As this will be our first Easter in Spain, can anyone advise on shopping. When will shops close? We don't want to be left without food and gin.

Have looked up local events and looking forward to them.

Normally the shops close on Jueves Santo and Viernes Santo, open again on the Saturday and of course Easter Monday is not a holiday here.

All my neighbours (and me!) have been busy repainting the outside of our houses as is traditional in preparation for Semana Santa. Here, things kick off with midnight, silent, candlelight procession down the hill past my house this Friday night, taking one of the images of Jesus on the Cross from it's usual home in the Semana Santa Museum to the marquee where the trono is put together and decorated ready for the procession. Work has been going on all week to put up the marquees all over town where the various tronos are prepared. I hope the weather is as kind as last year as so many times the processions have to be cut short or cancelled altogether due to rain, which is such a shame after so much work goes into them.

There is rain due next week, typical, no rain for months and then along it comes to ruin (possibly) Semana Santa. things change

At least if it rains in Semana Santa the number of processions during the week at least gives the chance of one day with sun - and to be honest they all look the same. With one off festivals and events all can be ruined with one day of rain.

I would advise going to your local supermarket and stocking up with food and gin for a few days as its public holiday time around Easter, which means beach and church time as well as procession time.

I've just read an article in Sur in English saying that one of the religious brotherhoods in Coin has cancelled their Semana Santa procession after finding out that their trono would require expensive repair work, and has decided to donate the 4,000€ they would have spent on flowers and a band to 3 local families who are in financial difficulties instead. In two cases this will avoid them being evicted.

What a marvellous gesture - I wonder why, in these desperate circumstances for a lot of families, more brotherhoods don't follow their example. It does seem rather obscene and not very Christian to be spending so much on a public spectacle when so many are without work and losing their homes. They could still have the processions, just cut back on the extras like costumes, flowers, etc.

Lynn R - thanks for that.

If the forum had a LIKE button.....

wouldn't that be good


it does have a karma one though................

Our Easter fairground is ready to roll, starting tomorrow. Several petrol stations have run dry with people stocking up (just like the UK).

Just a simple note: Easter Monday is festivo in Baleares, Cataluña, Comunidad Valenciana, Navarra and País Vasco.

Thanks - I never knew that! Everything is open as normal here in Andalucia on Easter Monday.

Arrived in malaga last wednesday. The schdule was strict because Semena Santa was arriving and my partner company will be closed for several days for the holiday. Succesfully fullfilled my business duties yet got stuck in Malaga till next Tuesday ( thanks to Turkish airlines flight schedule)

It sounds good to be having a mandatory holiday for few days in Malaga, especially when there is a once in a year event.

But guess what; i dont speak a word of Spanish. I have spent 2 evenings since my arrival walking around downtown and noticed that i was not able to communicate with many of the locals properly. (language barrier LOL, what are the odds that they will understand Turkish)

Previously i have been to Germany, Italy and Austria in Europe; but first time in Spain. i was expecting more people to be speaking Engish since Malaga is a touristic city.

To be honest i am quite upset about that, but slowly recovering from the initial shock. And trying to see the positive side, i can absolutely get used to this siesta thing

A minus for me i guess is that i look totally mediterranean, so people expect me to speak Spanish.

In few hours i will hit the road again for tonights "tapaing" (tapaer?)

Anyways; i am looking forward for Semena Santa.

Antalya - Semana Santa gets underway on Sunday with one procession in the morning then several in the evening.

See here

Enjoy!

Thanks for the advice but i dont know where the underway is. Can it be the channel passing in front of my hotel. if it is that i am quite luck since my rooms window is up to that.

The link has a map, if you can recognise where your hotel is on it.