Holy Week in Spain is an experience as intense as it is diverse. Although rooted in religion —commemorating the Passion, death and resurrection of Christ— over time it has evolved into a celebration where culture, tradition, art, gastronomy and community come together.
In Valencia, Granada and Badajoz, Holy Week and Easter are celebrated with a distinct character. The best part? Each city offers a completely different experience, meaning you can enjoy three distinct ways of celebrating in the same season.
1. The Seafaring Holy Week of Valencia: Processions Among Nets and Waves
In the heart of the Cabanyal-Canyamelar neighbourhood, Holy Week becomes a maritime and deeply community-rooted experience. This celebration blends religious devotion with fishing traditions, and is unique in its close connection to the sea.
The streets are adorned with flags, flower-covered balconies and improvised altars. Religious floats (pasos) parade through crowds of neighbours dressed in their finest, but the most touching moment comes when the cofrades (brotherhood members) raise white handkerchiefs to the balconies —creating a magical sense of connection.
A highlight of the week is the Procession of the Holy Burial on Good Friday, which moves solemnly and silently towards the shoreline, where a laurel wreath is cast into the sea in memory of lost fishermen.
2. “Monas de Pascua” and Colourful Kites in the Sky (Valencia)
Easter in Valencia is celebrated outdoors. On Easter Monday, families head to the countryside or the beach to enjoy a picnic day, where the star is the mona de Pascua: a soft, fluffy bun topped with a boiled egg (or chocolate), decorated with sugar and sometimes with playful, child-friendly figures.
One of the best-loved traditions is breaking the egg on someone’s forehead while reciting a rhyme:
“Ací em pica, ací em cou, ací et trenque la mona en el front.”
(“Here it itches, here it burns, here I crack the egg on your forehead.”)
And of course, the sky fills with colourful kites, especially in places like the Malvarrosa Beach —a cheerful, family-friendly custom that celebrates spring in full swing.
3. The Tamborada of Alzira: A Thunderous Tradition
Alzira, less than 45 minutes from Valencia, hosts one of the most striking expressions of Holy Week: the Tamborada. Declared Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, it brings together hundreds of drummers playing in unison, creating a rhythmic thunder that can be felt deep in the body.
This “drumbeat” isn’t just noise — it’s a symbolic expression of grief, respect and community. The result is a visual and auditory spectacle that lingers in the memory.
If you’re after something different within the Valencian region, this is a fully immersive experience.
4. Singing in Silence: Saetas in Badajoz
During Holy Week in Badajoz, the atmosphere shifts completely. This city in Extremadura embraces sobriety, reverence and reflection. Among the many processions that wind through its cobbled streets, one tradition stands out: the saeta.
This is a spontaneous flamenco song, usually sung from a balcony as a religious float passes below. With no musical accompaniment, the raw emotion in the voice fills the air. It’s impossible not to stop and listen.
Experiencing a saeta at night, in a hushed city lit only by the processions, is moving even for non-believers.
5. The Easter Sunday “Encounter” in Badajoz
The final day of Holy Week is filled with joy. In Badajoz, Easter Sunday is marked by a special event known as “El Encuentro” (The Encounter).
Separate processions carry the images of the Virgin Mary (dressed in mourning) and the Resurrected Christ through the streets until they meet in Plaza de España, surrounded by hundreds of onlookers. At the moment they meet, the Virgin’s black cloak is removed, revealing her in white and adorned with flowers.
It’s a powerful symbol of moving from grief to hope —an uplifting way to close the week.
6. The Christ of the Gitanos and Sacromonte flamenco (Granada)
Granada comes alive in a truly special way during Holy Week. Among all its processions, one stands out for its deep emotion: the Cristo de los Gitanos (Christ of the Gypsies), which ascends the narrow streets of the Albaicín and continues up to the Sacromonte.
There, by candlelight and near the caves of the gypsy quarter, locals sing flamenco prayers and clap along in rhythm. The atmosphere is a powerful mix of faith, tradition and artistry.
The float, lit by torches, appears to float through the night, with the sound of flamenco echoing through the hills. It’s one of the most unforgettable scenes of Andalusian Holy Week.
7. Views with History: Watching Processions from the Alhambra
During Holy Week, many people choose to visit Granada’s viewpoints, such as Mirador de San Nicolás or Silla del Moro, to watch the processions winding their way through the city from above.
From there, you can admire the candlelit city, with its historic churches and winding streets full of devotion. It’s a way to experience Holy Week through the lens of architecture, emotion and breathtaking scenery.
8. Palm Sunday: Tradition, Olive Branches and Family
Palm Sunday marks the gateway into Holy Week. In all three cities, families dress in their best clothes and attend mass carrying plaited palm leaves and olive branches, which are later hung on balconies as a symbol of blessing and protection.
In Granada, the procession of La Borriquilla (Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem) is especially popular with children. It’s one of the most joyful and family-oriented days of the week.
9. Holy Week Cuisine: Flavours Worth Sharing
During these days, tradition also takes a seat at the table. As many people observe fasting or abstain from meat, a rich, simple and flavourful cuisine has developed —an essential part of the Holy Week experience.
Some dishes and sweets you’ll find:
- Vigil stew (potaje de vigilia): a stew with chickpeas, spinach and salted cod
- Torrijas: slices of bread soaked in milk and egg, fried, and topped with sugar or honey
- Arroz con leche: creamy rice pudding with cinnamon and lemon peel
- Buñuelos de viento: light, fried dough balls filled with cream
- Leche frita: a custard-like dessert, crispy on the outside, soft inside
- Hornazo: a pastry filled with meat or egg, more typical in central Spain but also present in parts of Badajoz
Many restaurants —and sometimes hotels— offer special seasonal menus, so you can literally taste tradition.
10. Processions from the Heart of the City
One of the great advantages of staying at hotels like those of Turia Hotels is their location right in the historic centre of each city.
This means you don’t just witness Holy Week —you live it. Step outside your door and you’re in the middle of it all. Sometimes, you don’t even need to leave your room to see a procession pass by.
And beyond location, it’s how you’re made to feel that matters: welcomed, cared for, and treated like part of the local community.
Key Dates – Don’t Miss These Highlights
Would you like to experience some of these traditions in person?
Here are the key dates to make sure you don’t miss a thing in each city:
Valencia – Seafaring Holy Week
- Palm Sunday (13 April 2025):
Procession of the Palms through the seaside neighbourhoods —family-friendly and colourful. - Maundy Thursday (17 April):
Torchlit silent processions through the Cabanyal. Atmospheric and deeply moving. - Good Friday (18 April):
The impressive General Procession of the Holy Burial takes place in the late afternoon. It winds its way through the streets before reaching the sea, where a laurel wreath is cast into the water in tribute to the sailors who have passed away. - Easter Sunday (20 April):
The Glorious Encounter Procession is followed by a blessing of the sea. Afterwards, Easter is celebrated on the beach with kite-flying and traditional monas de Pascua.
Granada – Nazarene and Flamenco Holy Week
- Palm Sunday (13 April 2025):
The procession of La Borriquilla marks the beginning of Holy Week. It’s perfect for families and a joyful way to experience the festive atmosphere. - Holy Wednesday (16 April 2025):
The Christ of Consolation makes his way up to the Sacromonte, accompanied by members of the local gypsy community. It’s one of the most authentic and flamenco-infused processions of the week. - Maundy Thursday (17 April):
The procession of Christ of Mercy and Our Lady of the Dawn winds through the Albaicín, with floats making their way along cobbled streets and offering spectacular night-time views of the city. - Good Friday (18 April):
The historic brotherhoods, including that of the Holy Sepulchre, take to the streets in solemn processions accompanied by funeral marches and large crowds of participants and spectators. - Easter Sunday (20 April):
The processions are shorter but joyful —the perfect way to end Holy Week on a positive and uplifting note.
Badajoz – Sobriety, Saetas and Shared Emotion
- Palm Sunday (13 April 2025):
Procession of Jesus of Humility and the Virgin of the Palm —a very popular event with locals and visitors alike. - Holy Wednesday (16 April 2025):
The Christ of Peace makes a silent procession through the historic centre. A special moment to hear an improvised saeta echo from a nearby balcony. - Maundy Thursday (17 April):
One of the most important days of the week, featuring the Brotherhood of the Descent. Processions depart from Plaza de San Andrés, marked by deep local devotion. - Good Friday (18 April):
The Holy Burial —one of the most impressive and solemn processions of the entire week. - Easter Sunday (20 April):
The Encounter takes place in Plaza de España, where the Virgin removes her mourning veil in a symbolic act of joy and renewal —a deeply emotional and uplifting celebration to close the week.
