Easter, or Pasqua, is one of the most important and heartfelt celebrations in Italy. It’s a time when ancient traditions, deep-rooted faith, and family gatherings come together in every corner of the country. 

Whether you're wandering through a quiet village or standing in a bustling city square, Easter in Italy offers a unique mix of solemnity and celebration. Let’s read more about it!

Easter in Italy isn’t just a religious holiday, it’s a vibrant cultural experience that blends ancient traditions, family values, and seasonal joy. The celebration goes well beyond Easter Sunday, unfolding over several meaningful days known as Settimana Santa, or Holy Week. It begins with Palm Sunday, continues through Holy Thursday and Good Friday, and reaches its emotional peak on Easter Sunday. The festivities don’t stop there: Easter Monday, or La Pasquetta, is a national holiday celebrated outdoors with picnics, barbecues, and trips to the countryside.

During this time, every corner of Italy feels alive with spiritual energy. Churches are beautifully adorned with olive branches, palm fronds, and fresh spring flowers, symbols of peace and rebirth. In many towns, church bells ring in unison, marking each sacred moment of the week. You'll find candlelit processions, moving reenactments of the Passion of Christ, and local festivals that have been passed down for generations.

Easter in Italy is also deeply tied to community. Families come together for festive meals, locals fill the piazzas to watch traditional parades, and visitors are always welcome to take part in the joy. It’s a time of reflection, renewal, and togetherness: a true celebration of life in all its beauty.

Whether you’re in a bustling city or a quiet hilltop village, Easter in Italy invites you to slow down, join in the traditions, and experience a holiday that’s as heartfelt as it is unforgettable.

Easter in Italy is a heartfelt celebration rooted in centuries of Catholic tradition, marked by solemn rituals and emotionally charged ceremonies. Throughout Holy Week, especially on Good Friday, towns across the country stage powerful reenactments of the Passion of Christ. Participants don historical costumes and walk through the streets in torch-lit processions, carrying crosses and accompanied by the haunting sounds of traditional hymns or solemn silence. One of the most intimate and reflective traditions takes place on Holy Thursday, when Italians visit the Sepolcri: altars of repose beautifully decorated inside churches, to pay their respects and reflect in silence.

These events are both religious and cultural, deeply embedded in local identity and history. On Easter Sunday, joy returns as churches fill with music and community spirit. In Rome, thousands gather in St. Peter’s Square to witness the Pope’s Urbi et Orbi blessing, a powerful and unifying moment broadcast around the world.

Some of the most breathtaking Easter processions in Italy include:

• Trapani, Sicily: the Processione dei Misteri is a 24-hour-long event where intricate wooden statues depicting scenes from the Passion are paraded through the city, accompanied by slow, rhythmic music and the devotion of centuries-old confraternities;

• Taranto, Puglia: home to one of Italy’s most iconic and emotionally charged processions. Known for its slow pace and the hypnotic sway of the hooded perdoni (penitents) as they shuffle barefoot through the streets, the procession creates a powerful atmosphere of silence, penance, and timeless ritual;
• Chieti, Abruzzo: home to one of Italy’s oldest processions, this event features a full orchestra performing classical music as hooded participants walk in solemn silence through candlelit streets, creating an atmosphere that’s both reverent and unforgettable;
• Sorrento, Campania: famous for its White Procession and Black Procession, these events unfold in eerie quiet, broken only by traditional hymns. The stark contrast of white and black robes under the moonlight adds a haunting beauty to the spiritual journey;
• Sulmona, Abruzzo: hosts the dramatic Madonna che Scappa in Piazza on Easter Sunday. In this lively reenactment, a statue of the Virgin Mary is carried at a full run across the piazza, symbolizing her joy upon seeing the resurrected Christ. It’s a beautiful and emotional moment, full of cheering, music, and celebration.

These processions are far more than pageantry, they are acts of communal devotion that stir the heart and connect modern Italy to its timeless past.

Easter in Italy isn’t just a feast for the soul, it’s a true celebration for the senses, especially the taste buds. Across the country, regional dishes take center stage, offering a perfect blend of seasonal ingredients, family recipes, and traditional flavors. While every region has its own culinary twist, a few dishes are loved nationwide and have become symbols of the Italian Easter table.

• Colomba Pasquale: this iconic dove-shaped cake is the sweet sister of the more famous panettone. Made with a soft, buttery dough enriched with candied orange peel, it's topped with a crunchy glaze of pearl sugar and whole almonds. The dove shape symbolizes peace and renewal, making it the perfect centerpiece for an Easter brunch or dessert spread.

• Lamb (Agnello): roasted lamb, often flavored with garlic, rosemary, and olive oil, is the traditional main course on Easter Sunday. It's typically served alongside golden roasted potatoes or fresh spring vegetables like artichokes and peas. In many families, preparing lamb is not just about flavor: it’s a ritual that ties generations together.
• Torta Pasqualina: hailing from Liguria, this savory pie is a celebration of spring on a plate. Made with layers of flaky pastry, it's filled with ricotta cheese, greens like chard or spinach, and whole eggs baked right into the filling. When sliced, the cross-section reveals the cooked eggs, symbolizing rebirth and renewal.

• Chocolate Eggs: in Italy, chocolate eggs are an Easter staple for both children and adults. These beautifully wrapped creations range from simple milk chocolate to elaborately decorated artisanal versions, often filled with creamy centers or hidden surprises inside. It’s a cherished tradition for Italian kids to crack open their eggs on Easter morning to discover the toy or treat tucked within.

• Scarcella (Puglia): this sweet Easter bread is a beloved tradition in southern Italy, especially in Puglia. Often shaped into rings, doves, or hearts, Scarcella is made with a simple shortcrust dough, baked until golden, and decorated with sugar glaze and colorful sprinkles. A boiled egg, sometimes painted or dyed, is placed at the center, symbolizing rebirth and the arrival of spring.

• Pastiera Napoletana (Campania): this elegant pie is a Neapolitan classic, made with cooked wheat, ricotta cheese, candied citrus peel, and orange blossom water. It has a fragrant, floral flavor and a dense yet creamy texture. Traditionally prepared on Holy Thursday or Good Friday, it’s left to rest for a couple of days to let the flavors blend beautifully by Easter Sunday.

Whether sweet or savory, Easter food in Italy is a delicious way to connect with the culture, celebrate the season, and make memories around the table.

Whether you're drawn to the solemnity of torch-lit processions, the joy of family festivals, or the allure of traditional foods, there’s a perfect place in Italy waiting to welcome you during Easter Time.

Here are some of the best places to celebrate Easter in Italy, each offering something unique, moving, and unforgettable.

If you’re searching for the most iconic and spiritually charged Easter experience, Rome is the place to be. During Holy Week, the Vatican becomes the epicenter of Catholic devotion, attracting pilgrims and visitors from all over the world. On Good Friday, the ancient Colosseum sets the dramatic stage for the Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross), led by the Pope himself, with torch-bearing participants retracing the Passion of Christ in a silent, awe-inspiring procession. On Easter Sunday, St. Peter’s Square fills with the faithful, as the Pope delivers the moving Urbi et Orbi blessing from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, a global moment of peace and renewal that’s deeply humbling, no matter your faith.

Organize your Rome trip with Play Italy to have full control on your Roman Holidays!

In Florence, Easter is as vibrant as its Renaissance heritage. The city celebrates with the Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart), a spectacular event dating back to the 11th century. On Easter Sunday, a richly decorated medieval cart packed with fireworks is pulled by white oxen through the streets and ignited in front of the magnificent Florence Cathedral (Duomo). The explosion of lights and sound is not just a feast for the senses: it’s a symbolic prayer for peace, prosperity, and a fruitful year ahead. Surrounded by centuries of art, history, and Florentine pride, the event blends sacred tradition with joyful festivity, making it a perfect Easter destination for families and culture lovers alike.

Can’t wait to see Florence? We can’t wait to have you here, book your vacation with us!

Sicily offers one of the most dramatic and emotionally intense Easter experiences in Italy. The island’s Holy Week celebrations, especially in cities like Palermo, Caltanissetta, and Enna, are deeply rooted in a fusion of Greek, Arab, Spanish, and Norman influences. The processions here are unforgettable: devotional, theatrical, and often accompanied by mournful brass bands and religious chanting. Statues of the Virgin Mary and Christ are paraded through the streets, often meeting in symbolic reunions that stir crowds to tears. Beyond the pageantry, Sicilian Easter tables are filled with sweets like cassata, cannoli, and cuddura cu l’ova, adding a layer of delicious tradition to this spiritual journey.

Visit Sicily during Easter or whenever you feel like it, it’s truly always beautiful!

If you prefer a quieter, more contemplative Easter, Umbria’s hilltop towns offer the perfect setting. In places like Assisi, the home of St. Francis, and the flower-covered village of Spello, Easter is celebrated with humble beauty and heartfelt tradition. Good Friday processions wind through narrow medieval streets lit by flickering torches, as hooded figures carry statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary in complete silence. The stillness is profound, the faith palpable. Surrounded by rolling green hills and ancient churches, Easter in Umbria feels timeless: like stepping into a living prayer.

Talking about quiet and relax, we have the perfect Umbrian Trip for you.

Naples offers a deeply emotional and theatrical approach to Easter, with Holy Week processions that fill the city’s historic alleys and piazzas. The Neapolitan passion for tradition is on full display, especially in the neighborhoods of Spaccanapoli and Forcella, where processions are often accompanied by powerful choral music. On the culinary side, Naples shines during Easter with specialties like Pastiera Napoletana and Casatiello, rich in flavor and tradition. The city's dramatic backdrop of churches, alleys, and sea views makes Easter here both a spiritual and sensory feast.

Here’s our recommended tour for Naples.

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