How to Experience Easter in Italy It Like a Local

Spring in Italy isn’t just a season — it’s a full-on celebration. 💐 And if you’re lucky enough to visit during Easter (La Pasqua), you’ll witness one of the most heartfelt and visually stunning times of the year. 🌞⛪ Whether you’re drawn by spiritual traditions, curious about hidden villages, or just here for the food (we see you 👀🍝), Easter in Italy has something unforgettable for every traveler!

🕊️ Italian Easter Traditions: Faith, Family, and Festivity

Italy celebrates Easter with a deep sense of reverence, history, and… delicious carbs. 🍞

Palm Sunday (Domenica delle Palme) marks the beginning of Holy Week (Settimana Santa) with olive branches (not palms!) handed out in churches and processions echoing ancient rituals. 🌿
On Good Friday (Venerdì Santo), towns across Italy host solemn reenactments of the Passion of Christ. You’ll see hooded processions, live stations of the cross, and candles lighting up narrow alleyways in silence. 🔥
Easter Sunday (Pasqua) is joyful and loud — with family gatherings, overflowing tables, and hugs all around. 🥂
And don’t miss Easter Monday (Pasquetta) — a national excuse to pack a picnic and escape to the countryside. Whether it’s a hike, a lake day, or grilled sausages in the backyard, Italians live it up! 🍗🧺🌳

🍽️ What to Eat: The Italian Easter Feast You’ll Never Forget

You haven’t truly experienced Easter in Italy until you’ve sat down to a never-ending meal surrounded by laughter, wine, and stories. 🍷🇮🇹

Here’s what you’ll likely find on the table:

🕊️ Colomba di Pasqua – A dove-shaped sweet bread topped with almonds and pearl sugar, symbolizing peace.
🐑 Abbacchio al Forno – Roast lamb, a Roman favorite and symbol of sacrifice and rebirth.
🥧 Torta Pasqualina – A Ligurian pie with spinach, ricotta, and whole eggs baked inside.
🍰 Pastiera Napoletana – A rich wheat and ricotta pie with orange blossom water, traditionally baked on Good Friday to eat on Sunday.
🍫 Uova di cioccolato – Chocolate eggs, often oversized and filled with toys or jewelry — don’t be surprised if someone proposes with one! 💍

🌼 Insider Easter Travel Tips (That Locals Know)

🛎️ Book early: Trains, museums, and restaurants are packed during Holy Week. Reserve at least a month in advance.

👩‍🌾 Choose Agriturismi: Rural guesthouses offer full-board feasts, local wine, and real Italian hospitality — perfect for Pasqua and Pasquetta.

👟 Walk everywhere: Many town centers host processions that block traffic. Comfortable shoes = your best friend.

🎒 Pack layers: Spring in Italy can be unpredictable. Sunshine at noon, drizzle by four. Umbrella = lifesaver ☂️

📱 Say “Buona Pasqua!”: A warm Easter greeting will earn you smiles and sometimes even a chocolate treat in small cafés or shops.

🧭 Where to Go in Italy for Easter: From Famous Cities to Hidden Gems

Ready to chase the magic of Pasqua? Here are the top destinations to experience Easter in Italy, from iconic ceremonies to secret local gems that few tourists know about.

🏛️ Rome – For Spiritual Grandeur & Papal Blessings

The Eternal City lives up to its name during Easter. ✨

Join thousands in St. Peter’s Square for the Pope’s “Urbi et Orbi” blessing on Easter Sunday — a moment that gives chills, even if you’re not religious.
Witness the powerful Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) at the Colosseum on Good Friday, led by the Pope and broadcast around the world. The torchlit atmosphere is simply unforgettable. 🔥
Don’t forget to wander into quieter Roman churches like San Giovanni in Laterano or Santa Maria in Trastevere for a more intimate Holy Week experience. 🙏

📍 Pro tip: Book tours and hotels early — Easter is one of Rome’s busiest periods of the year.

🎆 Florence – Fireworks, Folklore & Renaissance Flair

Florence mixes religion with a bang (literally). 🎇

On Easter Sunday, catch the Scoppio del Carro (“Explosion of the Cart”), a 350-year-old tradition where a decorated cart is pulled by oxen to the Duomo and set off with fireworks in front of the entire city. 🐂💥
It’s believed that if the cart explodes successfully, Florence will have a prosperous year — so yes, the crowd goes wild. 🙌
The surrounding streets are packed with locals in medieval costumes, musicians, and joyful chaos.

📍 Bonus: Visit nearby hill towns like Fiesole or San Gimignano for peaceful Pasquetta picnics.

🧙 Enna, Sicily – Ancient, Mystical & Unfiltered

This hilltop town in the heart of Sicily hosts one of Italy’s most hauntingly beautiful Easter processions. 🕯️

Over 2,000 hooded “Confraternities” (brotherhoods) carry statues of the Madonna and Jesus through Enna’s winding medieval streets, creating an emotional and cinematic experience.
The tradition dates back to the 15th century and is almost unchanged — no gimmicks, no tourists, just deep faith and raw emotion. 💔

📍 Don’t miss: Local Easter sweets like cuddura, decorated bread rings with hard-boiled eggs inside. Kids love them!

💃 Sulmona, Abruzzo – The Running Madonna

Nestled between mountains and Baroque facades, Sulmona is a hidden Easter treasure. 🌄

On Easter Sunday, the town hosts “La Madonna che Scappa” (The Madonna Who Runs) — a dramatic moment where the Virgin Mary’s statue literally sprints (well, is carried running) to meet the resurrected Christ. 💙🏃‍♂️
As she runs, she sheds her black mourning veil and doves are released into the air. It’s joy, surprise, and celebration rolled into one theatrical burst.

📍 While you’re there: Visit a local confetti shop — Sulmona is the birthplace of Italian sugared almonds.