Easter and Easter Monday in Florence: what to do and where to eat

Art, traditions and nature: everything you mustn't miss during the holidays in the city

In Florence, as in all of Tuscany, Easter is a very heartfelt celebration linked to traditions that come from afar. It is a perfect time to visit the city, discover its hidden corners, artistic and scenic beauties. Florence is, in fact, the ideal city where you can immerse yourself in a festive Easter atmosphere, but also have a picnic, visit a museum or organize a beautiful Easter brunch. Let's see together what to do and where to go to experience these festive days at their best!

• SCOPPIO DEL CARRO

Easter Sunday sees the return of one of the most beloved festivities for Florentines and tourists, the Explosion of the Cart in Piazza del Duomo, an ancient popular Florentine tradition that has been handed down for more than nine centuries. The departure of the procession with the Brindellone takes place, as always, from Porta al Prato, crosses the city followed by the historical procession and flag-wavers along with the city's highest authorities, and finally positions itself between the Duomo and the Baptistery. During the mass, around 11 a.m., the Archbishop of Florence lights and sets off the "Columbine" from the altar. A rocket in the shape of a dove runs along a wire and reaches the Brindellone, setting it on fire and thus igniting the fireworks mounted on it. Find out all the details of this ancient tradition here!

scoppio del carro a firenze

• EASTER LUNCH AT A RESTAURANT

For those who do not want to give up an Easter full of fun and taste, here are the menus of the best restaurants in Florence for a lunch or brunch to remember in a dream location! If, on the other hand, you prefer to move outside Florence, you're really spoiled for choice: here are the best restaurants in Chianti, here are the restaurants to book near Florence, here are the best restaurants already open in Versilia, and here are the restaurants in the villages of Maremma. If you like the idea of dining in the woods of Tuscany, we'll take care of suggesting where to go!

Brunch di Villa Cora

• EASTER LUNCH AT HOME

Easter in Tuscany is rich in traditions even at the table, so those who prefer to stay at home prepare a mouth-watering menu. Here we suggest traditional dishes that are never missing on the table during the Easter holidays, here all the Easter cakes you can make, while here the recipe for torta pasqualina, and here the recipe for Easter Ciaccia. If you are looking for the best tips for your Easter Monday barbecue, you can follow Dario Cecchini's suggestions and here those of the well-known butcher Luca Menoni. Are you ready to take notes?

Pasqualina Cake

• WHERE TO BUY EGGS AND DOVE

Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, chocolate with hazelnuts-there is something for everyone. If you are looking for the best Easter eggs in Florence, click here, while here you can find the best artisanal doves not only in Florence, but also in Tuscany.

colomba di pasqua al pistacchio della pasticceria nannini

• OPEN MUSEUMS

On Easter and Easter Monday there is also the extraordinary opening of museums, a unique opportunity to admire some of the greatest art masterpieces of all time. Among the must-see open museums: the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens, Palazzo Strozzi with the new exhibition Anselm Kiefer. Angeli caduti, Galleria dell'Accademia, Palazzo Vecchio and Torre di Arnolfo, Museo Novecento where you can see the exhibition Ritorni. Da Modigliani a Morandi and Complesso di Santa Maria Novella.

Galleria degli Uffizi

• TOUR OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES

Those who out of faith, those who out of curiosity, move through the city streets on the night of Holy Thursday to visit the solemnly decorated altars of the churches. Tradition has it that the faithful enter the different churches and recite the Gloria, Hail Mary and Our Father in each, asking the Lord's goodwill, and visit at least three of them and always in odd numbers. Here our tour to discover the most beautiful churches in Florence, where to go even during the Easter holidays.

Santa Croce (ph. Pierpaolo Pagano)

• WALK THROUGH THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GARDENS

April is the perfect month to visit the green oases in the city. In addition to the classic Boboli Gardens and the Villa Bardini Garden, which is dressed in its most beautiful colors during this period, you can admire the panoramic view from the Rose Garden, just below Piazzale Michelangelo or the Orticoltura Garden, without forgetting to look out at the nearby Orti del Parnaso. Discover all the most beautiful gardens in the city here.

Giardino di Villa Bardini ph. Pasquale Paradiso

• OUTING NEAR FLORENCE

Easter has always been synonymous with outings and discovering new places. The surroundings of Florence offer many recreational opportunities for the whole family. Among the locations we suggest: the Chianti region with its countryside, Versilia, the Maremma areas, small villages full of charm such as Fiesole, Certaldo, Vinci, Pienza, San Gimignano, Montalcino or Pietrasanta.

the beautiful territory of radda in chianti