DISCOVER THE SOUL OF MYKONOS IN ITS MOST INTIMATE OF TIMES.

Easter, also known as ‘Pascha’ in Greek, is one of the most important events in the Orthodox Christian world. On the 24th of April, the country unites to celebrate generations of religious heritage. From Athens to Thessaloniki, from Corfu to Mykonos, the spirit of culture, community and creed flows throughout the land, intertwined with a sensory explosion of ritual, revelry and rich local cuisine.

Here in Mykonos, Easter arises with an arcane charm. All around the island, villages awaken from the quiet of winter to celebrate life, renewal and togetherness. A time of true intimacy, Easter represents the island’s final moments of seclusion before opening to the world for summertime.

Consequently, Easter is a singularly unique period to travel to Mykonos. At no other time is the island so awash with authenticity, color and cosmopolitanism, a true testament to the enduring Mykonian spirit. Chiming church bells ring down the hillsides, the ‘plateias’ hum with chatter, and friends, families and familiars come together to celebrate – reunited under the warm light of the springtime Sun.

To travel to Mykonos for Easter is to truly enmesh yourself with the cultural heritage of the island. With so much to see, so much to do, it’s important to anchor yourself in the authentic ways of true Mykonians. That’s why we’ve created the Kalesma Mykonos Guide to Greek Easter – a pathway to discovering the best of the island at its best.

Since ancient times, celebration has been an elemental pillar of Greek culture. At Easter time, the calm and contemplative spirit of the season gives way to an incredible ambience. From terrace tops to village squares, from downtown streets to island coastlines, Easter in Greece springs forth with light, togetherness and optimism.

Good Friday is both the most solemn and most beautiful Easter tradition. A rhythmic bell chimes at regular intervals throughout the day, a declaration of Christ’s burial that beckons parishioners to church. The Epitaph, a symbolic funeral bier, is painstakingly decorated throughout Holy Week. Local women gather the freshest, brightest blooms nature has to offer to ornament the Epitaph. At night the magnificent “altar” travels through the streets accompanied by ceremonious, sorrowing psalms, creating a impressive ambience.

All around the world, Mykonos has become famous for its pulsing nightlife but the cooler month of April, Mykonos sends out a quieter, more exclusive invitation – transforming into a beloved destination for those wanting to spend the Easter weekend in style.

Make your way down Chora and dive into the cosmopolitan world of Mykonian nightlife. From live music, luxurious cocktail lounges and international DJ events, the best of the world can be found on the island. Afterwards, retreat to the Aloni Sunset Lounge at Kalesma Mykonos – the perfect vantage point for watching the sun of Easter Saturday rise over the island of Delos.

With Easter Sunday approaching, the island begins to move with a sense of purpose and anticipation. Escape the hustle-and-bustle of the coastline and make your way into the small hillside villages of Mykonos. There, you’ll gain rare glimpses of the island’s rich ceremonial culture.

In the village of Ano Mera, you’ll find the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani. Before Lent begins, this rustic hamlet becomes home to a mass movement of patrons from all around the island. Gathering outside the church, they carry the Holy Icon from village to village – a timeless tradition symbolising the spreading of good faith, goodwill and community.

In the evening the island buzzes with commotion as the faithful gather outside whitewashed churches clad in their Sunday best. The customary “lampada”, an ornately decorated candle typically gifted from godparent to god-child, completes the ensemble. When the clock strikes midnight and celebratory resurrection hymns fill the air, the Holy light travels through the crowd, lighting each candle in its passage. Waves of church-goers fill the streets and fireworks illuminate the night sky as everyone returns home for a piping hot bowl of traditional “magiritsa” soup. The zesty, savoury dish is a national favourite and marks the end of the forty-day fast observed in the lead up to Easter.

On Saturday night, Pere Ubu Mykonos is hosting a special Easter dinner with delicacies that have the essence of home cooked meals and tradition. Moreover, a DJ set by Yannis Mitsokapas and Zucca Radio will embellish the night with impeccable sounds. Open to Kalesma Mykonos guests and outside visitors too, Pere Ubu Mykonos proposes the perfect destination to rejoice in Easter celebration.

Food is the heart and soul of Greek culture. Representing care, community and connection, to share a meal in Greece is to share in a long legacy of love. No more so is this evident than on Easter Sunday, where the whole country gathers to dine upon an authentic festive meal.

Today’s tasty highlight is juicy lamb roasted on the spit, which – like most gastronomic traditions in Greece – is also rooted in religious custom. From delicious tzatziki dips to blushed tomatoes, from honey-soaked baklava to fragrant tsoureki sweet bread, the Greek Easter table is a celebration of culinary magic. Blessed with the Mediterranean sun and surrounded by the Aegean Sea, the Cyclades boast some of the best produce in the world – all showcased in a Mykonian Sunday meal.

Easter Sunday also sees the revival of a custom that has held strong throughout centuries: cracking red eggs against each other, with the last unscathed egg at the end being proclaimed the victor. This fun game, beloved by young and old alike, is of course steeped in symbolism, as well. The eggs in itself is a symbol, representing Jesus’ sealed tomb, as well as the creation of new life. Cracking the eggs signifies Christ’s resurrection and his exit from the tomb.

This year, join the Kalesma Mykonos family at Pere Ubu Mykonos, gathering in the hotel’s communal heart for a traditional Sunday lunch. Infused by the contemporary stylings of Chef Costas Tsingas, Pere Ubu Mykonos presents a nostalgic yet forward-thinking Sunday feast for its guests. You’re invited to take a seat at the table and experience Greek Easter like a true Mykonian.