The Best Places to Celebrate Easter

Easter is fast approaching, and if you fancy swapping your traditional roast dinner and annual Easter egg hunt for something a little more memorable this year, then you've come to right place. From candlelit processions to charming markets and ancient traditions, everywhere in Europe marks the occasion in a unique way. Whether you're looking for a spiritual escape or a lively experience, here's our pick of the best places to go for Easter.

Where to go for Easter

Rome

If you’re after a religious but lively Easter experience, Rome is hard to beat - especially around Vatican City. Although the city is always buzzing, at Easter it really comes alive with huge crowds and traditional processions creating a festive atmosphere.

Main events in Rome at Easter include the Good Friday Via Crucis, also known as the 'Way of the Cross' - a torchlit procession dating back to the 18th century. Led by the Pope, it begins at the Colosseum and makes its way towards the Roman Forum.

On Easter Sunday, crowds gather in St Peter’s Square as the Pope delivers Mass at St Peter’s Basilica. After, he gives the Urbi et Orbi blessing, which means 'to the city and to the world', from the balcony.

Tip: make sure to try Colomba di Pasqua, a traditional Italian speciality at Easter, featuring soft dough, candied fruit and almonds.

Seville

In Seville, Easter is a very lively affair. The whole city turns into one big celebration, as locals and tourists come together to mark the occasion. Holy Week in Seville is known as ‘Semana Santa’ and is a major public holiday and one of the city's most important events.

Throughout the week, colourful processions take over the city’s charming streets, as various brotherhoods march through. They carry elaborate floats (pasos) on their shoulders and dress in long robes and pointed hoods, some holding candles or carrying wooden crosses. The combination of centuries-old rituals, marching bands and traditional music (saetas) creates a magical and unique atmosphere - something that's hard to forget.

Vienna

Easter celebrations in Vienna are a little more low key but still just as exciting. The main highlight at Easter in Vienna are the colourful markets that take over the city’s streets, with the spring sunshine beaming down.

One of the most popular Easter markets in Vienna is the market at Schönbrunn Palace. With its stunning palace backdrop and trinket-filled stalls, it’s a lovely place for a wander.

Another must-visit is the Old Viennese Easter Market at Freyung in the Old Town, famous for its 40,000 painted Easter eggs. You'll also find stalls serving Austrian Easter delicacies, creative workshops and entertainment for the little ones, making it a great choice for all the family.

The Am Hof Easter Market is another one of the city’s top Easter markets, set in one of Vienna's historic squares. It’s a particularly good place for foodies, with stalls serving local favourites like Osterpinze, a sweet Australian bread, Kaiserschmarrn, fluffy pancakes, and roast lamb.

Corfu

Things don’t get much more lively than Easter on Corfu. The Ionian Island certainly knows how to put on a show with Easter celebrations held all over the island – in fact, it’s said to be the best place to celebrate Easter in the whole of Greece.

Thousands take to the island’s streets, both locals and tourists alike, to soak up the buzzing yet spiritual atmosphere. The combination of traditional processions, colourful decorations, live music, incredible fireworks and of course, plenty of delicious Greek delicacies, make Easter in Corfu an experience to remember.

One of the highlights of visiting Corfu at Easter is ‘Botides’, which takes place at 11am on Holy Saturday. This ancient tradition sees huge clay pots being thrown by locals from balconies, smashing them onto the streets below as crowds watch on. It’s a tradition that’s said to get rid of evil spirits and welcome the arrival of spring.

Florence

Rome isn't the only Italian city that knows how to mark the occasion. Florence puts on quite a show at Easter, with city-wide parades and centuries-old traditions. The main Easter event in Florence takes place on Easter Sunday with the Scoppio del Carrio, also known as the Explosion of the Cart - as its name suggests, it's basically a cart filled with fireworks!

Celebrations kick off around 10am with costume-wearers and marching bands taking to the streets as the firework-filled cart, known as Brindellone, is taken from Porta al Prato to the Piazza del Duomo. Following the ceremony at the Duomo, the Archbishop of Florence lights the Colombina, a dove-shaped rocket, which travels along a wire to set off the fireworks from the cart outside. The spectacular display lasts 20 minutes and is said to promise good harvest and good fortune. It's a truly memorable experience!

Braga

If you’re looking for a lesser-known gem, the historic city of Braga is perfect for an Easter break. The city is home to Portugal's most famous Easter celebrations, with vibrant processions winding through the streets and churches adorned with purple drapes and filled with fresh flowers and candles.

One of the city's highlights is the Ecce Homo procession, which takes place on Maundy Thursday. Locals parade through Braga in hooded robes by candlelight, creating a unique and intimate experience that feels a lot different from some of the bigger and busier Easter celebrations across Europe.

Tip: whilst you’re here, don’t forget to try traditional Portuguese Easter delicacies like Folar, a sweet bread, and Pao de Lo, a light sponge cake.

No matter where you celebrate Easter, you’re in for an unforgettable experience filled with local traditions and festive spirit. From Florence’s dazzling firework display to Seville’s colourful parades, every destination has something unique to offer. Explore our blog and Instagram for more travel inspiration and book your Easter getaway today.