Planning Greece Trips Around UK Bank Holidays 2026
If you’re dreaming of sun-soaked beaches in Santorini or ancient ruins in Athens, UK bank holidays 2026 offer the perfect opportunity for a Greece getaway. As a British traveller, these long weekends align nicely with school breaks and provide extra days off to explore the Mediterranean. Whether you’re eyeing Easter escapes or late summer jaunts, understanding both UK bank holidays and Greek public holidays is key to avoiding closures and maximising your time.
This guide lists all official UK bank holidays for 2026 (sourced from gov.uk standards), highlights overlaps with Greece’s calendar, and shares practical travel tips. With Easter in April 2026 approaching, now’s the time to book flights and hotels for those precious long weekends.
UK Bank Holidays 2026: Full List
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland have slightly different schedules. Here’s the complete rundown:
January
- New Year’s Day: Thursday, 1 January 2026 (all UK nations).
February to March
No bank holidays.
April (Easter Period)
- Good Friday: Friday, 3 April 2026 (all UK).
- Easter Monday: Monday, 6 April 2026 (England, Wales, Northern Ireland; not statutory in Scotland).
May
- Early May Bank Holiday: Monday, 4 May 2026 (all UK).
- Spring Bank Holiday: Monday, 25 May 2026 (all UK).
August
- Summer Bank Holiday (Scotland): Monday, 3 August 2026.
- Summer Bank Holiday (England, Wales, Northern Ireland): Monday, 31 August 2026.
November
- St Andrew’s Day: Monday, 30 November 2026 (Scotland only).
December
- Christmas Day: Friday, 25 December 2026.
- Boxing Day: Saturday, 26 December 2026 (substitute holiday on Monday, 28 December 2026 where applicable).
Note: In Scotland, 2 January 2026 (Friday) is also a bank holiday. These dates create several four-day weekends, ideal for Greece trips without eating into annual leave.
Greek Public Holidays 2026: Key Dates
Greece follows the Orthodox calendar for some feasts, so dates differ from the UK. Public holidays mean banks, shops, and offices close, but tourist spots often stay open. Here’s what to know:
- New Year’s Day: 1 January 2026 (matches UK).
- Epiphany: 6 January 2026.
- Independence Day: 25 March 2026.
- Good Friday (Orthodox): 10 April 2026.
- Easter Monday (Orthodox): 13 April 2026 (Easter Sunday: 12 April).
- Labour Day: 1 May 2026.
- Whit Monday (Pentecost): Around 1 June 2026.
- Assumption of Mary: 15 August 2026.
- Ohi Day: 28 October 2026.
- Christmas: 25-26 December 2026 (matches UK).
Overlaps like New Year and Christmas mean double closures—plan dining and transport accordingly. UK Easter (3-6 April) precedes Greek Easter, so early April is quieter in Greece.
Best UK Bank Holidays for Greece Getaways
Easter Long Weekend (3-6 April 2026)
Perfect four-day break for Athens or Crete. UK Good Friday to Easter Monday gives time for direct flights from London, Manchester, or Birmingham (easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways). Expect mild weather (18-22°C) and blooming landscapes. Avoid Greek Orthodox Easter (12-13 April) crowds. Tip: Book ferries early for islands; Mykonos flights peak.
Early May (4 May 2026)
Three-day weekend to Corfu or Rhodes. Weather warms to 25°C. Coincides near Greek Labour Day (1 May), so extend if possible. Budget flights from £50 return; hire a car for exploring.
Spring Bank Holiday (25 May 2026)
Another three-dayer for Santorini sunsets. Pre-summer rush, hotels 20% cheaper than July. UK Whit Monday aligns loosely with Greek Pentecost—festivals abound.
Summer Bank Holidays (August 2026)
Scotland’s 3 August for cooler Hebrides vibes (though Greece-focused), England’s 31 August for last-hurrah beach time. 30°C+ heat; book AC villas. Greek Assumption (15 August) overlaps—fireworks galore but packed ferries.
Christmas/New Year (25-28 December 2026)
Festive Athens markets or island hopping. Substitute days extend the break. Flights pricier (£200+), but direct options plentiful.
Travel Tips for British Holidaymakers
Flights and Getting There
Major airports: Athens (ATH), Thessaloniki (SKG), islands like Heraklion (HER). From UK, 3-4 hour flights. Use Skyscanner for deals; bank holiday weekends spike 30%. Ryanair bases in Athens for cheap hops.
Visas and Entry
As EU outsiders post-Brexit, Brits get 90 days visa-free in Schengen (Greece included). ETIAS required from 2025—apply online pre-trip. Passport valid 3 months beyond stay.
Money and Costs
Euro (€). Cards widely accepted; ATMs everywhere but withdraw in Greece to avoid fees. Budget: £800-£1500pp for 4 days (flights, hotel, food).
Transport in Greece
Buses (KTEL) reliable, ferries (Blue Star, SeaJets) for islands—book via Ferryhopper. Rent cars via Rentalcars.com; drive on right.
Weather and Packing
April: Light layers, rain jacket. May-August: Swimwear, sun cream (factor 50), hats. September cooler evenings.
Top Destinations
- Beaches: Mykonos, Zakynthos (shipwreck bay).
- Culture: Athens Acropolis, Delphi.
- Food: Souvlaki, moussaka, fresh seafood. Bank holidays? Tavernas open late.
Avoiding Pitfalls
Bank holidays mean UK queues at airports—arrive 3 hours early. In Greece, public holidays close supermarkets; stock up. Check FCDO for updates (no major issues expected 2026).
Booking Advice for 2026
Start now: Hotels.com or Booking.com for free cancellation. TUI or Jet2 for packages. Monitor gov.uk for bank holiday confirmations (rare changes). For families, align with half-terms.
With UK bank holidays 2026 offering prime travel windows, Greece awaits. From Parthenon views to azure waters, make those long weekends count. Safe travels!
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