Easter is fast approaching and with it do the wonderful sunny days we have all been missing during winter. And with the Easter Holidays giving everyone a few well-deserved free days, it would be a huge shame to miss out on a short time off somewhere warm and pleasant. With that said, here are the top four destinations for the Easter sun in Europe.
Seville, Andalusia
Seville, like most of the southern Spanish cities, gets very hot between June and August, reaching up to 40°C. But around Easter, the temperature is only between 22-25°C which is far more pleasant. Despite this, you will find the city much less packed with tourists around Easter, which gives you tons of freedom to enjoy otherwise crowded places like the Aquapolis waterpark, Museo de Bellas Artes, or the sights. And with 8 to 10 hours of sunshine every day, taking a trip to the coastline is well worth it.
The only difference is the Easter weekend itself, which sees large celebrations in Seville. Depending on whether you want to enjoy a bit of authentic culture or you want to have a quiet time with your family, you might want to join or avoid this one.
Western Algarve, Portugal
With temperatures between 22-27°C, a beautiful coastline, waves for surfing, and a picturesque sea view, the Western Algarve is one of the absolute top places to be this Easter. Whether you want to enjoy the endless sea on beaches like Praia da Rocha or Praia dos Três Irmãos or you’re pining after the lively (but still mostly tourist-free) towns of Lagos and Portimão, the Western Algarve delivers the perfect holiday. Enjoy more than 8 hours of sunshine every day in one of the most pleasant places in Europe.
Madeira Island
The “Isle of Eternal Spring” may not get as warm as the Algarve or Seville, only reaching up to about 20°C around Easter, but what it lacks in weather it makes up for in its countryside. Though it might be too cold for sunning on a beach, the springtime nature of the island provides absolutely stunning scenery along the Levada paths (small irrigation canals) that criss-cross the whole island. If you want to put on your hiking boots and see what the inner island has in store, then Easter Madeira Island is for you.
Sicily, Italy
Sicily is a perfect all-rounder for just about anyone. The Holy Week and Easter weekend see feasts full of lamb and Cassata (a fruity cake with liquor and ricotta cheese) everywhere from cities like Palermo, Catania, and Noto to small villages like Scicli, Gangi, and Savoca. Noto goes on celebrating, though, with one of the best Infiorata in Italy (a flower festival). The temperatures move between 20-25°C which is warm enough to visit the beaches of Scala dei Turchi or Sampieri while not being so warm that one couldn’t make a hiking expedition to the famous volcano of Mt. Etna. Sicily is a wonderful place and it has something for just about anyone.
