If a winter getaway is on your mind then look no further as Greece will leave you spellbound with various possibilities for the perfect holiday. Macedonia, Thrace, Epirus, Thessaly, Central Greece, Peloponnese, Western Greece, and well-known islands in the Aegean, the Ionian, and Crete are easily accessible by air, and have a very authentic atmosphere in the wintertime.
The advantage of visiting Greece in the winter is that it allows you enough time to admire its ancient landmarks without having a lot of people around. There are more than 100 archaeological sites, numerous monuments, and hundreds of museums that successfully keep track of a historic course that has been both continuous and amazing, over a span of 5000 years. Here are some of the best places and activities to enjoy:
Snow-capped mountain thrill
Along with enjoying the view of the snow-capped landscape, enjoy the thrill of some sporting activities. The biggest ski resorts in the country are on Parnassos, Kalavryta, Kaimaktsalan, Vasilitsa, Tria-Pente Pigadia, Pelion and Mainalo Mountains, that offer unforgettable adventures against an all-white setting. One must go hiking, horse riding, mountaineering or mountain biking to discover the off road routes, wide network of sign posted trails and numerous cloud-capped peaks that will lead you deep into the heart of Greek nature.
Winter festivities and Greek carnival
The New Year celebrations are followed by the Epiphany on January 6 and then the local festival— Ragoutsaria, celebrated in the Kastoria town. The festive season only ends with the grand Apokreas Carnival that usually happens towards the end of February. If you love to eat, drink and meet people then Apokreas, is one of the most exciting times to be in Greece.
Trendy villages full of life
Dotting the countryside, partly covered in clouds or lying under a cloak of white snow, these villages are a meeting point for those jet-setters who wish to enjoy their trip to the countryside, play winter sports in style and at the same time enjoy the great nightlife. 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 the ski resorts.
Nature's Embrace
Virgin forests, majestic mountains, impressive caves, deep shaded gorges, wetland habitats and other remarkable ecosystems enhance the loveliness of the Greek countryside. You will see the grandeur of Greek nature unfold in the National Parks on Pindus, Parnassos, Vikos, Parnitha, Olympus, Mainalo mountains and the Forest of Dadia, as well as in habitats such as the ones in Lake Kerkini, Prespes, Vegoritida and in Nestos River.
