Corfu Easter: Easter Traditions That Pack a Punch
Get real. Corfu is the Easter queen of festivals. Hundreds of holidaymakers descend upon it each year to enjoy its mind-blowing, tradition-charged celebration. If you believe this is all about candlelight masses and somber hymns, then think again—Corfu’s Easter is like no other.
Here’s why it’s so memorable:
- Palm Sunday (“των Βαγιώνων” locally): The celebrations start with a great procession of the venerated relic of Saint Spyridon, escorted through the streets to the music of the city’s philharmonic orchestras.
- Holy Monday: Locals become serious about preparing for Easter, starting the week’s celebrations with a mix of religious and cultural practices.
- Good Friday: Not for the faint-hearted. Solemn processions of tombs (the symbolic tomb of Christ) wind their way through the streets, accompanied by lamenting marches of Corfu’s renowned bands.
- Holy Saturday: The star of the show. The morning starts with the artificial earthquake in the Church of the Virgin Mary of Foreigners, followed by the epitaph procession at Saint Spyridon’s and—wait for it—a pottery-smashing frenzy. Yes, residents hurl clay jugs from their balconies to the amazement of the crowds below.
Do you still think your Easter brunch is exciting? The entire island celebrates the Resurrection of the Lord with the pomp that befits it.
The Price of Popularity: Why Finding a Room May Break More Than Your Budget
Consider yourself warned if you’re hoping for a last-minute deal to crash this party. According to travel agent Vasiliki Skagia, “finding a room is like looking for a needle in a haystack.” It turns out that this year is a perfect storm of demand—Orthodox and Catholic Easter share the same date.
Now that the secret’s out, accommodation prices have soared higher than a flying clay pot:
- Tiny rooms? Starting at €120 per night.
- A cosy 50 sq. meter apartment? Yours for a cool €230, with a minimum four-night stay required.
And if you think short-term rentals will be your saviour, think again. It’s slim pickings all around.
Fun Spoons to Stir the Pot
Tour operators are circling the Easter chaos like seagulls over a ferry. They’re offering all-inclusive packages that cover ferry tickets, hotels, and even meals in some cases. Sounds perfect, right? Just don’t expect some quiet, private getaway. This is Corfu Easter. You’re signing up for crowd madness and cultural overload.
Jokes aside, Corfu’s Easter remains one of Greece’s most famous and popular events. But the tourist boom is clearly taking it to the breaking point. With sky-high prices and little availability, it’s a case of popularity having its costs—literally and otherwise.
For those planning to join the party, plan early, bring your patience, and maybe pack a helmet—those flying pots are no joke.