Easter weekend is a popular time to visit the South of Italy, as it’s a time of religious celebration and cultural traditions. You might also be interested in this previous blog post about how Easter in Italy is celebrated. Here are some of the best Easter weekend activities in the South of Italy:

Easter Traditions in the South of Italy

Attend Holy Week processions
Holy Week is a significant event in the South of Italy, and many towns and cities have processions that are both religious and cultural. One of the most famous is the Processione dei Misteri in Taranto, where life-sized statues depicting the Passion of Christ are paraded through the city.

Participate in a food festival
Many towns in the South of Italy have food festivals during Easter weekend, celebrating local dishes like casatiello (a savoury bread with cheese and salami) and pastiera (a sweet ricotta and wheat cake). Check out this recipe for Casatiello napoletano by Roberto Di Pinto or this recipe for Pastiera napoletana by Stefano Avellano e Massimiliano Rosati.

Visit Matera
Matera in the region of Basilicata is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its ancient cave dwellings, or Sassi. During Easter, the city comes alive with religious processions and traditional foods like lamb and Easter bread.

Experience the Scoppio del Carro in Florence
While not technically in the South of Italy, the Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart) is a famous Easter tradition in Florence. A cart is filled with fireworks and paraded through the streets before being set alight, creating a spectacular display.

Visit Pompeii
Pompeii is an ancient Roman city near Naples, and while it may not have specific Easter events, it’s a fascinating place to explore during the long weekend. You can see the preserved ruins, including temples and houses, and get a glimpse into what life was like in Roman times.

Attend an Easter Mass
Attending Easter Mass in the South of Italy is a cultural experience, with many churches holding special services and processions during the weekend. One of the most famous is the Urbi et Orbi blessing given by the Pope at St. Peter’s Square in Rome. Check out the Vatican website for a live stream hosted on YouTube on Easter Sunday, to receive the blessing digitally.

There are so many unique Easter weekend activities to enjoy in the South of Italy, from religious processions to food festivals to exploring ancient ruins. Whether you’re interested in history, and culture, or just enjoying local cuisine, the South of Italy has something for everyone during this special time of year.

International Easter Weekend Traditions and Festivities

If you are interested in other European Easter Weekend traditions and festivities, I can highly recommend the other Articles of this little series about the best easter weekend activities in Prague, South Tyrol, Lake Constance and Copenhagen.