens and is one of the most popular destinations for peace, quiet, and romance.

In the villages around Kalavrita, time seems to have stopped. Here, the most convenient and stunning way to witness the region’s beauty is one, and it is called Ododotos.

To be precise, we are talking about the gorge of Vouraikos, which is crossed by a small train -called Odontotos– and offers us an incredible view — which, to be honest, we would prefer to enjoy on foot, even if the route is long.

Final Thoughts on a Romantic Christmas in Greece

Christmas is the most beautiful holiday of winter and an opportunity for romantic getaways. If you are one of those people who have not made a choice for the Christmas holidays and you have not yet entered the appropriate mood, it is time to review and organize the most beautiful festive trip. Traveling during the winter months is a fun and alternative idea for a minimoon in Greece.

Indulge in the festive atmosphere and experience a romantic Christmas in Greece to make the holidays merry and bright!

The holidays are just around the corner, and our luxury travel agency is getting ready for magical winter trips to Greece! So what would you say if you made a different and more romantic gift to your loved one during these holidays?