How to Experience the Legendary Slow-Living in Greece

Christopher Enolpe
March 31st, 2025

Skiathos_Lalaria-beach — Life on Greece’s most remote places has its own, slow pace. Credit: Greek Reporter

In a world obsessed with productivity and life hacks, the residents of Greece’s remote villages and islands hold a secret of slow living: nearly 30% of Ikaria’s population lives past 90, defying global life expectancy trends. How do they do that, you might ask. Well, it’s not through biohacking or some influencer-inspired remedy. The people of Ikaria and many other remote places in the Greek countryside achieve this through the ancient wisdom of the “art of living”, moving, and taking life at their own pace.

This deeply rooted philosophy in Greece’s cultural DNA offers a radical alternative to modern society’s urge for instant results and ultimate speed. As burnout becomes a global pandemic, the old Greek approach to savoring life’s simplest moments is becoming more relevant than ever, challenging us to reconsider what it truly means to live.

The roots of slow living in Greece

The concept of slow-living is not a traditional Mediterranean village custom, as you might think. It is indeed a worldview with roots stretching back to antiquity. Ancient Greek philosophers were the first to mention and praise this approach to life emphasizing eudaimonia (human flourishing) and sophrosyne (moderation). Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, for example, argued that virtue lies in finding the “golden mean” between extremes.

Historical records reveal that the inhabitants of ancient Epidavros would spend hours in their agora, the city’s marketplace, where people met and exchanged views and stories. There, they would spend their time debating philosophy while nibbling on olives and cheese—a scene so strange to a modern society that’s used to rushed lunch breaks and never-ending emails. This tradition of slow social engagement was so embedded in Greek society that it survived through the Byzantine era and Ottoman occupation to modern Greece. It can be said that the modern kafeneio (coffee shop) culture of Greece, where villagers debate politics over slowly sipped Greek coffee, is a direct continuation of this ancient tradition.

Philoxenia ancient greek symposium — Ancient Greek Symposium. Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Nikias Painter CC BY 2.5

Unfortunately, the 20th century nearly erased these traditions as urbanization became the norm in Greece. Jobs became so demanding that people had no time for such engagements. However, a counter-movement emerged in the 1980s.

When Carlo Petrini launched the Slow Food movement in Italy to protest fast food culture, many Greeks recognized the need to revive their traditional slow-living ethos.

That doesn’t mean that Greeks don’t work hard. On the contrary, Greeks work among the longest hours in the European Union. When combining both full-time and part-time employment, Greece tops the list with an average of 42.3 hours per week, according to Eurostat.

The afternoon nap

The traditional afternoon nap is another important element of the slow-living Greek experience, and is deeply connected to the country’s social culture.

This is not simply a Greek tradition; it reflects a broader Mediterranean approach to slow living. This practice is mainly observed in smaller towns and villages, allowing people to escape the intense midday heat and rejuvenate with a short nap in a shadowy, cooler part of the house.

This tradition is more of a philosophical approach to life that prioritizes well-being and a balanced pace, compared to a never-ending 9-5 shift that so many of us are used to.

Like the Spanish “siesta,” this custom considers something our modern world often neglects: the body’s natural rhythms and the need for rest, particularly in warm climates following lunch. Although affected by modern life, this Mediterranean custom of pausing and prioritizing remains a strong cultural aspect of Greece and neighboring nations.

A group of elderly men sitting and chatting inside a traditional Greek kafenio (café) in Doukades, Corfu, Greece. — A glimpse into the slow-paced life of Greece—elderly men enjoy unhurried conversation in a traditional kafenio in Doukades, Corfu. Credit: Thomas Schoch, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Slow Living in Greece: How could you experience it?

The rhythm of slow life on many Greek islands offers a clear guide to survive a fast-paced world and live in harmony with nature and yourself.

For those who move to Greece—whether digital nomads seeking a change of pace or retirees embracing a new chapter—the slow-living lifestyle presents a rare opportunity to step away from the relentless rush of modern life. It fosters a deeper appreciation for the present moment, a sense of tranquility, and a heightened awareness of one’s surroundings, from the soothing expanse of the sea and the unspoiled beauty of nature to leisurely walks through timeless landscapes, encounters with traditional architecture, and the warmth of locals whose hospitality is as enduring as the land itself.

If you are one of those who want to fully immerse themselves in this philosophy, you would need to embrace the rhythms of your local community. Examples you could follow include starting your day with a leisurely coffee at your local kafenio, where conversations ebb and flow and time feels abundant. Another key practice is to take midday breaks seriously by enjoying meals with friends or colleagues under the warm sunshine—a practice equivalent to the best mindfulness activities. Evenings can be spent strolling through village streets or along coastal paths, engaging with neighbors, or simply soaking in the beauty of the Greek landscape.

In an era of climate crisis and digital overload, the tradition of slow living in Greece offers a great alternative for sustainable living, prioritizing physical and mental well-being over a toxic work culture that dictates how to live rather than enabling us to live.

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