In 2026, Easter in Spain falls on April 5. For Ukrainians living or traveling in Spain, this is a great opportunity to get acquainted with one of the most spectacular religious traditions in Europe - the Spanish Semana Santa.
When is Easter in Spain in 2026?
Catholic Easter in 2026 is celebrated April 5. The main week of celebrations is Holy Week — begins on Sunday, March 29 and continues until Easter Sunday, April 5.
Important dates:
- March 29 — Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday)
- April 2 — Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday)
- April 3 — Viernes Santo (Good Friday) is an official holiday in Spain.
- April 5 — Domingo de Resurrección (Resurrection Sunday)
For Ukrainians: Orthodox Easter in 2026 falls on April 12 — the week after the Catholic one.
What is Semana Santa and why is it worth seeing?
Semana Santa is not just a religious holiday, but a large-scale cultural phenomenon, included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Millions of tourists come to Spain every year precisely for the street processions.
Brotherhoods (cofradías) take heavy sculptural compositions to the streets — steps — with images of Christ and the Virgin Mary. The bearers — costaleros — can carry a structure weighing over 5 tons in the heat and to the music of a brass band.
Best cities for Semana Santa 2026
Seville — the recognized capital of Semana Santa. Processions here last 24 hours, and the city turns into a continuous spectacle. Tickets and hotels should be booked now.
Malaga — the second largest. A special atmosphere thanks to the warm climate and the central street Calle Larios.
Valladolid — is distinguished by its strict Castilian style of processions and is considered the oldest tradition in the country.
Cartagena — is unique in that it preserves the Roman traditions of the procession, whose participants are dressed in tunics.
Barcelona and Valencia — less religious, but also hold processions and events for tourists.
Traditional Easter food in Spain
During Semana Santa, Spaniards observe certain food traditions, primarily abstaining from meat on Friday.
Cod (cod) is the main Easter dish. It is served fried, with potatoes, or in tomato sauce.
Torrijas — the Spanish equivalent of French croutons: bread soaked in milk and egg, fried and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. Sold in every bakery from March to April.
Easter Girl — a traditional cake with a boiled or chocolate egg in the center, typical of Catalonia and the Mediterranean coast.
Pestinos — honey doughnuts, typical of Andalusia.
Are shops and transport open during Semana Santa?
Good Friday (April 3) — official day off at the national level. In many regions, Maundy Thursday is also a holiday. Shops, banks, and government institutions are closed.
Transport is operating on a festive schedule. In large cities, the metro and buses are operating, but with restrictions due to streets being closed for processions.
Ukrainians and Easter in Spain: two holidays side by side
For the Ukrainian community in Spain, April 2026 is special: Catholic Easter on April 5 and Orthodox Easter on April 12 follow one another. This is a rare opportunity to join Spanish traditions and at the same time celebrate Easter according to their own customs — with paska, krashanky, and kutteya.
Many Ukrainian families in Spain already combine both traditions: they go to watch the Semana Santa processions, and a week later they set the festive table in Ukrainian style.
Useful to know before Semana Santa 2026
- Book accommodation in Seville and Malaga in advance — during Semana Santa prices increase 2–3 times
- Wear comfortable shoes - the processions last for hours
- The city center is being closed: plan your routes in advance
- If you have children, reserve a spot on the fences in advance, as the crowd gathers quickly.
To the topic: Want to learn more about Spanish Easter traditions, regional customs and dishes? Read our article Easter in Spain: traditions and celebrations.