Carnival, also known as Apokries, in Greece is a time filled with tradition, celebration, colors, and music. Renting a car gives you the freedom to explore all of Greece's Carnival cities without restrictions.
Take a road trip to the most popular Carnival destination in Greece and get ready to participate in the local festivities.
Xanthi is particularly known for its Carnival celebrations that blend the festive ambiance with local customs. More specifically, Xanthi hosts the largest Carnival in Northern Greece with thousands of visitors and Carnival participants.
The traditional masks and costumes that steal the show are among the most unique features of the Xanthi Carnival. Men, women and children dress up in handmade costumes and conceal their faces with masks.
If you decide to spend your days in Xanthi, keep in mind that Let’s Drive offers the best car rental solutions from Thessaloniki airport so that you can experience the Greek tradition and dance your heart out in Xanthi.
There are undoubtedly a lot of Carnival destinations in Greece. However, the revival of old customs is the main reason why Carnival in Naoussa is a unique experience.
The most famous custom that takes place in Naoussa every year during this period is the "Genitsari and Boules".
In fact, this custom has ancient roots that go back to the worship of Dionysus, while in later years, it is also associated with the period of the Turkish occupation.
These days, the tradition is celebrated with the unmarried young men dressing in traditional costumes and dancing all over the city. During the parade that marks the end of the Naoussa Carnival "Genitsari and Boules" swarm the streets in their traditional costumes reenacting historical events.
For those of you who are traveling long distances or getting ready for a long road trip we recommend reading our article "The top rental cars for long trips". At this point, the only thing you need to worry about is what to wear to the Carnival.
Thousands, mostly young people, travel to Patras each year to participate in the most popular and entertaining Greek Carnival.
The city of Patras hosts a large, never-ending celebration with parade floats, confetti, and colorful costumes.
It is safe to say that a road trip for the Carnival will be an amazing experience if you are among those who have not witnessed the festivities in Patras.
Remember that if you are starting your road trip from the Greek capital you can choose car rental from Athens to reach your destination comfortably.
As we have mentioned in our previous blogs, Crete is an island with rich history and customs. As a result, we couldn't help but include Rethymno in our list with the best Carnival destinations.
The treasure hunt game where everyone is invited to solve puzzles and claim the title of the winner is an annual tradition that takes place approximately two weeks before Carnival. The fascinating thing about this game is that although the hunt itself lasts only one day there is a whole cycle of preparation and organization where everyone can participate.
Grab the opportunity to travel by car throughout Greece and dance to Carnival rhythms. Explore new roads and enjoy the festive atmosphere of the Carnival season.
