Christmas in Greece: Five Timeless Destinations for Family Holidays

Trikala is worth visiting any time of year, yet Christmas is when it confirms its reputation as one of Greece’s leading winter destinations, especially for families. The former Matsopoulos Mill—Greece’s first industrial flour mill and once the largest in the Balkans—transforms into the famed Mill of Elves, a vast holiday attraction designed for children and adults alike.

Within the grounds, you’ll find a fun park, ice rink, cinema, Christmas market, and street-food stalls, creating a full day of activities for the entire family.

Beyond the Mill of Elves, take time to wander through the old Varousi quarter, where traditional wooden balconies and ornate façades hint at the city’s past. A trip up to the Pertouli Ski Center is well worth it—whether you want to try the beginner and advanced ski slopes or simply enjoy a coffee at one of the alpine chalets. If time allows, stroll along the banks of the Lithaios River, the city’s defining natural landmark.

Drama is another classic Christmas destination, thanks largely to “Oneiroupoli,” the city’s festive holiday village that has been inspiring locals and visitors for nearly twenty years. It is a dream setting for children: from baking sweet treats in the elves’ workshop to learning how to make soaps and other hands-on crafts.

Outside Oneiroupoli, visit the park of Agia Varvara, home to the city’s natural springs. Wooden bridges, tall plane trees, and old watermills create a setting that feels made for winter walks.

About forty-nine kilometers from the city lies the Falakro Ski Center, a favorite for skiing and snowboarding. Close to Drama, you’ll also find the Aggitis Cave, Greece’s largest river cave—worth visiting for the dramatic point where the river bursts through the mountain.

Kalavryta remains one of Greece’s essential winter getaways and an inspired choice for families. The town’s history, the lively villages of the surrounding region, scenic hiking routes, and traditional tavernas offering hearty mountain dishes all make it an easy place to settle into the Christmas mood.

A unique highlight is the historic Odontotos rack railway, which crosses the Vouraikos Gorge. Children especially will be fascinated by the route’s dramatic natural scenery. If you have time, combine the train ride with a short hike in the gorge’s landscape—it is one of the most rewarding winter outings in the Peloponnese.

Kastoria, with its lakeside setting, Byzantine heritage, and strong gastronomic tradition, approaches Christmas with real character. At the heart of the season is the Magic Lake Town, a themed holiday park designed especially for children, full of activities and festive installations.

If your stay extends beyond Christmas, you may catch the legendary Ragoutsaria festival—Kastoria’s winter carnival, whose roots stretch deep into local history and set it apart from other Greek celebrations.

Alternatively, Kastoria makes the perfect starting point for a family road trip to Prespes. Drive toward Florina through the mountainous Vitsi pass, where dense forests of beech surround the road. Continue through the Vigla–Pisoderi pass and into the Prespes basin, an otherworldly landscape of lakes, wetlands, and snow-dusted mountains.

Ioannina belongs on every winter list, and Christmas is one of the best times to discover it. On Agia Triada Hill, the Frontzou Amusement Park becomes the city’s Santa Claus Village each year, complete with an outdoor market and events for both children and adults.

But the city offers much more beyond its holiday festivities. Take a walk through the Ioannina Castle, explore the old neighborhoods, or head to Lake Pamvotida for a boat ride to the small island at its center. A cultural circuit through the city’s key museums—such as the Ali Pasha Museum, the Byzantine Museum, and the Silversmithing Museum—makes for a family-friendly introduction to Epirus’s long, layered history.

If you’re up for a short drive, visit the lesser-known Zaravina Lake, a serene natural habitat filled with rare bird species and centuries-old oak trees.