Writer: Helena Bergström
Updated: August 2026 | Easter in Spain is marked by Semana Santa – Holy Week – when towns and villages are filled with religious processions, music, drums and large images of saints carried through the streets. We experienced the Easter celebrations in Tarragona and were impressed by the atmosphere, traditions and long processions that continued for hours.
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What is Holy Week?
Semana Santa means ”Holy Week” and is the week before Easter. The celebration has strong Catholic traditions and takes place throughout Spain, although the expression varies between regions and cities.
During the week, church services, processions and other religious ceremonies are held to commemorate Jesus' suffering, death and resurrection.
Semana Santa begins with Palm Sunday and continues through Holy Week until Easter Sunday. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday have great religious significance, while the Easter Vigil Mass marks the transition to the celebration of Jesus' resurrection.
Semana Santa in Spain – short facts
- When: The week before Easter Sunday
- Means: ”Holy Week”
- Best known for: Religious processions, pasos, music and traditional costumes
- Biggest celebrations: Among others Seville, Malaga, Valladolid and Zamora
- Peak: Varies between locations, but Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter weekend are particularly important
- Good to know: Processions can last for several hours and attract very large crowds.
Easter processions in Spain
One of the most characteristic parts of Semana Santa are the long processions. Participants carry large and richly decorated procession platforms, known as steps, with sculptures depicting scenes from the Passion of Jesus or the Virgin Mary.
The platforms can be very heavy and are carried slowly through the city, often to the sound of drums, brass bands and church bells.
The bearers can be organized in different ways depending on location and tradition, and today women also participate in some contexts. The whole thing goes on for many hours, and the heavy carrying is meant to remind us of Jesus' suffering.
Where is Semana Santa celebrated most?
Semana Santa is celebrated throughout Spain, but some of the most famous processions are held in Andalusia, especially in Seville and Malaga. Cities such as Valladolid, Zamora, León and Murcia are also known for their Easter traditions. At the same time, almost every Spanish town and village has its own local processions and customs.
Our experience of Semana Santa in Tarragona
We experienced Semana Santa in Tarragona, where the processions made their way through the historic city center for several hours. Drums echoed between the walls of the houses, participants in traditional costumes marched through the streets and large crowds gathered along the route of the processions.
We also saw participants dressed as Roman soldiers marching in time while the drummers beat hard and rhythmically.
It was a solemn and tangibly religious experience, with the entire city participating. For us, the Easter celebration was one of the strongest experiences during our visit to Tarragona.
More about Easter and Easter traditions
Easter is an exciting holiday, and it's interesting to think about how it all fits together - the eggs, the hares and the suffering of Jesus. You can read more here:
- 10 facts about Easter
- Easter traditions around the world
- Easter food around the world
- Why do we celebrate Easter in Sweden?
FAQ – frequently asked questions about Easter in Spain
What is Holy Week?
Semana Santa means ”Holy Week” and is the week before Easter. During the week, the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus are commemorated through services, processions and other traditions.
When is Semana Santa celebrated in Spain?
Semana Santa falls the week before Easter Sunday, so the dates vary from year to year. The largest processions often take place from Palm Sunday until Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
How is Easter celebrated in Spain?
Celebrations vary between different parts of the country, but religious processions are one of the most characteristic features. Many cities are filled with music, drums, traditional costumes and large processional platforms with religious motifs.
What are steps?
Pasos are large and richly decorated processional platforms with sculptures depicting, for example, Jesus, the Virgin Mary or scenes from the Passion story. The platforms are carried or transported slowly through the streets of the city during the processions.
Where is Semana Santa biggest in Spain?
Some of Spain's most famous Easter celebrations are in Seville and Malaga, but cities such as Valladolid, Zamora, León and Murcia are also known for their processions. Semana Santa is celebrated simultaneously in many smaller towns and villages around the country.
Is Semana Santa just a religious holiday?
Semana Santa has a clearly religious basis, but is also an important cultural tradition and folk festival. Even people who are not religious can participate in or visit the processions for the sake of tradition, community and experience.
Are shops and restaurants open during Easter in Spain?
It varies between locations and days. Good Friday and other holidays may affect opening hours, while restaurants and cafes in tourist areas are often open. It is wise to check the current opening hours at the location you are visiting.
Is Semana Santa worth experiencing?
Yes, if you want to experience a strong Spanish tradition, Semana Santa is very special. The long processions, music, costumes and festive atmosphere give a completely different picture of Easter than what many are used to from Sweden.
You might also like:
Things to do in Valencia - 15 tips and attractions for your trip
Spanish food - 25 classic dishes you must try
Easter food around the world - a taste journey beyond herring and eggs
Christmas rhymes - 25 tips for Christmas presents with rhymes
Facts about Lucia - 15 things you (maybe) didn't know
Lucia in the past, present and future – a tradition in constant change
English (UK) 
Svenska
Ama de casa says:
They have really great parades
🙂
04 April 2015 - 10:28
Steve says:
The Spanish Easter celebrations are powerful. They go all out. I have experienced it myself once, in 2005 in Nerja.
I wish you a Happy Easter.
04 April 2015 - 11:05
BP says:
WOW! You definitely picked the right place! Another lavish and colourful procession à la Spain. They really love processions.
Some images remind me of the world-famous parade in Southern Germany, in Oberammargau. There, a Jesus is selected (very desirable mission with applicants from all over the country) who carries a very heavy cross all the way...
PS.Oh a group that you show reminds of Klu Klux clan;-) DS.
04 April 2015 - 13:21
Anja says:
Jeeesus! ...but why these creepy hoods, you ask?
Happy Easter Helena!
04 April 2015 - 15:12
admin says:
Ama de casa, indeed!
Steve, really cool! Glad you experienced it too! I read that the celebrations were big in Nerja too.
BP, interesting to hear about the parade in Germany! I haven't heard of it, but it sounds really special. The hoods remind me a bit of the Ku Klux Klan, I know, but has nothing to do with it. (Possibly I read somewhere the other way round, that the Ku Klux Klan was inspired by these processions).
Anja, I read something about it being related to mourning. When Jesus is resurrected, they take off their hoods. Or something like that. Happy Easter, Anja!
04 April 2015 - 15:39
Matts Torebring says:
What a positive difference, compared to our Easter bunnies shouting, 'Trick or treat. Have a nice Easter
04 April 2015 - 18:08
admin says:
Matts, I too think this is nicer actually, even though I'm not religious!
🙂
04 April 2015 - 19:32
Ditte says:
Easter celebrations in Spain are certainly different from what we are used to at home. Nice for you to experience, I imagine.
We were there last year and watched parades for several days. Powerful and fun to have experienced it. This year we are at home, but next year we will probably be there again during Easter.
05 April 2015 - 21:16
Steel city anna says:
That's too scary for me! There was a procession here in Sheffield also on Good Friday when they carried a big cross. They had police protection! What a world we live in. Well, now the happy message of Easter is here and new times begin, one can hope.
06 April 2015 - 14:26
admin says:
Ditte, great to see! You have the opportunity to see it whenever you want. For us, it was fun to have the chance to experience it!
Steel city Anna, that doesn't sound fun, why do they need police protection?
06 April 2015 - 16:50
admin says:
You who call yourself "your mum", Jesu is an old genitive form still used in some expressions e.g. "the suffering of Jesus".
24 March 2016 - 14:23
Anonymous says:
Not to be that way, but their masks look like kkk.
05 April 2019 - 9:47
Gudtav says:
Lol why are they only 2015 here
30 March 2021 - 9:02