Pick up Time
01.00 01.30 02.00 02.30 03.00 03.30 04.00 04.30 05.00 05.30 06.00 06.30 07.00 07.30 08.00 08.30 09.00 09.30 10.00 10.30 11.00 11.30 12.00 12.30 13.00 13.30 14.00 14.30 15.00 15.30 16.00 16.30 17.00 17.30 18.00 18.30 19.00 19.30 20.00 20.30 21.00 21.30 22.00 22.30 23.00 23.30 00.00 00.30
Drop off Time
01.00 01.30 02.00 02.30 03.00 03.30 04.00 04.30 05.00 05.30 06.00 06.30 07.00 07.30 08.00 08.30 09.00 09.30 10.00 10.30 11.00 11.30 12.00 12.30 13.00 13.30 14.00 14.30 15.00 15.30 16.00 16.30 17.00 17.30 18.00 18.30 19.00 19.30 20.00 20.30 21.00 21.30 22.00 22.30 23.00 23.30 00.00 00.30
Heraklion
Heraklion - Airport (HER) Heraklion - Ferry Port Heraklion - Town
Chania
Chania - Airport (CHQ) Chania - Ferry Port Chania - Town
Lasithi
Ierapetra Agios Nikolaos Elounda Sitia Sitia Airport (JSH) Sitia Ferry Port
Rethymno
Rethymno - Ferry Port Rethymno - Town Georgioupoli

Requested Location
Same as Pick up

Heraklion
Heraklion - Airport (HER) Heraklion - Ferry Port Heraklion - Town
Chania
Chania - AIRPORT Chania - Ferry Port Chania - Town
Lasithi
Ierapetra Agios Nikolaos Elounda Sitia Sitia Airport (JSH) Sitia Ferry Port
Rethymno
Rethymno - Ferry Port Rethymno - Town Georgioupoli

Requested Location
Pickup Location
  • Heraklion Airport (HER)
  • Heraklion Ferry Port
  • Heraklion Hotel
  • Heraklion City Center
  • Chania Airport (CHQ)
  • Chania Ferry Port (Souda)
  • Chania Town Center
  • Chania Town Hotel
  • Sitia Airport (JSH)
  • Ierapetra Town Center
  • Ierapetra Hotel
  • Rethymno Ferry Port
  • Rethymno Town Hotel
  • Hersonissos Hotel
  • Malia Hotel
  • Georgioupoli Hotel
  • Agios Nikolaos Hotel
  • Agia Pelagia Hotel
  • Agia Marina Hotel
  • Platanias Hotel
  • Kissamos Hotel
  • Gouves Hotel
  • Elounda Hotel
  • Sitia Ferry Port
Drop Off Location
  • Heraklion Airport (HER)
  • Heraklion Ferry Port
  • Heraklion Hotel
  • Heraklion City Center
  • Chania Airport (CHQ)
  • Chania Ferry Port (Souda)
  • Chania Town Center
  • Chania Town Hotel
  • Sitia Airport (JSH)
  • Ierapetra Town Center
  • Ierapetra Hotel
  • Rethymno Ferry Port
  • Rethymno Town Hotel
  • Hersonissos Hotel
  • Malia Hotel
  • Georgioupoli Hotel
  • Agios Nikolaos Hotel
  • Agia Pelagia Hotel
  • Agia Marina Hotel
  • Platanias Hotel
  • Kissamos Hotel
  • Gouves Hotel
  • Elounda Hotel
  • Sitia Ferry Port
Pick up Time: Hour
  • 00
  • 01
  • 02
  • 03
  • 04
  • 05
  • 06
  • 07
  • 08
  • 09
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
  • 21
  • 22
  • 23
Drop Off Time: Hour
  • 00
  • 01
  • 02
  • 03
  • 04
  • 05
  • 06
  • 07
  • 08
  • 09
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
  • 21
  • 22
  • 23
Pick up Time: Minutes
  • 00
  • 15
  • 30
  • 45
Drop Off Time: Minutes
  • 00
  • 15
  • 30
  • 45
×

03/03/2026

Are you planning to celebrate Easter in Crete this year? Here, Easter is celebrated with heart, tradition, and convivial gatherings over good food and music. Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere and enjoy the true Cretan Easter celebration as we show you what awaits you!

1. Megalí Evdomáda (Holy Week)

Megalí Evdomáda begins on April 6, 2026, and is the most important week in the Greek church calendar. On Holy Thursday (April 9, 2026), bread is baked and Easter pastries are prepared. On Good Friday (April 10, 2026), the Epitaphios ceremony takes place, during which the “Tomb of Christ” is carried through the streets. The faithful accompany the bier with lights and hymns. On Holy Saturday (April 11, 2026), people gather in the churches to celebrate the Resurrection. At midnight, the “Holy Light” is brought forth, and a spectacular fireworks display is set off, accompanied by loud firecrackers and impressive pyrotechnic effects. On Easter Sunday, April 12, 2026, the celebration continues with delicious meals. The whole island is filled with joy, making it the perfect time to experience Easter in Crete.

Gläubige folgen dem mit Blumen geschmückten Epitaphios während der Karfreitagsprozession in Griechenland. 

2. Customs and Traditions

Among the traditional Easter customs in Crete is the Easter candle “Lambada” (Λαμπάδα), which is lit on Holy Saturday evening during the midnight service. This large, decorated candle symbolizes the light of Christ’s Resurrection. It is often used by the faithful to make the sign of the cross on the doorframe of the entrance door, which is considered a sign of protection and blessing for the coming year. It recalls the victory of life over death. Another custom is the burning of Judas, which takes place on Holy Saturday evening. A straw figure representing Judas is burned to symbolize the betrayal. The “egg cracking” (Τσούγκρισμα) is also one of the popular traditions carried out on Easter Sunday. Participants tap red eggs against each other, and the one whose egg does not crack is considered the winner.

Bunte griechische Osterkerzen (Lámpades) mit Dekorationen. 

3. Traditional Delicacies

One of the most important Easter dishes is “Magiritsa,” a soup made from lamb offal that is traditionally eaten after the midnight service. On Easter Sunday, the large festive meal is often served in the garden, as it is customary to spend the day outdoors, surrounded by family and friends. Particular focus is placed on the grilled lamb, which is slowly cooked on a spit over an open fire and is considered the highlight of the celebration. “Kaltsounia,” small filled pastries with cheese, are also a popular specialty that everyone should try at least once. For breakfast, the sweet “Tsoureki,” a traditional Easter bread with red eggs, is often served. Another special dish is the savory “Kreatopita,” a meat pie from Chania that can be found on many festive tables. These traditional dishes are essential for fully enjoying Easter in Crete.

Traditionelles griechisches Osterbrot Tsoureki. 

4. Easter Greetings and Wishes

If you are in Crete during Easter time, you will hear various Easter greetings. Would you like to know which ones these are and how you can use them yourself? Here you will find the most common wishes used at Easter in Crete!

  1. „Καλό Πάσχα!“ (Kalo Pascha!)
    • Translation: “Happy Easter!”
    • This is the most important Easter greeting in Greece and is used throughout the entire Easter season.
  2. „Χριστός Ανέστη!“ (Christos Anesti!)
    • Translation: “Christ is risen!”
    • This greeting is used on Easter Sunday after the midnight mass and during the festive days. It is a traditional Christian greeting that is widely used in Greece.
  3. „Αληθώς Ανέστη!“ (Alithos Anesti!)
    • Translation: “Truly, He is risen!”
    • This is the response to “Christos Anesti!” and is also said after the midnight service and during the Easter celebrations.
  4. „Καλή Ανάσταση!“ (Kali Anastasi!)
    • Translation: “Happy Resurrection!”
    • This expression is also used during Holy Week and throughout the Easter season and is a way of wishing someone a “good Resurrection.”
  5. „Χριστός Ανέστη, Χρόνια Πολλά!“ (Christos Anesti, Chronia Polla!)
    • Translation: “Christ is risen, many years!”
    • This is a common way to congratulate someone after the Resurrection. “Chronia Polla” literally means “Many years!” and is used in Greece as a kind of blessing. It is a very common phrase that is said not only at Easter, but also on birthdays, holidays, or special occasions. It expresses the wish that someone may have a long, healthy, and happy life.

Blau-weiße Ostereier mit Mustern neben weißen Blüten.