Children will have the chance to play with Queen Checkers Cup in the chocolate rose room, while the wishing well and Santa’s woodcarving workshop offer additional play opportunities. The Mill’s facilities include a fun park, ice rink, cinema, Christmas market and street food stalls, creating a series of activities that can occupy the whole family.
Apart from the Mill of the Elves, it is worth a walk in the old Varousi quarter, with the loggias and sachnisia unfolding the history of the city. A climb up to “Pertouli Ski Center» is worth it to test your skiing skills – there are pistes for beginners and experienced skiers – or to have a coffee in one of the chalets. Do not miss if you have time and a tour of its banks Litheos riverthe water jewel of the city.
Drama
Another classic Christmas destination is Drama. The city owes this to “Dream City”, the city’s festive village, which for almost two decades has managed to inspire the spirit of the great festive occasion in locals and visitors. Ideal place for a visit with children, the “Dream City” offers kids plenty of options from making cookies in the elves’ sugar workshop to learning to make soaps and other activities they’ll love.
Beyond the “Dream City”we recommend a visit to the park of Agia Varvara, where the springs of the same name are located and where wooden bridges, large plane trees and water mills make the walk in the park unforgettable.
Leaving the city and at a distance of 49 kilometers is the Falakrou Ski Centeran excellent destination for fans of skiing and snowboarding, while just outside the city there is the Aggitis Cavethe largest river cave in Greece, which is worth seeing if only for the impressive exit of the river through the mountain.
Kalavrita
The graphics are also an ideal choice for family holidays Kalavrita, one of the must destinations in Greece. The historic town, the ski resort and the picturesque villages of the area with its walking routes and taverns that generously offer good food are just a few reasons for a Christmas break that will leave parents and children delighted.
A rare attraction remains the famous cogwheel railway – that is, the roller coaster that crosses the Vouraikos gorge. Especially children will be impressed by the enchanting natural scenery and will enjoy it. If you have time it would be all you have to do to combine the train journey with hiking in the wonderful nature that hides the gorge.
Although the crossing of the Vouraikos Gorge takes about 6 hours, the experience of hiking and the railway journey will be unforgettable.
Kastoria
In Kastoria, with its rich culinary tradition, imposing houses, intense Byzantine past, Christmas is celebrated as it should be. The center of the festive season is none other than the Magical Lake Districta theme park aimed at young visitors and full of activities dedicated especially to them.
If your stay in the city is extended, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the legendary Ragoutsaria of Kastoria, the carnival in the “heart” of winter, with a history lost in the depths of the centuries and different from the rest.
Alternatively, always starting from Kastoria, you can arrange a family road trip to Prespes. Head towards Florina, from the Vitsio mountain pass. You will pass through the beautiful beech forest and crossing Florina, you will head towards the Vigla-Pisoderio pass and from there to Prespes, where you will have the opportunity to enjoy a rare landscape of natural beauty that will leave you speechless and at the same time full.
Janina
The city of Ioannina could not be missing from the list of destinations. Consistently among the top winter destinations, Christmas is probably the best time to visit. On the Hill of Agia Triada, specifically in the Amusement Park of Frontzos, every year the village of Santa Claus is set up, with an open-air market and many events for children and adults.
In the city of Ioannina, of course, there are many things besides the Christmas events to spend creative time with your family. From a walk to the Castle of Ioannina to boating on Lake Pamvotida, and why not a small excursion to learn the history and culture of the Epirus metropolis, through a route that includes stops at its most important museums, such as the Ali Pasha Museum, the Byzantine Museum and the Museum of Silversmithing.
A short trip by car to the relatively unknown but highly interesting lake of Zaravina is also recommended, it is home to a unique ecosystem with rare bird species and countless oak trees.
Read more:
Christmas in Europe with children: 5 top destinations for family holidays
On the occasion of the Mill of the Elves, we spend 48 hours in Trikala
On the occasion of Oniroupolis, we spend 48 hours in Drama
