Public holidays and long weekends 2023: the red days calendar for your holidays

The year 2022 was not a year of great long weekends: 1 May, Christmas and New Year's Day on Sundays, Ferragosto and 25 April only on Mondays. In short, there were some opportunities, but not many. The year 2023 will certainly give us more opportunities, with some very interesting dates to organise a few weekends away from home by taking very few days off. And after the last few years, we all certainly need a few days to disconnect and enjoy the beauty around us.

So let's find out together which are the public holidays and long weekends in 2023, all the opportunities to experience even just two different days away from home, escaping from the daily grind.

WATCH THE INFOGRAPHIC: Public Holidays and Bridges Calendar 2023

Italian Bridges and Public Holidays 2023

Compared to 2021 and 2022, 2023 will present a few more bridges: several holidays will fall during the week or perhaps on a Monday, allowing us to spend a few long weekends or weekends away. This is the case for Tuesday 25 April or Tuesday 15 August, while Republic Day (2 June) and Immaculate Conception, for example, fall on a Friday. But let's find out together how to make the most of all these occasions!
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Christmas and Boxing Day 2022

As in 2021, the Christmas holidays in 2022 do not fall in the best way: Christmas is on a Sunday and Boxing Day on a Monday. This means that Christmas Eve, 24 December, falls on a Saturday. We will still have three days to organise something.

If you want to experience Christmas abroad, you will only have three days, leaving on the morning of the 24th (or better still on Friday 23rd evening) and returning on Monday 26th evening. With only three days, it is therefore impossible to opt for long-haul destinations. If you prefer the snow option, we recommend Salzburg; as a European destination, in addition to the classic Paris and Vienna, the top is Rovaniemi, but it is really very expensive. Also consider Brussels and Colmar; if you prefer a warmer location, go to Lisbon.

If you prefer to stay in Italy, as a snow option, the musts are the Dolomites and Valtellina. If you are looking for some enchanted villages, go to Erice in Sicily, Gubbio in Umbria, or Manarola in Liguria, where the world's largest nativity scene is set up!
SEE ALSO: Where to go over Christmas and New Year: offers and holiday packages Where to go over Christmas on a budget

• Bridge duration: 3 days. 2 public holidays (Sunday 25 and Monday 26 Dec), 1 weekday (Saturday 24 Dec)

• Suggested destinations: Salzburg, Brussels, Colmar, Lisbon, Dolomites, Valtellina, Erice, Gubbio, Manarola

Maxi-Bridge Christmas 2022/New Year 2023: from Saturday 24 December to Sunday 1 January, you can treat yourself to a 9-day holiday by taking a few targeted holidays. In this case, think big: the top options are Christmas in New York or in the heat, in Dubai or Rio de Janeiro!

New Year's Eve 2023

And like Christmas, New Year's Eve unfortunately also falls badly in 2023: 1 January 2023 is a Sunday. This means that 31 December, being a Saturday, if you are not working you can spend it at home, but on 2 January, which is Monday, it is back to work already. This leaves us with only two days to spend outside and, given the conditions, the best thing is to spend it in your own region, perhaps in the mountains or attending some event.
SEE ALSO: Where to go on New Year's Eve: the best destinations New Year's Eve in the heat: where to go on holiday by the sea

• Bridge duration: 0 days 1 public holiday (Sunday 1)

• Suggested destination: Italian cities

6 January - Epiphany

In 2023, 6 January falls on a Friday. You can therefore enjoy a 3-day long weekend, where you can organise something close to home or abroad.

If you want to stay in the Bel Paese, there are several places to go on holiday in January! You can opt for the cities of art: in Verona you can combine a tour to Lake Garda, and if you are with children, to Gardaland; in Pisa you can take advantage of an excursion toChianti, and in Matera for an excursion to the Itria Valley among the trulli of Alberobello. Alternatively, you can organise a long weekend on skis: there are numerous places to ski in Italy, scattered all over the peninsula.

If you want to organise a European getaway, you have to take into account that you only have three days. You may be able to leave on Thursday evening, to gain a night's travel, but you will have to return on Sunday. Therefore, it is better to go to places that are well connected to Italy, such as the major European capitals.

• Bridge duration: 3 days. 2 public holidays (Friday 6 and Sunday 8 Jan), 1 weekday (Saturday 7 Jan)

• Suggested destinations: Verona, Pisa, Matera, Italian ski destinations, European capitals

Maxi-Bridge New Year's Eve - Epiphany 2023: from Saturday 31 December to Sunday 8 January you can treat yourself to a 9-day holiday by taking a few targeted holidays.

Easter and Easter Monday

The Easter and Easter Monday in 2023 falls in the first half of April, more precisely on Sunday 9 April. This is a perfect time to think about organising a weekend away, in Italy or abroad. In fact, the days are getting longer, also thanks to the time change of the previous weekends, and the temperatures are more and more pleasant.

Spring is the ideal time for a slow experience, i.e. a quiet and relaxed trip. It is ideal to discover the mountains, such as the marvellous Dolomites, or the characteristic villages in your region, which slowly awaken from the cold winter as the temperatures rise. For example, in Tuscany you can visit villages such as Montepulciano or the Chianti and Val d'Orcia areas, in Sicily the Val di Noto.

This can also be an opportunity to organise a weekend abroad. The perfect destination is Spain, where this holiday is very popular. The top is Easter in Seville, alternatively you can opt for Valencia.
SEE ALSO: Where to go at Easter in Europe Where to go at Easter in Italy

• Bridge duration: 3 days. 2 public holidays (Sunday 9 and Monday 10 Apr), 1 weekday (Saturday 8 Apr)

• Suggested destinations: Dolomites, regional villages, Seville, Valencia

25 April - Liberation Day

25 April, Liberation Day, falls on a Tuesday this year. This, compared to 2022, gives us an additional day to spend a long weekend.

If you already do not work on Saturday and can take leave on Monday, then you have no less than four days to organise a wonderful long weekend. This is a perfect opportunity then to fly abroad. We recommend Bled in Slovenia, which is absolutely spectacular in the spring, but there are also many must-see destinations in Europe in the spring, such as wonderful Copenhagen or Budapest.

If, on the other hand, you work on Saturday, but perhaps manage to take time off on Monday 24 April, you will still have three days available. This is an opportunity to tick off one of the main Italian cities, perhaps one not too far from you to reach even by train! Between Rome, Bologna, Florence, the Italian cities for a Spring weekend are many!

And finally, if you can never take a holiday, you will still have the day of the 25th to take a day trip out of town and perhaps discover some of the beauty of your region.
SEE ALSO: 25 April bank holiday: where to go in Italy

• Bridge duration: 4 days. 2 public holidays (Sunday 23 and Tuesday 25 April), 2 weekdays (Saturday 22 and Monday 24 April)

• Suggested destinations: special places in your region, Italian capitals, Bled (Slovenia), Copenhagen (Denmark), Budapest (Hungary)

May Day - Labour Day

In 2023, May Day, Labour Day, falls on a Monday! We will therefore have the opportunity to spend a long weekend.

One of the must-attend events in Italy is the May Day Concert in Rome: if you are already in and around Rome, there is no reason to move. If, on the other hand, you are in some other region and do not work on Saturdays, you could think about organising a 3-day itinerary of Rome. Alternatively, with 3 days at your disposal you could also move around Europe, perhaps to some small capital city perfect for visiting in a short time, such as Ljubljana in Slovenia, or some Spanish city, such as Valencia or Barcelona.

If you only have 2 days available because you work on Saturdays, you can stay in your region but take the opportunity to discover new places: in Liguria two days in the Cinque Terre or visiting the Toirano Caves, Taggia and the Argentina Valley; in Piedmont you can visit the Langhe or some villages in the Biella area, in Lombardy you can immerse yourself in the vineyards of Franciacorta. Each region certainly has a 'piece' yet to be discovered! Here are some suggestions for each Italian region.

If you live in the South, perhaps it is already time to enjoy a day at the seaside: the period is perfect for alternating walks and dips on the Amalfi Coast, among the villages of the Val di Noto, between the coasts of Salento and Calabria.
SEE ALSO: May Day holiday: here's where to go in Italy's most beautiful villages

• Bridge duration: 3 days. 2 holidays (Sunday 30 Apr and Monday 1 May), 1 weekday (Saturday 29 Apr)

• Suggested destinations: Rome, Cinque Terre, Langhe, Franciacorta, regional villages, southern beaches

2 June - Republic Day

Republic Day is celebrated on a Friday this year. Perfect for organising a long weekend, counting Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If you work on Saturday, the best solution would be to take a day off.

In this case, the occasion is perfect for a short trip to Europe. Given the ideal climate almost everywhere, the choice is wide: if you decide to travel by car and you are in Northern Europe, we recommendAlsace in France and Innsbruck in Austria.
Departing perhaps already by plane on Thursday evening or early Friday morning, on the other hand, you could move north, this period being perfect for the Northern Capitals: Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm, but also further east towards Helsinki and the Baltic capitals. Here in June, the days are really long!

If you prefer to stay in Italy, then head to the south of Italy. For us, the top at this time is the Zingaro Nature Reserve, perhaps the most beautiful sea in Sicily, and where you can alternate between diving and trekking in the wilderness. In any case, you are spoilt for choice: here are the places to go to the sea in Italy in June.

• Bridge duration: 3 days. 2 holidays (Friday 2 and Sunday 4 Jun), 1 weekday (Saturday 3 Jun)

• Suggested destinations: Alsace, Innsbruck, Northern Capitals, Gypsy Reserve, Southern beaches

August bank holiday

The Ferragosto holiday is one of the most eagerly awaited by Italians, thanks also to the possibility of organising longer stays, taking advantage of the summer holidays. This year, Ferragosto falls on a Tuesday.

By taking a holiday on Monday, provided your company is not already closed for the period, you can therefore count on a good four days to organise a weekend at the seaside. One thing must be said, however: August is the most expensive and busiest period. If you don't want to give up the sea but prefer an alternative to the chaotic Adriatic Riviera or the crowded Amalfi Coast, consider these super low-cost but beautiful destinations: Palinuro in Campania, Mazara del Vallo in Sicily or Martinsicuro in Abruzzo. Or opt for the coastal resorts of Albania and Montenegro: with four days to spare, you will have plenty of time to get organised.

If you prefer the mountains to the sea, here too there is a wide choice: Sappada and Malborghetto in Friuli, Cortina d'Ampezzo in Veneto, Civitella Alfedena in Abruzzo, the alternatives for a summer holiday in the mountains in Italy are many, and they don't have to be the Dolomites!
SEE ALSO: Where to go in August on a budget Italy's most beautiful beaches

• Bridge duration: 4 days. 2 holidays (Sunday 13 and Tuesday 15 Aug), 2 weekdays (Saturday 12 and Monday 14 Aug)

• Suggested destinations: Mazara del Vallo, Palinuro, Martinsicuro, coasts of Albania and Montenegro, Sappada, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Civitella Alfedena

Halloween / All Saints' Day - 1 November

All Saints' Day, which is celebrated on 1 November, falls on a Wednesday in 2023! This is a somewhat ambiguous date: you could consider a very long weekend, taking two days off (Monday or Tuesday, or even Thursday and Friday) or just enjoy the single day to spend with your family.

If you decide to take a holiday, counting also Saturday, you will have no less than five days at your disposal. With these conditions you go straight to the top for Halloween: Jack the Ripper's London and Dracula's Transylvania! Dublin and Prague are also good alternatives.

If, on the other hand, you decide not to take a holiday, there are plenty of festivals and traditions in Italy to visit during the day, depending on the region you live in. For food lovers, we recommend the International Truffle Fair in Alba, Piedmont, or you can discover the dark side of Venice with a tour of ghosts and legends. If you are with a family, you could also consider a day out at the big Italian amusement parks, such as Gardaland, Mirabilandia or Cinecittà World in Italy.

Finally, if you are staying in Emilia Romagna, this is also a magical time to visit the village of Grazzano Visconti, a small medieval hamlet where there is one of the largest shops in Italy dedicated to the magic of Harry Potter!
SEE ALSO: All Saints' Day: offers and weekend ideas Where to go on Halloween in Europe

• Bridge duration: 5 days. 2 public holidays (Sunday 29 Oct and Wednesday 1 Nov), 3 weekdays (Saturday 28, Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 Oct)

• Suggested destinations: London, Transylvania, Dublin, Prague, Alba, Venice, amusement parks, Grazzano Visconti

Immaculate Conception - 8 December

And December also gives us a nice bridge! 8 December falls on a Friday this year, like 2 June. This gives you the opportunity to organise a nice weekend away, obviously with a Christmas theme!

If you are able to leave as early as Thursday evening or early Friday, one of the top destinations in Europe is definitely Amsterdam: theAmsterdam Light Festival takes place at this time. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a less mainstream destination, we recommend Lyon and its marvellous'Fête des lumières', an event that illuminates the city in every corner for four days, with around 70 light installations and projections scattered around the city. Also wonderful are Strasbourg and Colmar, also in France, with some of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe.

But there are also many alternatives in Italy. With three days to spare, you could consider Naples, with the San Gregorio Armeno district, a real must for crib lovers. While nearby Salerno is made even more beautiful by the Luci d'Artista event! If you prefer snowy landscapes and Christmas markets, then the best are Merano and Bressanone in Trentino Alto Adige.
SEE ALSO: Ideas for the Immaculate Conception: where to go in Italy

• Length of the bridge: 3 days. 2 public holidays (Friday 8 and Sunday 10), 1 weekday (Saturday 9)

• Suggested destinations: Amsterdam, Lyon, Colmar, Strasbourg, Naples, Salerno, Merano, Bressanone

Christmas and Boxing Day 2023

And after 2021 and 2022, we can breathe a sigh of relief for 2023: Christmas and Boxing Day fall on Mondays and Tuesdays. Christmas Eve, 24 December, falls on a Sunday instead. If you do not work on Saturday, you will have a good four days to plan a long weekend.

With four days at your disposal, you can indulge yourself. The alternatives are diverse, such as a nice trip to a European capital, made even more beautiful by decorations, markets and events. For a Christmas in style we recommend Paris, but also the beautiful Berlin or London. If you are looking for something smaller and more quaint, you can also consider the wonderful Bruges or the Austrian town of Salzburg.

Want to stay in Italy? You could consider a stay in the Dolomites, such as in beautiful San Candido, not far from Lake Braies, which completely freezes over in this period. If you want to go to southern Italy, you could visit Custonaci with its famous Living Crib or Matera in Basilicata.
SEE ALSO: Where to go at Christmas on a budget Where to go at Christmas in Europe Top Cities to visit at Christmas

• Bridge duration: 4 days. 3 public holidays (Sunday 24, Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 Dec), 1 weekday (Saturday 23 Dec)

• Suggested destinations: Paris, Berlin, Bruges, Salzburg, Custonaci, Matera

Maxi-BridgeChristmas 2023/New Year 2024: a perfect opportunity to plan a trip away from Europe or, why not, spend a Christmas in the warmth! This maxi-bridge starts on Saturday 23 December and ends on Monday 1 January, a good 10 days at your disposal by taking the right holidays. At this point, dare: in addition to the classic destinations such as New York and Dubai, consider Rio de Janeiro, Bangkok or why not, hot destinations such as Cape Verde, Zanzibar or Cuba!

New Year's Eve 2024

This New Year's Eve will be a little better than the previous one: 1 January 2024 falls on a Monday, so you can enjoy a good three days starting on Saturday 30 December. Not much of course, but by organising yourself in the best possible way, you could spend New Year's Eve in some big Italian city, such as Rome or Bologna, or move to some European capital that can also be visited in 3 days, such as Madrid or Budapest.
SEE ALSO: Where to go on New Year's Eve: the best destinations New Year's Eve in the heat: where to go on holiday by the sea

• Bridge duration: 9 days. 4 holidays (Sunday 31 Dec, Monday 1, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 Jan), 5 weekdays (Saturday 30 Dec, Tuesday 2, Wednesday 3, Thursday 4 and Friday 5 Jan)

• Suggested destination: Italian cities, Madrid, Budapest, Dubai, Sharm el Sheikh, Maldives

Maxi-Bridge New Year's Eve - Epiphany 2024: from Saturday 30 December to Sunday 7 January you can treat yourself to a 9-day holiday by taking a few targeted holidays.

6 January - Epiphany 2024

The year 2024 is perhaps not off to the best start: 6 January falls on a Saturday. No bridge if you don't work on Saturday, but you will still have two days to organise something nearby.

Surely, given the short time available, the best solution is to stay in Italy. If you are in northern Italy you could consider travelling by train and perhaps spend two days in Turin or beautiful Venice. If you do not want to visit cities then you could also spend a few days at Lake Garda or in the Dolomites.

For winter sports enthusiasts, this could be a good opportunity for two days in the snow. If you are from the North we recommend Trentino, if you are from Sicily you could go to the two ski resorts in the Etna Park. Even in Central Italy, in the Apennines, there are several and numerous solutions!

• Bridge length: 2 days. 2 public holidays (Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 January)

• Suggested destination: Turin, Venice, Italian ski destinations

Maxi-Bridge New Year's Eve - Epiphany 2024: from Saturday 30 December to Sunday 7 January, you can treat yourself to a 9-day holiday by taking a few targeted holidays.

Calendar 2023: public holidays month by month

Plan your year of travel! Discover the months with the most public holidays and the most bridge possibilities to organise your travels and your holiday plan! Here is the 2023 month-by-month table with holidays and public holidays to plan your holidays.