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Are you planning a trip for this Easter? Would you like to travel at your own pace to some of the most emblematic destinations for these festivities? If the answer is yes, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll suggest the best driving routes for you to enjoy Easter in complete freedom, exploring places full of history, tradition and culture.
Holy Week and Easter are times of great religious and cultural significance in many countries around the world. Beyond their spiritual importance, these holidays offer an excellent opportunity to travel and immerse yourself in unique traditions. Find out when they are celebrated this year and which are the best destinations to experience them to the full. What better way to do it than with the freedom of a hire car!
When are Holy Week and Easter celebrated?
The dates of Holy Week vary each year, as they depend on the lunar calendar. In 2024, Holy Week will be celebrated from 24 to 31 March, while Easter Sunday will be on 31 March. This time of year is ideal for planning a trip, as many countries organise processions, religious events and special festivities.
The dates of Holy Week vary annually, as they depend on the lunar calendar. In 2024, Holy Week will be celebrated from 24 to 31 March, with Easter Sunday on 31 March. This is an ideal time to plan a getaway and drive to iconic destinations that enhance the essence of these festivities with processions, religious events and celebrations full of history and devotion.
5 places to experience Holy Week and Easter
Seville: Passion and Devotion in Every Corner
If there is one place where Holy Week is experienced with intensity, it is in Seville. Its famous processions, organised by the brotherhoods, wind their way through the streets to the rhythm of drums and religious songs. The penitents and the floats bearing religious images create a unique atmosphere. It is also an excellent opportunity to enjoy the typical cuisine, such as torrijas (a kind of French toast) and cod with tomato.
Route through Andalusia: Seville, Cordoba and Granada
Andalusia is the heart of Holy Week in Spain, and a road trip through Seville, Cordoba and Granada will allow you to immerse yourself in a unique experience.
- Seville: Experience the famous processions organised by the brotherhoods and try delicacies such as torrijas (a kind of French toast).
- Córdoba: Explore the old town, visit the Mosque-Cathedral and enjoy the local cuisine.
- Granada: Discover the Alhambra and experience the mixture of history and spirituality in its streets.
Total distance: ~400 km
Rome: Celebrations in the Heart of Christianity
Rome is the ideal destination for experiencing Holy Week and Easter, especially for the Vatican celebrations. The Pope officiates at Palm Sunday mass and at Easter Sunday mass in St Peter’s Square. In addition, the Eternal City offers endless tourist attractions and delicious cuisine, such as colomba pasquale, a typical Easter sweet.
Route through Italy: From Rome to Florence
Experiencing Holy Week in Rome is a unique experience, especially with the celebrations in the Vatican City. But why not extend your trip and drive to Florence?
- Rome: Attend the Pope’s mass in St Peter’s Square and try the traditional colomba pasquale.
- Florence: Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and enjoy the traditional Scoppio del Carro, an Easter fireworks event.
Total distance: ~280 km
Oberammergau: A Centennial Performance
This small Bavarian village is famous for its representation of the Passion of Christ, a tradition that dates back to the 17th century. Although this play is only performed every ten years (the next one will be in 2030), Germany offers other charming Easter festivities, such as Easter egg markets and bonfires in the countryside. Don’t miss out on typical dishes such as Osterlamm (Easter lamb).
Route through Germany: From Munich to Oberammergau
For a unique experience in Germany, renting a car and travelling through Bavaria at Easter is an excellent option.
- Munich: Explore the Easter markets and try Osterlamm (Easter lamb).
- Oberammergau: Known for its re-enactment of the Passion of Christ (the next one is in 2030), it is a destination with alpine charm.
London, United Kingdom: Easter with a Royal Touch
In the United Kingdom, Easter is celebrated with special events such as Easter Mass at Westminster Abbey or the changing of the guard at Windsor Castle. It is also a perfect time to enjoy the traditional Easter Egg Hunts in the city’s parks and try hot cross buns, spiced rolls with raisins and a cross on top.
Route through the UK: From London to Windsor
The UK celebrates Easter with unique events, and a drive from London to Windsor will allow you to experience its essence.
- London: Enjoy Easter Mass at Westminster Abbey and Easter Egg Hunts in the parks.
- Windsor: Visit Windsor Castle and watch the changing of the guard on these special days.
Athens: Orthodox Holy Week Full of Tradition
In Greece, Holy Week follows the Orthodox calendar, so it is sometimes celebrated on different dates to the Catholic calendar. In Athens and on many Greek islands such as Corfu, impressive candlelit processions are organised, and on Holy Saturday the sky is lit up with fireworks. To complete the experience, try magiritsa, a traditional soup served after Easter mass.
Route through Greece: From Athens to Meteora
Orthodox Easter in Greece is celebrated with great fervour, and a road trip from Athens to the monasteries of Meteora is an unbeatable way to experience the festival.
- Athens: Enjoy the candlelit processions and the vibrant celebration of Holy Saturday.
- Meteora: A spiritual place par excellence, where the monasteries perched on top of the rocks offer a breathtaking view.
These destinations offer a perfect combination of tradition, culture and gastronomy for an unforgettable Easter holiday. Whether you prefer the solemnity of the processions in Spain, the majesty of the Vatican, the theatricality of Germany, British elegance or the orthodox intensity of Greece, there is a perfect destination for every traveller. Come and discover it for yourself!
Each of these destinations offers a fascinating blend of tradition, culture and gastronomy. With a hire car, you’ll have the freedom to explore every corner at your own pace and experience an unforgettable Easter. Book your car with Record Go and set off on the perfect route for these festivities. See you on the road!
