The Ultimate Guide to Traditions in Greece

In order to gain a deeper understanding of Greece today, we must dive into the culture and traditions of Greece.  As a country that blends European, Balkan, Eastern, and Mediterranean influences, Greece is a country of diverse interests, heritage, and history.  

 With philosophy, democracy, literature, and architecture from the classical Greek period, Greece is well-known as being the birthplace of Western civilization. Greece has also been shaped by the rule of the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman) and Ottoman Turkish Empire. This history has shaped Greek traditions today. 

Here is a guide to Traditions in Greece:

---

Greek Coffee Culture

Greek Coffee

Ellinikos

Coffee plays a significant role in the culture of Greece, and the traditional coffee cooking method in Greece is similar to Turkish coffee. Greeks often make coffee in a small pot, called the “ibrik”, over the stove. After pouring in water and any sugar, then the coffee grounds are added.

Here is a video that shows traditional Greek coffee making.

Freddo

Also important in Greece's coffee culture is the Freddo. This is a delicious caffeinated drink typically made with espresso, cold milk, and ice cubes. The difference between Freddos to Frappes is the use of pure coffee beans rather than the instant coffee powder used in Frappes. Blended with cold milk and ice makes for the perfect beverage while enjoying the outdoor café scene in the hot sun on a warm summer's day.

Coffee shops in Greece

 Not only does Greece have specialty coffees, but its coffee-drinking culture is also a major component in their social scene - bringing conversations, connection, and relaxation naturally to the locals as they sip their beverage of choice in the open-air cafes.  

These traditional gatherings have historically been a male-dominated activity when all the men in the village would meet together over a deck of cards, spending hours congregating and conversing over daily matters in the traditional type of cafeterias in the village squares, known as kafenions.  

Visiting Greece soon?

Check out one of our fav cafes Dope Roasting (the pistachio latte is our favorite)

---

Traditional Greek Food

 It’s impossible to talk about Greek culture without mentioning food! Greek cuisine is world famous olive oils, herbs and spices, homemade cheeses, seafood, and tender meats.  And while many Greek dishes have relatively simple recipes, the key is in the fresh ingredients used to bring each dish to life.  

Greek cuisine

Greece actually has over 50 national dishes, many of which have been influenced by Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. Some of these dishes include Domadakia (stuffed grape leaves), gyros, Revani (lemon dessert), Tzatziki (creamy dill cucumber dip, Moussaka (egg, meat, and eggplant dish), and Baklava. 

You can visit this blog here on traditional Greek dishes to learn more!

It’s important to note, that far beyond the exceptional dishes, Greek cuisine is culturally known for its traditions around shared meals.  With special care and love put into each dish, especially by yiayias (grandmas), the preparation of each meal is also a key component of Greek cuisine.  The food is just as much about bonding with others through the process of making and sharing meals, as it is about the flavor and ingredients.  It’s all about socializing, connecting, and enjoying the company of others. This is what makes Greece’s traditions around food so special and unique. 

Greek Wine-making 

 Greece is one of the oldest wine regions in the world and the history of winemaking is undoubtedly tied to culture, society, and daily life.  Did you know, interestingly enough, the ancient Greeks ‘watered-down’ their wine to separate themselves from the so-called “barbarians” who would drink wine directly?  The reason for this was being able to drink continuously during the night of their symposia without getting drunk! 

Picking grapes in Greece

A few Greek varietals worth mentioning are:

• Agiorgitiko: a grape producing lush, velvety reds with black-cherry flavors; Athiri: a white variety with a scent of stone fruits, like nectarines

• Roditis: a pink-skinned grape that is light-bodied, tasteful, and produces crisp whites and rosés. 

• Assyrtiko: a grape is known for creating mineral, bone-dry, citrus-edged white wines.

When visiting Greece, stopping by the Andreou Winery is a perfect way to support a small and passionate local business while understanding the wine culture deeper and enjoying a glass or two of quality wine!

---

Religious traditions in Greece

Religion holds immense meaning for many Greeks today, with about 98% of Greeks identifying as Greek Orthodox.  With such a large influence on the people of Greece, understanding their religion is key to understanding daily culture.  Going to a Greek church is a rich experience filled with beautiful art, aromatic incense, and religious songs that fill the atmosphere with sounds from a time long ago.  

White Church in Ermioni by Agios Gerasimos

Some of the Greek Christian Orthodox traditions include the various religious icons representing Biblical stories, Saints, or even Jesus; the use of incense throughout a service; Koliva (Greek Orthodox bread) eaten during communion; certain times to stand, sit or kneel during various times in service; or the tradition of lighting candles before entering the church. Other traditions include respecting Sundays as a day of rest and even in the school systems where children have mandatory religious courses and pray collectively each morning.  

The Greek Orthodox Church is an integral part of life in Greece where the most important holidays are religious in nature. The most important holiday in Greece is Easter.  At this time, many people return to their family villages to take part in various traditions such as lighting the Holy Fire at midnight on Easter and roasting a whole lamb on spits for the Easter meal. 

The Orthodox religion is therefore a true integration into all aspects of Greek culture: education, daily life, festivals and events, weddings, church life, and even politics.  All of these details and traditions hold incredible significance to Greek culture and history and serve as a great way to respect and understand its people further.

---

Art and architecture in Greece

 Dating back to ancient Greece, Greeks have a long-lasting influence on the arts, which continue to inspire artists today. Traditionally, Greek art is primarily focused on pottery, architecture, and sculptures - however, the Greeks also focused on mural paintings, mosaics, and various other forms of decorative art. 

Ancient Amphitheater in Delphi Mountain, Greece

 Fine art in ancient Greece evolved throughout three main periods - the Archaic (c.650-480 BCE), the Classical Period (c.480-323 BCE), and the Hellenistic Period (c.323-27 BCE). What started as gradual art experimentation in the Archaic period, blossomed into mainland Greece in the classical period. Then, the Hellenistic Period took place and art spread throughout various regions with more colonies of Greek art culture established.

As a further look into cultural art forms, Greek architecture holds major significance that continues to be replicated on many major monuments and buildings across the globe.  Greek architecture is known for its intricate details, decorative sculptures atop towering columns, and a well-thought-out balance of symmetry, design, and aesthetics. Greek architecture has continued to be used as a way to express artistic traditions and representation of the culture that has great architectural influence worldwide. 

The Parthenon in Athens, Greece

In fact, Greek architecture and art have always been a way to traditionally honor their Gods and be used as a meeting place for religious ceremonies.  Hence why many of the temples built in Greece were with statues and art of Saints and prominent religious figures and samples.  Through architectural design, the Greeks could express and celebrate their collective religious traditions.

Not only intricate and thought out in design, the Greeks also have specific architectural elements incorporated into their building.   This included the columns that not only supported the roof, but also were created to build a deeper sense of balance, strength, and order.  Atop the columns was the design at the top called the capital.  

 The frieze is the panels elaborately decorated above the columns that had sculptures that often were present to record important events.  The cella is known as the inner chamber of a temple and then the pediment is a triangle with decorative sculptures that are found at the end of the building between the frieze and roof.  While these elements may seem minor in detail, they are another expression of how elaborate and intentional the architecture originating in Greece truly is.

Reading while sailing by the Greek islands

Greek Literature

Famous for complex literature, the ancient Greeks have significantly influenced the world of poetry, specifically, by using poetry to tell the story of a great hero, also known as epic poetry.  Greek writers also introduce various other literary genres such as tragedy, western philosophy, and comedy, alongside their great poetry. 

It’s also worth mentioning the great written works of Greek philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates that are still read and enjoyed today.  With such a rich history and a deeply passionate society, it’s evident in Greek writing that this enthusiasm transferred into their written works and left incredible impressions on a global scale.  Speaking of Greek literature…

---

Other Customs of Greece

Plate Smashing Greek Traditions

 You may have heard before, the infamous plate smashing from the Greeks! No doubt, when it comes to celebrating the Greeks do it best.  One of the most famous, widely known traditions is the time-honored smashing of plates, which was noted as a sign of celebration and a way to express joy.  The Greeks believe that celebrations and happy occasions can bring in evil spirits, so the smashing of plates is said to be a way to ward off bad energy.  And while the odd phenomenon is now banned in public places, you may still find it happening in small family gatherings and homes.

Sports Traditions in Greece

While soccer is the national sport of Greece and basketball continues to grow in popularity over the years, the real mention of sport in Greece goes to the creation and origins of the first Olympic Games.  Originating in 776BC and held every four years in Olympia, Peloponnese, the first official, modern-day Olympics were hosted in Athens in 1896 and has emerged as a worldwide sports phenomenon gaining traction on a global scale for this multi-day sporting event. When it comes to sports, Greek influence and significance run deep!

---

Island Hopping Traditions in Greece

Beyond mainland Greece, there are about 6000 Greek islands to explore, 227 of which are inhabited.  Sailing to any of the Greek islands is a must when visiting the area and is an essential part of the local culture.  From the popular islands of Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Crete, and Rhodes to the lesser traveled islands of Greece to the less traveled islands of Evia, Skiathos, and Lefkada - island hopping in Greece is not only an incredible way to see various parts of the country but understand diverse parts of the countries vast culture.  

Whether it’s the peaceful fishing villages of Milos, the authentic old town and medieval capital Chora on Amorgos island, or the mythical island of Odysseus on the island of Ithaca. 

Want to see some of these incredible islands for yourself?

Traverse offers a Sail Away to Greece trip worth checking out! 

---

---

MorE travel tips for you