Easter in Rome - an unforgettable experience!

Vatican Calendar for Easter 2025

Spending Easter in Rome, the eternal city, is truly an unforgettable experience. From the rich history embedded in its streets to the spiritual aura of the Vatican, Rome offers a unique and profound way to celebrate Easter. Rome becomes a focal point of religious devotion and cultural festivities during Easter. Key events with the Holy Father throughout Easter include April 13, Palm Sunday: Papal Mass and blessing of palm branches. April 18, Good Friday: Via Crucis at the Colosseum. April 20, Easter Sunday: Papal Mass and Urbi et Orbi Blessing. Palm Sunday celebrations will be held on April 13, 2025, at 10:00 am at St. Peter's Basilica and will be presided over by Pope Francis. The programme includes a 9:30 am Procession with palm branches and a 10:00 am Papal Mass and Blessing of palm branches. Access to St. Peter's Basilica is free, but with limited seating, arriving early to find a seat is advisable. One of the most touching moments is the Via Crucis presided over by Pope Francis at the Colosseum, a tradition dating back to 1744. This ceremony takes place every Good Friday at the Colosseum in Rome and is presided over by the Pope. The ceremony will begin at 9:15 p.m., be broadcast worldwide, and be held on April 18.

Easter Lunch or Dinner

Apart from the spiritual events, Rome offers a plethora of activities for visitors during Easter. From visiting historical monuments like the Roman Forum, the Colosseum and the Pantheon to enjoying delightful Italian cuisine in charming cafes and restaurants, there’s something for everyone. Throughout Holy Week, Rome hosts various festivals and markets where you can enjoy local delicacies, buy handmade crafts, and immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere. Take advantage of the cultural hub that Rome is by visiting its numerous museums and theatres. The Vatican Museums, housing the Sistine Chapel, and the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma are must-visit locations.

The Easter breakfast - The main foods of the Easter breakfast include hard-boiled eggs, often decorated, served with Roman coral salami, 'pizza sbattuta', a cake similar to sponge cake, which pairs well with chocolate eggs enjoyed by children. Also called the Crescia.

Easter Lunch - Following a substantial breakfast, a hearty lunch featuring delectable dishes is customary. One notable dish is omelette with artichokes, a key vegetable in Roman cuisine. Additionally, an essential dish for those adhering to tradition is coratella with artichokes, which is prepared using lamb innards. To conclude the meal, the Easter sweet-symbol, the exquisite colomba, coated with crisp almonds, icing, and sugar crystals, should not be overlooked.

Abbacchio a Scottadito - This grilled lamb dish is a highlight of Roman cuisine, traditionally served during spring and festive occasions, especially at Easter. It pairs perfectly with a fine red wine from Castelli.

Ricotta and sour cherry tart - This dish is part of the Romanesque-Jewish cuisine, featuring a shortcrust pastry filled with sour cherry jam and sambuca-flavored ricotta cream.

Ciambelline al vino - Originating from Castelli Romani, these traditional biscuits are made with flour, olive oil, wine, and sugar. They have an enticing amber or brown hue and are sprinkled with sweet sugar crystals, offering a delightfully homemade flavor.

Sunday Easter Lunch at a Hotel - why not?

47 Boutique Hotel

Roman's cusine is world renown. Book a restaurant in advance for your Easter Sunday Brunch or Dinner. There are special offers by some of the Roman Hotels such as 47 Boutique Hotel or Hotel Vilon. The 47 Boutique Hotel, via Luigi Petroselli 47 (Foro Boario) – Easter lunch will feature a special 5-course menu on the Roof Garden terrace. In case of bad weather, it will be served at 47 Parole in Libertà Bistrot on the ground floor. Menu: Chef's welcome / Spring vegetables / Risotto with artichokes, mint, pecorino cheese, and bacon powder / Herb lamb chops with wild chicory / Pastiera 2.0. Price: 70 euros. Wine pairing available for 40 euros

Hotel Locarno

Hotel Locarno, an elegant Hotel in the heart of Rome, led by Caterina Valente, embraces a sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere. To celebrate the holidays, Hotel Locarno presents a series of exclusive offerings, including the unique Bloody Brunch on the terrace with additional off-menu items crafted by chef Domenico Smargiassi for Easter and Easter Monday. For the Easter menu, the proposed entrée features cheese pizza with corallina, complemented by a soft-boiled egg and cheese sauce instead of the traditional hard-boiled egg. The appetisers include a grilled Roman artichoke for enhanced crunchiness and flavour, served alongside a mortadella bon bon with parmesan sauce. The first courses offer fettuccine with Roman broccoli and Fossa cheese and gnocchi with lamb ragù and salted ricotta. For the second course, a duck leg is accompanied by pastiera potatoes and truffle. The meal concludes with the classic Neapolitan pastiera. Beverage options prepared by Nicholas Pinna round out the exquisite dining experience with two noteworthy off-menu selections.

Easter Brunch at a Restaurant

ALLEGRÌO - Via Veneto 114

ALLEGRÌO at Via Veneto 114 has recently welcomed a unique dual proposition: authentic Italian cuisine devoid of reinterpretations and modernizations, and genuine Neapolitan pizza crafted by Ivano Veccia and Peppe Aiello. Set in a picturesque venue within the sophisticated surroundings of Via Veneto, Allegrìo is celebrating Easter with an exclusive menu.

The Easter menu includes: The egg and the lamb (12 €) – Dark chocolate egg accompanied by suckling lamb offal and potato cream topped with a crispy pecorino wafer; the tagliolini and artichokes (23 €) – Egg pasta served with artichoke cream, sautéed artichokes, and crispy bacon. The lamb and herbs (30 €) – Oven-baked lamb with its sauce and herb-infused potatoes. Joyful & happy easter (14 €) – Crunchy salted almonds with light vanilla cream flavoured with lemon, semi-liquid apricot center seasoned with Sichuan pepper, topped with a crunchy white chocolate glaze.

Adelaide restaurant at the Vilòn Hotel in Rome

Vilòn Hotel in Rome and its Adelaide restaurant welcome Spring with a special Easter menu that showcases local ingredients and tradition with a modern twist. The menu features dishes like Pastiera made following the traditional Neapolitan recipe, served throughout the day at the bar or packaged as a gift for guests who have booked lunch. Menu highlights include: Artichokes, Cynar and Black Lemon; Tagliolini with egg, peas, spring onion, capocollo, and pecorino romano foam; Ravioli with saffron pastry, asparagus, and wild herb extract; Breaded lamb ribs, pastrami, and smoked shoulder; Pastiera my way; Price: €150.00. A special Easter gift: Chocolate, hazelnut and caramel egg.

La Ciambella - Bar à Vin con Cucina

In the heart of Rome, La Ciambella – Bar à Vin con Cucina offers throughout the month of April, including Easter, “Gli Speciali di Primavera”, an exclusive selection of dishes that celebrate seasonal ingredients and traditional recipes. The off-menu dishes for Easter lunch:

Easter breakfast – pasta crescente and friggione; whipped egg; cheese biscuits; chocolate corallina; apple pie with lamb (30 euros); the Roman artichoke – Lasagna with artichokes and saffron (25 euros); the Easter tradition – Leprino rabbit from Tuscia in “belly” with broad beans and pecorino cheese (30 euros); a Neapolitan pastiera in Rome – La pastiera (15 euros).

Easter outside of Rome - in the Country

Or you may wish to escape the masses of people in Rome and go into the countryside or seaside. Alternative options include going to nearby Tivoli, or visit the seaside at nearby Ostia or explore the Castelli Romani.

A Day in Tivoli

Discovering the enchanting town of Tivoli surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty. Tivoli is the perfect destination for walks and excursions, even during the holidays. The magnificent Villa Adriana, Villa d'Este, and Villa Gregoriana were popular spots during the Grand Tour, attracting novelists, painters, poets, and musicians who found inspiration in their art, monuments, and pristine landscapes.

A Day at the Seaside at Ostia

A day at the Seaside - at Ostia, you can experience the magic of the sea just a few kilometres from the centre of Rome. Walk barefoot on the beach after enjoying a delicious meal of fresh fish and fine wine. Feel the warmth of the sun on your skin and take in the intense sensations that only the sea can offer. Il Borghetto dei Pescatori (Fishermen's Village) – Explore this picturesque settlement where time seems to stand still. Enjoy the flavours and ancient traditions nestled between the sea of Ostia and the lush Castelfusano pine forest.

A day at the Castelli Romani

Located southeast of Rome, the Castelli Romani area, nestled in greenery and steeped in history, is the perfect destination for a day trip outside the city. This region, characterized by its lakes and ancient volcanic craters, was once home to emperors, popes, and ecclesiastical dignitaries who built luxurious residences here. The area consists of 17 municipalities, each offering unique walking or biking trails that reveal both architectural and natural beauty, as well as the outstanding food and wine that make traditional Roman cuisine remarkable. Don't miss trying the following local specialties: the bread from Genzano and Lariano, the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) wines from the area, the grapes of Colonna, the 'coppiette' of Ariccia (spicy strips of dried meat), and the 'pupazza' of Frascati, a shortbread biscuit flavoured with honey.