Holy Week in Malaga, everything you need to know
 

Have you heard about Holy Week in Malaga? If not, then what are you waiting for? Holy Week in Malaga is an event for all 5 senses: the scent of incense that impregnates the city's streets, musical marches that accompany all the processions, thousands of faithful lighting up the night of Malaga with their candles and thousands of people gathering to see their favourite brotherhoods.

Ready to hear all about Holy Week in Malaga? Then read on!

Malaga's most famous processions

With a total of 42 Brotherhoods and an official tour that takes in some of the most important spots in Malaga city centre, including Calle Larios, the most popular processions in Malaga's Holy Week are as follows:

  • La Pollinica: commemorating the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
  • Cristo de los Gitanos: one of the most beloved processions amongst locals on Holy Monday.
  • Cofradía de Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno ‘’El Rico’’: this procession plays host to one of the most special moments of Malaga's Holy Week, which sees a prisoner released in Plaza del Obispo, falling on Holy Wednesday.

And finally, Holy Thursday is the most important day of Holy Week in Malaga, with some of the oldest brotherhoods in the city taking to the streets: Santa Cruz, Sagrada Cena and Vera Cruz.

What to eat during Holy Week in Malaga?

To really get to know a new place or a new custom, understanding its gastronomy is key! The typical dishes you will see in Malaga during Holy Week are:

  • Torrijas: a type of French toast believed to date back to Roman times, torrijas remain a very typical Holy Week dish to this day. Slices of bread are soaked in milk or wine, before being battered in egg and fried in a very hot pan. Typical recipes tend to see them sweetened with honey or sugar.
  • Cod fritters date back to the olden days as part of the tradition to refrain from eating meat at Easter as a way of self-sacrifice. To this day, some bars continue this tradition and do not serve meat during Holy Week to their customers. The dough for these fritters is very simple: cod, flour, parsley, water and then get frying!
  • Ajoblanco: this cold soup is made from bread, almonds, water, oil, salt and... garlic! It is usually accompanied during Holy Week by cod, known as "ajoblanco bacalao".
  • Pestiños: Another typical Easter sweet treat! Made from fried flour dough dipped in honey, sounds delicious, doesn't it?

 

Tips for enjoying Holy Week in Malaga

We recommend that you take in processions from the Cathedral; this is the most beautiful and emotional spot to see them.

While you are in the centre, take in the Easter atmosphere visiting typical local bars, where you can enjoy tapas typical of this time of year. How about a portion of ajoblanco or some cod omelettes? Prepare to be blown away!

If this is your first time in Malaga for Holy Week, remember that crowds of people gather to watch the processions. If you're not a fan of cramped spaces, we recommend you take in the processions from one of the city's large avenues instead heading to the narrow streets.

Don't miss out on the Madrugá de Málaga! Just like in Seville, the early hours of Thursday to Friday is the most emotional time for Malaga locals and visitors. If you want to get the full experience, you have to stay until the Madrugá.

Other plans during Holy Week in Malaga

Why else visit Malaga during Easter? The answer is easy: the amount of plans that the city has to offer. As well as enjoying one of Spain's most famous Holy Weeks, Malaga has other plans including a day at the beach, hiking trails and trips to nearby towns like Fuengirola or Benalmádena, etc. 

What's more, Easter falls in March or April, when the weather is typically good, meaning you can enjoy different types of plans. What more could you ask for?

If during your stay you also want to enjoy the city and everything it has to offer, make sure to check the must-sees in Malaga!

How to get to Malaga for Easter

Remember! If you're interested in discovering Malaga and its customs at Easter, book with Renfe and enjoy the comfort and speed of our AVE and Larga Distancia (long distance high-speed) trains. During Holy Week, take the train!