Greece in March 2008

March in Greece can still be cool and wet, but there will usually be some great clear days, and prices are very low for airfare and hotels. Consider warming up with a splurge choice at one of Greece's new boutique hotels.

In 2008, the Carnival Season ends in March and Lent begins. Here is the full Greek Carnival "Mardi Gras" schedule:
Triodion: Saturday, February 17th
Tsiknopempti or "Burnt Thursday": February 28th
Tsiknopempti Weekend: Friday, February 29th - Sunday, March 2nd
Main Carnival Weekend: Friday, March 7th - Sunday, March 9th
Clean Monday: Monday, March 10th

More on Greek Mardi Gras

The annual Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival runs March 10th through the 19th. It offers a wide variety of non-fiction films. No one should need an extra reason to visit Thessaloniki, which many regard as Greece's most beautiful city, but if you need a little more of an incentive, why not take this one? With a new, faster train service from Athens that takes only four and a half hours, Thessaloniki is easier to get to and cheaper than ever.

On March 25th, Independence Day is celebrated with military parades. Major and minor archaeological sites will be closed, along with banks, public offices, and many businesses. The parade routes may interrupt some traffic in Athens, Thessaloniki, and other major cities.

Most towns and islands will commemorate the day with a celebration of some sort, either for Independence Day or for the Festival of the Annunciation which also falls on March 25th.

The island Hydra (Ydra, Idhra), which was very active in the War for Independence, has a particularly vigorous celebration with a re-enactment of a naval battle.

Mainland Weather: Cool and wet
Island/Coastal Weather: Cool, wet, and windy, more fair days.
Athens Weather: Average high 60°F, average low 47°F.
Heraklion, Crete Weather: Average high 61°F, average low 50°F.
Rhodes Weather: Average high 62°F, average low 52°F.
Events: Mardi Gras can occur in March, and does in 2005.
Facilities: Hotels and restaurants on many islands will be closed.

Towns with a strong carnival season such as Rethymno and Patras will be lively.

More Holidays, Festivals, and Name Days for March

March 1st - St. Maria the Egyptian; Eudokias; Tis Tyrofagou
March 2nd - Feast Day for St. Theodore; Euthalias
March 3rd - Name day for Cleonikou
March 5th - Name day for Kononos.
March 7th - Name day for Laurentiou (Lawrence)
March 8th - Name day for Theofulaktou
March 16th - Name day for Christodoulou/Xristodoulou
March 19th - Crysanthos Day
March 21st - Iakovou (Jacob)
March 25th - The Annunciation - Evanelismos tis Theotokou -widely observed religious feast
March 25th - Independence Day. Celebrated throughout Greece.
March 27th - Name day for Ilarionos
March 31st - Name day for Ypatiou

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