Malaga Holy Week 2026: Guide to Processions, dates and travel tips

Last update: 10 March 2026

Malaga Holy Week (Semana Santa) is one of the most spectacular Easter celebrations in Spain. Every spring, the historic centre of Málaga fills with impressive religious processions, enormous decorated floats known as tronos, marching bands and thousands of participants dressed in traditional robes.

In 2026, Malaga Holy Week takes place from March 29 to April 5, attracting visitors from all over the world. If you are planning to visit the Costa del Sol during Easter, this guide explains everything you need to know about the dates, processions, routes, best viewing spots and practical travel tips.

Málaga Holy Week 2026 dates

In 2026, Malaga Holy Week will run from Sunday 29 March to Sunday 5 April.

The main days of the celebration are:

Palm Sunday – March 29, 2026

Holy Monday – March 30, 2026

Holy Tuesday – March 31, 2026

Holy Wednesday – April 1, 2026

Maundy Thursday – April 2, 2026

Good Friday – April 3, 2026 (public holiday in Spain)

Holy Saturday – April 4, 2026

Easter Sunday – April 5, 2026

During this week, more than 40 brotherhoods organise processions through the streets of Málaga, many of which last several hours.

Most processions begin in the afternoon and continue late into the evening, especially in the historic city centre.

What makes Malaga Holy Week unique?

Malaga’s Holy Week is famous for its enormous processional thrones (tronos), some weighing up to five tonnes, which carry sculptures depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ and the sorrow of the Virgin Mary. These impressive floats are carried through the streets by hundreds of bearers and accompanied by marching bands, candles, incense and participants dressed as nazarenos. Each brotherhood has its own colours and traditions, giving every procession a distinctive identity.

As Alicia from local tour company Oh My Good Guide explains, Malaga Holy Week transforms the city streets into a celebration for all the senses, with music, incense and thousands of spectators gathering to watch their favourite processions each year.

What happens during Malaga Holy Week processions?

During Holy Week, 42 brotherhoods organise around 45 processions through the streets of Malaga.

Each procession includes:

• religious sculptures representing scenes from the Passion of Christ
• nazarenos carrying candles, crosses and banners
• marching bands playing traditional processional music
• women wearing mantillas as a sign of mourning

One of the most impressive elements of the processions are the large floats or “tronos”, often elaborately decorated with flowers, silver or gold ornamentation.

Local tour company Explora Malaga describes the celebration as a powerful blend of religion, tradition and art, with music, incense and enormous thrones creating a truly unique atmosphere in the streets. Travel blogger Molly from Piccavey, who has experienced Semana Santa in Andalusia, notes that it is also a deeply rooted family tradition, with many locals taking part in the preparations while others gather each afternoon to watch the processions pass through the historic centre.

Holy Week procession routes in Malaga

Although each procession begins at its own church or brotherhood house, they all pass through the Official Route in Malaga’s historic centre.

The official route typically follows:

• Alameda Principal
• Calle Marqués de Larios
• Plaza de la Constitución
• Calle Granada

This route is around 850 metres long and includes grandstands and around 16,000 seats for spectators.

Some of the best places to watch the processions include:

• Alameda Principal – wide avenue with excellent visibility
• Calle Larios –  one of the most famous streets for viewing the parades
• Plaza de la Constitución – central location with a lively atmosphere

Arriving early is recommended, as the city centre becomes extremely crowded during the afternoon and evening.

Malaga Holy Week Procession timetable and key events

Malaga Holy Week features processions every day from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, although some days are particularly spectacular for visitors.

When deciding which processions to see, the highlights of the calendar include several key days known for their impressive thrones, traditions and atmosphere

Palm Sunday: the opening of Malaga Holy Week

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and commemorates Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. In Malaga, nine brotherhoods take part in the processions, with many children participating while carrying traditional palm leaves.

Holy Wednesday: one of the most traditional Procession days

Holy Wednesday features some of the most traditional processions of the week, with seven brotherhoods and around 15 impressive thrones taking to the streets of Malaga.

One of these thrones, belonging to the Royal Merged Brotherhood, dates back to 1649, while the famous throne of the Virgin of the Dove is carried by around 280 bearers.

Maundy Thursday: The Spanish Legion and the Christ of the Good Death

Maundy Thursday is one of the most spectacular days of Malaga Holy Week. One of the most famous moments is when the Spanish Legion escorts the throne of Christ of the Good Death, attracting large crowds of spectators every year.

Good Friday: the most Solemn Processions

Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Christ and is one of the most emotional days of the week. The processions take on a more solemn atmosphere of mourning.

The final procession of the day belongs to the Servite Order, when the 18th-century Virgin of the Dolores passes through the streets while the city’s streetlights are traditionally turned off.

Easter Sunday: the Resurrection Procession

Although technically outside Holy Week itself, Easter Sunday marks the final procession of the celebrations. The Resurrection procession, featuring Jesus and the Virgin Queen of Heaven, symbolises the reunion of mother and son and brings the week to a joyful close.

Travel tips for visiting Málaga during Holy Week

Malaga Holy Week is one of the busiest and most exciting times of the year in the city. Planning ahead will help you enjoy the processions and avoid common travel difficulties.

Expect large crowds in the city centre

Thousands of locals and visitors gather in Malaga’s historic centre during Holy Week, especially in the afternoon and evening when the main processions take place. If you prefer a quieter experience, visit the centre in the morning, when streets are less crowded.

Be aware of road closures

Many streets in central Malaga are temporarily closed during processions, particularly around Alameda Principal, Calle Larios and Plaza de la Constitución. For more detailed information about routes, schedules and visitor recommendations, you can check the Malaga City Council Holy Week guide.

Parking outside the city centre

Parking in the old town can be very limited during Holy Week. Many visitors choose to park outside the historic centre and either walk in or take public transport, such as the bus or metro, as most of the main procession routes are easily accessible from central stops.

If you are travelling by car, it can also be helpful to arrange your Málaga car hire in advance and plan where to park before entering the city centre.

Plan your days

Because of crowds and road closures, travelling through Malaga may take longer than usual. If you need to drive or move around the city, it is generally easier to do so earlier in the day before the processions begin.

Book accommodation early

Holy Week is one of the most popular times to visit Malaga. Accommodation and transport options can fill up quickly, so it is advisable to book your stay in advance.

Try Traditional Easter food

Holy Week is also a great time to try traditional Andalusian treats such as torrijas, leche frita or pestiños, which are commonly prepared during Lent.

Frequently asked questions about Holy Week in Málaga

When is Malaga Holy Week 2026?

Malaga Holy Week in 2026 takes place from Sunday 29 March to Sunday 5 April, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending on Easter Sunday.

Do you need tickets to watch Malaga Holy Week processions?

No. Most Holy Week processions in Malaga can be watched free of charge from the streets. However, seats along the official route in the city centre can be booked in advance, and these reserved seating areas require a ticket.

What time do Malaga Holy Week processions start?

Procession times vary depending on the brotherhood and the day. Many start in the afternoon and continue into the evening, but the exact time you see them also depends on where you are along the route, as each procession takes several hours to move through the city.

As you can see, there is so much to look forward to during Holy Week in Malaga. What awaits is truly a cultural experience like no other and an occasion that won’t soon be forgotten. Take a look at the rest of our blog for further guides and advice on all things Andalucía.