Easter 2025 in the EU: weekends, traditions and tips for tourists

During the Easter holidays, Europe comes alive with new colours, traditions and the scents of spring. Whether you decide to go on a tour of historic cities or just enjoy the festive atmosphere at a local fair market, this period will leave you with a lot of vivid impressions and memories. Find out how to plan your trip and immerse yourself in the holiday atmosphere

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Easter is one of the most important religious holidays in Europe, celebrated on a special scale and with many unique traditions. In 2025, Easter falls on Sunday, 20 April, and in many EU countries, the holidays continue on Monday, 21 April. If you are planning a trip to Europe or are already abroad, we advise you to understand the peculiarities of Easter celebrations, learn about local traditions and avoid unforeseen difficulties during your holiday.

Official Easter holidays in the EU

In a number of European countries, Easter is accompanied by an official holiday, which makes this period especially attractive for tourists looking for a combination of cultural leisure and a break from work:

❗️ Poland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands: the main weekend is 20 and 21 April.

In some regions of Germany and Spain, additional days off are added to the main holidays, allowing locals to organise long family holidays.

In some countries, shops, offices and institutions operate on a shorter schedule, especially on Sundays, which is important to consider when planning your shopping or meetings.

Unique Easter traditions in EU countries

Easter in Europe is not only a religious holiday, but also a time of spring fairs, festivities and culinary experiments. Each country retains its own peculiarities, which sometimes go back to ancient rituals:

Germany

In Germany, Easter trees are traditionally decorated with brightly coloured eggs and coloured ribbons on their branches. At this time, cosy fairs are held all over the country, where you can buy handicrafts, traditional sweets and accessories for decorating your home.

France

In one of the cities of France, Bessières, a giant omelette is organised every year, in which local residents come together to celebrate the arrival of spring. This culinary ritual symbolises unity, friendship and joy at the start of a new season.

Italy

Italy's Easter traditions are famous for the famous ‘trolley explosion’ in Florence. Here, the festive procession includes decorated platforms and colourful processions using historical props that symbolise the struggle between good and evil. This tradition attracts tourists with its spectacularity and festive atmosphere.

Spain

Spain is known for its large-scale religious processions that take place during Semana Santa (Holy Week). Many cities organise solemn processions where participants in traditional clothes and musical accompaniment walk through the streets, creating an atmosphere of deep faith and tradition.

Netherlands

In the Netherlands, Easter is a time for family gatherings. There are bountiful Easter breakfasts, where traditional dishes are combined with spring desserts, and small fairs are held on the streets where you can find products of local artisans.

Belgium and Austria

These countries often host festivals with elements of folk festivities, where locals prepare special dishes such as Belgian waffles with chocolate or Austrian desserts such as Knödels with various fillings.

Czech Republic and Slovakia

Here, Easter is celebrated not only religiously, but also with elements of ancient rituals similar to Ukrainian ones: eggs are dyed by hand, egg-battle competitions are held, and traditional pies are prepared to symbolise fertility and renewal.

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Opening hours of shops and transport

When planning a trip during Easter, it is important to take into account the specifics of the infrastructure. For example, in most countries, shops operate on a reduced schedule or are closed on Sunday and Monday. This is especially true for large supermarkets and shopping centres, so it is better to buy all the necessary goods in advance. Small private shops and markets may remain open, but their assortment and opening hours may differ from the usual.

Public transport often operates on a special schedule during the holidays. Rail, bus and intra-city routes may have a reduced number of runs, which requires careful planning before travelling. It is recommended to check the timetables on the official websites of transport companies or use mobile apps to track timetables in real time.

Recommendations for tourists

To ensure that your holiday or trip during the Easter holidays goes smoothly and leaves only pleasant memories, please note the following tips:

1. Book your accommodation and transport in advance - the Easter period attracts many tourists, which can lead to increased demand and higher prices for tickets and hotels.

2. Get to know the peculiarities of the celebration in the country you are going to visit. This will help you not only enjoy the cultural programme, but also avoid misunderstandings, for example, when attending church or participating in local events.

3. Keep in mind that many shops and institutions may be closed on holidays. Stock up on the necessary food and goods in advance to avoid being in an awkward situation.

4 Be sure to check the current public transport schedules and plan your routes with enough time for possible delays or changes.

5. During the holiday period, there may be unpredictable changes in the work schedule of institutions and transport. Download official mobile applications or follow the news of local administrations to get the latest information.

In addition to the above recommendations, Ukrainian citizens planning a trip to the EU are advised to take out health insurance, as medical care in Europe can be a significant costly affair.

We remind you! When crossing the border, Ukrainians and guests of Ukraine often want to take food or home-made delicacies with them. However, it is important to remember the rules of customs control. Find out what products can be imported into and exported from Ukraine.

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