Easter, or Holy Week (Santa Semana), is one of the most important religious celebrations in Spain. Sharing equal importance to Christmas, Easter is celebrated throughout the entire Holy Week, starting on Palm Sunday and culminating with a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.

Where to stay in Estepona

On the Costa del Sol, it is also one of the busiest times of year, attracting huge numbers of international tourists from all over the world who are keen to experience Spain’s vibrant culture and traditions.  It is also the perfect time to visit the Estepona spa hotel resort, Las Dunas Luxury Grand Hotel, where you will be guaranteed an elegant oasis of calm throughout this lively festive season.

Procession of Pasos

Whether you are believer or not, it is impossible not to be moved and impressed by the dedication of the brotherhoods and associations who spend months practicing for carrying the back-breaking weight of enormous religious statues through the streets during the procession of “pasos”.  The impressive religious figures are kept in the churches throughout the year, then at Easter time they are paraded through the streets on majestic decorative floats, embellished with flowers. The intricately carved statues depict religious events, such as Passion and Death of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary.

Capirotes

One of the most alien aspects of Easter in Spain is the sight of people walking in front of the floats wearing white conical hoods (capriotes). To many foreigners, this type of headwear is shockingly reminiscent of the Ku Klux Klan, but in Spain, they it is the uniform of ‘penitents’ who are hiding their face during lent. The women who take part in the procession wear traditional veils (mantillas) to signify pain and mourning.

Saetas

One of the highlights which many people find extremely moving is when the floats slow down as they pass the singer who serenades the statues with traditional songs called ‘Saetas’ from the town’s ‘Rincon de la Saeta”.

Procession programme

Throughout the week, the processions (see below) wind their way through Estepona’s colourful streets, filling the air with the scent of flowers and incense. To help you get the most out of your trip to our beautiful Estepona spa hotel during Easter week, here is the programme of the religious and ceremonial events that will take place in Estepona. At the time of printing full details of the times for 2025 had not been published.

  • 13th April: Palm Sunday

Time: 17.00

Route: Departure from the Brotherhood House, Pasaje Cristo del Amor, Hermanos Costaleros, Terraza, Jesús Cautivo, Granada, Calvario, Jesús y María, Montañes, Casares, Ramón y Cajal, Plaza Francisco Umbral, Jesús Nazareno, San Juan, Pozo Pila, África, Avda. San Lorenzo, Real, Terraza, Pasaje Cristo del Amor y recogida en su Casa Hermandad.

  • 15th April: Holy Wednesday

Time: 20.30

Route: Departure from the Brotherhood House, Jesús Cautivo, Terraza, Granada, Calvario, Blas Ortega, Sevilla, Pozo Pila, África, Avda. San Lorenzo, Real, Terraza, Jesús Cautivo y recogida en su Casa Hermandad.

  • 16th April: Maundy Thursday

Time: 19.00

Route: Departure from the Brotherhood House, Pasaje Cristo del Amor, Hermanos Costaleros, Terraza, Jesús Cautivo, Granada, Calvario, Jesús y María, Montañes, Casares, Ramón y Cajal, Plaza Francisco Umbral, Jesús Nazareno, San Juan, Pozo Pila, África, Avda. San Lorenzo, Real, Terraza, Hermanos Costaleros, Pasaje Cristo del Amor y recogida en su Casa Hermandad.

  • 17th April: Good Friday

Time: 20.30

Route: Departure from the church of Sta. María de los Remedios, Blas Ortega, Sevilla, Pozo Pila, África, Avda. San Lorenzo, Real, Viento, Castillo, Santa Ana, Manzanares, Terraza, Papuecas, Jesús y María, Blas Ortega, Plaza San Francisco y recogida en la Iglesia Sta. María de los Remedios.

  • 18th April: Easter Sunday – the procession of the Resurrection

Time: 11.00

Route: Departure from the church of Sra. de los Remedios, Plaza San Francisco, Blas Ortega, Sevilla, Pozo Pila, África, Avda. San Lorenzo, Real, Terraza, Veracruz, Blas Ortega, Plaza San Francisco y recogida en la Iglesia Ntra. Sra. de los Remedios.

Traditional Easter dishes

In addition to the processions, Easter is also a time for family gatherings, which means a chance to indulge in a range of typically festive foods.  Here are just a few of the most popular sweet and savoury dishes. One of the most delicious is the Spanish version of French toast called Torrijas, closely followed by ‘Pestiños’, fried doughy sweets which are derived from a Moroccan sweet called shebbakiyya. Savoury dishes include the rustic style chickpea stew, Potaje de Vigilia – delicious!

As a destination of luxury wellness breaks, after you have indulged in some sticky Easter treats, you can rest assured that the chefs at Las Dunas Luxury Grand Hotel will be delivering their high-quality healthy menus throughout through the Easter period.

Easter is beach weather

If you want to escape the crowds, you can also head to the beach to relax, unwind and let the sounds of the waves wash over you, while you catch some warm Mediterranean sunshine.

Whether you plan to visit experience the religious processions and to indulge in Easter sweets or would simply like to treat yourself to some pampering at a deluxe Estepona spa hotel, Easter in Estepona promises to be an experience that you will cherish forever.

If you would like to visit the Las Dunas Hotel Grand Luxury Spa or to enjoy a relaxing Easter wellness break,   , visit the website, call us on 951 082 090 or email: reservas@lasdunascostadelsol.com.