Easter is globally observed as a period of religious significance and symbolizes hope and renewal. As spring advances in the northern hemisphere, the weather becomes increasingly temperate, prompting many of us to look forward to the warmer and sunnier summer months.
Easter Monday falls April 21st in 2025 and is a time of celebration in Spain, and along with Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos) Good Friday and Easter Sunday (the resurrection of Christ) these are sacred days in the Spanish Calendar.
This is a wonderful time to plan a short holiday in Spain, enjoy Easter celebrations, and meet with a Martin Real Estate representative about your dream home plans.
In Spain Easter is extra special
Easter, or "Semana Santa(holy week)" as it is known in Spain, is one of the most important and widely celebrated religious events in the country. The week leading up to Easter Sunday is characterised by a series of processions, various festivities, and longstanding traditions that have historical significance.
Each region in Spain has its unique way of commemorating this holy week, but common elements of devotion, pageantry, Easter processions and community spirit pervade all Easter celebrations.
Processions hold significant importance.
Video platforms and print media feature images of the various parades and devotions that occur throughout Spain.
The processions are the most iconic feature of Semana Santa. These solemn parades typically take place from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday and involve religious brotherhoods, known as "cofradías" or "hermandades," who organize and participate in the events.
An Easter Tradition going back to the Middle Ages
Easter is taken very seriously and reverently, in Spain. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is the most important religious event of the year. Cofradías are lay religious organisations, some originating from the 14th century.
Each brotherhood is associated with a specific church and often has its own unique traditions and regalia. Members of these brotherhoods don traditional robes and hoods, which vary in colour and design, to signify their affiliation.
Local television stations frequently provide comprehensive coverage of each procession, broadcasting from start to finish.
Floats, Statues, and Imagery
Central to the processions are the "pasos"—ornate floats bearing statues or tableaux depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ. These centuries-old floats are carried through the streets, intricately carved and adorned with flowers. Penitents, or "Nazareno’s," are a significant part of the processions.
Dressed in hooded robes, they walk barefoot or carry wooden crosses as acts of penance. "Costaleros" are the individuals who bear the weight of the heavy floats on their shoulders, demonstrating tremendous physical endurance and devotion.
A solemn occasion that must not be hurried
The processions move slowly through the streets, accompanied by the haunting strains of traditional music and the rhythmic beat of drums. Just before Easter in Spain, local brass bands practice for the upcoming processions. If you get caught up in a procession, know in advance that it is going to take some time to pass by. Everything is overseen with care and attention.
Malaga
Malaga's processions uniquely blend solemnity with festivity. The city's celebrations feature military processions with soldiers carrying floats and the tradition of releasing a prisoner, symbolizing forgiveness and redemption. The tradition of freeing a prisoner in Malaga is based on a royal pragmatic decree of Charles III, issued after a plague epidemic that had a serious impact on the population of Malaga and led to the suspension of the Holy Week processions in 1759. Processions were cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. However, technology and television allowed previous events to be broadcast with repeats of past processions shown on local TV as a substitute.
Special Foods and Culinary Traditions
Easter in Spain is also a time for unique culinary traditions. During Semana Santa, many people in Spain follow dietary restrictions and avoid eating meat on specific days. This has given rise to a variety of special dishes and sweets associated with the season. Additionally, the introduction of Easter eggs has filled a commercial niche for the growing number of Chocoholics.
"Torrijos" are an Easter treat like French toast, made from bread soaked in milk, sugar, and egg, then fried with cinnamon. Another beloved sweet is "pestiños," deep-fried pastries flavoured with anise and drizzled with honey. ‘Mona de Pascua’ is a typical pastry in Murcia and Valencia and symbolises that Lent, and abstinences are over. And there are lots of other types of Easter cakes and treats to try in different regions across Spain.
On the more savoury end of the culinary spectrum "Potaje de Vigilia," a hearty stew made with chickpeas, spinach, and cod, is a traditional dish served on Good Friday. This dish reflects the practice of abstaining from meat while still providing a nourishing meal during the period of fasting.
Visiting the Costa del Sol in Easter?
Easter in Spain, or Semana Santa, is a profound expression of faith, culture, and community. The elaborate processions, rich culinary traditions, and the blend of historical and modern influences create a unique and captivating celebration. Whether experienced through the solemn processions of Seville, the vibrant festivities of Malaga, Semana Santa offers a deep and moving insight into Spain's spiritual and cultural heritage.
Consider visiting the Costa del Sol during Easter to explore the properties available and familiarize yourself with the area.
The team from Martin Real-Estate can guide you around, recommend the best areas, shortlist properties and show you properties that match your needs.
You can also search for properties for sale on the Costa del Sol on our website.
