How Does Sunday & Holiday Hours Work in Greece?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Europe
1The Quick Answer
Many shops close on Sundays, but restaurants, tavernas, and most tourist businesses stay open seven days a week.
2What You Need to Know
Greek retail law means that many non-tourist shops are closed on Sundays, though this is changing in larger cities. Supermarkets often operate reduced Sunday hours. Restaurants and tavernas are open seven days a week and often stay open late into the night. Banks are closed on weekends. Orthodox Easter — which falls on a different date from Western Easter — is the most important holiday in Greece, and businesses often close for several days around Good Friday and Easter Monday.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Stock up on supplies on Saturday if you are staying somewhere rural — local shops may be entirely closed Sunday.
- 2Orthodox Easter (check the date, as it differs each year) brings spectacular traditions like midnight church processions and lamb on the spit — a wonderful time to visit.
- 3Archaeological sites and museums are open on Sundays and offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month from October to March.
How does this compare?
Sunday & Holiday Hours rules in nearby and similar countries:
Shops are closed on Sundays by law. Restaurants and cafés are open. Supermarkets close Sunday. Plan your grocery shopping for Saturday.
Large shops open shorter Sunday hours (typically 10am–4pm or 11am–5pm). Pubs and restaurants normal hours. Bank Holidays see widespread closures.
Most shops close on Sundays. Supermarkets open limited hours. Paris tourist areas have exceptions. Restaurants and bakeries open Sunday morning.
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