Blog

Easter is considered one of the most important religious holidays of the year in many parts of the world, and Barcelona is no exception. Holy Week celebrations run from March 29th to April 5th, offering a full 8 days of traditional events, cultural activities and festive atmosphere for those lucky enough to be in the city during this special time.

While many locals choose to leave Barcelona at Easter and head to small coastal towns for a relaxing break, visitors staying in the city can enjoy a wide range of Holy Week processions and indulge in delicious seasonal cuisine. Plus, with pleasant spring weather and quieter streets, Barcelona becomes the perfect destination for an Easter getaway. So whether you’re looking to take part in the city’s traditional celebrations or simply explore Barcelona and soak up its stunning views — including some of the most beautiful churches and cathedrals in the world — don’t hesitate to visit during Holy Week in Barcelona.

Holy Week Processions

The city of Barcelona is well known for hosting major festivals and sporting events. Although Easter celebrations here may not rival those in other Spanish cities such as Seville, famous for its grand and deeply moving processions, the Easter traditions in Barcelona certainly won’t disappoint.

The first parade of the Easter celebrations in Barcelona is known as “El Paso de la Borriquita” and takes place on Palm Sunday at the Parish Church of Sant Agustí, in the Raval district, commemorating Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem riding a donkey. Throughout the procession, you’ll find street stalls selling white palm leaves to be blessed as part of this traditional celebration. The parade also features a procession of floats and participants dressed in traditional costumes making their way through the neighbourhood’s streets.

Following this first celebration, a full week of processions devoted to Jesus takes place across the city, especially in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter and along iconic spots such as Las Ramblas. The procession of the Virgin of La Macarena is usually held on Good Friday, which this year falls on April 3rd. The exact starting time and location have yet to be confirmed, but in previous years it has begun at around 4:00 pm at Barcelona Cathedral, following processions and family-friendly activities held outside the cathedral. Whether you’re religious or simply interested in local traditions, Easter processions in Barcelona offer a unique cultural experience that shouldn’t be missed.

Easter Gifts

Easter traditions vary around the world, and gift-giving customs are no exception. If you’re spending your holiday in Barcelona at this time of year, you’ll notice that the traditional gift here is the Mona de Pascua — a beautifully decorated cake topped with chocolate eggs or figurines, traditionally given by godparents to their godchildren. Nowadays, these cakes come in all shapes and styles: some feature chocolate creations, marzipan, or even popular character figures — but one thing’s for sure, they’re all absolutely delicious!

Easter Traditions in Barcelona

As Barcelona is a predominantly Catholic city, many locals still observe the tradition of abstaining from meat on Good Friday. Instead, they follow the traditional Easter custom of eating fish. Typical dishes enjoyed across the city on Good Friday include cod with chickpeas, cod with potatoes and salted cod prepared in a variety of ways.

At the same time, Barcelona’s bakeries, pastry shops and chocolatiers prepare some of the most delicious seasonal treats of the year. That’s why Easter Monday is such a highly anticipated day for those who have given up sweets during Lent. Some of these traditional Easter cakes and desserts include bunyols (sweet fritters), torrijas (Spanish-style French toast), Roscas de Pascua, pestiños and, of course, the iconic Mona de Pascua.

We highly recommend visiting the Chocolate Museum in El Born, one of the city’s most iconic chocolate attractions, where you can admire an incredible exhibition of chocolate sculptures!

Apartments in Barcelona for Easter

Whether you choose to rent one of the many apartments in Barcelona in Ciutat Vella or prefer to stay near Las Ramblas or in the historic Gothic Quarter, you’ll be just steps away from the city’s main parades and Holy Week processions. You’ll also have plenty of bakeries and restaurants nearby serving traditional Easter dishes, meaning you won’t miss a single moment of the celebrations taking place across Barcelona.

The Holy Week processions in Barcelona are a truly unique experience you won’t find anywhere else. And it would be a real shame not to try the city’s delicious Easter treats, especially the traditional Mona de Pascua. So if you haven’t booked your flights and a cosy apartment for the week yet, don’t wait any longer — come and experience the unforgettable Easter traditions in Barcelona!