Top 10 Best Destinations For Easter In Europe
Easter is an important event for European and one of the best times for a family trip. Easter in Europe is also the time when the sun shines again, the days ... read more...are longer and warmer, and the flowers bloom. In this list, we'll introduce you to some of the best destinations for Easter in Europe.
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The charm of Vienna, the capital of Austria, is apparent all year long, but it really comes alive at Easter. Due to its excellent safety record, warm welcome, and vibrant Easter celebrations, Vienna is highly well-liked by tourists. You may get a personal understanding of history and culture as it becomes an outdoor museum during Easter.
Spring is a wonderful time to visit some of Vienna's excellent museums, such as the Art History and Belvedere Museums, or just to stroll through the blossom-covered boulevards. You can explore Schönbrunn Palace, listen to Mozart's piano concertos in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein, or simply wander through the city's numerous Easter markets.
Discover a range of artisanal goods, crafts, and regional cuisine by visiting one of the capital's three most well-known Easter markets, which are Ostermarkt Freyung, am Hof, and Schloss Schönbrunn. Of course, don't forget to get yourself some Easter eggs! Get some gorgeous, hand-painted eggs from those three Ester markets above that are ready to hang on your Osterbaum (Easter tree). Travel advice: The Viennese Easter markets often take place during the week running up to Easter. To make sure you don't miss out, confirm the dates prior to your trip.
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Springtime in Craiova, Romania is like a flowering garden. Especially around Easter, Craiova's parks, gardens, and public places feature the most breathtaking sceneries and incredible blooms. Numerous urban regeneration projects are ongoing at this time of year in Craiova's Botanical Garden, Nicolae Romanescu Park, and along its main thoroughfares.
The Romanescu Park is a 100-hectare park that is situated in Craiova's southern region. It is one of the biggest parks in Europe, and every spring, hundreds of thousands of gorgeous, vibrant tulips and other flowers blossom there, making the most stunning scenery in the city. There is a well-loved zoo inside the park that offers many activities and events for children and families. The Botanical Garden is another landmark in Craiova that has everything needed for a relaxing day in the great outdoors. It welcomes tourists in the spring with stunning floral paintings and intriguing and enigmatic wood sculptures dotted around the grounds.
Visitors to Craiova can also spend their time at events like the Easter Fair, which has become a tradition in the city and is held annually in the central area. At the Easter Fair, visitors can find traditional seasonal goods, handmade goods from local and regional producers, workshops, pony rides for kids, a carousel, a children's train, and other attractions.
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The Portuguese archipelago of Madeira is one of the most breathtaking destinations in Europe during the Easter holiday. Rich in natural beauty, culture, history, tradition, and gastronomy, Madeira has a lot to offer for families looking for a place to enjoy both relaxing and adventurous activities during Spring.
The biggest event in Madeira in Spring, especially during Easter is the Madeira Flower Festival. The festivities begin on Saturday when thousands of children dressed in the appropriate fashion flock to the Praça do Município to take part in the building of a mural of flowers - the Wall of Hope. The next day, dozens of floats decorated with a myriad of the island’s most typical flowers leave the scent of gentle but ephemeral perfumes in the air - it is time for the Flower Parade. At the same time, to mark the occasion, Madeiran artists devote their time to building unforgettable floral carpets, strategically exhibited in the streets at different points, whilst competitions are also organized to find the best-decorated shop windows.
Besides the festival, you can enjoy the famous typical "Madeira Wine" on a terrace. Moreover, sightseeing, whale, and dolphin watching, paragliding, hiking, relaxing on the beach, surfing, standup paddleboarding, canyoning, karting, coasteering, and scuba diving are just some of the other great experiences that await you in Madeira.
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The stunning city of Zagreb is famous for its Christmas market, but it's also a perfect destination for spring, especially at Easter. In Croatia, Easter is a highly significant time of year when families join together to celebrate Christ and practice special customs. You may enjoy Easter in this vibrant city with friendly residents and with enormous decorated eggs. Enjoy the many lovely parks, retail areas, and terraces while you're there.
In the very heart of the city, you will find huge hand-painted Easter eggs in front of the Zagreb Cathedral on Kaptol, as a part of the Easter decorations of Zagreb. They are painted in Croatian Naive style by artists from the Koprivnica-Krizevci County, the area known as the cradle of Croatian naive painting. These big Easter eggs are the symbol of Easter love and joy. The eggs are always surrounded by beautiful spring flowers, and the final result is this beautiful sight in front of the cathedral.
Besides the enormous hand-painted Easter eggs, there are many other places for you to see in Zagreb. To stock up on the important Easter treats (such as sirnica, Easter bread, and krotule, sweet pastry knots), go to the Dolac market. Also, don't miss the Passion Heritage Festival! Don't hesitate to discover the rich culture of Croatia with this collection of theater productions, art installations, and concerts presented all across the city of Zagreb.
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Not everyone is lucky enough to be heading into the Greek countryside for Easter, but there are upsides to staying in Athens. Much like in August, when most Athenians leave for vacation, the city empties during the Holy Week. Being here when most people are gone means less traffic, cleaner air, and a rare calm atmosphere that is perfect for those who are seeking a relaxing trip. To get even more into the Easter mood (which should involve relaxing, enjoying the nice weather, and forcing yourself to go on walks to digest all the food), head to the green areas in and around the city.
In Athens, the Greek Orthodox Easter is a magical occasion that you'll never forget. As you stroll through the ancient streets of Athens, which are the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, and the vibrant Monastiraki district, sample Easter goodies like koulourakia biscuits and delectable tsoureki brioche, or join the locals as they color eggs red on Holy Thursday. After that, join in with the religious celebrations, like the candlelit procession of Epitaphios on Good Friday and the midnight mass on Easter Saturday, etc.
On Sunday, there is a special event that will fill up your stomach with Athens' traditional food - "The feast of Pascha - Easter Sunday". This feast is well celebrated throughout the city, especially at the traditional meat tavernas which you can find in the outer suburbs of Athens and in the central old city of Plaka. Tavernas will be alive with music and a feast of lamb and other meats cooked on a spit around the neighborhood.
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There are endless things to do this Easter in Edinburgh, as well as a variety of events and activities specially designed for kids there are many free attractions and family-friendly tours across the city. If you are taking your kids with you, start your Easter journey from the Royal Botanic Gardens Easter trail where you can try out their delicious chocolate made with their secret recipe. After that, check out the Alba Puppets Easter Show at Edinburgh Castle to discover what mayhem is about to "hatch". At the Fabergé Family Fun event at the Palace of Holyrood, you can participate in an Easter egg search while showcasing your artistic abilities. Join the hunt for special bejeweled Fabergé eggs and solve puzzles as CeilidhKids, a local dance group plays traditional Scottish music throughout the day.
There are many free attractions for you to visit during Easter in Edinburgh. Head to the National Museum of Scotland where you can learn everything from Scottish history to robots. If you are more into art then head to one of the many free art galleries such as the Scottish national portrait gallery or if you are more drawn to the modern touch pop to the Edinburgh gallery of modern art. There are also beautiful landmarks and monuments like Carlton Hill, Edinburgh Castle Esplanade, Arthur’s Seat, and the Forth bridges.
For cuisine, Edinburgh’s pioneering street food market is located on Pitt Street in Leith which is a short bus or walk from the city center and is crammed full of great food vans and stalls which provide a mix of some of the finest cuisines. As well as great food and bars they also have live music and you can watch rugby matches – kids and dogs welcome.
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Paris is the city of elaborate pastries and sweets, so when Easter comes around, you'll find chocolate sculpted into eggs, bells, hens, and fish adorning the storefront of every chocolatier and patisserie. Around this time, the City of Lights comes to life with colorful spring blooms and holiday activities such as egg hunting in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.
Paris harbors some of the finest chocolate makers in the world and Easter is the prime opportunity for these artisans to show off their talents. Because there is no Easter Bunny in France, the seasonal treats are traditionally shaped into flying bells from Rome. Check out Fauchon (Metro Madeleine) or Patrick Roger's boutique on Boulevard Saint-Germain for particularly spectacular chocolate Easter eggs, chickens, and bells.
On Easter Sunday, there are many religious services for you to experience in Paris. Notre Dame de Paris holds a Catholic service with Easter prayers and Gregorian chants, but it's been temporarily closed since a fire broke out beneath its roof in April 2019. Even for those who don't understand French, attending a service at this famous landmark is a memorable experience. The American Church in Paris also frequently hosts Easter sermons in English. This church, a hub for the American expatriate community, is located near the Eiffel Tower.
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A trip to Seville during Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is an unforgettable experience. In Seville, Semana Santa, or Holy Week, has been celebrated in its current form since at least the 16th century. Along with the epic April Fair, it’s Seville’s biggest annual fixture – a great social occasion and for many, a profoundly religious one too.
During the week preceding Easter Sunday, Seville is taken over by the vast crowds that gather to watch somewhat maudlin Catholic processions move slowly down the narrow streets, clouds of incense dispersing in their wake. Organized every year by around 70 of Seville’s church brotherhoods – confradias – the centerpiece of these processions are palos, or floats, bearing elaborately-decorated statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary, as well as lovingly-prepared scenes from the Passion of Christ known as misterios, or mysteries. Brass bands provide the spectacle with an austere soundtrack, with shrill trumpets wailing over the dull thud of drums, and the combined effect is one which often reduces adults to tears of repentance and adoration. From overlooking balconies, local singers perform emotionally-charged saetas, tributes to the Virgin Mary. It’s a far cry (no pun intended) from Easter bunnies and chocolate eggs.
If you want to escape the crowds, go to some of Seville's top sights, including the unforgettable Alcázar Palace and Plaza De España, or wander around the city's small streets to find yourself some nice local restaurants.
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Switzerland's trendy city has something for everyone with its ancient old town, contemporary west side, and sparkling waters of Lake Zurich. Visit Zurich at Easter to see it come to life with swans, spring flowers, and, of course, plenty of chocolate to last a lifetime. There are bunnies and eggs to be seen when the city gears up for Easter. Eastertime is the perfect time to check out the Lindt museum, but don't forget to also visit the famous Sprüngli, Teuscher, and Confiserie Honold chocolate shops. After you've had your fill, go to the top of the Lindenhof for breathtaking city views.
A famous Zurich Tradition that you can't miss out on is Easter Monday Zwängerle. On Easter Monday, you can go along to Rüdenplatz at 10 am with a pocketful of 20 Rappen coins and take part in the traditional game of “Zwänzgerle”. It’s a Zurich Easter tradition similar to “egg tapping”. Children hold up hard-boiled eggs and the adults throw 20 Rappen coins (the “‘Zwänzgerli”) at the eggs. If the coin penetrates the shell and sticks in the egg, the adult wins the egg. If they don’t succeed, the child gets to keep the “Zwängerle”.
Another famous and fun activity to do in Zurich during Easter is the “hunt” for the fountains full of roses, which were prepared by the local Reformed Church. There are a total of 7 fountains and they were located on both banks of the Limmat River near the main tourist attractions of the Old Town (especially churches).
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London is a very special city when it comes to celebrating Easter. Easter in the UK has its beginnings long before the arrival of Christianity, and it is one of the major holidays & Christian festivals in the UK that is full of customs, folklore, and of course, traditional Easter food. During Easter, London is packed with creative entertainment ideas for both adults and kids.
A classic activity during this holiday season is of course a magical Easter egg hunt, and London is welcoming many hunts in some great locations all across the city. Both Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace are a must-see for all Easter egg hunt lovers. In both locations, you will get the chance to walk around the palace grounds and be in with the chance of winning a special prize - a very tasty chocolate Lindt Gold Bunny. If you and your kids are too tired of egg-hunting, let's sit comfortably and enjoy a good story in the theater. Haymarket Theatre Royal presents a magical show during April: ‘Where is Peter Rabbit?’ This play, based on the original tales of Beatrix Potter, will immerse you for an hour in a magical world with handcrafted puppets brought to life by some great actors and enchanting original songs.
Moreover, afternoon tea is quintessentially British, and it’s something that’s particularly enjoyable around Easter time when cafes and restaurants are exploring different menus and holding special offers. In London, you can have your afternoon tea high up in the Shard, taking in the views of London, or you could splash out and go to the Harrods Tea Room for a real high-end experience. There are also different types of afternoon tea, from champagne afternoon teas to specific Easter ones. There are even experiences such as ‘make your own afternoon tea’ where you can create the meal from scratch.