Venue: Grado
The Easter weekend in Grado is the perfect time to rediscover the island at its most authentic: spring has begun, the days are getting longer and everything invites you to be outdoors… but even if the weather is uncertain, there’s no shortage of things to do.
Grado is a destination to be savoured at a leisurely pace, choosing different experiences each day from nature, sport, culture and wellness.
- Easter Sunday and Easter Monday: a celebration of flavour and conviviality
Easter Sunday in Grado is a time to be savoured, especially at the table: many restaurants offer special menus (booking recommended), designed to celebrate tradition with seafood dishes and local flavours. Discover the restaurants and bars open HERE.
For those who prefer a more informal atmosphere, the Parco delle Rose has an area with food trucks open from 3 to 6 April:
Friday from 6.00 pm to midnight
Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 11.00 am to midnight
Easter Monday has always been synonymous with celebration and conviviality. With barbecues, live music and social gatherings, there’s no shortage of opportunities to get together. Find out where HERE.
The Zippo Show returns to Fossalon, featuring barbecues, beer, drinks, music and entertainment for all ages. The event takes place under a large covered marquee, allowing you to take part whatever the weather.
You can book a table inside (recommended), but entry is free even without a booking. Info and bookings (SMS or WhatsApp only): +39 391 3556327 | prolocogrado@gmail.com (no telephone bookings accepted)
- Culture, guided tours and museums (even in bad weather)
Should the weather be uncertain, Grado also offers several indoor alternatives.
The National Museum of Underwater Archaeology of the Upper Adriatic is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11.00 to 18.00, with a special opening on Easter Monday, for a fascinating journey through the history of ancient navigation.
For those wishing to delve deeper into the island’s history, guided tours are scheduled
“ Discovering Grado: between sea and wonder”: a tour through the narrow streets, small squares and main squares of the historic centre, accompanied by an expert guide. A journey through history, art and traditions that reveals the island’s identity, from the patriarchs to the fishermen, right up to the Central European charm of the Belle Époque. Book HERE.
Dates: 5 and 6 April at 3.00 pm
Departure: PromoTurismoFVG Infopoint – Campo Porta Nuova 26
Languages: Italian and English
Price: €10 (free with FVGcard)
Added to this is the charm of the historic centre, with its basilicas and traces of a thousand-year-old past, which you can also explore on your own, thanks to the free online audio guides available HERE.
- Shopping
Strolling through the narrow streets of the historic centre is always a pleasure: boutiques, shops and local workshops reopen with the arrival of spring, offering local specialities, crafts and gift ideas. On Saturday mornings, Grado comes alive with the traditional weekly market in Viale Italia, an unmissable event for experiencing the island like a true local. Amidst stalls selling clothing, flowers, household goods and gastronomic specialities, the market is the ideal place to stroll at a leisurely pace, browse and be inspired by the colours and scents of the season.
- Wellness and relaxation
Easter is also the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to a rejuvenating break. The Terme Marine and the numerous spas found in various hotels across the island offer wellness programmes, seawater pools, saunas and relaxing treatments. Alongside classic moments of relaxation, taking care of yourself also becomes part of the experience: from beauty salons to hair salons, where treating yourself to a blow-dry, a treatment or a new look can turn into a true wellness ritual. The ideal way to rediscover balance, lightness and take time for yourself… whilst letting yourself be enveloped by the welcoming atmosphere of the Island of the Sun. Find out where HERE.
- Lagoon excursions
Among the most evocative experiences to enjoy over the Easter weekend are undoubtedly the lagoon excursions. Aboard motorboats or taxi boats, you can discover a unique landscape of canals, salt marshes and fishermen’s huts, where time seems to have stood still. A perfect experience for those wishing to discover the truest and most intimate side of Grado, amidst nature, traditions and timeless atmospheres. Find out more HERE.
- Bikes, nature and freedom
In Grado, situated at the end of the Alpe Adria cycle route, the Easter period is perfect for getting on your bike.
The cycle paths connecting the island to the mainland allow you to cycle amidst unique lagoon landscapes, amongst reeds, stretches of water and small villages. Discover routes, bike hire and all the necessary information for cycling enthusiasts HERE.
- The nature reserves: an oasis waiting to be discovered
Just a few minutes from Grado, scenes of extraordinary natural beauty unfold. The Valle Cavanata Regional Nature Reserve is the perfect spot for those who love birdwatching and tranquillity: here you can observe numerous species of waterbirds whilst strolling along paths immersed in the silence of the lagoon.
At the Foce dell’Isonzo – Isola della Cona Nature Reserve, however, the experience is even more immersive: in addition to nature trails, you can encounter Camargue horses living in a semi-wild state, observe the local wildlife and take part in guided tours and activities for the whole family. An authentic way to experience nature, breathe in the fresh air and slow down the pace.
- Outdoor sports: golf and the sea
For those seeking a more active experience, Grado also offers top-class sporting opportunities. The Golf Club Grado, nestled in nature between the lagoon and the sea, is one of the most picturesque courses in Friuli Venezia Giulia. And for those who love wind and water, Grado’s beach is perfect for kitesurfing. The spring conditions, often breezy but pleasant, make this time of year ideal both for experienced enthusiasts and for those wishing to try their hand at this sport through dedicated courses.
In conclusion, whether you choose a bike ride between the lagoon and the sea, a day out in nature, a relaxing afternoon at the spa or a gastronomic experience, Grado always has something special to offer.