Semana Santa in Spain

[nappyaddict]

Can anyone living in Spain tell me where they have the best stuff going on for Semana Santa? I have heard it is Malaga, is this true? What about the Canaries? Do they have much going on and if so which is the best island and part of it to go to?

we saw an amazing parade once in a really small town near Malaga

\link{http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q=semana%20santa%20alhaurin%20de%20la%20torre&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1147&bih=650\Alhaurin de la Torre}

so I think it happens everywhere although this says \link{http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/fiestas/semana-santa.asp\Andalucia's} are more spiritual

\link{http://www.visitingeu.com/western-europe/spain/2010/03/visiting-seville-for-semana-santa.html\looks like Seville has good ones too} & Seville is a beautiful place to visit

it was lovely watching it in such a small place though, as we could see all the coming & going in side streets, & although there aren't any pictures of them in the google link there were hundreds of people wearing those scary pointy hoods like the Seville ones

\link{http://www.cunningcanary.com/143/semana-santa-holy-week/\this says Las Palmas is the best} on Gran Canaria

well what do you want? are you after the huge processions - Sevilla, Granada - or one of the smaller ones? do you want other things going on on the sidelines or are you happy to just watch the processions?

The thing is that with some of them it's a very insular affair - big groups of families whose members have been part of the society for generations. If you aren't a part of it, there's no much to do except stand and watch, and there isn't a huge variety - it's not a carnival. Some are very exclusive; at the Feria de Abril in Sevilla you can't even go in one of the marquees unless you are a member of certain society - as a tourist you don't get to participate.

sorry to be negative, but it helps to know what you're after!

I was thinking of being able to watch the huge processions.

well then Sevilla is probably best... although bear in mind the procession don´t usually start until near midnight and finish around 5am - not ideal if you´ve got kids!!

but yes, I second Ponders: Sevilla is lovely to visit, especially in april when it´s not too hot

DS isn't coming so that will be fine :) Thanks for your help.

The processions in Seville take place during the whole week...there are only a few processions that come out at night, like the popular Macarena procession. Usually there are 2 or 3 every day during the week run-up to Easter Sunday, and they can be at any time during the day! Nearly everyone comes out to see these processions and you are likely to encounter big crowds! Being true Sevillians, 2 DS's take part in the procession as Nazarenes!!!

the one we watched in Alhaurin was around Sunday lunchtime, & full of local families with small kids in purple velvet (even down to those in pushchairs!)

We went to Granada to see the processions - it was quite impressive. And the Alhambra is well worth an afternoon of anyone's time.