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It’s the most wonderful time of the year! During Christmas time Athens looks its best, with lights and decorations in every street and square and a jolly atmosphere in the air that creates a much-needed feel of optimism. In Athens, the Christmas festivities start early, with big chain stores taking out their first decorations as early as the first week of November. By December, Athens is full of light and cheer and beautiful smells fill the air as every household is preparing for the celebrations. During this time, there are a lot of festive happenings and wonderful things to do in the city perfect for families, couples and solo travellers alike. If you are lucky enough to find yourself in Athens this Christmas and wondering what to do, this blog will be your number one guide about the best things to do in Athens during the festive season!
Written by Savina Skourmalla on 12-12-22
1)Join the Christmas festivities in Syntagma Square
Christmas without a tree is simply not Christmas! (Fun fact: In Greece, we traditionally used to decorate a ship before the trees came about). Syntagma square is the main square of Athens city and naturally, it would accommodate the biggest Christmas tree in the city! Each year the Municipality of Athens announces the official ‘Lighting of the tree’, an event that welcomes hundreds of people each year and includes concerts and other festivities. The mayor of Athens and famous guests gather to light up the tree that can reach up to 19 metres and the thousands of lights illuminate the Athenian main square beautifully. This event officially initiates the Christmas period in Athens and it’s definitely one of the best things to do in Athens during the holiday season.
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In addition to the square, the biggest shopping street of Athens, Ermou street, becomes the hot spot for all christmas shoppers as all major brand shops decorate their windows and most of them offer christmas sales on their products. Christmas shopping is a local favourite and the shopping areas can get pretty crowded but the atmosphere is enough to make you forget about crowds and join the jolly spirit!
2) Visit Christmas Factory in Technopolis
A little further from Syntagma, in Gazi area, you will find the second most lively meeting point for Christmas goers, the Technopolis Christmas Factory. Wooden houses, hot drinks, sweets and of course Santa Claus and his little helpers are there to meet children and adults alike in a magical Christmas world. Throughout December to January, visitors will have the opportunity to visit the Christmas Factory that is open from morning till late in the evening and enjoy a stroll through the area, purchase gifts and enjoy performances and events especially held for children and anyone who wishes to feel like a child again. There are also educational workshops as well as daily theatre performances and of course lots of music! In order to be part of this unforgettable experience you have to buy a ticket which you can find online and at sponsoring stores. The Technopolis Christmas Factory is a perfect place for families with young children and a visit will make you forget all your worries and truly emerge yourself in the Christmas spirit and feel like you travelled away in a snowy but warm fairy land.
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3) Visit a theme coffee shop
In a previous blog, we presented to you the Best Themed Coffee shops of Athens. During Christmas, these coffee shops really go out and create a magical and cozy atmosphere in which you can enjoy some time off your holiday shopping. Massive decorations, trees and ornaments, sparkling lights and menus especially designed to match the spirit are a few of the things you will experience during your visit. If you visit Psirri area there is no way your head will not turn to Pitaki area where Little Kook is located. The street resembles an entrance to Santa Claus’ village and the aesthetically pleasing surroundings make a perfect photo shooting spot for anyone who wants to make their friends back home jealous. Here you will be served humongous christmas cakes and delicious desserts of all kinds by Santa’s little helpers. The aim is once again the same, to make you forget about all your life’s problems and find yourself lost in a fantasy world made of candy cakes and marshmallows and take you back to your fondest childhood memories!
Tip: During Christmas days, these shops usually tend to become really crowded so make sure to load lots of patience since it might take a while before you manage to find a free table.
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4) Join the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center Christmas World
The building of the Cultural Center of Stavros Niarchos Foundation is a state-of-the-art architectural jewel in Athens and hosts all kinds of events all year round. During Christmas however, the complex looks the most beautiful with a parade of Christmas trees and lights adorning the building and the large fountain, creating a Northern European city feel. Every year, a big ice ring is placed next to the fountain so everyone can test their ice-skating skills and promises endless hours of fun for all ages. Like in Technopolis, in SNFC Christmas World hosts daily events and workshops and the guests have the opportunity to enjoy traditional Christmas treats in the food and drink outlets.
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Aside from Christmas festivities, the Cultural Center prepares a rich audiovisual program on Christmas Eve which is also transmitted online via live streaming and includes famous artists, christmas carols, opera, ballet performances and orchestras that cover famous plays and songs from all over the world. The event peaks at midnight where thousands of fireworks go up the sky to mark the turning of the year and is followed by music performances and lots of drinks! If you’re looking for the perfect New Year event, look no further! The Stavros Niarchos Center of Culture will certainly give you one of the best experiences in Athens during your holidays!
5) Celebrate Christmas like a Greek
In Greece, we have numerous traditions around Christmas, each different and exciting with rich cultural and religious history and meaning. Everywhere around the world, Christmas means family gathering, gift bearing and receiving and of course, lots of food! All these things happen in a unique and definitely fascinating Greek way which we’re about to reveal to you!
- Kalanta: On the eve of Christmas you will see lots of children roaming the streets in groups or on their own holding little triangle bells and a bell stick and singing the traditional Christmas Carols, or ‘kalanta’ as we say in Greece in exchange for money or sweets. This tradition has its roots way back in Greek history and date back to Byzantine times where children used to go door-to-door and ask the tenants for permission to sing in exchange of sweets and pastries. The tradition continues almost intact today but nowadays people give money in exchange for a carol. The same happens on New Year’s Even and then later in January during the Epiphany. Sometimes you will see older groups of people from different clubs and even bands performing the carols accompanied by musical instruments and matching outfits. If you see them in the streets go sing along, even if you don’t know the words!
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- Kourampiedes and Melomakarona: In Europe, every country has a different signature dessert only made and consumed during Christmas time. The signature desserts for Greek christmas are undoubtedly Kourampiedes and Melomakarona. ‘Kourampiedes’ are a soft buttery biscuit – like treat which is covered in white powdered sugar while ‘Melomakarona’ is a cookie dipped in honey and can come in variations, traditionally covered in crushed nuts or more modern versions of it with chocolate glaze and more. You will be able to find these treats in every pastry shop in Athens and make sure to pack some to take back home with you!
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- Church: Christmas is the biggest celebration in Greek Orthodox religion and during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (which is celebrated on 25/12 according to the Orthodox calendar) the churches around the city flow with people to pray and pay their respects to the holy. In the morning of Christmas day, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens offers a celebratory morning service attended by many people where the Archbishop of Athens shares his wishes for the new year with the church-goers. After the service, a big traditional Christmas lunch is served around the family table.
Christmas is a magical time of the year when each of us has the opportunity to reflect on the past year but also let loose and go out to enjoy ourselves more. If you choose to spend your holiday in Athens, there are too many things to do and these suggestions will make your stay an unforgettable one. If now you’re looking for an extra fun family experience that will give you a great overview of the buzzing Christmas city and a unique sightseeing experience you are more than welcome to join our Athens City Bike tour. Riding through, not the snow, but the beautifully lit city you will get to see all the highlights as well as local spots for Christmas goers in order to make your understanding of the city even better! You will have the opportunity to visit most of the areas mentioned above and enjoy a fun tour that will make you feel like home!
