Discover how to spend Easter in Madrid like a local

Holy Week runs from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. Whilst this is obviously a religious festival, it’s also a holiday time when Madrileños get together with friends and family and have a party. For international visitors, Easter in Madrid is an amazing time to come and explore and enjoy the city’s landmark attractions, art, bars and restaurants – and really get an insight into the culture of this beautiful city.

Semana Santa and Madrid in Easter time reflect the strong Roman Catholic traditions in the country – but in the capital, the bars and clubs are as full as ever and shops remain open as usual. Quite simply, Easter in Madrid is a revelation for anyone who loves holidays in Spain and is on the hunt for an authentic cultural experience. As Holy Week in Madrid also draws a flock of national visitors from around the country, book your hotel in Madrid now as things fill up really early on. Once you’ve got your accommodation sorted, check out our round-up of ten exciting things to see and do in Madrid at Easter

From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, Madrid fills to the brim as people come in their thousands to the parades, either steadily walking their saints through the city’s decorated streets or watching the many different Easter processions from the side-lines. The scene is a sea of bright religious costumes. The atmosphere vibrates with the pounding of feet, drums, and trumpets accompanying each parade that commemorates the Passion and death of Jesus Christ. The numerous church brotherhoods that take part in and lead the processions prepare all year for this special event – and it shows. The biggest draw is the famous Cristo de Medinaceli procession, which takes place on Good Friday. It sets off from the parish of Jesús de Medinaceli and wends its way through all the main streets of the city. The many other holy processions that also take place on Good Friday include the Jesús Nazareno ‘el pobre’, Alabarderos, and the procession of silence. For visitors from overseas, the procession of silence can be the most extraordinary experience as brotherhoods and worshippers all walk in silence. It’s also an extremely moving sight.

Don’t fancy following the crowds to the city’s major monuments this Easter? Then it is time to explore Madrid’s coolest neighbourhoods. Start in Lavapiés, the city’s most multicultural district, where street art, indie galleries and pop-up food spots come together in a kaleidoscope of colour and creativity. Sip vermouth in tucked-away plazas, browse books at the famous bookshop Librería La Fugitiva, or check out an exhibition at La Casa Encendida. Head next to Malasaña, the beating heart of Madrid’s hipster scene. This barrio blends vintage stores, concept cafés and bars that stay open till sunrise. If you’re after something a little more laid-back, Barrio de las Letras charms with its inscribed streets, bohemian energy and rich literary history. It’s the perfect place to wander, tapas-hop and soak up the city like a local.

The array of special sweet and savoury traditional dishes rolled out, especially for Easter make Semana Santa extremely appealing to foodies. The star attraction served up in bars and restaurants across Madrid is the torrija, a sweet treat made from bread soaked in milk and beaten eggs sprinkled with cinnamon, then fried and sprinkled with sugar. As you might expect, it looks and tastes a lot like French toast. Many venues put their own special twist on this Spanish Easter food. If you fancy a boozy version, you can sink your teeth into torrijas with Baileys, rum, vodka or bourbon at Vait Pastelerías, or go traditional and eat them at La Casa de las Torrijas, one of the city’s oldest taverns. Too sweet? Savoury delights for Easter include Soldaditos de Pavía (crispy fried chunks of cod), and potaje de garbanzas (chickpea stew), as well as stunning medleys of tapas dishes.

For those who want to experience religious Easter services during Semana Santa, many of which feature special sacred music, the major cathedrals and churches, including the Almudena Cathedral, Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Atocha, the Parish Church of Santa Cruz and the Pontifical Basilica of San Miguel, are among the major centres for the Madrid mass during Easter. Whatever your beliefs, this is a time to marvel at the city’s magnificent ecclesiastical architecture and all churches big and small are beautifully adorned in honour of Easter in Madrid.

Soccer is hands down the most popular spectator sport in Madrid- and, for dedicated followers of the beautiful game, it’s a form of religion. Any Brit who dreams of ‘bending it like Beckham’ will want to make a bee-line for the hallowed ground of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home to Real Madrid FC. Whilst you can buy tickets on the day of the game, it pays to book in advance for the major matches. Do so directly from the stadium rather than from ticket offices that charge higher prices. If your Semana Santa trip doesn’t time with an actual game, at least take a tour of the stadium’s museum, which proudly celebrates Real Madrid’s seven European Cup triumphs.

With so many venues to choose from, it’s a case of figuring out the style and vibe you’re after, whether you’re looking for a relaxed hideaway to quietly sip your rioja or party places with live bands and DJs to make a night of it before heading back to your hotel in the early hours. One thing’s for sure – gorgeous tapas are on tap in most bars, which means a bar crawl can double up as a tapas tour. This can also be combined with a visit to one of the city’s top flamenco venues for a real taste of Spain.

Art lovers, don’t miss out! Easter in Madrid isn’t only about processions and pageantry—it’s also an ideal moment to explore the city’s exceptional art museums, which remain open throughout this seasonal period. At the Prado, works by Velázquez and Goya take on added resonance during this reflective time of year, while the Thyssen and Reina Sofía offer equally enticing works of art from Renaissance altarpieces to bold modernist canvases. It’s a contemplative way to experience Madrid’s cultural heritage, away from the noise of the streets yet deeply connected to the season’s spirit.

Get a fix of Spanish regal history at The Royal Palace of Madrid. This stunning baroque dream of a palace with 3,418 opulently gilded rooms, is the official home of the Spanish Royal Family. However, they actually reside at the Palace of Zarzuela and this is used for state ceremonies only. Here, you can peruse the vast Royal Collections of art, artefacts and sculptures, including paintings by artists from Goya to Velázquez, and the Royal Armoury of Madrid’s collection of fine porcelain, furniture. You’ll also see the world’s only complete Stradivarius string quintet. Or if majestic ships float your boat, step inside the glory days of the Spanish Armada at The Naval Museum during your Easter celebrations in Madrid.

Ready to chill out and smell the blossom? Take a stroll through the beautiful 21.5-acre park of La Quinta de los Molinos, situated in the El Salvador district. Here, you’ll find a charming lake and fountains, but the biggest treat is to walk amongst the almond trees that, in springtime, burst into a flurry of pink and white flowers and give off a gorgeous heady scent. Just in time for Semana Santa. Pack a picnic and enjoy the tranquillity – it’s a secret gem.

While some smaller boutiques may close their doors during some of the key Easter procession days, the main thoroughfares of the shopping hub that is Gran Via, and Serrano – home to a wealth of international and luxury designer brands – are ready and waiting for you. If bargain hunting is top of your shopping wishlist, head to Las Rozas Village, an outlet shopping centre situated on the outskirts of the city, easily accessed via a regular bus service. Bag some Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana and labels galore at prices you’ll love, just be aware that bus services might be slightly limited during Semana Santa.