La Bella Vita: Easter-inspired Italian phrases and why Good Friday isn't a holiday

Local Italy

18-04-2025

La Bella Vita is our regular look at the real culture of Italy – from language to cuisine, manners to art. This newsletter is published weekly and you can receive it directly to your inbox, by going to newsletter preferences in 'My Account' or following the instructions in the newsletter box below.
Italy has 12 national public holidays – the second-highest number in the EU after Austria, with 13 – but Good Friday isn't among them.
International residents often find this bizarre, not least because Good Friday is a day off even in non-Catholic countries including the UK, Germany and Sweden.
So why isn't Venerdi' Santo among Italy's public holidays?
Easter is a key event on Italy's cultural calendar, so it may not come as a surprise that the Italian language has plenty of Pasqua -related expressions - some of which can be used all year round.
We've put together six of our favourites in the article below.
(Bonus points if you manage to drop any of these into conversation at Easter lunch with Italian friends or family.)
Picking the right spot for a romantic dinner or a business lunch in Italy can be tricky without knowing the difference between the various types of restaurants you'll find.
While you're likely to have a good idea of what a pizzeria is, how exactly does it differ from a ristorante? What's the difference between a trattoria and an osteria? And what about an agriturismo?
Though the exact distinction between all types of restaurants isn't always clear to Italians either, each establishment has some peculiar features. Knowing them will help you make the best decision for the occasion at hand.
Is there an aspect of the Italian way of life you'd like to see us write more about on The Local? Please email me at [e-mail].