Check out These Easter City Breaks to Europe

Make the most of the Easter bank holiday break with a European city escape to enjoy festive traditions, springtime blooms, and iconic sights that will contribute to a fun-filled long weekend getaway.

The long Easter weekend makes for the perfect excuse for a change of scenery. Spring is in the air, days are getting longer, and cities across Europe are going to be in a celebratory mood, from grand religious processions to lively street festivals. Picture yourself soaking up the sun in Lisbon, wandering through the pretty streets in Rome, or indulging in yummy Easter treats in Malta. Whatever it is that your heart desires, we’ve curated a range of city breaks to Europe hotspots that would be perfect for an Easter break getaway.

Barcelona

Barcelona is a bucket list destination for those who love the mix of culture, sunny beaches, and buzzing nightlife. As Easter brings in mild temperatures and longer days, it’s the perfect time to wander through the Gothic Quarter’s maze-like streets, marvel at Gaudí’s surreal architecture, or soak up the laidback Mediterranean vibes along Barceloneta Beach.

Indulge in some delectable tapas at a bustling market, sip delicious sangria at a rooftop bar, and don’t miss La Sagrada Família, which somehow manages to look even more breathtaking bathed in spring sunlight. Lose yourself in awe of the masterpieces of the Picasso Museum.

Easter is celebrated in Barcelona with the locals taking an active interest in events and celebrations. The streets are filled with loud drumbeats, colourful floral decor, lively processions, and an infectious energy that sweeps through the crowds, making it a lovely time to visit Barcelona.

This Easter, escape to Barcelona from just £187pp! Stay at the 4* Sumus Hotel Monteplaya in Malgrat de Mar. This 3-night package to Barcelona includes breakfast, guided walking tours, return flights, and carry-on luggage - your perfect spring getaway is all sorted!

Rome

Rome during Easter is nothing short of glorious as you would expect from the heart of Catholicism. Exceeding all expectations, the holiday is celebrated with grand festivities and the highlight of these celebrations is the Via Crucis at the Colosseum on Good Friday.

But beyond the spiritual aspect, spring in Rome is simply wonderful. Wander through the ruins of the Colosseum, toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, and sip espresso in a sun-dappled piazza. The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are must-sees, but for something quieter, explore Trastevere’s charming streets and trattorias.

Food is obviously one of the most important attractions in Rome, whether it’s a plate of carbonara or a slice of Roman-style pizza. During this time, the bakeries are also stocked with Colomba, a soft, dove-shaped Easter cake. With fewer crowds and pleasant weather, Easter weekend is a golden opportunity to embrace La Dolce Vita in its truest form.

Experience Rome with Brightsun this Easter from just £226pp! Stay at the charming Romoli Hotel, offering easy access to the city's top sights. This 3-night package to Rome includes breakfast, return flights, and a guided night tour of historic Rome.

Brussels

If Easter makes you think of chocolate, then Brussels is where you should be heading to celebrate the holiday. Home to some of the world’s finest chocolatiers, Belgium’s capital is the ultimate destination for indulgence for those with a sweet tooth because you’ll find your heaven in boutique chocolate shops sampling pralines, and you could even take a chocolate-making workshop to rightly embrace the holiday spirit.

The Grand Place, one of Europe’s most beautiful squares is absolutely dazzling in the spring sunlight. And then there’s the Atomium that is such a futuristic contrast to the city’s historic core. April is the perfect time to visit Brussels as the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken open exclusively in spring with their astonishingly stunning floral displays.

Wash down waffles with a local Trappist beer, explore the quirky comic strip murals, and soak up the relaxed café culture. For a city break that is a humble mix of indulgence and elegance, Brussels is clearly a winner.

Explore Brussels with Brightsun this Easter from £323pp! Stay at the Novotel Brussels City Centre, just a short walk from Grand Place and the city’s top sights. This 3-night package to Brussels includes breakfast, return flights, and a guided city tour, giving you the perfect combination of history, culture, and indulgent Belgian treats.

Lisbon

Lisbon is pure magic at all times of the year, but spring just adds that extra sprinkle of charm to its allure. There are several processions that you can witness, the most notable one starting at Sé de Lisboa on Good Friday, and attending a traditional Easter mass at one of the city’s magnificent churches. Multiple Easter markets pop all over the city for you to explore and indulge in some mouthwatering traditional Portuguese Easter treats like amêndoas and Folar da Páscoa.

Apart from the festivities, experience the gorgeous early spring weather of Lisbon by riding the iconic yellow tram through Alfama, strolling along the waterfront in Belém, and taking in sweeping views from São Jorge Castle; you could also take a short trip to Sintra for more breath-taking sights.

If you like seafood, you will be in heaven here with fresh grilled sardines and Lisbon’s famed bacalhau. Pastel de nata, the city’s legendary custard tart, is a must-try, best enjoyed with a strong Portuguese coffee. Easter weekend brings sunny skies, mild breezes, and a laid-back energy that makes wandering through the city’s historic streets a joy.

Discover Lisbon from just £295pp! Stay at the elegant Hotel Lisboa Plaza, a boutique gem near Avenida da Liberdade, which is just perfectly placed for exploring the city. This 3-night package to Lisbon includes breakfast, return flights, and guided walking tours through Lisbon’s iconic streets.

Malta

Easter is a great time to visit Malta and appreciate its deep-rooted tradition and lively celebrations. The Holy Week is celebrated in towns and villages with candlelit processions, dramatic reenactments, and beautifully adorned churches. On Good Friday, the atmosphere is solemn and reflective as there are silent parades of hooded figures carrying statues depicting the Passion of Christ. But by Easter Sunday, the mood totally shifts with church bells ringing out joyously, streets fill with laughter, and statues of the Risen Christ are carried through the crowds in cheerful processions.

Apart from that, Easter is also a fantastic time to explore Malta. Spring weather offers the perfect conditions for walking through the streets of Valletta, visiting the medieval city of Mdina, or taking a boat to Gozo for a quieter escape. This is the right time to sample the season’s produce, and enjoy the island’s waterfront cafés and restaurants that offer stunning sea views as you soak up the festive atmosphere.

No Easter in Malta is complete without indulging in local treats. Figolla, a rich almond-filled pastry, is a staple, adorably shaped into cute hearts, fish, or lambs and decorated with brightly coloured icing. Traditional Easter feasts feature roast lamb shared with family and friends. And on Easter Monday, locals bathe in the spring sunshine with picnics by the sea or countryside strolls because here, in Malta, Easter is as much about community and joy as it is about faith.

Escape to Malta from £379pp! Stay at the Ramla Bay Resort, a tranquil waterfront retreat with breathtaking Mediterranean views. This 3-night package to Malta includes breakfast, return flights, and check-in baggage allowance.

Venice

Venice at all times of the year is a treat for the senses, and Easter adds a little whimsical touch to this Italian gem. Imagine golden light bouncing off the calm waters of the canals, the scent of fresh pastries drifting from old-world cafés, and the solemn beauty of Holy Week traditions in full swing under the shimmering mosaics at St. Mark’s Basilica.

Enjoy the bloom of spring by lazily strolling through cobbled alleyways, hopping on a serene gondola ride to cherish the beautiful sunset, or you could even explore underrated places like the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. There are pop up art exhibitions all across the city, the local markets are brimming with season's produce, and outdoor terraces are humming with folks chattering over spritzes and cicchetti. On Easter Monday, join the Venetians in escaping to the lagoon’s quieter islands for a lazy afternoon by the water. It's the Venetian way of welcoming spring!

Easter also happens to be a wonderful time to indulge in festive delicacies. There are some lovely family-owned bakeries making delicious Colomba (a dove-shaped sweet bread), and Easter-favourite chocolate eggs wrapped in bright foil. Traditional feasts for Easter include tender lamb and rich risottos, best enjoyed in a quiet trattoria away from the crowds.

Jet off to Venice with Brightsun starting at just £399pp! This 2-night package to Venice includes a stay at the Smart Hotel Holiday, breakfast, return flights, and a guided tour of Murano & Burano- two of Venice’s most picturesque islands, known for glassmaking and vibrant waterfronts.