NO DOUBT you will have heard about Spain's world-famous Easter parades, of which the main and most moving is on Good Friday – and perhaps you've always wanted to see one in action.
It's definitely a bucket-list entry, highly unusual and, given the noisy and colourful reputation of Spanish fiestas in general, will show you a whole new side to these: Mainly because it's totally the opposite.
You don't need to be a follower of the Christian faith – or, indeed, any faith at all – to be spellbound by the evening parades, wrecked by the tragedy of the story they pay tribute to, and gripped by the intensity of those taking part (some members are even atheists, which shows just how universal they are). But it's a good idea to find out more about them first, so you can get the best out of your spectator experience - take a look at our article here for a full guide.
If you can't get to Spain in time to watch them in person, check out some of the best televised Good Friday parades, and maybe you can plan your trip next year to one of the locations mentioned.
Why Spain's Easter parades are unusual
For those with no pre-conceived ideas at all, you might be a bit taken aback by the dramatic and somewhat terrifying costumes. Gowns covering the entire body, each troop in a different colour, with their faces totally obscured by a cloth – only eye-holes, so they can see where they're going – attached to long, narrow, pointed hats, are actually not as sinister as they appear. The wearers are depicting penitents, atoning for their sins, their faces covered to denote their shame.
To the untrained eye, they look eerily like the uniform of the US Civil War-era underground organisation known as the Ku Klux Klan, a far-right group founded in opposition to the mass freeing of slaves. But before you ask any Spaniard why their Easter parades 'copy' the KKK's dress (they actually don't), read our article here about the origins and significance of the procession outfits.
They may look sinister, but they're actually ashamed. Good Friday in Spain is about penitence and seeking redemption for our sins (photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Finally, where in Spain should you go to see the Easter Week, or Semana Santa parades?
The answer is simple: Anywhere in the country. Practically all towns and even some smaller villages stage Semana Santa processions and activities, and although the southern city of Sevilla is famed for hosting the largest, it can get crowded and accommodation difficult to find – you may enjoy it more at a slightly smaller version where you can get a seat right on the pavement, almost within touching distance of the parade participants.
That said, many locations in Spain have their own, individual take on the event – and are handily placed for other sightseeing, too.
Our main tip, though, would be to check the weather forecast before setting off. When it rains, the parades are often cancelled, so you don't want to get all the way to your chosen destination and be cheated out of the chance to witness the celebrations.
San Cristóbal de la Laguna, Tenerife
One of the biggest and most splendid processions is in this Canary Island town, the whole of which is a UNESCO heritage site.
Whilst Good Friday is the main parade day anywhere in Spain, La Laguna – as it is more often called – is the place to be the day before. On Maundy Thursday every year, the image of the patron saint, Christ of La Laguna, is carried through the streets from the San Francisco church to the cathedral.
La Laguna cathedral, where the parade ends (photo: La Laguna tourism board)
Tenerife itself, the largest island in the Canaries, is known for its stunning beaches – although it's only just April, the climate in this southern offshore region is springlike most of the year, rarely dropping below 14ºC in winter or rising above 30ºC in summer – and for its enormous, verdant Teide National Park, an active volcano where you can take a cable car to the top and walk into the crater.
La Laguna is worth a visit at any time of the year – read about its attractions here.
Pollença, Mallorca
A paradise of culture and nature, the biggest of the Balearic Islands is home to caves with underground lakes formed over millions of years, quaint and floral villages famed for being artists' colonies, stately architecture in its capital, Palma, and excellent shopping.
Don't miss a trip to Deià, long-term home to World War I veteran and famous novelist Robert Graves – his daughter, Lucía, translated prolific author Carlos Ruiz Zafón's works into English – and where cafés and bars were frequented by painters and writers for decades.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com