Easter in Spain is more than just a religious celebration – it is a spectacular show, deeply rooted in the country’s history and culture. From Andalusian towns to bustling metropolises, Semana Santa – or Holy Week – draws crowds of tourists and touches the hearts of Spaniards. I’ve experienced this special time myself in Marbella, but the traditions go back much further than the Costa del Sol.
Processions that take your breath away
The most distinctive element of Spanish Easter are the processions – highly spectacular, symbolic processions organized by religious brotherhoods (known as cofradías). Members of the confraternities are dressed in long robes and distinctive conical hoods, and carry large platforms (pasos) with sculptures depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ or images of the Virgin Mary.
In Marbella and nearby Malaga, such processions take place daily during Holy Week – the ones on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are especially worth seeing. The sounds of drums, the smell of incense and the crowd gathered in the streets create an atmosphere that cannot be compared to any other holiday.
Easter the Andalusian way
In Andalusia, Easter has a particularly emotional and colorful character. People not only participate in processions – they sing saetas (fervent religious songs sung from balconies), cry, applaud, and experience it wholeheartedly. It’s a time of reflection, but also a huge expression of emotions.
What is eaten at Easter in Spain?
Although Easter in Spain does not involve binge eating on the scale of the Polish breakfast, there is no shortage of delicacies. They reign supreme:
– Torrijas – something like French toast: bread dipped in milk, egg and fried in oil, often with cinnamon and sugar.
– Pestiños – fried honey dough cookies, popular in Andalusia.
– Monas de Pascua – a cake decorated with chocolate eggs, more popular in Catalonia and Valencia, especially as a gift for children from godparents.
Is there a search for eggs in Spain?
The tradition of looking for Easter eggs, well-known in Anglo-Saxon countries, is not very popular here. In some regions (especially Catalonia), children are given chocolate eggs or figurines, but there are no organized “egg hunts” like in the UK or the US.
Easter by the sea? Only in Spain!
One of my favorite memories of Easter in Spain is the morning procession against the backdrop of the rising sun over the sea. People gather at dawn on the beach, dressed in white robes, holding candles and praying to the sound of peaceful music. It’s an experience that stays in the memory for a long time – and makes the holidays take on a whole different dimension.
