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Creta Maris Resort is more than just a place to stay—it’s a vibrant tribute to Crete’s architecture, cuisine, culture, and natural beauty. As a family-owned and locally staffed all-inclusive beach resort, we take immense pride in offering exceptional facilities, enriching activities, and extraordinary experiences for every type of traveler. Whether you’re a couple, family, solo adventurer, or multi-generational holidaymaker, our heartfelt generosity and sincerity define the unparalleled Cretan hospitality we deliver.
At the heart of Creta Maris is a deep commitment to preserving Greece’s cultural heritage and supporting the local community—a harmonious balance of honoring the past while investing in the future.
Christmas and New Year Traditions in Crete
Christmas in Crete is a magical time of heartfelt traditions, festive gatherings, and age-old customs. Across the island, families come together to celebrate the season’s holiest days as towns and villages brim with joyous events and culinary delights.
The festivities begin well before Christmas Eve, with bakeries filling their shelves with kourabiedes (buttery almond cookies) and melomakarona (honey-drenched walnut cookies). On Christmas Eve morning, children sing kalanda (carols) door to door, spreading cheer in exchange for sweets or coins.
Sharing a festive meal with loved ones is at the heart of Christmas in Crete, much like Easter elsewhere in Greece. On New Year’s Eve, Greece’s version of Santa Claus, Ayios Vassilis, visits homes to deliver gifts. Families gather for a late-night feast, crowned with a vasilopita—a sweet cake baked with a hidden coin. Whoever finds the coin in their slice is believed to enjoy good fortune in the coming year.
In Heraklion, the New Year’s table often includes bougatsa, a luscious custard-filled pastry wrapped in filo, and gifting ceramic pomegranates—symbols of good luck and prosperity—is a cherished custom.
The season’s celebrations extend to January 6, the culmination of the 12 days of Christmas, marked by Epiphany or Agiasmos, the Blessing of the Waters. At Heraklion’s old port, crowds gather to watch brave swimmers dive into icy waters to retrieve a cross thrown by a priest, while a white dove is released to symbolize the Holy Spirit.
Traditional Christmas Foods in Crete
Crete’s holiday season is as much about its delectable flavors as its cherished traditions. Here are some highlights:
Christmas Cookies
- Melomakarona: Honey-glazed cookies with crushed walnuts.
- Kourabiedes: Shortbread-like cookies with toasted almonds and powdered sugar.
Christmas Pork Dishes
Pork is a holiday staple, served in various forms: stewed with celery, tomato, or lemon sauce; grilled or smoked (apaki); or prepared with siglina or tsigarides, making use of the whole animal.
Christopsomo (Christmas Bread)
A semi-sweet bread adorned with dough crosses, symbolizing the Eucharist and Mary’s purity. Some versions feature a whole walnut or egg at the center.
Christmas Lamb Roast
A whole roasted lamb, including symbolic elements like the head and tail, reflecting the Holy Family and Christ’s resurrection.
Festive Wishes from Creta Maris Resort
As the year draws to a close, the festive season reminds us of the joy found in togetherness, tradition, and gratitude. At Creta Maris Resort, we are thankful for the beautiful memories we’ve shared with you and eagerly await the opportunity to create even more unforgettable moments in 2025.
From all of us at Creta Maris Resort, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with health, happiness, and prosperity. May the flavors, traditions, and warmth of Crete bring joy to your celebrations, wherever you may be.
We can’t wait to welcome you back to Crete next year, where new adventures and timeless experiences await!
