eDreams, Catania in third place for Italians' Easter holidays: between traditions and festive atmosphere

This year, more and more Italians are choosing to pack their bags to celebrate the Easter holidays away from home. Compared to 2025, bookings from travelers from the Belpaese have indeed increased by 17%. In the ranking of the most sought-after destinations, European destinations dominate: Barcelona and Paris, in that order. But there are also those who choose to take a break closer to home.

Among the most booked destinations this year, Catania stands out, taking third place, and Naples, which records a +93% increase in bookings compared to last year. This is what emerges from data collected by eDreams, one of the leading online travel agencies in Europe, which analyzed bookings from Italian travelers and foreigners visiting Italy. In the Top Ten of the destinations booked by foreigners, there are two Sicilian cities: Palermo in sixth place and Catania in seventh.

Looking at the nationalities most present in Easter bookings, the top spots at Italian airports are mainly occupied by Spaniards (28%), French (26%), and Germans (14%).

The city of Catania is preparing to experience another intense Easter holiday with a significant increase in tourist flow. According to forecasts from airport operators, the Catania and Comiso airports aim to exceed 300,000 passengers in the week between April 1st and 7th, with nearly 1,850 scheduled flight movements, a sign of strong demand from both national and international markets.

The return of spring travel is a consolidated trend after years of restrictions: Italians are increasingly seeking destinations characterized by mild climates, cultural heritage, and quality gastronomy. In this context, Catania presents itself as a natural gateway to Eastern Sicily, with an offer that combines city, volcano, and coasts.

Holy Week in Sicily has always been a time of great attraction: while Trapani boasts the famous Procession of the Mysteries, the Catania area and its surroundings also offer intense religious events deeply rooted in Christian tradition. Although Catania is not internationally known for a single monumental Easter procession like that of Trapani, many churches and communities celebrate the rites with devotion, appealing to those seeking experiential and participatory tourism.

The arrival of tourists in the city during Easter also leads to the exploration of the historic center, from the cathedral dedicated to Saint Agatha to the lively Via Etnea, passing through markets like the historic Pescheria. Many visitors combine their stay in the city with excursions on Etna or visits to the baroque towns of the Val di Noto, taking advantage of the spring temperatures and the mild light of eastern Sicily.

Despite the vibrancy of the period, Easter tourism 2026 also brings the challenge of costs: at the national level, flights and trains are recording high prices with tickets that, especially on domestic routes, can exceed significant amounts, a phenomenon that affects the travel choices of Italians.

In Catania, the commercial accommodation – including hotels, B&B, and short-term rentals – is feeling the impact of the early high season: many establishments are offering special packages for the period, while demand pushes towards early bookings and services dedicated to visitors, with offers that often include guided tours of the city and nearby natural areas.

In addition to religious celebrations, Easter in Sicily is an opportunity to immerse oneself in food and wine traditions: dishes such as Easter lamb, cuddure (sweet pastries with eggs), cannoli, and other seasonal specialties frame a tourism that seeks authenticity. The locals and restaurants in Catania, while adapting their menus to the tastes of visitors, maintain roots in local cuisine, transforming every meal into a cultural experience as well as a culinary one.

With Easter traffic forecasts on the rise and an offer aimed at enhancing the historical and natural heritage, Catania confirms its role as a tourist hub in Southern Italy. The city is not limited to the classic "bite and run": for many visitors, it represents the perfect base to explore the entire eastern Sicily, among ancient rites, volcanic landscapes, and the warm Mediterranean hospitality.