Barcelona is beautiful year-round, but Easter adds something extra. You can stroll Las Ramblas, get your Gaudí fix at Park Güell and hit the beach. The Sagrada Família is now crowned by its central Tower of Jesus Christ, completed in 2026, making it the world’s tallest church. Holy Week (Setmana Santa) begins on Palm Sunday with palm blessings outside Barcelona Cathedral and the Sagrada Família. On Good Friday, processions wind through the Gothic Quarter and the Raval from late afternoon into the night. Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays in Catalonia, so some shops may be closed. Don't miss the Good Friday processions around the Gothic Quarter, Easter Mass at the Sagrada Família and a slice of Mona de Pascua, the traditional Easter cake.

Pilgrims from all over the world flock to Rome at Easter, and you can join them for a spiritual experience across Holy Week. Head to Vatican City to see St Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. On Good Friday evening, the Pope leads the torchlit Way of the Cross (Via Crucis) at the Colosseum. Easter Sunday Mass is held in St Peter’s Square. Between ceremonies, Rome’s classics are always worth a wander: the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, the Roman Forum and the Spanish Steps. Plan your trip around Palm Sunday Mass in St Peter’s Square, the Via Crucis at the Colosseum on Good Friday and colomba, an Easter cake a little like panettone. Insider tip: The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel close on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. St Peter’s Basilica is only open to sightseers outside services. Good Friday isn’t a public holiday in Italy, so it’s a good day to visit the museums. Book timed tickets in advance.

Dublin is an easy Easter pick for families. The city has lively restaurants, friendly locals and plenty of history, with sights including Trinity College, Kilmainham Gaol and St Patrick’s Cathedral. For a day with the kids, head to Phoenix Park, home to Dublin Zoo. Easter is also when Ireland remembers the 1916 Easter Rising against British rule. On Easter Sunday, a state ceremony outside the GPO on O’Connell Street includes a reading of the Proclamation, Defence Forces bands and an Air Corps flypast. Enjoy the Easter Rising commemoration at the GPO, a pint at the Guinness Storehouse and some shopping on Grafton Street.

Amsterdam comes alive in spring. In late March, the Bulb Region (Bollenstreek) south-west of the city fills with crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths, and tulips follow through April. Take a day trip to Keukenhof, one of the world’s largest flower gardens, which is open from 18 March to 9 May 2027. Book your timed-entry tickets ahead. In the city, take a canal cruise or hop on a bike to explore. Petting farms around Amsterdam often host Easter egg hunts for the kids too.

Spring is a lovely time to visit the “Island of Flowers”. This volcanic island is the place to get back to nature with some sunshine and adventure. Walk a levada trail past waterfalls and wildflowers, see the bright colours of the Botanical Garden or head out on a 4×4 expedition. If you can stay longer, the Madeira Flower Festival runs from 29 April to 30 May 2027, about a month after Easter. Enjoy levada walks through laurel forest, the Madeira Botanical Garden and the hike to Pico Ruivo, the island’s highest peak.

Mild spring days make late March a comfortable time to explore Marrakech. Stroll through the Medina and its bustling souks, and practise your bargaining as you shop. Take in the city from one of its many rooftop restaurants and don’t miss the sunset. Discover Marrakech’s history through its palaces and museums, then escape the hustle with a visit to one of its tranquil gardens. Don't miss the Le Jardin Secret tucked away in the Medina, the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque and modern Moroccan cuisine on the rooftop at Nomad.

Head to the land of fire and ice for a different kind of Easter. Reykjavik has plenty to keep you busy, from its nightlife and local cuisine to its churches and monuments. To see the real Iceland, use the capital as a base for exploring its wild landscapes. You can go whale watching, horse riding, glacier hiking or snowmobiling, or soak in the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. Evenings are still dark in late March, so there’s a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights.

Easter is the most sacred time of year in Greece. Greeks celebrate Orthodox Easter, which falls on 2 May in 2027, five weeks after Western Easter, so time your trip accordingly. During Holy Week, visit the Byzantine churches of Plaka and downtown Athens and follow a candlelit procession through the streets on Good Friday. On Holy Saturday, join the crowds at the midnight Resurrection service, followed by fireworks and a late-night feast. And of course, don’t miss the Acropolis, the Parthenon and the Ancient Agora. Don't miss the candlelit procession on Good Friday, the midnight Resurrection service and spit-roasted lamb on Easter Sunday.

Fly into the French Riviera for an Easter getaway with a touch of glamour. Nice has beaches, excellent French restaurants and sights including Nice Cathedral, Castle Hill and the Promenade des Anglais. Its Old Town is packed with restaurants, cafés, galleries and shops. From Nice, you can head along the coast to Monaco’s Monte Carlo or explore the artistic and literary history of Antibes. Further afield is Saint-Tropez, with its beaches and glitz. Visit the narrow lanes of the Old Town, the domes of Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas and socca, Nice’s famous chickpea street food.

Prague is a fairytale city to explore with the whole family at Easter. Nicknamed the “City of a Hundred Spires”, it’s known for its historic Old Town, Gothic churches and famous bridges. Wander with your camera in hand and don’t forget to look up. Explore Old Town Square, visit Prague Castle, cross Charles Bridge and see the Astronomical Clock. In the weeks before Easter, markets on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square sell painted eggs, crafts and traditional treats. Look out for the Easter markets on Old Town Square, the view from the Old Town Hall Tower and a beer with a view in Letná Park.