Most holidays are well-spent if they are spent in the loving warmth of family. Therefore, with Easter just a little more than a month away, we are bringing to you some of the most amazing Easter traditions from around Europe to enjoy with your loved ones.
So read on and get ready to have a delightful Easter 2023 in Europe!
Italian Easter traditions: Fireworks, processions and personalised Easter eggs
If you find yourself holidaying in the Tuscan region, then don’t miss a chance to visit Florence and see ‘The explosion of the cart’ at the Duomo. In this famous Easter tradition, called Scoppio del Carro in Italian, a turret called Brindellone is put on a cart. The cart is then pulled by white oxen through the entire city. Once the cart reaches the Duomo, a pyrotechnic dove is let off from the altar, which lights the turret on the cart, leading to a burst – if the dove comes back safely, it symbolizes a year of prosperity!
The Explosion of the Cart in Florence, with Brindellone on top
Another famous tradition known all over the world and celebrated in Sulmona, Abruzzo, is the Easter Meeting, better known as La Madonna che scappa in Piazza. In this tradition, the statue of the Madonna is raced to that of the risen Christ in an emotional meeting of the mother and the son – an unmissable spectacle for those celebrating Easter in Italy!
In Sicily, you will be able to see several suggestive parades: the Real Maestranza in Caltanissetta, a historical association of craftsmen united in a town association that plays a prominent role during the religious festivals; the Processione dei Misteri in Trapani, which is a parade of sculptures representing biblical scenes; and the celebrations in Prizzi and Adrano, some fun eighteenth-century traditions mixing the sacred with the profane.
![Women and boys parade at the Processione dei Misteri di Trapani]( "Women and boys parade at the Processione dei Misteri di Trapani")
The Processione dei Misteri di Trapani, Sicily
Spanish Easter traditions: Death Dances and Parades
Death Dances may seem a little spooky at first, but in Verges (Girona), this Easter tradition is participated in by both adults and children. The main spectacle called The Procession of Verges takes place on Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday, whereas the one with children happens on Easter day. On both days, the Dance of Death is re-enacted the same way: with skeleton costumes, ash boxes, the theatrical depiction of Christs’ passion, and the perfect background setting of the medieval old town centre of Verges!
![Adults and children take part in The Dance of Death, an Easter Celebration from Verges, Spain]( "The Dance of Death, an Easter Celebration from Verges, Spain")
The spooky Dance of Death in Verges
Easter in Spain is also celebrated with a number of grand processions. These parades happen in almost every city and town but the most famous of them all are the parades of Seville. In Seville, people dress up as traditional characters known as costaleros and nazarenos in the parades that bring together a crowd of anywhere close to 50,000 people!
![A pasos carried during the Holy Week procession in Seville, Brotherhood of Carmen Doloroso, Andalusia, Spain]( "A pasos carried during the Holy Week procession in Seville")
A “pasos" carried by the Costaleros during the Holy week in Seville
French Easter traditions: Spring Easter and Egg Hunts
With flowers blooming and the Spring weather at its best, Egg Hunting has to be that one perfect tradition that you can enjoy in almost every part of France with your family.
![Children taking part in egg hunts, a French Easter tradition]( "Children taking part in egg hunts, a French Easter tradition")
Egg hunts and wholesome family fun, a common Easter tradition in France
Egg hunting has the most interesting backstory in France, wherein instead of an Easter bunny, the eggs are thought to be hidden by flying bells! According to general belief, when the bells of all churches are silenced in the three days leading up to Easter, they are thought to fly off to the Pope in Rome for blessing. So when the bells return, they bring back Easter eggs with them and hide them in the garden of houses leading to the tradition of numerous egg hunts throughout France!
Do you want to take part to one of these fun egg hunts? Book your holiday home in France and get ready, set and go when les cloches sont passées! (the bells have come!)
![Happy.Rentals property chalet Tré La Vieux surrounded by mountains and trees with a lake on the front]( "Happy.Rentals property chalet Tré La Vieux")
Enjoy the cosy spring weather in Chamonix in our lovely chalet Tré La Vieux (Property ID: 3287)
Croatian Easter Traditions: Easter feasts and traditional dances
In Dalmatia, people wear traditional costumes, sing ancient hymns and dance together around a fire to celebrate Easter: one of these typical dances is called Kolo (circle dance), a unique performance that brings people together! Another popular Easter tradition is gifting painted easter eggs (pisanice) to your family and close ones as a symbol of life.
![Painted Easter eggs decorated with blossoming branches]( "Painted Easter eggs decorated with blossoming branches")
Painted Easter eggs gifted by Croatians to their loved ones
But no celebration is complete without food. As part of its delectable Easter feast, Croatia serves up on its Easter menu: coloured eggs, spring onions, horseradish, French salads, traditional cakes, and special homemade bread and ham! But, you can keep feasting in Croatia any time of the year. To get a taste, read our tempting blog on typical Croatian dishes or scroll down a little as we leave you with a virtual taste of the sumptuous Gibanica - a crisp layered pastry with poppy, walnuts, cheese, and carob.
![The delicious Gibanica, a traditional Easter dessert from Croatia]( "The delicious Gibanica, a traditional Easter dessert from Croatia")
Deliciously layered Croatian Easter dessert, Gibanica
Taste the delicious Croatian food and enjoy the sunny spring weather. Book your holiday home! Greek Easter traditions: Smashing Pottery and red Easter Eggs
Easter in Greece is usually celebrated one week later than the rest of Europe as it follows the orthodox Julian Calendar. But like the rest of the countries, Greece brings in the joy of Easter with its unique traditions. On Corfu, festive time attracts thousands of Greek as well as international spectators to witness the tradition of smashing pottery.
![Smashed pottery in the street of Corfu, with the public attending]( "Smashed pottery in the street of Corfu, with the public attending")
Smashed pottery in the street of Corfu
A tradition to bring in new hope, smashing pottery in Corfu probably has Italian origins. But on the island, even though the custom was adapted for Easter celebrations, people do not share the same belief of the “smash” bringing in the new year as the Italians do.
So stay off the streets or join in the fun on Holy Saturday as people start throwing red-painted pottery from their balconies at noon and the spectators pick up its pieces as a good luck charm!
Tip: Don’t forget to try the ‘red eggs’, painted with organic red ink to depict the blood of Christ.
![Plate of red Easter eggs and cookies]( "Plate of red Easter eggs and cookies")
The famous Easter red eggs typical of Greece and the Balkan regions
Enjoy the warm spring and Easter in Greece! Book one of our holiday homes. Swiss Easter traditions: Easter tree and egg smashing
The home of chocolate has various traditions surrounding Easter and eggs, but not necessarily chocolate eggs. From common activities such as egg hunting and decorating Easter eggs to other exquisitely Swiss activities common in almost every canton, Easter in Switzerland is pure family fun.
![Easter tree made with cut sprigs decorated with colorful Easter eggs]( "Easter tree made with cut sprigs decorated with colorful Easter eggs")
The lovely Easter Tree, a Swiss tradition that will make children happy
Among the most interesting traditions is the Easter Tree, which symbolises the arrival of spring. The tree is made using cut sprigs decorated with coloured eggs. Two other fun activities for adults and children are Eiertutschen and Zwanzgerle. Eiertutschen means 'Egg smash' and consists of breaking the opponent's egg without breaking one's own, the winner will eat the egg. Zwanzgerle is played on Easter Monday: it is usually the adults who try to break their children's egg using a coin. If the adult fails, the child wins the coin!
Tip: Try Osterfladen, traditional Easter rice tarts resembling the French Gâteau de Pâques (French), to complete your experience of a very Swiss Easter.
![A table full of Osterfladen, a typical Easter tart made of rice with Easter cookies]( "A table full of Osterfladen, a typical Easter tart made of rice with Easter cookies")
The mouthwatering Osterfladen, a typical Easter tart made of rice
Want to discover more Swiss Easter traditions? Book one of our holiday homes and discover them for yourself.
So where are you and your family heading for Easter?
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The Processione dei Misteri di Trapani, Sicily 
The spooky Dance of Death in Verges
A “pasos" carried by the Costaleros during the Holy week in Seville 
Egg hunts and wholesome family fun, a common Easter tradition in France
Painted Easter eggs gifted by Croatians to their loved ones 
Deliciously layered Croatian Easter dessert, Gibanica 
Smashed pottery in the street of Corfu 
The lovely Easter Tree, a Swiss tradition that will make children happy 
