The carnival season in Greece is known as "Apokries" and is a time of revelry, costumes, and ancient customs bringing communities together in vibrant celebration. The word "Apokries" actually means "abstention from meat," signalling the upcoming Lent period where Orthodox Christians traditionally fast. However, before lent begins, communities embrace a season of freedom, humour, and celebration, where all are encouraged to cast aside their daily routines and indulge in fun and fantasy.
Although all of Greece celebrates Apokries, some areas celebrate in a more unique way and are particularly known for their celebrations. So if you plan to visit Greece during Apokries and wonder where is the best place to go, this post will give you all of the information you need to know. Also, having grown up in the town of Limassol in Cyprus, which is a city where the carnival parade takes place every year, I could not not also mentioning the place I grew up and call home in this post.
So read on to find out more about Apokries and the most popular different regions in Greece and Cyprus which mark the carnival season.
When Does Apokries Take Place?
Let's however start with explaining when Apokries takes place, as this celebration is not on a specific day every year but fluctuates according to when the Greek Orthodox Easter is. Apokries lasts for three weeks, beginning on the Sunday of the Prodigal Son) and ending on Tyrofagou Sunday, which is the day before Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera). Clean Monday is always 48 days before Orthodox Easter Sunday and signals the start of Lent (40 day fast). The Carnival celebrations peak in the final days, especially on the last weekend before Lent.
In 2025, the carnival starts on the 9th February with the peak of the celebrations taking place during the weekend 1st and 2nd of March and ending on Clean Monday on the 3rd March. So, if you would like to be part of this annual fiesta, make sure to start planning now!
Popular places in Greece to Experience Apokries
Greece embraces the carnival season, but each region brings its own traditions, costumes, and rituals. Here’s a look at some of the most notable celebrations across Greece where carnival celebrations come to life:
Patra
Greece’s Largest and Most Extravagant Carnival
Patra, the third-largest city in Greece, is home to the country’s biggest and most extravagant carnival celebration. The Carnival dates back over 180 years and draws visitors from across Greece and abroad.
The city comes alive with festivities that include parades, dances, and elaborate costumes, along with a deep-rooted tradition of satire and humour.
Highlights: The Grand Parade (The carnival’s main event which takes place on the final weekend), the Treasure Hunt, the Children’s Parade and the Closing Ceremony and Burning of the Carnival King.
How to get there: The easiest way to get to Patra is from Athens, either by car (2.5 hours) or by public transport (Bus - KTEL, or with a train to Kiato and then a bus from there).
Tips: To experience the carnival to the maximum, it is worth participating in the Grand parade. To do so, you would need to find a participating group with a theme you like and sign up. There is usually a fee associated with signing up to cover the cost of the costume for the parade.
Galaxidi
The Flour War Festivities
The Galaxidi Carnival is one of the most unique and playful Apokries celebrations in Greece. While other carnivals focus on parades and masquerades, Galaxidi turns the streets into a battlefield of colourful chaos with its famous Flour War (Alevromoutzouromata). This tradition is celebrated on Clean Monday and is a vibrant, messy, and exhilarating way to mark the end of Apokries and welcome lent. Galaxidi’s picturesque harbour and neoclassical buildings provide a stunning backdrop to these celebrations.
Highlights: The Flour War on Clean Monday, where locals and visitors take to the streets armed with bags of coloured flour, throwing it at each other in a joyful, chaotic battle. Before the flour fight begins, the town hosts live music, dancing, and feasting, keeping the festive spirit alive.
How to get there: Galaxidi is located on the Corinthian Gulf, about 200 km from Athens, so the easiest ways to reach it is from Athens either by car or bus - KTEL (from Athens to Delphi and then a local taxi).
Tips: Make sure to wear old clothes as the coloured flour may stain, so its best to not wear something that you will worry about stains coming off. Make sure to protect your eyes and possibly also wear a mask. Many participants wear swimming goggles! Lastly it's best to stay the night and not visit for the day, so make sure to book in advance!
Naousa
The Ancient "Genitsari and Boules" Tradition
The Naousa Carnival is one of the most authentic and historically significant in Greece, offering visitors a chance to witness a living tradition that has been passed down through generations.
Unlike the grand parades of Patra or the playful flour wars of Galaxidi, Naousa’s carnival is one of the oldest greek traditions still active and deeply rooted in history, featuring the "Genitsari and Boules" tradition, which dates back to Ancient Greece honouring the god of wine Dionysos and also the more recent struggles Naousa had during the Ottoman times.
Highlights: The highlight of the carnival is the "Genitsari and Boules" ritual, where "Genitsari" are men dressed in pleated white skirts known as Foustanelles and metal vests and "Boules" are figures dressed as women. Both cover their faces with wax masks known as Prosopo.
How to get there: Naousa is located in northern Greece, about 90 km west of Thessaloniki, so the easiest way to get there is to fly to Thessaloniki international airport and from there go by car (1.5-hour drive) or by bus - KTEL (about 2 hours)
Tip: Naousa can be quite chilly during the Apokries season so dress warmly. Also, the area is also known for its wine culture, and carnival-goers can enjoy the region’s famous Xinomavro red wines and local delicacies.
Skyros
Goat Dances and Traditional Masks
The Skyros Carnival, held on the small island of Skyros, is one of Greece’s most unique and traditional celebrations. The rituals are deeply rooted in the island’s folklore with the haunting and lively "Geros and Korela" tradition, where the mysterious masked figures dance to traditional music.
Highlights: The “Geros and Korela” ritual where men dress as “Geros,” donning heavy goat bells and animal masks, while “Korela” (the maiden) performers dance around them in traditional skirts. The carnival also includes folk songs and dances that have been passed down for generations, making it a unique, culturally immersive experience.
How to get there: Skyros is an island in the island cluster known as the Sporades, and the island is accessible by ferry (from Kymi in Evia which is 2.5 hours by car from Athens) or flight (Skyros offers a domestic airport with flights on some days from Athens)
Other
Other notable destinations in Greece which celebrate Apokries in a unique way also include Rethymno and Xanthi. The Rethymno Carnival on the island of Crete is one of the island’s largest celebrations, with roots in Venetian and medieval traditions. Rethymno’s old town, with its Venetian architecture and narrow streets, provides a historic backdrop for the carnival’s grand processions, masquerades, and theatrical events.
The Xanthi Carnival in northern Greece was established in the 1960s and is considered the second largest carnival in Greece after Patra. Xanthi’s festivities incorporate traditional Thracian clothing, mixing it with modern costumes and masks. The highlights of the carnival include the central parade at the last day and the burning of Tzaros, to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.
Apokries in Cyprus
Cyprus also is a destination which embraces the carnival season, with the town of Limassol being the most prominent to celebrate. The carnival in Limassol is not to be underestimated, and can be described as a small version of the carnival in Patra. Having grown up in this town in Cyprus, I can vouch for how the entire city transforms into a 3 week party and how the locals, irrespective of age participate in the celebrations.
While Limassol hosts the main carnival on the island, other cities like Nicosia and Larnaca also have their own smaller, community-driven celebrations which are a bit more low-key but retain the joyous and playful spirit of Apokries.
Highlights: The King Carnival Parade, the Children’s Parade and Fancy-Dress Competition (known as pellomaskes), the Themed Parades and Satire and the Cantadori (musicians with their guitars how entertain the residents with their serenades). The Cantadori is what distinguishes the carnival in Cyprus from others.
How to get there: Cyprus offers two international airports (Larnaca and Paphos) both approximately an hour drive from Limassol, with great flight options from many destinations all year round. The airports offer intercity buses which are frequent and affordable, although the best option in Cyprus is to have a car.
Tips: Make sure to join a group to participate in the King Carnival Parade and enjoy as many street parties as possible. Consider accommodation options near the old town, so you can be on foot to most events, and book in advance as the event is very popular. Lastly, extend your stay and enjoy other things the island has to offer, like beaches, gastronomy, villages, wine and more!
The carnival season in Greece and Cyprus is more than a festive event; it’s a reminder of cultural resilience, a celebration of community, and an opportunity to preserve ancient customs. Whether you’re drawn to the grandeur of Patras or the intimate, mystical charm of Skyros, there’s a unique carnival experience awaiting you. So if you’re looking to immerse yourself in local traditions, indulge in laughter, and celebrate the joy of life, the Apokries festivals in Greece and Cyprus offer an unforgettable experience filled with colour, culture, and camaraderie.
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