Are you looking for a different experience for Easter? In Cadiz you will find a unique celebration where tradition and sea embrace in perfect harmony.
Every year, this ancient peninsular city is transformed into an incomparable setting where the processions take on a unique seafaring character. The salty aroma of the Atlantic, the narrow streets of the old town and the fervour of its inhabitants create an atmosphere that you cannot experience anywhere else in Spain.
The Cadiz brotherhoods, whose origins date back to the 16th century, reflect the history and splendour of this port city. A total of 52 processional floats and more than 10,000 people walk the streets of Cádiz during the ten days from Friday of Sorrows to Easter Sunday.
Along their itineraries, numerous brotherhoods pass in front of the majestic Cathedral, bordering the sea, where they will give you a unique and unforgettable sight, especially when they coincide with the sunset over the Atlantic, creating a play of golden light on the images and a visual spectacle that will remain engraved in your memory.
The key days of Easter Week in Cadiz
Palm Sunday
Holy Week kicks off with Palm Sunday, filling the streets of the old town with families and visitors carrying palms and olive branches. One of the most popular processions is that of La Borriquita, which departs from the Church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen Coronada. This image of Jesus on a donkey was made by the sculptor José de Arce in 1948 and is especially loved by the families of Cádiz.
The Hermandad del Amor (Brotherhood of Love) also stands out, whose procession goes through the streets of the centre with a very careful staging and the imposing image of Nuestro Padre Jesús del Amor (Our Father Jesus of Love).
We recommend standing in the Plaza de San Juan de Dios at around 17:00h to watch these brotherhoods pass by with the impressive Town Hall building as a backdrop.
Easter Monday
On Easter Monday, various neighbourhoods take centre stage. In La Viña, a traditional seafaring neighbourhood, the Brotherhood of La Palma stands out, with its Cristo de la Misericordia (Christ of Mercy), highly venerated by the fishermen. In Santa María and El Pópulo, brotherhoods such as Las Cigarreras and El Despojado also offer emotional processions with strong local roots.
It is highly recommended to walk around different neighbourhoods on that day to feel how each area brings its own personality to the celebrations. The music bands, such as Pedro Álvarez Hidalgo’s, create an unforgettable atmosphere.
Fat Tuesday
On Holy Tuesday you can see the procession of El Caído, a brotherhood founded in 1944. Its images represent the moment when Christ falls under the weight of the cross, and belong to the Cadiz school of imagery. Other brotherhoods such as Humility and Patience also take part in the procession, enriching the day.
Unlike the Sevillian school, the Cadiz school is characterised by greater realism, less drama and a strong connection with the seafaring identity.
Holy Wednesday
One of the most eagerly awaited moments is the departure of the Hermandad de La Sentencia, founded in 1943, with an image of the Virgin carved in the 20th century. The procession of the Hermandad de Las Aguas brotherhood, which brings its own unique style, also takes place.
At 21:00, the passing of the brotherhoods in front of the illuminated Cathedral frames one of the most memorable moments of Holy Week in Cadiz.
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday is lived with recollection. El Nazareno, El Perdón, Afligidos and Sanidad are the protagonists of an intense day. Silence, broken only by drums and saetas, is a fundamental part of the experience.
Some of the images in these processions date from the 17th century and are by anonymous authors. They belong to the Cadiz school, which is more naturalistic and less theatrical than the Sevillian school.
Good Friday, the “Madrugá” of Cádiz
The dawn and the day of Good Friday are the time of some of the most solemn processions: El Descendimiento, El Cristo de la Expiración (known as El Cachorro de Cádiz) and the Virgen de la Soledad. At dawn, the reflections of the sun on the sea and the golden footsteps create a unique atmosphere.
Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday is notable for the procession of the Holy Burial, documented since the 16th century. Alongside it, La Piedad and El Traslado al Sepulcro complete the day with a moving sobriety.
At sunset, the contrast between the dark cloaks and the white facades offers images of great beauty.
Easter Sunday
Holy Week culminates with the procession of the Risen Christ, in a more joyful and luminous atmosphere. Flowers and festive music announce the end of the Passion and the beginning of hope.
Tips to experience Easter Week in Cádiz
- Arrive in advance in Cádiz: It is advisable to arrive at least one day before the start of the processions to familiarise yourself with the layout of the city. Cádiz is small and can be covered on foot, but knowing the routes will allow you to optimise your journeys.
- Plan your visit: Arrive at least a day in advance to get to know the city and consult the official programme of the Council of Brotherhoods and Guilds. Cadiz is easy to get around on foot, but it is useful to know the routes.
- Lenten gastronomy: Try specialities such as pestiño, torrijas or cazón en adobo (marinated dogfish). The Central Market is ideal for enjoying the local cuisine.
- Where to stay: Book your accommodation in advance on our website. The old town is the most convenient place to experience the processions, but you can also consider Cádiz Nuevo or El Puerto de Santa María, which are well connected.
- Beyond the processions: Visit places such as the Tavira Tower, the Museum of the Cortes or the Phoenician archaeological sites. Cádiz is a historical jewel beyond its Easter Week.
- Dress: It is not compulsory, but it is recommended to dress discreetly and respectfully. Evenings can be cool, so bring something warm.
An Easter Week with a flavour all of its own
Easter Week in Cádiz is one of the most authentic celebrations in Spain. It is not as touristy as others, but that is precisely why it retains a unique charm: there is a balance between the solemnity of the processions and the friendly character of the people of Cádiz.
A peculiarity that distinguishes Cádiz Holy Week from other Andalusian celebrations is the unique way in which the pasos are carried: in Cádiz the bearers carry the images directly on their shoulders, without a protective pad, by means of trabajaderas (long poles) that cross the paso from front to back. Their characteristic gait, with wider and more rhythmic movements, makes the images advance with a gentle swaying that seems to rock them through the streets.
Another distinctive element are the forks that accompany each procession. These metallic instruments, which in the past were used to support the paso during the stops, today fulfil a fundamental rhythmic function: they mark the rhythm of the march with their characteristic metallic sound when they hit the ground, creating a unique sonorous atmosphere that you will immediately recognise when you visit Cádiz’s Holy Week.
