Spending Easter in the Puglia region means enjoying popular Easter traditions.

Religion, historical heritage and popular traditions

These are experience steeped in identity, where religion intertwines with the region's historical heritage and popular traditions. Holy Week is one of the most culturally appealing times of the year, with rituals involving villages and towns throughout the region.

Ancient regional rituals

The celebrations begin with the processions on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, including ancient rituals such as the mystery of the hooded barefoot figures, the weeping of the mourners and the funeral marches performed by the town bands. Regardless of personal faith, these events offer an opportunity to learn about the most authentic traditions of the area and the passion with which the locals experience these spiritual events.

Gargano marks Good Friday with a procession

In the Gargano, overlooking the Adriatic Sea in the province of Foggia, the songs of the Passion enliven Vico del Gargano, while in San Marco in Lamis, Good Friday is marked by the procession of the Virgin and the representations of the Living Passion of Christ in Troia and Ginosa, towards Basilicata, further expand the offering.

Barletta, Molfetta and Bari also celebrate

Following the incense route, we arrive at Barletta, historically a strategic port towards the East. The town is the destination of the Good Friday procession that reaches the Romanesque Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore. Heading down towards Bari, on the night between Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, Molfetta hosts a parade of five wooden statues of the Sorrowful Mysteries, which pass through the town centre accompanied by funeral marches.

Holy Saturday in Gallipoli is particularly heartfelt

The Holy Saturday celebration in Gallipoli is particularly heartfelt, when one of the most evocative processions overlooking the Ionian Sea takes place. The statue of the Madonna, seated at the foot of the cross, the Desolata, is accompanied through the city centre until it meets the golden urn that holds the Dead Christ.

A 15-hour procession

The highlight remains the Nazzicata in Taranto, strategically located between the Salento peninsula and Basilicata: a procession of the Mysteries lasting about 15 hours, involving the brothers with their faces covered and barefoot, marching to the notes of the funeral march.

Visit Italy presents Luminous Destinations, a new initiative launched together with the Tourism Observatory Report, for ten Italian sustainable destinations.

A change of perspective

The choice has fallen on these ten destinations considered more balanced, conscious and sustainable models of tourism. “With Luminous Destinations, we want to shine a light on areas that demonstrate that tourism can create value without distorting the places themselves. It is not an automatic response to overtourism, nor is it a list of ready-made alternatives. It is a change of perspective. If the well-being of communities grows, so does the quality of the experience for travellers,” explains Ruben Santopietro, CEO and founder of the Visit Italy cultural platform.

From the Alps to the port of Genoa

The selection of the ten destinations is based on a combination of tourism data analysis, the observation of travel behaviour, and an evaluation of local policies. In northern Italy, Livigno in Lombardy is an Alpine destination that promotes sustainability, mobility and responsible hospitality while Genoa, the capital of Liguria, is an example of a layered and authentic city, with its port, culture and historic districts.

History, art and slow tourism

In central Italy, Viterbo, in Lazio, stands out as one of the best-preserved medieval centres in Europe, with a strong historical and thermal identity. Arezzo, in Tuscany, ranks as a city of art and manufacturing, combining Renaissance heritage with living artisan traditions, while the Marche town of Cingoli is known as the “balcony of the Marche.” a symbol of slow tourism and quality of life.

Spirituality, music and crafts

Among the islands, the towns of Monreale in Sicily, with its art, spirituality and landscape surrounding the UNESCO World Heritage Cathedral, and Borutta, in the Sardinian hinterland, are destinations with archaeology, spirituality and rural landscapes. Oratino is a medieval village in Molise that protects its intangible sculptural and musical heritage, while Gerace, in Calabria, is an example of tourism linked to history, craftsmanship and the Aspromonte area. In Basilicata, Castelsaraceno is an Apennine village that promotes nature, engineering and landscapes.

Tourists exceeded 479 million in 2025

In 2025 tourist numbers in Italy exceeded 479 million, positioning Italy among the best performers in Europe. At the same time, Italy has the highest level of tourist saturation on the continent. Foreign arrivals now account for over 55% of total tourist flows, and they are staying longer and spending more: the average stay now 3.6 nights and the average expenditure per traveller of €930, for a total expenditure of over €60 billion. 

Some 65% of travellers book online

Figures are showing slight signs of a shift away from hit-and-run tourism in favour of longer, higher-value stays. The report also highlights a change in the way people plan their trips. Sixty-five per cent of travellers book online, a percentage that rises to 79% among Gen Z visitors, while artificial intelligence has already entered the decision-making process of one in three tourists.

Easter in the Dolomites is a time to enjoy skiing, walks in the countryside and relaxation. 

Gnollhof - Mystic Place Dolomites Gudon, Chiusa (South Tyrol)

At an altitude of 1,160 metres, in the village of Gudon, the Gnollhof - Mystic Place Dolomites  hotel invites you can ski on the Alpe di Siusi in the morning, while in the afternoon the trails between Villandro, Velturno and the Alpe di Barbiano are once again accessible. With its 54 rooms and suites, Gnollhof – Mystic Place Dolomites  is certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and features a spa with an infinity pool overlooking the valley which perfect for moments of relaxation. “A Special Easter” is the offer from Gnollhof which can be booked for the periods from 29 March to 2 April 2026 or from 6 to 10 April 2026. The promotion starts at €592 per person and includes a 4-night stay with exclusive gourmet board, dedicated to those who love good, authentic cuisine.

ph credits Stefano Pinci

Hotel Vioz – Family Hotel & Apartments Peio Fonti (Val di Sole, Trentino)

In the heart of the Stelvio National Park, a short walk from the Peio 3000 ski lifts (open until 10 April), the Hotel Vioz – Family Hotel & Apartments offers Easter mountain holidays for families. The hotel has a panoramic wellness area, perfect for a relaxing break between walks and skiing. Hotel Vioz offers guided spring excursions and discounted ski passes of up to 30%, as well as ski lessons and equipment hire at reduced rates. With the special spring offer, valid from 21 March to 6 April 2026, you can choose stays of three to seven nights with half board, with prices starting from €693 per person for seven nights. Special attention is given to families, with free accommodation for one child under the age of eight. The stay is enhanced by an Easter dinner and lively themed entertainment.

Montamont©Leitlhof

Naturhotel Leitlhof, San Candido (Val Pusteria, South Tyrol)

In San Candido, in Val Pusteria, the Naturhotel Leitlhof is a model of sustainable hospitality, with a 3,000 sqm wellness centre with indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a large sauna area. The hotel is ideally located for exploring the valley and the surrounding area on excursions to the lakes of Dobbiaco and Braies, along numerous forest trails and the cycle path that connects San Candido to Lienz. The San Candido ski area is open until 12 April, while during the Easter period the village comes alive with family-friendly initiatives, such as the “Easter Egg Hunt” in shop windows (from 14 March to 6 April 2026). The “Dolomiti Spring Days” offer, valid from 15 March to 6 April, offers seven nights for the price of six with half board and there are also special conditions for equipment hire and the ski school.

Far from the tourist crowds of the high season, the mountains of Trentino and South Tyrol come back to life at Easter with events, morning skiing and afternoon walks. 

Easter traditions differ from region to region

Easter in the Italian Alps is an immersion in local traditions linked to the cycles of nature with evenings in South Tyrol lit up by Osterfeuer Easter fires that are ancient symbols of rebirth and protection, while by day the sound of hand-operated wooden Ratschen instruments, replaces that of church bells. In Trentino, on the other hand, Easter is celebrated with processions, re-enactments of the Passion and the blessing of bread, eggs and focaccia. In many villages, the Easter period also coincides with local markets and community festivals that mark the beginning of the warm season. 

Marching bands and coloured Easter eggs

On Saturday 4 April the historic centre of the village of Chiusa will host the traditional Easter market, with over 55 stalls offering typical products, crafts and gastronomic specialties. The Chiusa marching band will liven up the morning, and the traditional Easter game will involve young and old alike in the game of coloured eggs. The village of San Candido will come alive with family-friendly activities, such as an egg hunt in shop windows (from 14 March to 6 April 2026).

Val di Casies - ph credits: Kamilla

Walking trails and art installations

The Val Casies-Monguelfo- Tesido region in South Tyrol, with its panoramic views of the Dolomites, returns to green and walkable trails in spring. Among the many walks, the Via Lucis stands out as the first meditative trail in South Tyrol. Some seven kilometres long, the trail runs between San Martino and Karbachtal and is marked by 14 artistic installations inspired by the Easter holidays.  There are plenty of attractions to visit in the same area, from Welsperg Castle, the oldest fortified complex in Alta Pusteria located a few minutes' walk from Monguelfo, to the Gothic and Romanesque Church of San Giorgio di Tesido which is one of the oldest in the Val Pusteria valley.

Val Casies ph credits: IDM Südtirol Manuel Kottersteger

Skiing well into spring

In spring you can still ski in numerous resorts in the area including Plan de Corones, open until 19 April, and Drei Zinnen Dolomites and San Candido, open until 12 April. With the Guest Pass – Gsiesertal-Welsberg-Taisten Card, free for guests of selected establishments, it is possible to use public transport throughout South Tyrol and enjoy discounts on spring activities. For information: www.gsieser-tal.com

The Aosta Valley amazes visitors with its great variety of natural environments and biodiversity, and is worth exploring all summer.

Some of Western Europe’s highest peaks

Hosting around 2,000 different species of plants and trees out of a total of 5,600 varieties catalogued for the entire Italian flora, the valley, bordering Switzerland to the north and France to the west, has some of the highest peaks in the Alps, such as the Matterhorn, Mount Rosa, Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc, which, at 4,810 metres, is the highest mountain in Western Europe.

The Mont Avic Natural Park

Among the largest parks in the Aosta Valley, the Mont Avic Natural Park, established in 1989, covers over 7,300 hectares between Champdepraz, Champorcher and Fénis. It is home to lakes, peat bogs and marshes, as well as the largest forest of mountain pine in the whole of the Aosta Valley. Its protected area borders that of the Gran Paradiso National Park. Among the picturesque walks that can be taken in the Gran Paradiso area, in Cogne, the Bosco di Sylvenoire welcomes visitors for a peaceful stroll among larch and silver fir trees. Located in Valnontey, a hamlet in the municipality of Cogne, the Paradisia Alpine Garden offers three free guided tours a day at 10.30 a.m., 2.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. 

Fascinating micro eco-systems 

In addition to its large parks, the Aosta Valley is home to several nature reserves, fascinating micro-ecosystems established in the 1990s to protect rare and delicate biotopes. The Mont Mars nature reserve, near Fontainemore, on the border with Piedmont, is the largest example of this. With woods, rocky walls and glacial lakes up to 2,600 metres above sea level, it can also boast numerous natural species, forests of larch trees and blueberry and rhododendron bushes, as well as an equally rich and varied fauna. In Gressan, the Côte de Gargantua Nature Reserve is an example of steppe nature, with its arid slopes exposed to the sun and rare aromatic plants.  

Monumental age-old trees

Thirty-three per cent of the region's surface area is covered by forests, almost all of which are located in the small municipalities of the Aosta Valley, where nature and communities coexist in harmony. Here, the discovery of the region's natural heritage continues with monumental trees such as the 500-year-old larch in Bionaz, nicknamed brenva foula (“crazy larch”), the two centuries-old plane trees in Donnas, growing side by side along Via Roma, and the almost 500-year-old lime tree that reigns in Piazza dei SS. Pietro e Orso in Aosta.

Now in its 78th edition, the Almond Blossom Festival returns to Agrigento from 7 to 15 March.

In Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples

The event promotes popular culture, music and dance through a universal message of peace and dialogue between peoples. The heart of the event is Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a symbolic setting that combines archaeology, landscape and spirituality. The festival is one of the most important urban and regional celebrations in Sicily, combining folklore, family activities and regional food and wine tastings in an artistically vibrant setting.

A torchlight procession on 10 March

Among the most eagerly awaited moments is the ceremony to light the Tripod of Friendship in front of the Temple of Concordia at sunset on 10 March with the traditional torchlight procession along the ancient Greek road and the parade of participants through Agrigento’s streets and squares.

International artists and folk groups

The festival will conclude with a grand finale show in the Valley of the Temples and the awarding of the Golden Temple, one of the most prestigious international awards in the world of folklore. This year's theme, “Traditions of Peace,” takes on particular significance in the current geopolitical context. Hundreds of artists and folk groups from all over the world will enliven the streets of the historic centre and the archaeological area with parades, evening shows and musical performances.

A symbol of rebirth and hope

Established in 1934, the Almond Blossom Festival has its roots in the agricultural and cultural history of the area, evolving over time into an event of global significance. The almond tree, a flower that blooms before the others, becomes in this sense a symbol of rebirth and hope, in keeping with the pacifist vocation of the Festival.  For information: https://comune.agrigento.it 

The Milan-Cortina Olympics represent a peak of acceleration in the process underway for Alpine tourism. 

2026 set to be a peak year

According to estimates by Isnart and Unioncamere, 2026 should mark a historic peak for Alpine tourism, with 513,000 arrivals in the Olympic areas, 1.8 million overnight stays and €281 million in direct tourist spending. The overall economic impact is estimated at over €5.3 billion.

Tourism dropped by 50% in 2020

The infographic “Cortina 2026: numbers and trends in new mountain tourism” report from VRetreats, a high-end Italian hospitality brand, provides a snapshot of the evolution of Alpine destinations from 2019 to today and the expected impact of the Games on the tourism system. According to this data, after the collapse in 2020, which saw a 50% drop in visitor numbers, Alpine tourism has shown growth rates above the national average in the post-pandemic period.

Cortina d'Ampezzo: 12.000 beds in 2025

At a regional level, between 2019 and 2025, Valle d'Aosta will go from 3.6 to 4.01 million visitors (+11%), Trentino from 6.9 to 7.75 million (+12%) and South Tyrol from 35 to 37.1 million (+6%). The average length of stay will also increase, reaching 4.6 nights in 2025, compared to 3.8 in 2019. Cortina d'Ampezzo stands out in this context, with steady growth since 2019, an estimated 12,000 beds in 2025, an average occupancy rate of 79% and average spend of €310 per night. Positive performance is also recorded in Madonna di Campiglio and the Monte Cervino area, supported by sports tourism, wellness and the premium segment.

International visitors spent €182 daily

The contribution of international tourism remains decisive in Alpine resorts. Between 2019 and 2025, foreign arrivals in Alpine resorts grew steadily, driven by Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the United Kingdom and the United States. In 2025, the average daily expenditure of international guests reached €182, compared to €135 for Italians. Interest is also growing in offers combining luxury and sustainability, with an increase in 4-star and 5-star properties, more green certifications and more and more experiences related to wellness and nature.

Forecasts indicate growth in summer visitors

Looking beyond 2026, the challenge, according to VRetreats, will be to consolidate the benefits achieved and steer development towards a balanced and sustainable model of mountain tourism. Forecasts indicate growth in summer visitor numbers, an increase in stable accommodation capacity, and an increase in green-certified facilities.

In Venice, in the heart of the Cannaregio district, the boutique Hotel Madama Venice is offering exclusive deals for Valentine's Day and Carnival.

Two special offers

Starting from £584, the Valentine's Day offer includes two nights at the elegant hotel with a private gondola ride through the Venetian canals, sipping prosecco. The Carnival offer is for a minimum stay of three nights between 31 January and 17 February. The promotion starts at €876 and includes a one-hour private lagoon tour in the morning, where you can enjoy the Venetian carnival away from the crowds. 

One of Venice’s oldest districts

The boutique Hotel Madama Venice welcomes guests to Palazzo Antelmi, a finely restored historic building, in an atmosphere of refined tranquillity. The Cannaregio district, in the north-western part of Venice, stretches from the Grand Canal to the Lagoon and is historically divided into two parts: an older part overlooking the Grand Canal with its palaces, and a more recent part.

Venice had the first Jewish Ghetto

The Sestiere is one of the six neighbourhoods into which Venice is divided, and Cannaregio is one of the districts that best reflects Venice's welcoming nature and the foreign communities that have found a home here over the centuries. Among the most numerous are the Greek and Jewish communities. It was in Venice, in fact, that the first Jewish ghetto in history was established, with the Campo del Ghetto Nuovo and the more recent Campo del Ghetto Vecchio. 

Beautiful Venetian palaces

Continuing through the narrow streets and alleys, you reach Campo dei Mori, famous for the Moor statues that guard its entrance, and a little further on, the birthplace of Jacopo Tintoretto, a living testimony to the link between the district and one of the greatest masters of Venetian painting. The route culminates with the imposing Church of the Madonna dell'Orto, which suddenly reveals itself to the visitor's gaze, and with lesser-known but charming palaces, such as Palazzo Donà delle Rose, recently rediscovered by the general public thanks to the filming of the series The New Pope.