Greece is one of the most popular destinations for Jewish travellers, and almost wherever you go you’re likely to hear Hebrew spoken — in the alleyways of Athens, on the golden beaches of Crete and Rhodes, and even in more off-the-beaten-path regions like Epirus and Macedonia.
Alongside the music, food, and weather that make Jewish travellers feel right at home, there is another factor that makes visiting Greece particularly convenient: the many Chabad Houses spread across the country.
The wide network of Chabad Houses has made visiting Greece more accessible than ever. You’ll always find a warm welcome, kosher food, and a home-away-from-home atmosphere — but that’s not all.
These centres are the go-to address for anyone looking for minyan davening, a Shabbos meal, or simply a place to swap travel stories in a familiar setting and pick up local tips. At some locations you’ll also find kosher restaurants serving Israeli and Greek cuisine prepared to the highest mehadrin standard.
Chabad House Athens
This is the central Chabad House in Greece, serving as a hub for anyone arriving in Athens or continuing from there to the islands. The centre holds minyan davening (primarily on Shabbos), Torah classes, assistance for travellers, and a modern mikveh nearby.
Close by is the Gostijo restaurant, serving mehadrin-certified Spanish-Jewish and Greek cuisine and open year-round. Inside the Chabad centre itself there is a small shop selling kosher wine, fresh challah for Shabbos, cheeses, and Israeli products.
Hotels Near Chabad Athens
- Clyde Athens — An apartment hotel 100 metres from Chabad, with 2 air-conditioned rooms with balcony views: a double room and a suite sleeping up to 4.
- MONO Lofts — An air-conditioned apartment hotel directly opposite Chabad, with 5 apartments of varying sizes accommodating up to 18 adults and 8 children.
- 18 Micon Str — Located 20 metres from Chabad and 200 metres from the Monastiraki flea market. Air-conditioned, designed in an industrial style with handcrafted furniture and rainfall showers.
- Bonnie Athens — An air-conditioned hotel 40 metres from Chabad and 300 metres from Monastiraki Square.
- Eternal Acropolis — A third-floor apartment hotel with balconies, 40 metres from Chabad. Offers an apartment for 4 adults and 3 children and a suite for 3 adults and 3 children, plus an on-site restaurant (not kosher). Note: no breakfast is served and there is no lift — best suited to younger travellers looking for a great central location.
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Chabad House Rhodes
The centre operates seasonally (April–October), serving the thousands of Jewish visitors who come to holiday on the island. It hosts large Shabbos meals, runs a shul during the season, and offers children’s activities in summer.
Adjacent to the Chabad House, the Jerusalem Restaurant operates in season — a meat restaurant serving Israeli and Greek food. Kosher wine and basic Shabbos products can also be arranged through the local Chabad shluchim.
Hotels Near Chabad Rhodes
- Blue Eyes Apartments — An air-conditioned apartment hotel 100 metres from Chabad, with 4 room types: a studio apartment with balcony for 4, an apartment for 5 with balcony, an apartment for 5 with sea view, and a premium apartment for 5.
- Ixia Home — A 90 m² apartment 150 metres from Chabad, with 2 bedrooms and a balcony overlooking the sea. Accommodates 5 adults and 5 children.
- Olympic Palace Hotel — A spa hotel 200 metres from Chabad with a private beach, sauna, 2 types of jacuzzi, 3 Mediterranean restaurants, 4 swimming pools (including an indoor heated pool), and a range of massage and treatment rooms.
- Caravel Hotel Apartments — A hotel of 29 air-conditioned apartments 150 metres from Chabad, with an outdoor pool, children’s play area, and a Mediterranean restaurant. Each apartment accommodates 2–4 adults and 1–3 children.
- Filmar Hotel — An air-conditioned hotel 100 metres from Chabad.
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Chabad House Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is a city with a magnificent Jewish history — once known as the “Jerusalem of the Balkans.” The local Chabad House operates in close collaboration with the established local Jewish community.
The centre includes a visitor centre dedicated to Jewish heritage, holds Shabbos davening at the main shul, and provides assistance to groups of Jewish travellers. While there is no formal restaurant within the building, kosher catering and Shabbos meals can be arranged with advance notice.
Nearby kosher options are available through the community — including the possibility of ordering kosher products via the centre’s offices or through grocery stores that serve the local Jewish community.
Hotels Near Chabad Thessaloniki
- Astoria Hotel Thessaloniki — A modern business hotel 10 metres from Chabad, with a restaurant serving organic food.
- Mediterranean Palace — A business and spa hotel 50 metres from Chabad with 111 rooms and 7 suites.
- Port de L’eau Roof Garden — A 45 m² apartment 100 metres from Chabad with 2 bedrooms and a bathroom, accommodating 4 adults and 3 children.
- Vanilla Boutique — An air-conditioned apartment hotel 100 metres from Chabad; all rooms accommodate 2–4 adults.
- Eden Luxury — An air-conditioned 40 m² suite 150 metres from Chabad.
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Important Tips for Jewish Travellers
Seasonality matters in Greece. During the summer months (July–August), the Chabad Houses in Rhodes and Crete are extremely busy, so it is essential to register for Shabbos meals at least a week in advance.
On the question of mikvehs: in Athens there is a modern mikveh within walking distance of Chabad. On the islands, it’s worth checking directly with the local shliach regarding available options — and don’t forget that the sea itself can, under the right conditions and with sufficient privacy, serve as a valid mikveh.
Most Chabad Houses in Greece do not have a fixed daily minyan throughout the week, but during the tourist season you can almost always find minyanim for Shacharis, Mincha, and Maariv, thanks to the large number of Jewish visitors in the country.
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