Introduction
Planning a holiday to Greece in 2026? Understanding local bank holidays—known as public holidays or ‘aities’—is crucial for UK travellers. These dates often mean shops, banks, and attractions close, while transport schedules change and celebrations fill the streets. This guide lists every Greek public holiday in 2026, explains their impact, and compares them to UK bank holidays for easy planning.
Greece observes 12-13 national holidays annually, plus regional ones. Most are Christian Orthodox, reflecting the country’s faith. Orthodox Easter falls later than the UK’s Western Easter, creating unique travel windows. With UK Easter Monday on 6 April 2026, you could enjoy both calendars’ festivities.
Whether you’re island-hopping in the Cyclades or exploring Athens, avoid peak closures or embrace the vibes. Read on for dates, tips, and UK comparisons.
Full List of Greek Public Holidays 2026
Here’s the complete calendar of national bank holidays in Greece for 2026. Dates are fixed except for Easter-related ones, calculated via the Julian calendar.
1 January: New Year’s Day (Protochronia)
All Greece. A major family day with fireworks and vasilopita (coin cake). Shops closed; public transport reduced.
6 January: Epiphany (Theofania)
Nationwide. Priests bless waters; diving for crosses in harbours. Banks and most shops shut.
25 March: Independence Day (Ekatergefsi)
Commemorates 1821 revolution. Parades in Athens and cities. Schools, offices closed; some museums too.
10 April: Good Friday (Megali Paraskevi)
Orthodox Good Friday. Solemn services; flags at half-mast. Widespread closures.
12 April: Orthodox Easter Sunday (Pascha)
The highlight: midnight lamb roasts, red eggs, fireworks. Family feasts; minimal public services.
13 April: Easter Monday (Deftera tou Pascha)
Picnics and outings. Shops reopen variably; ferries busier.
1 May: Labour Day (Ergatiki Proti Maimou)
May Day marches. Strong union presence; airports and ferries operate but expect delays.
25 May: Whit Monday (Agia Triada)
50 days post-Easter. Rural festivals; standard closures.
15 August: Assumption of Mary (Kimisi tis Theotokou)
“Summer Easter.” Beachside feasts on islands. Huge travel surge; book ferries early.
28 October: Ohi Day (Ohi)
‘No Day’ rejecting Italian invasion. Military parades. Schools closed.
25 December: Christmas Day (Christougenna)
Family-focused with lights and gifts. Shops closed.
26 December: St Stephen’s Day (Synaxis tou Protomartira)
Boxing Day equivalent. More family time; closures continue.
Regional extras: e.g., 15 August extra in some areas; check for Crete (30 May) or islands.
Impacts on Travel and Daily Life
Greek holidays disrupt routines but offer authentic experiences.
Shop and Business Closures
Supermarkets, pharmacies (except 24/7), and tavernas close on major dates like Easter and Christmas. ATMs work; stock up pre-holiday. Tourist spots like Athens’ Plaka may stay open partially.
Transport Disruptions
Ferries and flights ramp up for Easter and August—prices soar 50-100%. P&O Ferries or Ryanair from UK? Align with UK Spring Bank Holiday (25 May) for Whit Monday overlap. Strikes possible on Labour Day; monitor Hellenic Public Transport.
Attractions and Events
Acropolis closes early on holidays; book skip-the-line. Join Easter lamb spits in villages or Epiphany dives. Festivals boost vibe but crowd sites.
Comparing Greece and UK Bank Holidays 2026
For UK expats or dual-trippers, here’s how they stack up. UK dates from gov.uk:
- New Year’s Day: Both 1 Jan (Thu). Greece adds 6 Jan.
- Easter: UK Good Friday 3 Apr, Easter Mon 6 Apr. Greece: 10-13 Apr—visit post-UK holiday.
- May Days: UK Early May 4 May (Mon), Spring 25 May (Mon). Greece Labour 1 May, Whit Mon 25 May—perfect sync for extended breaks.
- Summer: Greece 15 Aug (huge). UK Scotland 3 Aug, England/Wales/NI 31 Aug.
- Autumn: Greece 28 Oct. UK St Andrew’s (Scotland) 30 Nov.
- Christmas: Both 25-26 Dec. UK substitute 28 Dec (Mon) if needed.
Greece has more religious dates; UK more secular. Total: Greece ~13, UK 8-10 regionally.
| Month | Greece | UK (All/Regional) |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 1, 6 | 1 (Thu), Scotland 2 (Fri) |
| Mar-Apr | 25 Mar, 10-13 Apr | Good Fri 3 Apr, Easter Mon 6 Apr (exc. Scotland) |
| May | 1, 25 | 4, 25 |
| Aug | 15 | Scotland 3, Eng/Wales/NI 31 |
| Oct | 28 | - |
| Nov | - | Scotland 30 |
| Dec | 25-26 | 25 (Fri), 26 (Sat→28 Mon) |
Planning Tips for UK Holidaymakers
Best Times to Visit
Avoid August (ferry chaos) and Easter travel peaks. Shoulder: Late April post-Orthodox Easter aligns with UK Spring Bank (25 May). Winter escapes beat UK Christmas rush.
Booking Advice
Use Ferryhopper for islands; book 3-6 months ahead for 15 Aug. EasyJet/BA from Gatwick. Check Greek National Tourism Org (GNTO) for updates.
What to Pack/Do
Red eggs for Easter games. Respect quiet Good Friday. VAT refunds easier pre-holidays. EU roaming post-Brexit? Yes, but data for apps like Rome2Rio.
For Families/Business
Schools sync somewhat (Easter hols). Remote workers: Co-working in Athens open variably.
COVID/Changes Note
Holidays stable, but verify gov.gr nearer 2026. No major shifts expected.
Easter Special: April 2026 Focus
With context around April, spotlight Orthodox Easter (12 Apr). UK Easter ends 6 Apr—fly mid-week for Corfu fireworks or Santorini roasts. Expect 20% price hikes; magiritsa soup midnight Sat. Post-holiday, islands quieten.
Final Thoughts
Greece’s 2026 bank holidays blend tradition and tourism hurdles. By syncing with UK dates like 25 May, maximise time off. Download iCalendar or Google ‘Greece holidays 2026’ for reminders. Safe travels—kalo taksidi!
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