Easter in Italy 2025 is a unique opportunity to experience one of the country’s most important and deeply rooted traditions. Known as Pasqua, Easter is celebrated with solemn processions, festive gatherings, and centuries-old rituals. In 2025, Holy Week falls between 13th and 20th April, making it the perfect time to explore Italy’s rich cultural and religious heritage.
While Easter elsewhere might be all about chocolate eggs and bunnies, in Italy, it’s a powerful celebration filled with solemn processions, festive gatherings, and regional customs that vary from north to south. If you’re looking to experience Italian culture at its most authentic, Easter in Italy is truly unmissable.
In this guide, we’ll explore how Easter is celebrated across the country, highlight some of the most cherished Italian Easter traditions, and share the best places to visit during Holy Week in 2025.
- When is Easter in Italy 2025?
- How is Easter celebrated in Italy?
- Where to spend Easter in Italy
- Traditional Italian Easter foods you must try
- Is Easter a good time to visit Italy?
- Tips for travelling during Easter in Italy
- Easter Monday in Italy: What is La Pasquetta?
- Easter in Italy 2025: final thoughts and travel advice
When is Easter in Italy 2025?
In 2025, Easter Sunday falls on 20th April, with celebrations starting during Holy Week, which runs from 13th to 20th April. This is one of the most significant times in the Italian calendar, with religious processions, rituals, and events taking place across the country. The week leads up to Pasqua (Easter Sunday), followed by La Pasquetta (Easter Monday), a public holiday when Italians gather outdoors to enjoy picnics and family time.
How is Easter celebrated in Italy?
Easter in Italy is celebrated with a mix of solemn religious traditions and festive gatherings. Across the country, cities, towns, and villages host processions reenacting the Passion of Christ, often featuring locals dressed in historic costumes. Churches hold special masses, while streets fill with the sounds of choirs, bands, and church bells. The atmosphere blends deep spirituality with community celebration, making it a unique cultural experience.
Where to spend Easter in Italy
There are many wonderful places to spend Easter in Italy, each offering its own unique blend of religious traditions, cultural celebrations, and scenic beauty.
When it comes to where to spend Easter in Italy, wherever you decide to visit, in both the north and the south of Italy, every village, town and city celebrates Easter with their own traditions. These typically include processions, religious rituals and sacred representations of the life and crucifixion of Christ, central to the Catholic tradition which is still very much alive in Italy.
Here are some of the best places to experience Easter in Italy in 2025:
Rome and the Vatican
In Rome, you will find Italy's most typical Easter celebrations, especially important this year due to the Rome Jubilee taking place in the city in 2025. On Good Friday, there is no mass until the Easter Vigil which is held on the evening of Holy Saturday. While there are no official services during the day on Good Friday, in Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican and in all the main churches in the city, you will almost always hear religious chanting throughout the whole day.
If you're spending Easter in Rome, we recommend simply taking a walk through the streets to soak up the unique atmosphere. For example, when night falls on Good Friday, you can bear witness to one of the most solemn and beautiful processions in the world – the famous Via Crucis, usually led by the Pope himself*. This emotive event depicts the arduous journey of Jesus Christ to his crucifixion, starting inside the Coliseum and finishing on Palatine Hill.
Experiencing the Pope's Easter celebration at Saint Peter's Basilica is a truly unforgettable experience and a top recommendation for anyone visiting Rome during Easter. The mass held in Saint Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday is the largest in the world, drawing countless attendees. At 10:15, the Pope appears on the balcony to deliver the service, concluding with his renowned declaration, “Urbi et Orbi,” conveying his message of care for both the city and the world, extending redemption and blessings to all present.
*despite recent health struggles, the pope is expected to participate in Italy's Easter celebrations in 2025 in some shape or form.
Tredozio
Eggs are traditionally said to be so popular at Easter time because they are a symbol of life and hope. In the Italian town of Tredozio in the Forlì-Cesena province, eggs are therefore the protagonists of Sagra e il Palio dell’uovo, an event consisting of competitions, games, battles and a parade with floats. Without a doubt, the highlight of the Palio is on Easter Monday when lots of different neighbourhoods in the area compete for the conquest of the silver egg.
Florence
Easter in Florence offers a one-of-a-kind spectacle. A central figure in the renowned Easter celebration known as the Scoppio del Carro, during Holy Week in Florence, is a dove. The term "Scoppio del Carro" translates to "explosion of the cart" and traces its origins back over three centuries.
During the ceremony, an elaborately decorated cart makes its way from the Piazzale del Prato to Florence Cathedral, where it is linked to the main altar by a metal cable. Subsequently, a symbolic dove, not a real one, grasping an olive branch in its beak, is placed on the cable. Its task is to reach the cart and initiate the fireworks display. The success of this ritual is believed to forecast a prosperous year for the people of Florence.
Urbania
Eggs are once again the star of the show in Urbania, with the Punta e cul show in this town in the Pesaro e Urbino province centred around an egg! This curious Easter festival is inspired by ancient folk customs. The area is also home wide range of family events activities as part of its Easter 2025 programme, including an Easter Bunny Brunch, as well as Easter egg hunts and Easter crafts sure to delight kids of all ages.
Oliena
In Sardinia, Holy Week traditions are especially curious, including the “Scrocifissione” in this particular city of Oliena. This local tradition involves the locals going from church to church, searching for the resurrected Christ every day until Holy Saturday, when his statue is found.
This reunion with the risen Christ then leads to a large procession through the town, with the participants wearing the typical costume of the village. All of this is watched by locals of the town who stand on their balconies with pistols and other weapons which are shot into the air to announce Christ's resurrection.
Bormio
This small town in the north of Italy, in the province of Sondrio, has very special pasquali traditions. Their Easter celebrations consist of rituals to celebrate the arrival of Spring, such as blessing five lambs, while there are even competitions between the different contrade or neighbourhoods. All of this takes place with participants dressed in the distinctive costumes of the five districts of the town.
These are just a few options for spending Easter in Italy, but there are countless other cities, towns, and regions to explore, each offering its own unique charm and traditions during this special time of year. Whether you're interested in religious observances, cultural celebrations, or simply soaking in Italy's beauty, there's something for everyone to enjoy during Easter in Italy.
Traditional Italian Easter foods you must try
Food is central to Easter celebrations in Italy. Families gather for elaborate meals featuring seasonal and symbolic dishes, such as:
- Agnello (Lamb): Often roasted and served with potatoes or artichokes, symbolising sacrifice and rebirth.
- Colomba di Pasqua: A dove-shaped sweet bread, similar to panettone, topped with sugar and almonds.
- Pastiera Napoletana: A traditional Neapolitan dessert made with ricotta, wheat, and candied fruit.
- Chocolate Easter Eggs: Exchanged as gifts, often containing small surprises inside.
Each region adds its own specialities, making Easter the perfect time to experience Italy’s culinary traditions. For more, check out our guide to the best Easter desserts in Italy.
Is Easter a good time to visit Italy?
Easter can be a wonderful time to visit Italy for those who are interested in experiencing the country's rich religious and cultural traditions. Easter falls in the spring season in Italy, so you can expect milder temperatures and blossoming landscapes, making it a pleasant time to explore the country's cities, countryside, and coastal regions.
Keep in mind that Easter is a popular time for both domestic and international tourists to visit Italy. As a result, popular tourist destinations can be crowded, and accommodation may be more expensive. It's advisable to book accommodation and activities well in advance if you plan to visit during Easter.
Tips for travelling during Easter in Italy
Travelling during Easter in Italy is a memorable experience but requires some planning:
- As mentioned, book accommodation early, especially in popular cities like Rome or Florence, as hotels fill up quickly.
- Expect crowds at major religious sites and processions, particularly on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
- Check opening hours: Many shops, museums, and attractions may close or have reduced hours over the Easter weekend.
- Public transport: Services may run on a holiday schedule, so plan your journeys in advance.
- Embrace local traditions: Join processions respectfully or watch from a distance to fully experience the atmosphere.
Easter Monday in Italy: What is La Pasquetta?
In Italy, the Easter celebrations don’t end on Sunday. Easter Monday, or La Pasquetta, is a national holiday and a beloved tradition. Families and friends gather for picnics, countryside trips, or seaside outings to enjoy the spring weather. It’s a more relaxed and informal day, often filled with barbecues, local festivals, and outdoor fun. If you’re visiting, it’s a great chance to experience how Italians unwind after the solemnity of Holy Week.
Easter in Italy 2025: final thoughts and travel advice
Easter in Italy 2025 offers an unforgettable mix of tradition, spirituality, and cultural immersion. Whether you’re drawn to grand processions in historic cities or the charm of local celebrations in small towns, there’s something for every traveller. Just remember to plan ahead, embrace the customs, and enjoy one of Italy’s most cherished times of the year. Buona Pasqua!
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