Oxi Day, also known as Ohi or Ochi, is a cherished national holiday celebrated on the 28th of October each year in Greece, Cyprus, and by Greek communities worldwide. While it's marked with parades and festivities, Oxi Day is also a moment to reflect on the virtues of courage, statesmanship, and national pride. Let's delve into why we celebrate this special day and how you can join the fun.
On this historic day in 1940, Greece's Prime Minister, Ioannis Metaxas, stood resolute against Benito Mussolini's demand to allow Italian troops to enter Greek territory. Responding in the diplomatic language of the time, Metaxas declared, "Alors, c’est la guerre!" or "Then it is War!" His unwavering stance ignited a wave of patriotic fervor across Greece, with people taking to the streets and shouting "Oxi!" in defiance.
Oxi Day is a national holiday, which means schools and most businesses remain closed. Cafes and restaurants, on the other hand, come to life, welcoming locals and visitors alike. Be sure to book your reservations in advance, especially after the parades conclude.
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Across the country, parades fill the streets, with the grandest taking place in Thessaloniki in the northern part of Greece. In Athens, the epicenter of the celebration, the main parade kicks off at 11 a.m. from Zappeion and ends at Akadimias Street. Schools from the Athens district participate, with children of all ages donning matching uniforms. The parade marches past the Parliament at Syntagma Square, paying tribute to the Unknown Soldier monument and those who sacrificed for their country. State officials watch from Syntagma Square, while the streets and balconies are crowded with people proudly waving Greek flags.
During this festive weekend, Greek flags become a ubiquitous sight. Street vendors sell flags, cotton candy, and other delights. After the parade, many locals gather in cafes and restaurants for a day of jubilation.
If you happen to be in Athens during this special weekend, you're in for a treat because entrance to the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum is free. Keep in mind that there may be limited spots and specific time slots, but you can secure your spot by booking a tour with us. When making your reservation, select the "Book WITHOUT ticket" option for tours on the 28th of October.
Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to visit one of Greece's most iconic landmarks on a day that holds great significance for all Greeks. Join us and experience the magic of Oxi Day in Athens!
Our guide was amazing, made a conscious effort to keep us cool. Stopping in the shade to talk and kept us engaged with relevant history/facts often relating it to where we were from.
Ryan | Jun 24 | Acropolis & Museum Tour
Niobe was fantastic, so knowledgeable and took wonderful care of us. It was warm but we always stopped in the shade. So much information on the history of Greece & the Acropolis. We had a wonderful walk. Recommend booking early morning if possible.
John | Jun 24 | Acropolis Tour
Very well organized tour. Extremely knowledgeable and friendly Guide. Seeing the temperatures and the crowds really the best way and time to visit the Acropolis.
Marco | Jun 24 | First Access Acropolis Tour
Margarita was the absolute best — amazing English, full of information, fun to hang out with, etc. Book this tour asap!
Jason | Jun 24 | Athens City, Acropolis & Museum Tour
Angel was a wonderful and entertaining guide! He provided great descriptions and cultural contexts for each delicious dish we enjoyed. Angel also provided excellent and informative histories of the various sites and places we passed on our tour. My wife and I raved about our experience with our family. I highly recommend this tour, and Angel as a guide.
Jack | Jun 24 | Athens Old Town Food Tour
Easy skip the line - early entry allowed for good photos without the crowd. Tour was quick (1.5 hours) and left most of the rest of the day to explore on our own.
Barry | Jun 24 | First Access Acropolis Tour
Rina was amazing for our first ever walking tour. Incredibly knowledgeable and very easy to listen to. We learnt and enjoyed it so much. Great experience - our 11 and 9 year old got so much out of it. Thanks Rina!
Nicola | Jun 24 | Athens City & Acropolis Museum
The Acropolis and museum tour was great. Alice provided good historical context and explanations without overwhelming with too many facts. We were so glad we did the tour vs. going on our own and learned a few things along the way. Definitely recommend.
Maya | Jun 24 | Acropolis & Museum Tour
We had such a great Acropolis tour, Niiloletta was such a personable and informative tour guide, we learned so much and the tour went a good pace where we were truly able to experience the history of Acropolis!
Y Tresnan | Jun 24 | Acropolis Tour
I loved everything about our tour but mostly I loved Margarita! She was wonderful! So knowledgeable, just lovely, took such good care of us! You should give her a raise! She certainly deserves one! Thank you Margarita for a perfect first day in Athens!
Kim | Jun 24 | Athens City, Acropolis & Museum Tour
Great tour! It’s a really special experience to be one of the first groups to climb the Acropolis, and Niobe was a friendly and knowledgeable tour guide! Would recommend this tour to anyone visiting Athens.
Rachel | Jun 24 | First Access Acropolis
This was the highlight of our Athens stay! Eva was excellent - she was super knowledgeable, warm, friendly and funny! We learned a ton about Greek culture and tasted some awesome authentic Greek food. Would highly recommend especially with Eva - we loved her!
Kelly Cullen | May 24 | Athens Street Culture & Food
The private tour of the acropolis + museum was so much fun! My parents aren’t as agile as they used to be, and our guide Nikoletta was EXTREMELY accommodating and made sure they could both reach the top. She was also very knowledgeable and friendly. I would highly highly recommend this tour.
Leah Procopi | May 24 | Private Acropolis & Museum Tour
Orestis led our group of four on a fabulous tasting tour of authentic Greek food. He was very knowledgeable, pleasant, and lighthearted. Great experience, delicious food, so glad we did this tour!
Susan | May 24 | Athens Food Tour
Excellent choice. Our tour guide was fantastic, very knowledgeable, kind, sympathetic and embraced the history of Greece with quite interesting and rich presentation. Will definitely recommend it. 2-thumbs-Up !
Sergio del Lupo | May 24 | Acropolis of Athens Tour
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