Easter Traditions in Andalusia

As the warmer weather begins to appear and the Vernal Equinox signifies the start of Spring, we can start to wave goodbye to the cold winter nights and there is no better way to do so than by escaping to Southern Spain and the charming resort of Benalmadena this Easter with MAC Hotels. So before those sweltering summer months roll around why not enjoy a very different experience and see just what takes place during the major religious festival of Semana Santa or Holy Week which is the Spanish celebration of Easter.

The celebration of Semana Santa is an annual event that is celebrated throughout Spain and essentially pays tribute to the Passion of Jesus Christ. This is carried out by Catholic Brotherhoods who perform penance processions through the streets in the week leading up to Easter and although it is somewhat more somber than the usual celebrations in Spain, this unique event is so historically important to the country, that it is part of UNESCO’s cultural world heritage and so it is the perfect time to come and visit and catch a glimpse of another side of this incredible country.

Although Semana Santa can be witnessed in every city and town throughout Spain, you will see a lot of major differences between the Spanish regions during this period: Holy Week sees its most intense and traditional celebrations throughout the region of Andalusia, particularly in the provinces of Málaga and Seville. Here you will find enormous crowds lining the streets to witness the fascinating processions of beautifully adorned floats, which depict different scenes from Christ’s Passion. Surrounding the floats are thousands of nazarenos, or penitents who march rather unnervingly through the streets for up to 14 hours and some even without shoes.

Just 12 kilometres west of Malaga on the Costa del Sol you can find the stunning town of Benalmadena, which with its comfortable mixture of tradition and modernity, offers amazing leisure facilities such as aquariums, a casino, a breathtaking cable car, Tivoli World amusement park and a large marina. It is divided up into three urban centres, the town, which is found up above the coastline in the Sierra de Mijas, Arroyo de la Miel where the accessible train station is located connecting the capital city to surrounding areas such as the third urban centre made up of the port and coastal area with its fabulous beaches and stylish Marina. Here in this beautiful area you will find the Hotel MAC Puerto Marina for your perfect stay.

Benalmadena is the perfect place to spend Easter in Spain due to the natural beauty and intimacy of the town. You will receive the authentic Semana Santa experience, which includes the most famous procession of the haunting Virgen de la Soledad on the Friday night that takes place in complete silence. Another must-see event is the staging of the Passion of Christ “El Paso” in the hills of Benalmádena, where residents of the municipality join in and help reenact the crucifixion.

So journey South this time of year and see another side to Spain while enjoying a wonderful stay on the coast of Benalmadena. You’ll find some new experiences are unforgettable!

Categories: Mac Puerto Marina Benalmádena