09/04/2026
Holy Week in Athens is one of the most moving times of year to be in this city.
Here is your guide to experiencing it fully. π―οΈ
TSOUREKI On Holy Thursday, the city's bakeries fill with the scent of freshly baked tsoureki, the braided Easter bread scented with mahlepi and mastic. Pick yours up at Takis Bakery in Makriyianni (just below the Acropolis) for the classic mastic version, or head to Moden in Pangrati for a sourdough take made with mastic and orange. Terkenlis, the legendary Thessaloniki institution now in Kolonaki, is worth the detour for its range of varieties, including a chocolate-coated version that speaks for itself.
WHY RED EGGS? Also on Holy Thursday, families dye eggs a deep crimson red. The color represents the blood of Christ, and the eggs themselves are a symbol of the Resurrection, new life breaking through the shell. The tradition of cracking them against each other on Easter Sunday, called tsougrisma, is how you find out who gets the year's good luck.
EPITAPHIOS ON HOLY FRIDAY The Epitaphios procession begins around 9pm, when every neighborhood church carries a flower-covered wooden bier through its local streets, followed by a congregation holding candles. For an atmospheric walk, follow the procession in Plaka, Koukaki, or Petralona, where narrow streets and old stone walls make the candlelight feel especially close. At Agios Georgios on Lycabettus Hill, the procession winds down the hillside with the city spread out below.
ANASTASI ON HOLY SATURDAY For the midnight Resurrection, arrive at your chosen church by 11:30pm. The lights go dark, a single flame is passed through the crowd, and at midnight the priest chants "Christos Anesti." For a view like no other, head to Agios Georgios on Lycabettus Hill, where fireworks go off from the summit as the city lights up below. For something more central and intimate, the 11th-century Panagia Kapnikarea on Ermou Street, right in the heart of Athens, is one of the most beautiful spots in the city to experience this moment.
Ξ§ΟΞΉΟΟΟΟ ΞΞ½ΞΟΟΞ· to all who celebrate. βοΈ
π‘ π‘ π‘
