It is well known that Greek islands record high occupancy during the summer, while popular mountain destinations see similar trends in the winter. However, as winter draws to a close, the surge in travel is not just about nature; it is strongly linked to Carnival festivities.
Carnival destinations
When we talk about carnival parades, specific destinations immediately spring to mind. Internationally, the carnivals of Venice and Rio de Janeiro are the first to come to mind. In Greece, however, everyone—young and old alike—knows the most famous cities for their carnival celebrations and parades.
Patra
Undeniably the most famous domestic destination for Carnival, the Patra Carnival attracts visitors from all over Greece—and beyond. Pre-booking occupancy for the final weekend of Carnival is already touching 85%, driving short-term rental prices up sharply due to limited availability.
Accommodation prices in the city range between €676 and €2,292 in total for the three-day weekend, for one- and two-bedroom properties respectively. For stays 20 minutes from the city centre, prices start from approximately €360 for a two-bedroom home.
Xanthi
Xanthi hosts the largest carnival in Northern Greece, attracting visitors from the Balkans as well. During the Carnival period, various events take place in the city, such as the revival of traditional games, music and dance evenings by folklore associations, and concerts, culminating in the Grand Carnival Parade.
All of the above have pushed occupancy in the city to 90%, with available two-bedroom accommodation prices ranging from €712 to €1,016.
Rethymno
Crete could not be missing from the list of carnival destinations. Consequently, the Old Town of Rethymno has recorded an 86% pre-booking rate across its 950 registered Airbnb properties.
Prices for a self-contained residence range between €271 and €459 for the Clean Monday long weekend.
Timeless customs
Beyond the carnival events, the customs of Clean Monday also attract crowds.
In Galaxidi, you can experience the ‘Alevromoutzouroma’ (Flour War), in Thebes the ‘Vlach Wedding’, and in Tyrnavos the ‘Bourani’. These customs, combined with carnival festivities, maintain consistently high demand in smaller markets with limited accommodation availability.
In every town and city, kites fill the sky and the Lenten table awaits you to enjoy it.
