Ohi Day: how Greece marks 28 October and what it means for life here

Yesterday, 28 October, all of Greece was covered in blue-and-white flags. It was Ohi Day — one of the country's two main national holidays, alongside 25 March. If you are thinking of moving here or already own a home in Greece, this day is worth knowing and understanding. Here it is in simple words.

What 28 October commemorates

"Ohi" (όχι) means "no" in Greek. On 28 October 1940, Greece received an ultimatum from Italy and refused it. Italy then invaded Greece, and the country entered the Second World War.

For Greeks, the day is about dignity and the courage to say "no" even when the odds are against you. That is why the holiday feels so personal: it is taught in schools and remembered in every family.

How the day unfolds

This year 28 October fell on a Wednesday. Here is how the day looked:

• Athens. In the morning, a gun salute from Lycabettus Hill; at 8:00 the flag is raised on the Acropolis, followed by a service at the cathedral and a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. At 11:00, the student parade passes in front of Parliament.
• Thessaloniki. This is where the country's main military parade takes place. It started at 11:00 on Megalou Alexandrou Avenue by the sea, with military, student and civilian sections, broadcast live on ERT3.
• Across the country, towns and villages hold their own student parades. Carrying the flag in the parade is a great honour for a pupil.

In Thessaloniki the celebrations are especially long. On 26 October the city marks the feast of Saint Demetrius, its patron saint, so this year Thessaloniki students had six days in a row without regular lessons — from 23 to 28 October.

What is closed and what is open

28 October is a mandatory public holiday. This means:

• schools and most offices are closed;
• most shops are closed — only businesses legally allowed to open on Sundays and holidays can trade;
• streets in central Athens and Thessaloniki are closed, and bus and tram routes change. In Athens, for example, Syntagma metro station closed from 8 am;
• on the bright side, state museums and archaeological sites are free to enter — 28 October is on the official list of free-admission days. It is best to check opening hours on the holiday in advance.

Why I am writing about this in a property blog

Because living in Greece is not just about square metres and prices. It is also about the rhythm of the country. My practical advice: keep Greek holidays in your calendar. Banks and many public offices are closed on these days, so it is better to schedule document signings, office visits and important deadlines on ordinary working days.

This especially applies to Thessaloniki and northern Greece at the end of October: two holidays in one week, closed streets in the centre and lots of visitors in town. If you are coming to view apartments on these dates, allow an extra day.

One more observation. Holidays like this show the true character of a place. Student parades, flags on balconies, families on the waterfront — this is the Greece many people move here for. Not the resort version, but the real one, with its own memory and traditions.

What this means for buyers

• Plan trips and transactions around the holidays. 28 October, 25 March and local patron saint days can shift your plans.
• If you are choosing an area to live in, see how it feels on holidays. Some places are quiet; elsewhere the centre is fully closed off.
• If you rent out a property, remember that visitors come to town for holiday days, especially in Thessaloniki.

If you are thinking about buying property in Greece or about the Golden Visa, write to me — I will help you choose a place where you feel good not only on holiday but in everyday life.