Northern Greece's tourism market is showing a mixed but generally upbeat picture ahead of the Clean Monday long weekend, one of the first major travel breaks of the year in Greece.
Clean Monday, a public holiday in Greece, marks the beginning of Lent in the Orthodox Christian calendar, and is traditionally celebrated with outdoor gatherings, fasting foods such as flatbread and seafood, and the symbolic flying of kites.
Some destinations are already fully booked for the 20-23 February period, while others are relying on last-minute reservations to boost occupancy rates. In several popular areas, high demand is spilling over into neighbouring regions, creating broader mobility across the region. Room prices, according to tourism representatives, remain broadly in line with last year, with only minor increases in some cases, and options are available across a wide range of budgets.
In Xanthi, the "queen" of northern Greece's carnival season, bookings currently stand at around 70% despite the city's flagship carnival parade on Sunday 22 February, which typically draws around 300,000 visitors over the festive weekend. that local hoteliers expect last-minute bookings to lift occupancy closer to full capacity.
However, there has been a noticeable shift in visitor behaviour: The president of the Xanthi Hoteliers' Association, Athanasia Kopsalidou, tells Voria.gr that whereas in previous years most guests booked for the entire three-day break, many now opt for two nights or even a single overnight stay. Visitors are primarily from northern Greece, with a significant number travelling in for the day to attend the parade. A double room averages around €100 per night, excluding breakfast.
Elsewhere, Imathia is enjoying particularly strong demand thanks to carnival events in Naoussa and Veria. Hotel occupancy is reaching 95%, with the peak weekend expected to sell out. Visitors are arriving not only from northern Greece but also from the Peloponnese and central regions. Limited accommodation capacity has led some travellers to stay in nearby areas such as Pella and commute to the festivities.
In Florina, occupancy stands at around 80% in the city, 60-70% in Prespes, and approximately 90% in the well-known mountain village of Nymfaio. The secretary-general of the Florina Hoteliers' Association, Stratos Vasilopoulos, tells Voria.gr that the pace is more subdued than in previous years, when properties were sold out months in advance. Adverse weather and wider economic pressures are cited as key factors, although bookings may still strengthen. Heating costs have risen, but room rates remain at last year's levels.
Kastoria is among the strongest performers, with bookings reaching 95% and expectations of full capacity over the weekend. Prices range from €60-70 for a double room in lower-category hotels to €300-400 for a double room in five-star properties, typically including breakfast. The outlook for Easter is also highly positive, with bookings already at 75%.
By Lina Tsireka - adapted from Greek by Vassia Barba
