Cretans love celebrating, partying, listening to traditional music, drinking good wine, enjoying food, keeping warm relationships with people around them and having loving bonds with their family and friends. Long story short… They enjoy their life!
Their culture, the Mediterranean culture, is very special – full of enjoyment, emotions, feelings and enthusiasm. The way our lives should be!
TRADITIONS IN NOWADAYS LIFE
What we love about Cretans the most is their traditional way of life in the modern environment.
Crete has fantastic coffee places, bars, restaurants … and even the “basic” ones are new or renovated and very nicely furnished!
It is very nice to be the guests of these places and observe local life. Which is in a way very traditional and very friendly. Literally.
Because as we mentioned at the beginning, the Greek / Cretan culture is about being together.
You will very rarely see somebody staring all the time to his phone. Greeks prefer social contact! Which is just amazing!
That's also why going out and hanging out is their main activity. They are actually searching for reasons to be celebrating! To have a reason to gather with others and enjoy the time… together!
And when Cretans gather… They gather in a big style!
For example – Cretan weddings. How many guests do you believe are invited in general?
1 000. A thousand. Cretan weddings host hundreds of guests.
Cretan wedding is something worth experiencing. Because during this occasion you can fully see & feel the local culture – singing, dancing, drinking, enjoying life.
During the wedding, the biggest part is live Cretan music and traditional dances. Bride and groom dance for hours during their wedding! But in the typical Greek way – holding each other's hands with others and dancing around. Together!
GREEKS GOING OUT
Greeks usually start very late! And end very… late.
It is not unusual to go out between 22:00 and 24:00 and enjoy the night life until morning hours.
And we need to mention that we were surprised by Greek night life. Although it is very rich and Greeks drink a lot, they are never too much drunk.
In many European cities you can witness people drinking until they black out. But not with Greeks. They definitely drink, especially Cretans, but not in the “disgusting” way.
This fact gives them even more sympathies – they don't necessarily need alcohol to have fun. It is just a nice addition but not a must.
Greeks are truly socialising pros!
GREEK CELEBRATIONS & PARADES
Greeks love when something is going on. Because it is a reason to gather again!
That's why all national days are being celebrated heavily and with a lot of participants.
Parades are usually held during national holidays – kids from schools, folklore communities, police officers and army march through the city while maaaany visitors applause them along their way.
RELIGION
Greeks are very religious. It is a big part of their culture as well. They are orthodox christians and throughout the year they hold a lot of festivities.
Very interesting fact is that very young people are highly religious. Even in big cities.
Religion is something that forms Greek culture a lot. And in a way it makes sense – religion gives them another reason to gather and to celebrate.
While living by the true values. Which Greeks do. Because if you ever visited Greece, you had to notice very nice character of local people!
GREEK HOSPITALITY
Very special part of Greek culture is their hospitality.
They always take care of visitors of their country – no matter that there is a loooot of visitors every year.
They proudly share their land and culture with coming people.
There is a very interesting fact behind this – which goes deep into the history:
Ancient Greeks were known for their hospitality, called "xenia." Xenia was a tradition with roots in their religion. This tradition required hosts to welcome strangers with food, shelter, and protection. A key part of xenia was that the host had to give the most expensive thing he possessed at his home to the visitor – the stranger. Under the rule that when they meet again, the visitor has to give back to the host a gift, which is even more expensive.
Combining this tradition with Greek friendliness and their character makes Greece a wonder place to visit and explore.
Because all these things we described lead to one thing. You will feel amazing in Greece! Especially in our beloved Crete.
And if you decided to visit Crete, we'd love to help you to plan your trip! To experience best of our beloved Crete.
We can provide you with full service planning of your trip, consultations or sharing our local knowledge about any topic you want.
