What Easter is like in Germany, one of the most important and anticipated holidays of the year. You will learn about traditions, the best places to visit, typical foods and traditional messages to write in a card. Let’s go?
- Easter festivities in Germany last 4 days, in 2024 the days will be:
- Good Friday (Karfreitag): March 29
- Holy Saturday (Karsamstag): March 30
- Easter Sunday (Ostersonntag): March 31
- Easter Monday (Ostermontag): April 1
Easter in Germany is a mix of religious and pagan customs, celebrating the resurrection of Christ and the beginning of spring. The date varies each year as it is calculated from the lunar calendar, but it always falls on the Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox.
The holiday begins on Good Friday (Karfreitag), which is a day of mourning and reflection for Christians. Many people fast or avoid eating meat on that day. In some states, events with loud music are prohibited and church bells do not ring. The holiday ends on Easter Monday (Ostermontag), which is a day of celebration and joy.
Best Touristic Attractions and Guided Tours in Germany
Suggestions of guided tour deals and touristic attractions in Germany. For planning a trip to Germany, we have some publications that can help a lot:
- Berlin, Germany – Top 20 sights and things to do and visit
- The Best Christmas Markets in Germany
- Best travel tips for Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany
- Burg Eltz – Travel Guide to Visit One of the Most Beautiful Castle of Germany
We also write about 8 of the best attractions on the Romantic Road in Germany with up-to-date tips, be sure to check it out .
Search for the best place to stay at Berlin, including hotel and hostel at different prices.
Easter traditions in Germany
Easter in Germany has many traditions that delight children and adults. Some of them are:
- Easter bonfires ( Osterfeuer ): are ancient pagan ceremonies that symbolize the victory of light over darkness and the rebirth of nature. Bonfires are lit on the night of Saturday to Sunday in several cities across the country, mainly in the north. It’s a beautiful sight to see!
- Easter tree ( Osterbaum ): it’s not just at Christmas that Germans decorate trees. At Easter, they also decorate dry branches or trees with colored eggs, bunnies, ribbons and flowers. This tradition dates back to the 16th century and represents the new life that sprouts in spring.
- Easter Fountains ( Osterbrunnen ): is a typical tradition in the Franconia region of southern Germany, where public fountains are decorated with eggs, flowers and ribbons. The origin of this practice is unknown, but it may be related to the cult of water as a source of life and fertility.
- Easter markets ( Ostermarkt ): these are open-air markets that sell crafts, sweets, flowers and typical seasonal products. Grocery stores are very popular in cities such as Berlin, Munich, Cologne and Nuremberg. It’s a great opportunity to buy souvenirs and enjoy local delicacies.
- Egg hunt ( Eiersuche ): is a fun game for children, which consists of looking for boiled and painted eggs or chocolate eggs hidden around the house or garden. The eggs are hidden by the Easter Bunny (Osterhase), who is the most famous symbol of the holiday. Eggs represent fertility and the renewal of life.
Traditional Easter foods in Germany
German cuisine is very rich and varied, and Easter is no different. Typical Easter dishes in Germany vary depending on the region, but some of the most common are:
- Osterbrot : a sweet bread stuffed with dried fruits, nuts and spices, which is served for breakfast or an afternoon snack.
- Osterlamm : a lamb-shaped cake, which represents Jesus’ sacrifice. The cake can be covered with powdered sugar or chocolate.
- Osterzopf : a braid of sweet bread decorated with boiled eggs, which symbolizes family unity.
- Osterschinken : a ham baked with honey and mustard, which is served as a main dish for lunch or dinner.
- Spargel : fresh asparagus cooked with butter or hollandaise sauce, which is a springtime delicacy in Germany.
- Kartoffelsalat : potato salad seasoned with vinegar, onion and bacon, served with ham or other meats.
- Rüblikuchen : a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, which is a popular Easter dessert.
Best Places to Visit at Easter in Germany
Germany has many beautiful places to visit at Easter, whether to enjoy traditions or to enjoy nature. Some of the best destinations are:
- Heidelberg : is one of the most romantic cities in Germany, with an imposing castle and a charming historic center. At Easter, the city becomes even more beautiful with the flowering trees and colorful markets.
- Hamburg : is a vibrant and cosmopolitan port city with many cultural and gastronomic attractions. At Easter, you can watch the impressive Easter bonfires on the River Elbe or Lake Alster. (Read our Heidelberg travel itinerary)
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber : it is a medieval town that looks like something out of a fairy tale, with its walls, towers and half-timbered houses. At Easter, the city transforms into an enchanted scene, with lots of decorations and themed events.
- Dresden : is a city that was reborn from the ashes after the Second World War, with an incredible artistic and architectural heritage. At Easter, you can visit Germany’s oldest Easter market, which has existed since 1694, and admire the masterpieces in the Old Masters Gallery.
- Berlin : is the capital and largest city in Germany, with a fascinating history and an effervescent cultural life. At Easter, you can explore the city’s many museums, monuments and parks, as well as take part in the festivities and shows that take place everywhere.
Tips on guided tours and attractions tourist attractions to enjoy during Easter in Germany.
Practical tips and information for Easter in Germany
If you are planning to travel to Germany at Easter, here are some practical tips and information to make the most of your trip:
- Easter in Germany is high season, so it is recommended to book hotels and tours in advance to guarantee the best prices and avoid unpleasant surprises.
Our tip is to check out the best Hotel, Hostel and B&B options on Booking.com .
- The festivities also coincide with the beginning of spring, which means the weather can be quite changeable. Therefore, it is a good idea to bring appropriate clothing for different temperatures and rain possibilities. Don’t forget a waterproof jacket and an umbrella.
- And it being a national holiday, which means that many commercial establishments may be closed or have reduced opening hours. Therefore, it is a good idea to find out about the opening hours of the places you want to visit and plan in advance.
- It’s a great opportunity to try the delights of local cuisine. Some of the typical dishes are roast lamb (Lammbraten), fried fish (Fischbrötchen), pea soup (Erbsensuppe) and sweet bread stuffed with dried fruits (Osterbrot). Don’t forget to try the marzipan sweets, rabbit or egg-shaped chocolates and egg liqueurs (Eierlikör).
Traditional phrases and messages to write in an Easter card in Germany
If you want to send an Easter card to someone in Germany, here are some traditional messages you can write:
- Frohe Ostern ! – Happy Easter!
- Ich wünsche dir ein schönes Osterfest ! – I wish you a beautiful Easter party!
- Möge der Osterhase dir viele bunte Eier bringen ! – May the Easter Bunny bring you lots of colorful eggs!
- Ostern ist die Zeit der Freude und des Neubeginns. Ich hoffe, du genießt diese besondere Zeit mit deinen Lieben ! – Easter is a time of joy and new beginnings. I hope you enjoy this special time with your loved ones!
- Zu Ostern sende ich dir ganz liebe Grüße und wünsche dir alles Gute ! – For Easter I send you lots of affectionate hugs and wish you all the best!
I hope you enjoyed this post about Easter in Germany. If you have any questions or suggestions, leave a comment below.
Are you traveling to Germany?
Specifically about international travel by plane to Frankfurt Airport, we have the best post:
Where to stay near Frankfurt Airport Germany – FRA, Frankfurt/Main
Search for the best place to stay near Frankfurt Airport, including hotel and hostel at different prices.
