Make the most of the Easter holidays in Europe

Although the UK is a brilliant place to spend the Easter holidays, with the rest of Europe only a 35-minute journey away with LeShuttle, why not take advantage of the bank holiday weekend and discover somewhere new?

From camping out with your family in the springtime sunshine, to exploring the culture of Europe's amazing cities, a trip across the Channel always promises to be a lot of fun. To get you inspired for your Easter break in Europe, we have put together a list of some of the best places to visit, and things to do during your Easter holidays.

Why the Easter holidays are the perfect time to visit Europe

The Easter holidays are the perfect time to explore Europe. With warmer spring weather, visitors can enjoy top destinations and attractions without the intense summer heat. Lower temperatures attract fewer crowds, making the season ideal for quiet and leisurely getaways. Families on a budget can take advantage of more affordable accommodation and activities. If that wasn’t enough, spring also brings its own unique Easter traditions, celebrations, parades, and seasonal delicacies to enjoy!

Where to go in Europe for Easter in 2026

Easter holiday getaways in France

Make Easter eggs-tra special at Parc Astérix

Disneyland® Paris

The most popular theme park in Europe is so close to LeShuttle it makes for the perfect Easter break. 2026 is set to be even more special, because the brand new ‘World of Frozen’ attraction opens on 29 March. Step into the magical world of Arendelle, meet Elsa and Anna, and take a boat ride to Elsa’s Ice Palace for the ultimate Frozen adventure. The Disneyland® Paris parks, the place where unforgettable family memories are made, are only 3 ¼ hour drive from Calais!

Parc Astérix

The ancient thrills come thick and fast at Parc Astérix, the theme park inspired by the comic book adventures of Astérix and his band of indomitable Gauls. The park offers a fantastic mix of thrill a second rollercoasters with gentler rides and family friendly shows, as well as character meet and greets. Parc Astérix is in the Oise to the north of Paris – even closer to Calais than Disneyland® Paris (2 ½ hour drive) – so your Easter break could easily combine them. Parc Astérix opens for the new 2026 season on Easter weekend - Saturday 4th April. Find out how LeShuttle customers can get 20% off park tickets. 

South of France and the Dordogne

As the spring sunshine begins to warm up Southern France, a trip to the beach is a great way to celebrate your Easter break in Europe. With blossom trees in full bloom, and a pleasant warmth to the breeze, a trip to these places in the South of France makes for the perfect Easter activity.

Le Petit Paradis

Le Petit Paradis is a leisure park for toddlers and young children, naturally very shaded, located in Vendargues at the gates of Montpellier. Since 1998, the park has been making children happy - ‘a real family memory factory’. Here you'll find pony rides, farm animals to pet and stroke, inflatables, pedal boats, mini golf and playgrounds.

Le Col Vert campsite

Just one of the many fabulous campsites in the South of France, Col Vert is less of a campsite and more of a holiday village. With scenic pitches on the shores of Lac de Léon, a pine forest and ocean views, you are spoiled for beauty here in the Basque region. Plus, the kids club is excellent, so the little ones will be kept busy while the adults enjoy the relaxing spa.

Portiragnes Beach

For a remote, stunning, and dog-friendly retreat, be sure to head over to the sandy dunes of Portiragnes beach, which is located close to the town of Béziers, in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France. Surrounded by plenty of wild plants, and fronted by gorgeous, clear water, a splash around with your kids and four-legged friend is the best way to kick-start your Easter holiday.

Underground walks in the Dordogne

The Dordogne is a beautiful place to explore, even underground! Go on an adventure through a series of underground trails and caverns, dating back as far as Neanderthal times. These guided walks also involve climbing and crawling through caves, so you should be fit before attempting them. But they are a unique experience that will stay with you forever. 

Easter holidays in Belgium

You’ll find Easter egg hunts all over Belgium

Often celebrated as one of the best chocolate making countries in Europe, Belgium is the number one place to visit when on the hunt for yummy Easter eggs. Neuhaus, one of the oldest and most widespread chocolatiers in Belgium, produces a number of handcrafted luxury eggs during the Easter season. From milk chocolate eggs filled with delectable truffles, to shiny, hand-sculpted dark chocolate bunnies, there's a treat for everyone.

Easter Egg Hunts

Belgium takes Easter seriously. That’s why you’ll find numerous egg hunts dotted around the cities, parks, and towns. Some of the more famous are those at Chlorophylle Park or Walibi theme park and the rather extravagant helicopter egg-drop in Thumaide. Prizes are given for finding special eggs, but it’s mostly all for the fun of the chocolate you can eat afterwards.

Pierre Marcolini

For somewhere a little more upmarket, head to Pierre Marcolini's in Brussels. This famous chocolatier brings something new every year, previously using pop-art influences, unusual ingredients, and shaped moulds to create fun (and sweet) adorned Easter bunnies and eggs that your kids will love.

Head to Belgium for the most delectable chocolate treats

Chocolate Nation

In Antwerp lies the world’s largest Belgian chocolate museum. Take a 60-minute tour through 14 themed rooms to experience the journey chocolate takes from the cocoa plantations to your tongue! History, tradition, and of course, tasting are all included here.

Easter holiday getaways in the Netherlands

Bunny hop across the lakes in Keukenhof Gardens

Whether you’re looking for fairytale forests, colourful spring festivals or picturesque cities, the Netherlands is a cracking choice for your Easter holidays. Lots of attractions across the country hold Easter egg hunts, brunches and markets. Easter in the Netherlands wouldn’t be complete without a bite of “paasstol,” a delicious Dutch Easter bread with dried fruits and almond paste.

Efteling Theme Park

Discover the magic at this Dutch fairytale forest. As the world’s oldest fantasy theme park, Efteling is a top Easter destination. In spring, the park comes alive with exciting rides, enchanting shows, and the beauty of nature. Look out for the ducks and ducklings by the park’s ponds!

Keukenhof Gardens

Known for having the most beautiful spring gardens in the world, Keukenhof is a blooming marvellous destination for visitors of all ages. Rent a bike to explore the colourful fields in your own time or take a 45-minute whisper boat tour for a more relaxed tour of the region. Families won’t want to miss the animal meadow, maze and playground.

Amsterdam

For a blend of lazy afternoons and lively exploration, Amsterdam is the perfect city to visit over the Easter holidays. Explore world-class museums or discover one of the city’s more unusual attractions, like The Catboat or the A’DAM Lookout – a 100-metre-high observation deck with panoramic views! Afterwards, unwind in a cosy café along the charming canals or take a leisurely bike ride through the city’s picturesque streets.

Easter breaks in Germany

To call Miniatur Wunderland a ‘model railway’ is something of an understatement! (Image credit: Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg GmbH, Kehrwieder 2, Block D, D-20457 Hamburg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

LEGOLAND® Germany 

Alles ist großartig (‘everything is awesome’) at LEGOLAND® Germany. Located near Stuttgart, there are 68 attractions and more than 57 million LEGO® bricks at one of the country’s biggest theme parks. The incredible rides and rollercoasters include MAXIMUS and the Fire & Ice Tower, and for younger children, LEGO® Ninjago®, an interactive 4D ride. LEGOLAND® Germany is a drive of around 8 hours from Calais. The park opens for the 2026 season on 28 March. 

Miniatur Wunderland

Hamburg is the home of Miniatur Wunderland, one of the world’s largest model railways. Featuring 1,100 trains, 16,000 metres of track and nearly 300,000 tiny figures, trains travel around perfect likenesses of different parts of the world, from Venice to the Grand Canyon. It is not just a case of watching the trains and picking out the locations – it’s a truly interactive experience, with buttons for kids to press setting off actions on the set, such as fire engines being dispatched to attend an incident, and planes taking off from a bustling airport. 

Discount packages are often available, offering harbour cruises of Hamburg with fast track entry to Miniatur Wunderland. 

Book your Easter break in Europe with LeShuttle

Plan ahead and book with us for your next European Easter ‘eggstravaganza’. From Folkestone to Calais in just 35 minutes, you’ll be on your way in no time.