Semana Santa starts long before it begins
If you think Almuñécar is just sun, beaches and chiringuitos, Semana Santa will change your mind. The week before Easter, the streets will fill with people watching the impressive processions, shaped by months of preparation.
Long before the first procession, you start to see and feel it. In the evenings, groups practice in small squares and drums echo from garages. Conversations on terraces stop being about work or weather and turn to who will participate this year, who will watch and who will be there.
Sometimes the build-up already tells you everything you need to know. And yes, there are no real pictures of Semana Santa itself in this blog yet. That will come next time….
Months of preparation for just one week
At the heart of Semana Santa in Almuñécar are the brotherhoods, or cofradías. They are close-knit groups of people working toward a shared goal. Not symbolically and physically.
Carrying the large floats (pasos) requires strength, discipline and trust. The extremely heavy floats are carried by costaleros. They train for months, learning rhythm, movement and how to respond to brief commands beneath the weight. When dozens of people carry something heavy together, coordination is essential.
Throughout the year, local events help raise money for Semana Santa — for flowers, costumes and the details that make each procession possible. As early as May they already start raising money with the Fiesta de la Cruz, which we’ll write about in a separate blog later on. We were there last year, and the atmosphere in town was incredibly lively.
More than 10 brotherhoods actively take part in the processions in Almuñécar. The full schedule is usually released about a month in advance. You can choose whether to watch during the day or in the evening, there’s always something going on. You can usually find the schedule here.
Young and old together
One of the most memorable moments for ourselves showed just how deeply this tradition lives on.
We passed a spot where groups of young adults, around their twenties, were gathered late in the evening in January. A large warehouse door stood open, it was dark inside, a line formed, and for a moment we wondered what was happening. Briefly, we even assumed it might be something questionable like drugs or an illegal party.
Then a procession came out of the big door. Young people practicing how to carry a float, quietly and focused. Surrounded by their friends, because they all wanted to be there, to watch and to support.
That moment stayed with us, we were so surprised to see that also young people are excited to participate . Watching them practice, surrounded by friends, was lovely to see. A tradition that has been around for centuries and is still passed on generation after generation.
Streets filled with people
What makes Semana Santa in Almuñécar so spectacular is the atmosphere. Terraces stay busy until late into the evening. Families fill the streets and children stay out past their usual bedtime. People move chairs aside, make room and strike up conversations.
A religious background is not necessary to be able to appreciate Semana Santa. Many people are there simply because it feels good to be part of it. You move from procession to terrace, from one conversation to the next. Almost everyone knows someone involved in a procession, which makes it personal.
A week that draws people to Almuñécar
Every year, Semana Santa brings thousands of visitors to Almuñécar. Families return specifically for this week, hotels fill up and restaurants are packed. However it never feels too busy or overwhelming.
That balance is perhaps the most impressive part. Despite the crowds, the atmosphere remains calm and respectful. People wait, help each other and make space. You’re not watching from the sidelines, you’re standing right there in it.
Almuñécar is more than sun and sea
During Semana Santa, Almuñécar reveals a different side. Less focused on tourism, more focused on community, and for that reason, the town is even more appealing. This is the sense of community that drew us to buy a home here and share this feeling with our guests.
Those who have experienced it once, often see the town differently afterwards. Not because of religion, but because of the feeling of being part of something bigger.
Do you want to experience this yourself just take a look at our website or check Villa Bugambilla’s availability here. You can also read more blogs on what to do in the area in our blog-section.