Spring is springing, the clocks have gone forward (light evenings, we missed you) and Mini Eggs are so back… Easter is loading. Religious or not, it’s an elite moment in the calendar – you know summer’s on its way and you’ve got a solid run of bank holidays lined up. The UK has a pretty niche Easter culture, like making bonnets at school and collecting those iconic mugs that come with chocolate eggs that everyone has in their cupboard. But, we’re not the only ones with the top-tier traditions – Easter is a huge deal across lots of countries in Europe, making it the perfect time for an Easter trip. From Spain and Greece to Germany and Sweden, these picks are perfect for soaking up the Easter vibes.
Spain
If Spain knows one thing, it’s how to pull off an epic religious event. The country is deeply Catholic, so Easter – or pascua if you’re Español – is major. It runs a lot deeper than egg hunts and big bunnies… the holiday lasts for a whole week – Semana Santa. Town centres are taken over by processions, featuring intricate statues of religious scenes, marching bands and colourful costumes – they draw a massive crowd, so you won’t be able to miss it. Candles are a huge part of it, and there’s even a competition where kids watching will try to collect the biggest ball of wax that drips from the floats. In particular, the Andalusian cities have a strong rep for their festivities, so Seville or Granada is where you want to be.
All the fiestas build up a serious appetite, so the week wraps up with a huge family feast after mass on Easter Sunday, either at home or in a restaurant. What’s on the menu depends on where in Spain you are, but most meals involve fresh seafood and sopa de ajo (garlic soup), followed by monas de pascua – Easter cake. Each area has its own traditions, though – the Basque Country is big on torrijas, which is a bit like French toast. Bread is dipped in milk and egg then fried before coated in sugar and honey, although the best are then burnt until crispy like a crème brûlée. Or, if you’re in Valencia, it’s all about small, sugary doughnut balls called bueñelos.
Germany
If you’re in Deutschland around Easter, or Ostern to the locals, things might feel familiar. Spoiler – that’s because, like with Christmas, most of our Easter customs were brought over from Germany. The Easter Bunny comes from German folklore about a hare that lays eggs, AKA the Osterhase, which is where Easter egg hunts all started, too. Decorating eggs is also a big tradition – children usually paint the shell at school and at home, where they’re then hung on an Easter tree like baubles.
One of the things that didn’t quite make it over to the UK is osterfeuer – Easter bonfires. This ritual is a throwback to Germany’s pre-Christian era, when fires were lit to welcome in spring. The fires were used to light special candles that were taken into the dark churches – kind of like an Olympic flame situation. Today, bonfire nights are normally held on the Saturday before Easter Sunday and are more of a community event, where people eat bratwurst and drink beer. If you’re in Berlin, there are usually two – one at Britzer Garten and another at Wendeschloss Lido next to the river.
Easter fairs are also a big thing here – Frankfurt, Hamburg and Stuttgart are all great picks. You’ll find everything you’d expect, from funfair rides and classic games to market stalls selling handmade Easter crafts and street food. You have to try some osterbrot, a sweet, brioche-like bread that’s braided like a plait or baked as a wreath.
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Sweden
Easter in Sweden, or pask, is a sweet combo of Christian, folklore and Old Norse traditions, which all mix together to make some of the quirkiest easter scenes in Europe. The main difference is that Swedish kids dress up as witches and go door-to-door trading their drawings for sweets. No, you haven’t time travelled to Halloween… legend has it that this time of year is when witches would go on a trip to meet the devil – they’re travel lovers, too – so the paskkarring, or Easter witch, was born. Bonfires, or paskbrasor, were lit to scare away the witches, which has also become an Easter tradition here.
If you see branches indoors, you might think it’s also something to do with the witches, but that’s actually more Christian than pagan. Birch trees are associated with the death of Christ, but these days they’re more of a decorative statement – Swedes cover birch twigs with colourful feathers to symbolise spring and rebirth. They’re arranged in a vase and placed on a table for the Easter Monday lunch, a smorgasbord of pickled herring, gravlax and Jansson’s frestelse – a hearty dish of potatoes, onion and fish baked in cream.
Sweet treats are an important part of Swedish easter, but you won’t see any chocolate eggs – instead, paper eggs are filled with pick ‘n mix sweets, like fudge, liquorice and peppermint sweets. Visit a traditional sweetshop if you’re in Sweden over easter to try it for yourself. Grown-ups have their own seasonal speciality, too. Spiced schnapps is the drink of choice, and you can learn all about it at the Museum of Drinking Culture in Stockholm, followed by a taste test in a bar – for educational purposes, ofc…
Greece
Pascha – Greek Orthodox Easter – is THE event of the year in Greece. Christmas doesn’t even come close, so you already know there’s going to be some mega traditions involved. Greek Christians use a different calendar to Catholics and Protestants, so their Easter doesn’t always fall at the same time. Holy Week takes place in the run up Easter Sunday, which is all about getting prepped for the big day and ticking off yearly rituals. Churchgoers ramp up their attendance, adults go hard on the housework with a spring clean and kids traditionally pick vine leaves ready to be stuffed for dolmadakias. It’s giving all hands on deck – buildings are even scrubbed, re-whitewashed and given a fresh lick of blue paint – someone’s gotta maintain that classic Greek aesthetic…
Everyone will take a break to watch the processions, though, where statues are carried through the town and philharmonic bands keep the vibes up. Parades like this are put on in small villages as well as bigger cities, but popular touristy spots like Mykonos and Zante really know how to put on a show. If you’re in Athens, Plaka – the old quarter – is the place to be for soaking up the scenes. Monastiraki Square and the Byzantine churches are a great spot for catching religious events, live music and catch Greek folk dancing.
Like any Greek holiday, food is at the heart of everything. Koulorakia and tsoureki – Easter cookies and bread – are baked or bought and shared with the fam, as well as a special flatbread called lagana. If you’re in Greece in the period before Holy Week, it’s the best time to get the freshest fish and seafood. Lots of Greeks won’t eat meat for 40 days before Easter – just like how some people choose to give up chocolate or wine for Lent. It’s all worth the wait, though – on Easter Sunday, they’ll make up for it with a full-on feast of roast lamb or goat with spinach pies, halloumi, stuffed vine leaves and olives. The ouzo and red wine will be flowing, followed by lots of traditional Greek dancing and music.
And, it’s not Easter Sunday without a game of tsougrisma. Everyone will dye the inside of an egg red in the days before, then, they’re all cracked at the same time and whoever’s is the darkest wins… it’s all love until nanna gets competitive. If you’re in Corfu, watch out when you’re walking down the road – the custom here is to throw clay pots out the window. Smashing the ceramics on the street is seen as symbolic of new beginnings and the resurrection of Jesus.
Poland
Similar to Sweden’s, Polish Easter – or Wielkanoc – takes bits from Christianity and pagan beliefs. Religion is a big part of it, but Easter in Poland is also the time to celebrate winter finallyyy ending and welcoming spring. This connection to nature is the main focus for most people, especially on Easter Monday – AKA Wet Monday or Poland’s National Water Fight Day. If you don’t want to get drenched, you should probably stay inside… the Poles show no mercy and EVERYONE is fair game, even tourists. It all started back in the 14th century, when people would throw water on each other as a sign of renewal and rebirth on the Spring Equinox. The water fight (called Smigus-Dyngus) was kept around when the
Christians came in as a symbol of washing away sin, and it’s still going strong today because, well, it’s fun. An excuse to throw a bucket of water on your annoying neighbour? Say less.
There are plenty of other traditions that don’t involve getting soaked, too. Decorating eggs are a fave activity for children and families have Easter egg hunts in their garden, as well as in public green spaces with the whole community. Making Easter baskets is also a big thing here – they’re filled with food like cured meats and bread, then taken to a church service to be blessed by the priest before lunch. Loads of events are held on Easter Saturday, like parades in Krakow’s main square, classical concerts in Warsaw and the easter market in Gdansk. Stroll past stalls selling handmade crafts like ceramics, wood carvings and amber jewellery, and make sure you try some of the seasonal snacks, like makowiec – a strudel-like cake made with poppy seeds.
Want to spice up your easter with witches, smashing pots or water fights? Get involved with our Easter holidays.
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Author: Daisy Colley (she/her)
Last updated: 03/04/2025
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