10 Things to Do in Madrid at Holy Week

The first thing you need to know for a trip during Semana Santa in the Spanish capital is that the best things to see and do in Madrid are constantly changing both by the time of year and the festivities being celebrated. As Semana Santa is a Catholic celebration, many of the events are religiously related, while others are influenced by the multicultural and diverse character that defines 21st century Madrid society.

So to provide you with an itinerary that will allow you to experience all facets of this city, I have put together in this publication the traditions and activities that locals enjoy every year during Semana Santa (Holy Week). This way you can be sure that these events will be available to you and that they are an appropriate choice for the type of trip you want to make.

Churches are something that abound in Madrid. So one of the best ways to appreciate the city at a time as specific as Easter is to start a tour to get to know some of the most important churches in the city from inside and outside.

The crypt of the Almudena Cathedral is one of the most representative of the wide variety of churches that exist in the city. In addition, its strategic location next to the Royal Palace makes a guided tour of these two sites an excellent way to start your day if your day is focused on exploring the other treasures of Madrid Catholicism.

The Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Atocha located less than 5 minutes away from the famous train station and the Church of San Jerónimo el Real are other sites that cannot be missed in this sightseeing tour focused on the constructions that are the protagonists of Holy Week. There is also the issue that if you are going on a 5-day trip to Madrid then you will have enough time to visit a couple of them each day, which will also allow you to manage to coincide with a mass in one of them if this is something that catches your attention.

Holy Week for some is synonymous with religiosity while for other Madrilenians it is the perfect time to party while preparing the mind and body for the arrival of summer. And it is an indisputable fact that the Spanish capital has become one of the most important destinations when it comes to nightlife, both within Europe and worldwide.

The Barceló Theatre is a perfect example of the cultural importance of nightclubs when thinking about a night out in Madrid. However, during Semana Santa the most recommendable plan is to visit different bars in the best style of the Madrilenians in neighbourhoods that have become the favourite destinations when it comes to the city's nightlife and the best things to do in Madrid at night.

Malasaña, Moncloa and Calle Huertas are indisputable references of what Madrid's nightlife has to offer during Semana Santa. Chueca is the place to go if you're looking to get to know the diversity that defines Madrid in the 21st century in the most iconic LGBT neighbourhood in the city.

Either way, taking part in an urban tour that tells you a bit about the history of old Madrid while you enjoy Madrid's tapas tradition is a great way to kick off your nights during Semana Santa. At least before you decide what kind of party you want to experience in one of the busiest seasons for nightlife in the city.

In Madrid takes place one of the biggest processions of Catholicism worldwide and it is the procession of the Christ of Medinaceli. This event begins and ends in the basilica that bears the same name of this Christ and usually lasts approximately 4 hours and has an average participation of 800,000 people.

As for the route followed by the procession you should know that it meets different iconic places in the city centre which are usually part of the itinerary of the best tours of Madrid. Puerta del Sol, Plaza de Cibeles, Plaza de las Cortes and Paseo del Pardo are just some of the stretches of this historic and elemental route that is a staple event of Madrid's Catholic Easter traditions.

This procession takes place during the night of Good Friday, but if for some reason this time is busy and you don't want to miss the experience of a Catholic procession during Holy Week in Madrid, don't worry, because from Monday until Easter Sunday, this kind of events will be organised all over the city.

The Procession of the Holy Burial, the Procession of Saint Catherine of Siena, the Resurrection Procession 'Jesus the Poor' and the Station of Penitence of the Holy Christ of the Three Fallen are just some of the activities that form part of the schedule of Catholic processions in Madrid during this week of the year.

With the arrival of Easter Sunday, there is also the chance to enjoy another of Madrid's Easter traditions. This is the tamborrada that is organised in the centre of the city. Basically, it is another procession that goes from the Convento de las Carboneras to the Plaza Mayor where thousands of participants gather to listen to the drums, bass drums, timbales and cornets sounding at full volume as a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In short, it is a recommendable activity to do during Holy Week because it is an important tradition for the people of Madrid. At the same time because it is an approach to a Catholic celebration that differs from the leisurely and even mournful character of most of the processions of this week.

In fact, it is often a must for some people who are looking for things to see and do in Madrid in a single day knowing that they want to spend their Easter Sunday in the Spanish capital. It all looks even more convenient when you consider that this tamborrada ends in the Plaza Mayor and that allows you to be right in the centre of the city to explore other historical buildings and monuments of importance.

Easter is also a season full of cultural events in Madrid and this has to do with the fact that there is a small school holiday from Wednesday until Easter Sunday. It also has to do with the fact that Friday is usually a non-working holiday, which makes it easier for families to spend their time exploring entertaining activities.

For your convenience, there is the fact that different convention centres usually have special exhibitions during this week, knowing that it is a very important time for tourism as well as for the entertainment of the locals. However, the real protagonist of the cultural agenda of Holy Week is visiting the Prado Museum as well as the Reina Sofia Museum.

That has to do with the fact that these two institutions usually organise exhibitions oriented to specific aspects of Catholic art during this week. All for the simple fact that religion represents one of the most solid and constant themes within Spanish art as well as within Western art in general. It is also possible that special exhibitions on more contemporary artists will be organised, knowing that the tourist influx during this week is quite high.

So buying a ticket that offers you a combined visit to these two museums is an excellent decision. Especially if you are interested in the idea of being accompanied by a guide who can explain the importance of both the special exhibitions and the permanent exhibitions.

If the people of Madrid were challenged to sit down and think about what is the most representative food of Easter in this city , then torrijas would be the winner. This sweet, which consists of slices of bread soaked in milk, syrup or wine, coated in sugar and egg and fried in oil, is a staple in restaurants and taverns at this time of year.

Over the years, they have become a very traditional part of Easter Week in Madrid. For this reason, there are those who dedicate themselves to visiting as many Spanish gastronomy restaurants as possible with the intention of discovering which are their favourite torrijas madrileñas before their visit to the city is over

. At the same time, this is an activity that can be complemented with other types of plans that allow you to explore the Spanish capital. Some of the best tapas and wine tours in Madrid often incorporate the possibility of enjoying this dessert, knowing that you will be visiting venues that focus on the city's traditional food.

On the other hand, the tradition favoured by many families in Madrid for Easter may surprise you, as it is a decision that has nothing to do with celebrating the local gastronomy or the traditions of Catholicism on the most important dates for this religion. It is about visiting the Warner Park at a time when children can have fun knowing that the next day they will not have classes.

Without a doubt this is one of the best things to do in Madrid with children and specifically during Easter it is a good way to balance the plans that have focused on religious traditions so that they feel that the trip is also made with them in mind.

You have to keep in mind that this park also has water rides and fortunately Easter is one of the first times of the year that has good enough weather for kids to enjoy them. At least outside of the summer tourist calendar.

You should know that this park is not exactly in my city centre, as it is in the southern outskirts of Madrid. That means it would be a good idea to buy tickets that include a transfer from your accommodation or at least find alternative transport that will guarantee you a safe return when you have finished your tour of the park.

Touring the Retiro Park and visiting the surroundings of the Plaza de España is something that can be recommended for all times of the year. The differentiating factor that makes these two places ideal to visit during Easter Week is the fact that Madrileños take advantage of these public spaces during their free time to enjoy themselves as if they were on holiday outside the city.

This means that in these places you will find musicians playing live shows, plastic and performing arts artists and also many Madrileños who gather to sunbathe and enjoy the afternoon as they rarely have the opportunity to do during the year.

In fact, another time of the year when it is highly recommended to visit these two corners of Madrid is in December. The truth is that they are considered one of the best things to do in Madrid during the Christmas season because the locals themselves occupy these public spaces to enjoy a few rays of sunshine.

Besides, you also have to take into account the fact that these places are not so close to each other and walking from the Puerta de Alcalá in the Retiro Park to the Plaza de España, which brings you closer to the Sabatini Gardens, is an excellent opportunity to tour the centre of Madrid in one day. All this in a week when this is the most vibrant district of all for its historical connection to the world of Catholicism.

Getting out of the city is also a favourite thing to do during Easter Week and if your trip to the capital is long enough for this to be a recommended idea, then you can't miss the opportunity to take a trip to the Royal Palace of Aranjuez. This is a royal residence that was built during the 18th century and, for many specialists, it is one of the best historical constructions in Europe.

This is usually a tourist destination chosen by Madrileños during Easter Week due to the fact that it is also an excellent opportunity to visit the famous church of San Antonio de Padua, a baroque style construction that also dates back to the 18th century and that stands out for its circular chapel as well as for its portico.

In addition, an excursion like this is also a good opportunity to visit the ponds of the Prince's Garden in a season when the weather is favourable for it. So this idea is a plan not to be missed if during Holy Week you feel like taking part in one of the best day trips from Madrid, which can help you escape a bit of the traffic generated by the constant processions.

Finally, this is another of Madrid's great Easter traditions and it's all about going shopping at the El Rastro street market to take the opportunity to pick up little treasures on one of the most sought after weekends for resellers and buyers of antiques and second hand clothes.

This market takes place along Calle Ribera de Curtidores and this is in the heart of the Embajadores neighbourhood. Visiting this market during Holy Week and specifically on Easter Sunday is a good idea due to the fact that it marks the transition between the sale of products that are geared towards winter and the sale of products ideal for the summer season that is just around the corner.

In addition, true fans of decorative objects believe that this date is particularly special due to the fact that many vendors include among their wares items related to Catholic aesthetics. This is because it is a season that is full of tourists who come to make pilgrimages in the Spanish capital.

Either way, no matter what type of product you are looking for, this is a place you can't miss in the cultural schedule of Holy Week in Madrid and at the same time it can be an ideal place to visit before an afternoon of drinks in the iconic neighbourhood of La Latina.