You open the 2027 calendar and look for the red days. Easter falls on 2 May and Clean Monday on 15 March.
Before that, Christmas 2026 falls on a Friday. That means a long weekend just a few weeks away.
Everyone wants the long weekends. Homes and cars in the popular destinations get booked early. If you plan now, you get to choose.
The public holidays left in 2026
- Wednesday 28 October: a single day in the middle of the week.
- Friday 25 and Saturday 26 December: Christmas. A long weekend from Friday to Sunday 27 December.
The 2027 public holidays and long weekends
- Friday 1 January: New Year’s Day. A long weekend until Sunday 3 January.
- Wednesday 6 January: Epiphany. A single day in the middle of the week.
- Monday 15 March: Clean Monday. A long weekend from Saturday 13 March.
- Thursday 25 March: Independence Day. Take Friday off and you get four days, until Sunday 28 March.
- Friday 30 April to Monday 3 May: Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Take Good Friday off and you get four days.
- Saturday 1 May: May Day, which falls on Holy Saturday this year. See below for what that means.
- Monday 21 June: Whit Monday. A long weekend from Saturday 19 June, if you get the day off.
- Sunday 15 August: Assumption Day. It falls on a Sunday, so there’s no long weekend.
- Thursday 28 October: Take Friday off and you get four days, until Sunday 31 October.
- Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 December: Christmas. It falls on a weekend.
In the private sector, some holidays depend on your employment contract. Easter Monday is a mandatory holiday for all businesses. Good Friday is a holiday until 13:00 for shops.
Whit Monday is a holiday in the public sector. In the private sector it’s a working day, unless your contract says otherwise. Check with your employer before you book.
What about May Day 2027?
In 2027, 1 May falls on Holy Saturday. In 2021 Easter also fell on 2 May, and the Ministry of Labour moved the holiday to Tuesday 4 May.
There’s no decision for 2027 yet. If the holiday moves to Tuesday again, the Easter break runs from Saturday to Tuesday.
Where to go each long weekend
Every destination below is within driving distance of Athens or Thessaloniki.
Christmas and New Year: the mountains
From Athens, Arachova and Delphi are a classic winter long weekend. From Thessaloniki, the equivalent is Agios Athanasios on Mount Kaimaktsalan.
For Pelion, start with the page for car rental in Volos. For Zagori and Metsovo, see car rental in Ioannina.
In winter, ask the Host in the Sync chat whether the car has snow chains.
Clean Monday: a short getaway
The Carnival long weekend suits destinations close to home. From Athens, Nafplio combines an old town with the sea.
From Thessaloniki, Litochoro at the foot of Mount Olympus is about an hour’s drive. Fly your kite with a view of the mountain.
25 March: four days in the south or the north
With four days, the Mani is worth the drive from Athens. If you get to Kalamata by bus, see car rental in Kalamata.
From Thessaloniki, Kavala and Thassos make a good pairing. With Sync you can take the car on the ferry to Thassos. See also car rental in Kavala.
Easter: the village or Crete
Easter in the village is the reason for many trips. With a car, you go from village to village without a bus timetable.
For Crete, the car travels with you on the ferry. If you fly, book a car at your destination. Start with car rental in Chania.
If you’re staying in an Airbnb in the village, see how the car comes to your Airbnb’s door.
Whit Monday: the first swim of the year
In June the water warms up and the beaches don’t yet have the August crowds.
From Athens, Lefkada is connected by a bridge, so no ferry is needed. See the routes in our article Athens to Lefkada by car.
From Thessaloniki, Halkidiki is closer. For families, see the Halkidiki beaches with easy access.
28 October 2027: autumn in the mountains
Bridge it with the Friday and you get four days at the end of October. Meteora and the mountain villages of Arcadia are in their autumn colours at that time of year.
Practical tips for your holiday car
Book it with your accommodation
Book the car the same day you book the house or hotel. On Sync you can cancel for free up to 24 hours before pickup.
If you’re working out your holiday budget, see how car rental without a credit card works on Sync.
Choose the exact model
On Sync you book the specific car you see in the photos. Count people and suitcases before you choose.
For snowy mountain roads, check the car’s features to see whether it has four-wheel drive.
Share the driving
On long drives, drivers take turns. Add up to 3 additional drivers to your booking at no extra charge. Each driver confirms their details through Sync.
Take the car on the ferry
With a Sync booking you can drive anywhere in Greece, including the islands by ferry. The car can’t leave Greece.
Pick it up at your door
Many Hosts bring the car to the address you choose. You see the delivery cost before you book.
What to bring
- Your driving licence. The Host asks for it at pickup.
- Your ID card or passport.
- A car charger for your phone.
- Water and snacks for the drive.
- Warm clothes in winter, if you’re heading to the mountains.
Frequently asked questions
When is Easter in 2027?
Easter 2027 is on Sunday 2 May. Easter Monday is on 3 May.
When is Clean Monday in 2027?
Clean Monday is on 15 March 2027. Together with the weekend, it makes a long weekend.
When is Whit Monday in 2027?
Whit Monday is on Monday 21 June 2027. It’s a public-sector holiday.
How early should I book a car for Easter?
Book as soon as you’ve booked your accommodation. You can cancel for free up to 24 hours before pickup, so the risk is small.
Now you know the red days of 2027. The car comes to your door.
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