With the spring air comes the desire to travel: here's what to do in Venice during the Easter holidays
Winter is not yet over, but spring is already showing itself, with its gentle breeze and the sun warming the skin. This increases the desire to be outdoors, to stroll and enjoy the lengthening days.
For us at Visit Italy, spring represents the reborn desire to travel, to explore those places that crowds and the summer heat do not allow us to fully enjoy: so why not take advantage of the Easter holidays to visit Venice at leisure? Here are 5 things you can do to experience Venice at a slow pace.
What to do at Easter in Venice
After the great celebrations of Carnival, Venice relaxes and prepares for the beautiful season. Spring is indeed the ideal season to visit the Serenissima calmly, enjoying the scents and colours emanating from its many gardens and the warmth of the sun.
Easter week adds an extra touch of magic to this period of awakening: in fact, as early as Holy Thursday the doors of the churches are left open and candles are lit, giving the evening strolls a surreal atmosphere.
The list you will find here contains tips and outdoor activities to enjoy the wonderful spring weather in Venice, and also some ideas to escape from the crowded places during the weekend. Accompanying you to museums, historical palaces and art galleries is the Venice Pass, the tourist pass that gives you free access to the main attractions and discounts and concessions on guided tours. The Venice Pass also allows you to use public transport for 1, 2 or 5 days and easily organise your itinerary through its handy app, whose map contains up-to-date information sheets for each attraction, including their history, opening and closing times, costs and directions on how to get there.
5. Easter at the Golden Cathedral
The golden interior of St. Mark's Cathedral
While Easter celebrations in Venice today may seem modest compared to other more glamorous events, in the time of the Doges, Christian Easter was an occasion for sumptuous events, which were concentrated in St Mark's Cathedral. The Golden Cathedral, so called because of its interior, was decorated with rich banners and the rich Treasury and Pala d'Oro were displayed inside.
Today you can enjoy the splendour of the historical festivities by entering the Basilica, which even without decorations will leave you breathless, and see the Pala d'Oro completely covered in gold, silver, precious stones and enamels, created by the Venetian goldsmith Giovanni Paolo Boninsegna in the 14th century.
Given the sacrality of the place, we advise you to book your ticket and choose the skip-the-line option, which will also give you access to the beautiful panoramic terrace.
4. 4. Taste the typical Venetian Easter cake: fugassa
'No xè Pasqua sensa fugassa' (there's no Easter without focaccia), the Venetians say: and indeed, you cannot celebrate Easter in Venice without tasting this typical cake. Round like the sun, soft and sweet, fugassa was the food used to celebrate the end of Lent and is so delicious that it could even be found at weddings.
If dessert isn't enough for you, you can try a Spritz with the famous cicchetti (italian tapas) or immerse yourself in the tradition of street food with a tour that will take you to the best places to savour Venetian culture.
3. What to do at Easter in Venice: a walk through the "calli"
The city of Venice, due to its conformation, should undoubtedly be explored on foot.
From the narrowest calli of the historic centre, at whose corners you may encounter something special, such as a gondola workshop or an ancient palace, to the wider and less crowded calli of Dorsoduro or Castello, every glimpse will amaze and leave you breathless.
An itinerary outside the historical centre may be the one that takes you to Fondamenta delle Zattere, whose name derives from the tree trunks, which were used by the craftsmen of Venice, and which arrived here in the lagoon transported along the rivers by rafts. Starting from the Maritime Station of San Basilio you will arrive at Punta della Dogana, enjoying a magnificent view on Giudecca Island.
If, on the other hand, you prefer to be guided by an expert gondolier, we recommend this unusual tour to discover the most beautiful views of Venice.
2. Discovering the gems of the lagoon: Murano and Burano
Glimpse of Burano, the island of colours
If you are staying in Venice for the Easter holidays, you cannot miss a visit to the beautiful lagoon and its islands. Murano and Burano are undoubtedly the most famous, small gems set in the blue Venetian waters and small centres of historical craftsmanship.
Murano is one of the most populous centres in the lagoon, whose Romanesque basilica contains a unique mosaic floor inside. But Murano is certainly world-famous for its glassmaking: this activity originated in the 13th century and the tradition and creativity of the master glassmakers has survived to the present day.
Burano, on the other hand, is known as 'the island of colours' for its brightly coloured houses. It is said that each colour corresponds to a family and that the fog forced the fishermen to colour their houses with strong colours in order to recognise them quickly. Burano is also famous for the art of lace-making, renowned throughout the world.
1 Day trip in nature
Easter Monday in Italy can be celebrated with a barbecue, a picnic or a beautiful nature excursion: if you are in Venice, in only half an hour you can reach the Natural Park of the Sile River, five thousand hectares of greenery enclosing eleven villages all worth visiting.
You can lose yourself in its magnificent views on foot or by bicycle, following the numerous paths, such as the Via dei Mulini or the Anello dei Borghi fluviali.
