One of the most beloved destinations worldwide, Santorini can be overwhelming to first-time or sophisticated visitors due to the thousands of tourists flocking to every island corner. The antidote to getting stomped trying to catch the sunset is quite simple: visit Santorini during a time when its colors are softer, its alleys are quieter, and its vibes are more local. 

The Greek Orthodox Easter is a springtime break from the Greeks’ daily life that’s duly celebrated across the country through shared practices and local customs, and Santorini is no exception. Adding their unique brushstrokes to the broader Cycladic tableau of diverse Easter festivities, the volcanic island’s residents make the most of these holy days with their religious zest, candid enthusiasm, and solemn adherence to their time-honored traditions. 

Easter weather may or may not be summery, but you may discover that Santorini is at its best regardless of climate conditions: a de facto mesmerizing place that feels even more otherworldly, ecstatic, and sirenic when you watch its many rituals unfold under the “expressionistic” Aegean sky. 

Follow the build-up to Easter Sunday 

Just like everywhere in Greece, the general build-up to Easter Sunday begins on Clean Monday, the first day of Lent, but it’s the last week that’s more heavy on colorful traditions. 

In most Santorini villages, locals kick off the Easter season on Lazarus Saturday by posting a tall wooden cross decorated with rosemary and flowers on the central square and having a grand feast around it. During the week, homemakers dye the Easter eggs and prepare traditional delicacies like the tsourekia and the melitinia, which you can taste by following the smell to the village bakeries. Good Friday is the day the faithful follow the flower-adorned Epitaph across the island’s alleys. In Emporio village, the evening procession is preceded during daytime by a group of men marching around, beating makeshift percussions.

But the island’s most magnificent ritual takes place in Pyrgos Kallistis, Santorini’s highest village. Locals adorn the alleys with tin lanterns which they light as the evening Epitaph procession moves along creating a magical spectacle—from afar, the hill looks like it’s literally in flames!

Celebrate the Resurrection on the highest top 

Easter Saturday is when people around Greece celebrate Jesus Christ’s Resurrection by gathering en masse at churches, chapels, and monasteries. 

In Santorini, visitors enjoy the unique opportunity to attend the climactic Easter mass on the island’s highest point, at the Prophitis Ilias chapel, where the serene atmosphere and ethereal voliews match the night’s spiritual vibes. There are no sparklers going off here, but the 360 view allows you to enjoy the spectacle of hundreds of fireworks lighting up the sky from across the island’s churches. After receiving the Holy Light, people head home or to a tavern for a late dinner comprised of traditional dishes like Magiritsa soup or the local Sgardoumia. 

On Sunday, spits are properly set up on alleyways and yards to roast the festive lamb and share it with family and friends, along with other Greek delicacies. 

Cherish the unusual space and silence 

It’s no secret that Santorini is not an easy place to enjoy during peak season because of its unparalleled popularity and densely built residential and recreational areas. 

That’s why Easter is probably the most appropriate period to visit this mesmerizing island, just in time for everything to be tip-top and open for business and for every must-see location to be less crowded and more welcoming. Having space and quiet to explore Santorini’s breathtaking coastal sites, picturesque inland villages, and inimitable delights and to really cherish its utterly captivating sunsets and magical aura is the ultimate luxury on the historic island. 

So, why not skip the high season and book your stay during Easter week, when you can get a more wholesome taste of everything Santorini has to offer, plus unique traditional flavors and experiences? 

Just go over our Santorini villa portfolio, pick your preferred luxury property, and let Olive Villa Rentals take you on a spirit-lifting sensory trip to the world’s most sublime island destination!