Everything you need to know about Semana Santa 2024 in Granada and the lecrin valley

Semana Santa is one of the most profound and deep-rooted holidays celebrated in Spain. This commemoration has centuries of history and tradition as it remembers the passion and death of Jesus Christ. The celebration takes place in the week leading up to Easter Sunday; this year, that falls between March 24th and 31st.

If you are planning to visit the Lecrin Valley and Granada City over the Easter holiday this year, you should try to see at least one of the processions.

These solemn parades awaken all your senses: with poignant music performed by marching brass bands, the smell of heady incense, and the unforgettable sight of hundreds of “penitents” dressed in identical hooded robes, topped with a pointed wizard’s hat.

For an unbeatable atmosphere and setting, it’s well worth visiting the centre of Granada. During the Holy Week a total of 32 groups participate in sacred processions.

Ornately decorated floats with life-size depictions of Jesus and the Virgin Mary are carried around the most emblematic sites of the city on the shoulders of a bunch of burly men and strong women.

Each procession has its own route, which you can take a look at on the links we have included below. There’s also a handy little book you can buy from any newspaper kiosk which gives you the precise times so you can plan to be at strategic points. Despite the crowds, it’s extra special to see the procession in the narrow streets of the Albaicín, the Alhambra, around the Cathedral or in the Sacromonte district.

processions in the lecrin valley

If you want to see a major procession without going into the city of Granada, we recommend going on the evening of Good Friday to Padul, just 15 minutes from most of the Lecrin Valley villages. Here everything is condensed into one night, with a large number of floats passing through the town’s streets. It’s also easy to park, get a good view and find a nice terrace for a drink and tapas while you wait.

Each of our villages in the Lecrin Valley has its own procession, which despite being lower key than those in the city, are much more intimate. Everyone is welcome to join in the parades of Jesus and Mary around the village, and regardless of your faith, it’s impossible not to be moved as you walk with good friends and neighbours to the sound of the trumpets and drums.

Key granada city processions not to be missed

Below we have listed the most representative processions in Granada and, to help your planning, we have also copied the links to the complete program per day and per district with Itineraries and Schedules.

On the night of Holy Wednesday, the passage of the Cristo de los Gitanos takes place. It’s truly spectacular as immense bonfires are lit in the caves and homes of Sacromonte to honour the procession as it passes in the early hours of the morning.
Thursday is the procession of the Holy Christ of Mercy (the Silence). This one is unique as there is no band, the silence only broken by the eery beating of a single drum.
Good Friday is when the Albaicín is filled with colour. The Soledad de San Jerónimo, is one of the oldest processions, it’s a very colourful procession in which living characters appear representing historical figures from the Bible. On the same day is the Santísimo Cristo de los Favores, from the neighbourhood of Realejo and the Santa María de la Alhambra which originates from the very heart of the Alhambra.
Easter Sunday closes Holy Week in Granada with the procession of the “facundillos” with children carrying clay lanterns (facundillos) that tinkle continuously.