[2024] Easter in Venice: Celebrate Spring in the Floating City
Experience the magic of Easter in Venice, Italy’s city of canals.
As church bells ring and gondolas glide, Venice transforms into a festive spectacle during the Easter holidays.
Witness the unique blend of religious ceremonies, traditional foods, and vibrant festivities that make Easter in the most romantic city in the world unforgettable.
Join me as I guide you through the city’s Easter traditions, from Holy Week to Easter Monday. Get ready to celebrate Easter in Venice, a perfect destination for a memorable holiday trip.
Easter Traditions in Venice
Easter, a pivotal celebration in Christianity, commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This holiday, enriched over centuries with traditions, stories, and folklore, takes on a unique charm in Venice.
Starting from the beginning of Holy Thursday, the anticipation of Easter Sunday begins to fill the air in Venice. Churches open their doors wide and light candles, setting a serene and spiritual atmosphere.
Come Good Friday, the city hosts numerous Via Crucis processions, with the most captivating one held at San Giorgio Maggiore. Imagine the breathtaking sight of San Marco’s Basilica at sunset – a memory to cherish forever. Some churches will do a Via Crucis inside the church and others around the campi where they are. In other words, there is one happening near you, and you can decide which one best fits your interests.
Easter Mass is a unique experience for the devoted at any of the churches when visiting Venice. However, taking in the Holy Mass on Easter Sunday at St. Mark’s Basilica is a great opportunity for a once in a lifetime religious experience. Get there early and enter from the side door, as this is the entrance for those attending the religious holiday mass.
Don’t expect to see any Easter Rabbits as that is not a tradition here in Italy. Instead, you’ll find chocolate Easter eggs for sale in all the shops and cafes.
Traditional Easter Food in Venice
Easter in Venice is a culinary delight, with a variety of traditional dishes that reflect the city’s rich gastronomic heritage. The Easter lunch, in particular, is a feast that brings families and friends together around the table.
While most Venetians will spend Easter eating at home, you can enjoy many of the traditional meals at one of the many restaurants in Venice as many open for Easter Brunch.
Grilled Lamb
A centerpiece of the Venetian Easter lunch is lamb, specifically lamb scottaditti or baby lamb chops. The term ‘scottaditti’ translates to ‘burnt fingers’, indicating that the lamb chops are so irresistible that people can’t help but eat them hot off the grill, risking their fingers.
The baby lamb chops are often marinated in herbs and olive oil, then grilled to perfection. They are tender, juicy, and full of flavor, making them a favorite among locals and tourists alike when served alongside polenta and local vegetables.
Italians eat with the seasons and Venetians are no different. This means the local vegetable selection around Easter will feature things that are coming into season. Expect to see the lamb served with local artichokes from San Erasmus island in the lagoon, radicchio from Treviso, and asparagus from all over the Veneto and Friuli regions.
La Colomba di Pasqua
La Colomba di Pasqua, or the Easter Dove, is a quintessential part of Easter celebrations in Italy, particularly in Venice. This traditional Italian Easter cake gets its name from its distinctive dove shape, symbolizing peace and resurrection.
The Colomba di Pasqua is similar to the Christmas Panettone but comes in the shape of a dove, representing the Holy Spirit in Christian iconography. The cake is made from natural yeast and contains flour, sugar, eggs, and butter, giving it a rich and buttery flavor. It’s often studded with candied fruit and topped with a crunchy pearl sugar and almond glaze, adding a delightful contrast of textures.
Other Easter Specialties
Frittelle: If Easter comes early, which it does in 2024, then you may be able to find fried fritelle which are traditional around St Joseph’s day. These are small balls of fried dough. The traditional version are filled with raisins, but nowadays you can find them filled with pastry creme, Nutella, pistachio cream, and zabaglione which is a rich custard.
Risi e Bisi: This is a classic Venetian dish that is traditionally served on April 25th, St. Mark’s Day, but it’s also popular during the Easter season. It’s a simple but delicious dish made with rice and peas, cooked until they’re creamy and tender.
Baccalà Mantecato: This is a traditional Venetian dish made with dried and salted cod, which is soaked, boiled, and then whipped with olive oil until it’s creamy and spreadable. It’s often served on slices of polenta or crusty bread.
Zaleti: These traditional Venetian cookies made with cornmeal and raisins and often dipped into a glass of sweet wine.
Fegato alla Veneziana: This is a classic Venetian dish that consists of liver, usually calf’s liver, cooked with onions. The liver is thinly sliced and sautéed with a generous amount of onions until they are soft and caramelized. The dish is often served with polenta.
Sarde in Saor: This is a traditional Venetian appetizer that dates back to the days of the Serenissima Republic. It’s made with sardines that are fried and then marinated in a sweet and sour sauce made with onions, vinegar, raisins, and pine nuts. The dish is served cold, making it a refreshing start to a meal. It’s a common dish during Easter, especially on Good Friday when many Italians abstain from eating meat.
Fried Moeche: Moeche are small soft-shell crabs from the Venetian lagoon that are a delicacy in Venice. They are available for a short period in the spring and again in the fall. The crabs are lightly floured and then fried until they are crispy. They are usually served with a slice of lemon and are a must-try for seafood lovers.
The 10 Best Things to Do on Easter in Venice
Visit St. Mark’s Basilica: This iconic cathedral is a must-visit at any time of the year, but during Easter, it hosts special masses and ceremonies, including the Easter Sunday Mass. St Mark’s Basilica, with its stunning mosaics and architecture, provides a unique backdrop for these religious events.
Explore the Doge’s Palace: The Doge’s Palace, once the residence of the ruler of Venice, is now a museum in St Mark’s Square that showcases the city’s history and art. During Easter, the Palace often hosts special exhibitions and events.
Take a Gondola Ride: A gondola ride through Venice’s canals is a quintessential Venetian experience. During Easter, the city’s canals are less crowded, making it a perfect time for a peaceful gondola ride.
Visit the Islands in the Lagoon: The islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello are worth a visit for their unique charm. During Easter, these islands are less crowded, offering a serene escape from the city.
Enjoy a Pasquetta Picnic: The day after Easter, known as Pasquetta or “Little Easter”, is a public holiday in Italy. It’s traditional for Italians to go for a picnic on this day over the long weekend. As a tourist, you can join in this tradition by picking up some items from a local grocery store and finding a quiet park or heading to one of the islands in the lagoon for a picnic.
Embark on a Guided Food Tour: Venice is a food lover’s paradise, and a guided tour is a great way to explore the city’s culinary scene. These tours often include visits to local markets, tastings at traditional bacari (Venetian wine bars), and even cooking classes. Easter is a great time to take a food tour as you’ll get to taste traditional Easter specialties.
Attend an Opera at Teatro La Fenice: If you’re a fan of classical music, don’t miss the chance to attend an opera at Teatro La Fenice, one of the most famous opera houses in Italy. During Easter, the theater often hosts performances of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, offering a magical musical experience. A tour of the theatre is also a great idea if you aren’t seeing a show. Use a provided audio guide and you will learn a lot about this iconic opera house.
Visit the Rialto Market: The Rialto Market is a bustling hub of activity where locals shop for fresh produce, seafood, and other goods. Visiting the market is a great way to immerse yourself in local life. During Easter, you’ll find seasonal specialties like artichokes from Sant’Erasmo and traditional Easter sweets.
Explore the Venetian Lagoon by Boat: A boat tour of the Venetian Lagoon offers a different perspective on the city and its surroundings. You’ll get to see the city from the water, visit islands like Murano and Burano, and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Visit Museums and Art Galleries: Venice is home to numerous museums and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich history and culture. Many of these institutions, like the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Gallerie dell’Accademia, host special exhibitions and events during Easter.
Is Easter a Good Time to Go to Venice?
While Venice is beautiful all year round, Easter is a particularly great time to visit even if you’re not Catholic. The weather in spring is mild and pleasant, perfect for exploring the city and enjoying outdoor activities. The city is less crowded than in the peak summer season, allowing you to explore at a leisurely pace.
Easter in Venice also offers the opportunity to celebrate Easter traditions, from religious ceremonies to festive meals.
However, keep in mind that because Easter Monday is a public holiday in Italy, the opening hours of restaurants and other businesses may of course be affected. It’s a good idea to check the opening hours in advance and plan accordingly.
In general, it is a good idea to plan ahead to visit during Easter. Make sure to have your hotel booked way in advance before they sell out and prices go up as the date gets closer.
Booking guided tours and events ahead of time is definitely for the best, as well. Since many of the major attractions will be getting busy around this time, having skip the line tickets ahead of time will save you a lot of time spent waiting to get in.
Is Venice Open During Easter?
Easter in Venice attracts many visitors who are nervous that things will be closed that weekend. The thing to remember if you are one of them is that Easter is the unoffical beginning of peak season. It is when businesses will rely on the tourists from all over the world to make a living again after the slow off peak season.
This means that many of the major attractions will be open on Easter. For instance, the Doge’s Palace will be open since it only closes on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. St Mark’s Basilica will be open but masses will be held which will affect the opening schedule for tourists.
Souvenir shops will likely be open, but some of the small mom-and-pop ones will be closed. The same goes for restaurants. Most restaurants and shops will open normal hours on Saturday and then just for lunch on Sunday. Most will be closed for Easter Monday the day after Easter so make sure you have your food situation sorted out ahead of time.
Museums will be open through the long weekend with mainly normal hours. For instance, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is open during its normal hours. It is closed Tuesdays and Christmas Day. Make sure to check the schedule of the museums you wish to visit that weekend, but I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that your trip will not be impacted by too many businesses being closed.
What to Pack for Spring in Venice
Clothing
Venice’s weather in March and April is quite variable, with average temperatures ranging from 8°C (46°F) to 16°C (61°F) in April. Therefore, it’s advisable to pack layers. During the day it can be quite warm and light clothing would be appropriate. But as the sun sets and the weather can change, bring a light jacket for cooler evenings.
Lightweight clothing: Pack lightweight clothing for the daytime when it can get warm. This includes t-shirts, blouses, and light trousers or skirts.
Warm clothing: For cooler evenings, pack a light jacket or a sweater.
Waterproof clothing: April sees an average of 13 rainfall days, so it’s a good idea to pack a waterproof jacket or an umbrella. I highly recommend this poncho for when it rains since walking the narrow streets with an umbrella is a pain.
Comfortable footwear: Venice is a city best explored on foot, so comfortable walking shoes are a must. If you plan on visiting any upscale restaurants or events, pack a pair of smart shoes as well.
Accessories
Money Belt: Venice is a very safe city, but where there are a lot of tourists, there are also a lot of pickpockets. I recommend a good money belt such as this one to keep your valuables safe.
Scarf or Shawl: A lightweight scarf or shawl is versatile. It can provide warmth when it’s cool and can also be used to cover your shoulders when visiting religious sites.
Other Essentials
Swimwear: While the average sea temperature is only 13°C (55°F) in April and swimming is not recommended, your hotel may have a heated pool or a spa where swimwear could be needed.
Adapter: Italy uses Type L power sockets, so if your devices use different plug types, you’ll need an adapter.
Reusable water bottle: Venice’s tap water is safe to drink. Carrying a reusable water bottle can help you stay hydrated and is also environmentally friendly.
Take my expert tips to heart by reading my helpful articles so you can plan your ideal trip to Venice!
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