Where to See Velez-Malaga’s Semana Santa
Holy Week or Semana Santa is a huge celebration throughout Andalucia. The pageantry which takes place is something that takes a lot of dedication, practice and faith.
It’s a dramatic, and frequently very moving spectacle. Incense fills the streets and marching bands follow huge heavy effigies (tronos) of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary carried by members of cofradias (brotherhoods/associations) around town.
In 2026, Semana Santa is from Sunday March 29 – Sunday April 5
To help you catch the best moments, here’s our guide to where to see Semana Santa in Velez-Malaga…
Palm Sunday
Procession: Pollinica y Rocio
Floats: Virgin Mary and Jesus depicting Jesus’s arrival into Jerusalem
Route: Mercado San Francisco, Plaza San Francisco, Poeta Joaquin Lobato, Virgen de la Paz, Paseo Nuevo, Sevilla, escalerilla de San Juan, Plaza de la Constitucion, Las Tiendas, Salvador Rueda, Plaza San Juan de Dios, Juan Bautista Hurtado, Las Tiendas, Feliz Lomas, Alcalde Jose Herrera, Plaza Reyes Catolicos, Canalejas, Plaza de las Carmelitas, Luis de Rute, Poeta Joaquin Lobato, Mercado de San Francisco.
Departs: 17.00hrs
Terminates: 22.20hrs (approx.)
Where to See it: Leaving Mercado de San Francisco and Plaza San Juan de Dios. Thing to look out for in 2026 the canope over the virgin is new.
Tuesday
Procession: Ecce Homo
Floats: Virgin Mary and Jesus
Route: Iglesia de San Jose, Plaza Ecce-Homo, Rafael Alberti, Clavel, Avda. Vivar Tellez, Plaza San Roque, Capuchinos, Plaza del Trabajo, Lope de Vega, La Carrera, Paseo Nuevo, Sevilla, Escalerilla de San Juan, Plaza Constitucion, La Tiendas, Feliz Lomas, Alcalde Jose Herrera, Plaza Reyes Catolicos, Canalejas, Plaza de las Carmelitas, Cristo, Avda. Vivar Tellez, Clavel, R. Alberti, Plaza Ecce-Homo.
Departs: 16.15hrs
Terminates: 00.15hrs (approx.)
Where to See it: At the end when the float is placed in its ‘home’ at around 00.15hrs. Recognise this procession by the red and blue tunics, white cape and crowns of thorns.
Credit: Gonzalo de Quinta
Procession: Dolores
Float: Virgin Mary made in 1750 by D. Luis Garcia y Quero
Route: Calle la Carrera, Paseo Nuevo, Sevilla, Escalerilla de San Juan, Plaza de la Constitucion, Las Tiendas, Salvador Rueda, Plaza San Juan de Dios, Juan Bautista Hurtado, Las Tiendas, Felix Lomas, Alcalde Jose Herrera, Plaza Reyes Catolicos, Canalejas, Plaza Reyes Catolicos, Romero Pozo, Paseo Nuevo, La Carrera.
Departs: 18.00hrs
Terminates: 23.45hrs
Where to See it: In Plaza Carmelitas when it meets Coronado de Espinas. This is the heart of Velez Semana Santa and where the dignitaries sit. Although not always the most atmospheric place. Recognise this brotherhood by there all black tunics and purple capes.
Procession: Coronado de Espinas
Float: Jesus
Route: Paseo de Andalucia, Plaza Reyes Catolicos, Reñidero, Plaza las Indias, Calle Arroyo, Salvador Rueda, Plaza San Juan de Dios, Juan Bautista Hurtado, Las Tiendas, Feliz Lomas, Alcalde Jose Herrera, Plaza Reyes Catolicos, Canalejas, Plaza Carmelitas, Utera, Canalejas, Plaza Reyes Catolicos, Paseo de Andalucia
Departs: 18.55hrs
Terminates: 00.50hrs (approx.)
Where to See it: Climbing the hill a Calle Arroyo or in Plaza Carmelitas where it meets the virgin.
Wednesday
Procession: Sentencia
Float: Jesus with Pontius Pilate
Route: San Isidro, Reñidero, Fresca, Plaza de las Indias, Las Tiendas, Felix Lomas, Alcalde Jose Herrera, Plaza Reyes Catolicos, Canalejas, Plaza de las Carmelitas, Romero Pozo, Paseo Nuevo, Sevilla, Escalerilla de San Juan, Plaza de la Constitucion, Tiendas, Plaza de las Indias, Fresca, Reñidero, San Isidro.
Departs: 20.30hrs
Terminates: 01.25hrs (approx.)
Where to See it: Plaza de las Carmelitas or Calle de las Tiendas going onto Felix Lomas (it’s a 90degree corner). Recognise them by their blood read tunis and white capes.
Procession: Huerto y Desamparados
Floats: Virgin Mary (dates to 17th century) and Jesus. The head of the Jesus is from the 1800s, the body was destroyed during the Civil War in 1939.
Route: Mercado de San Francisco, Poeta J. Lobato, Virgen de la Paz, Paseo Nuevo, Sevilla, Esc. San Juan, Plaza de la Constitucion, Las Tiendas, Salvador Rueda, Plaza San Juan de Dios, Juan B. Hurtado, Las Tiendas, Felix Lomas, Alc. Jose Herrera, Reyes Catolicos, Canalejas, Plaza de las Carmelitas, Luis de Rute, Calle Poeta Joaquin Lobato, Mercado de San Francisco.
Departs: 18.40hrs
Terminates: 00.40hrs
Where to See it: Calle Poeta Joaquin Lobato, there is often a saeta (devotional religious a capela song) sung for the Virgin as the procession passes or the descent from Calle Juan Bautista Hurtado or in Plaza de la Constitucion.
Procession: Medinaceli y Magdalena
Float: Jesus and a Saint
Route: Iglesia San Juan, Plaza de la Constitucion, Las Tiendas, Salvador Rueda, Plaza San Juan de Dios, Juan Bautista Hurtado, Las Tiendas, Felix Lomas, Alcalde Jose Herrera, Plaza Reyes Catolicos, Canalejas, Plaza de las Carmelitas, Romero Pozo, Paseo Nuevo, Sevilla, Escalerilla de San Juan, Plaza de la Constitucion.
Departs: 20.55hrs
Terminates: 01.45hrs (approx.)
Where to See it: Plaza San Juan de Dios
Maundy Thursday – The Last Supper
Procession: Pobre y Esperanza
Floats: Jesus and Virgin Mary
Route: C/ Pablo Picasso, Cristo, Plaza de las Carmelitas, Romero Pozo, Paseo Nuevo, Sevilla, Escalerillas de San Juan, Plaza de la Constitucion, Las Tiendas, Salvador Rueda, Félix Lomas, Alcalde Jose Herrera, Plaza Reyes Catolicos, Canalejas, Plaza de las Carmelitas, Cristo, Cervantes, Enrique Van Dulken, Picasso.
Departs: 16.25hrs
Terminates: 21.50hrs
Where to See it: Plaza de las Carmelitas
Also on Thursday there is a display from The Regulares at 18.30hrs in Plaza de Las Carmelitas – TBC
Procession: Gran Poder y Amargura
Floats: Virgin Mary and Jesus
Route: Cofrade Juan Acosta, Plaza San Juan de Dios, Juan Bautista Hurtado, Las Tiendas, Felix Lomas, Alcalde Jose Herrera, Plaza Reyes Catolicos, Canalejas, Plaza de las Carmelitas, Romero Pozo, Paseo Nuevo, Sevilla, Escalerilla de San Juan, Plaza de la Constitucion, Las Tiendas, Salvador Rueda, Plaza San Juan de Dios.
Departs: 18.45hrs
Terminates: 23.50hrs (approx.)
Where to See it: Plaza San Juan de Dios
Procession: Estudiantes
Floats: Jesus and Mary
Route: Casa Hermandad Cl. San Francisco, Escalerilla de San Juan, Plaza de la Constitucion, Las Tiendas, Salvador Rueda, Plaza San Juan de Dios, Juan Bautista Hurtado, Arroyo, Plaza de las Indias, Fresca, Reñidero, San Isidro, Plaza San Julian, Martillo, Las Tiendas, Felix Lomas, Alcalde Jose Herrera, Plaza Reyes Catolicos, Canalejas, Plaza de las Carmelitas, Romero Pozo, Magdalena, San Juan, Escalerilla de San Juan, Calle San Francisco, Casa Hermandad.
Departs: 19.15hrs
Terminates: 23.45hrs (approx.)
Where to See it: Marching up Cuesta del Carmen or Calle de las Tiendas. Recognise them by their brown tunics
Procession: Humildad y Paz
Floats: Virgin Mary and Jesus
Route: Mercado de San Francisco, Poeta Joaquin Lobato, Virgen de la Paz, Paseo Nuevo, Sevilla, Plaza de la Constitucion, Las Tiendas, Salvador Rueda, Plaza San Juan de Dios, Juan Bautista Hurtado, Las Tiendas, Felix Lomas, Alcalde Jose Herrera, Plaza Reyes Catolicos, Canalejas, Plaza de las Carmelitas, Luis de Rute, Poeta Joaquin Lobato, Mercado de San Francisco.
Departs: 18.45hrs
Terminates: 01.10hrs (approx.)
Where to See it: Mercado de San Fransisco or Plaza de la Constitucion
Procession: Rico y Piedad
Floats: Virgin Mary and Jesus (The Regulares accompany this brotherhood)
The Regulares
The Regulares are elite light infantry units of the Spanish Army, historically composed of indigenous Moroccan soldiers officered by Spaniards. Established in 1911 in North Africa, they are the most decorated unit in Spanish military history, renowned for their role in the Spanish Civil War and currently stationed in Ceuta and Melilla. Founded in 1911, what makes them stand out during parades is their striking North African – influenced dress: red fezzes, flowing white cloaks, and brightly colored sashes. Unlike the Legion, they march at a slower, more deliberate pace, creating an elegant and distinctive visual contrast that draws plenty of attention from tourists.
Route: Plaza del Carmen, Romero Pozo, Paseo Nuevo, Sevilla, Escalerilla de San Juan, Plaza de la Constitucion, Las Tiendas, Salvador Rueda, Plaza San Juan de Dios, Juan Bautista Hurtado, Las Tiendas, Felix Lomas, Alcalde José Herrera, Plaza Reyes Catolicos, Canalejas, Plaza de las Carmelitas, Romero Pozo, Plaza del Carmen
Departs: 20.00hrs
Terminates: 01.25hrs (approx.)
Where to See it: Try not to miss this procession, it’s rather special with the Regulares. See it on Calle de los Tiendas or Climbing up the Cuesta del Carmen at the end of the procession
Good Friday – Crucifixion
The Spanish Legion won’t be visiting Velez this Friday.
Procession: Vigias
Floats: Virgin Mary and Jesus
Route: Iglesia San Juan Bautista, Escalerilla de San Juan, Plaza de la Constitucion, Tiendas, Salvador Rueda, Plaza San Juan de Dios, Juan Bautista Hurtado, Tiendas, Felix Lomas, Alcalde Jose Herrera, Plaza Reyes Catolicos, Canalejas, Plaza de las Carmelitas, Paseo Nuevo, Calle Sevilla, Escalerilla San Juan, Iglesia San Juan.
Departs: 18.30hrs
Terminates: 23.05hrs (approx.)
Where to See it: It’s return to Iglesia de San Juan Bautista
Procession: Amor y Caridad
Floats: Virgin Mary and Jesus
Route: Mercado de San Francisco, Poeta Joaquin Lobato, Virgen de la Paz, Paseo Nuevo, Sevilla, Escalerilla de San Juan, Plaza de la Constitucion, Las Tiendas, Salvador Rueda, Plaza San Juan de Dios, Juan Bautista Hurtado, Las Tiendas, Felix Lomas, Alcalde José Herrera, Plaza Reyes Catolicos, Canalejas, Plaza de las Carmelitas, Luis de Rute, Poeta Joaquin Lobato, Mercado de San Francisco.
Departs: 18.10hrs
Terminates: 23.45 hrs (approx.)
Where to See it: Plaza San Juan de Dios or leaving Mercado de San Fransisco.
Procession: Cristo del Mar y Penas
Floats: Virgin Mary and Jesus
Route: Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, Escalerilla de San Juan, Plaza de la Constitucion, Las Tiendas, Salvador Rueda, Plaza San Juan de Dios, Juan Bautista Hurtado, Las Tiendas, Felix Lomas, Alcalde Jose Herrera, Plaza Reyes Catolicos, Canalejas, Plaza de las Carmelitas, Romero Pozo, Paseo Nuevo, Calle Sevilla, Escalerilla de San Juan, Iglesia de San Juan.
Departs: 20.05hrs
Terminates: 1.30hrs (approx.)
Where to See it: Escalerilla de San Juan. Recognise them by black tunic, red capirote (pointy hat) and white cape.
Credit: Gonzalo De Quinta
Procession: Angustias Coronada
Float: Virgin Mary with Jesus in her arms
Route: Iglesia de San Juan, Plaza de la Constitucion, Tiendas, Salvador Rueda, Plaza San Juan de Dios, Juan Bautista Hurtado, Tiendas, Félix Lomas, Canalejas, Plaza de las Carmelitas, Romero Pozo, Paseo Nuevo, Sevilla, Escalerilla de San Juan, Iglesia San Juan Bautista.
Departs: 20.55hrs
Terminates: 02.05hrs (approx.)
Where to See it: Plaza San Juan de Dios.
Spanish Legion (La Legión) usually joins this procession but in 2026 they can’t.
Created in 1920 as an elite volunteer force, the Spanish Legion quickly became known for its discipline, intensity, and strong identity. During Semana Santa – especially in Málaga – they are a major highlight. For visitors, the spectacle lies in their energy: a rapid marching pace, synchronized movements, and a powerful atmosphere that feels both ceremonial and emotionally charged. Their presence adds a dramatic, unforgettable edge to the celebrations.
Procession: Sepulcro
Float: Jesus in a gold coffin
Route: Iglesia de San Juan, Plaza de la Constitucion, Las Tiendas, Salvador Rueda, Plaza San Juan de Dios, Juan Bautista Hurtado, Las Tiendas, Felix Lomas, Alcade Jose Herrera, Plaza Reyes Catolicos, Canalejas, Plaza de Las Carmelitas, Romero Pozo, Paseo Nuevo, Sevilla, Escalerilla de San Juan, Igelisia de San Juan Bautista.
Departs: 22.10hrs
Terminates: 03.10hrs (approx.)
Where to See it: Leaving the Iglesia de San Juan with all the lights out at 22.10hrs.
Saturday – Early hours of Saturday Morning
Procession: Soledad
Float: Virgin Mary
Route: Iglesia de San Francisco, Plaza San Francisco, San Francisco, Escalerilla de San Juan, Plaza de la Constitucion, Las Tiendas, Felix Lomas, Alcalde Jose Herrera, Pilarillo, Canalejas, Plaza de las Carmelitas, Luis de Rute, Poeta Joaquin Lobato, Plaza San Francisco.
Departs: 01.00hrs
Terminates: 03.35hrs (approx.)
Where to See it: Arguably the most moving of all the processions yet the smallest, this is our favourite of the week – La Soledad. Get to Plaza San Francisco at 1.10 in the morning and experience a beautiful candlelit performance.
Easter Sunday – The Resurrection
Procession: Resucitado
Floats: Virgin Mary and Jesus
Route: Camino Viejo de Malaga, Camino de Malaga, Cristo, Plaza de las Carmelitas, Romero Pozo, Paseo Nuevo, Sevilla, Escalerilla, de San Juan, Plaza de la Constitucion, Las Tiendas, Felix Lomas, Alcalde Jose Herrera, Plaza Reyes Catolicos, Canalejas, Plaza de las Carmelitas, Cristo, Camino de Malaga, Camino Viejo de Malaga.
Departs: 16.00hrs
Terminates: 21.20hrs (approx.)
Where to See it: Plaza de Constitucion, get a late lunch in La Sastreria and see the procession pass by in the Posito, city walls and San Juan Church in the sun.
Parking
It is difficult to park during Easter anywhere in Andalucia and in Velez-Malaga it is no different. Most of the historic centre is closed from around 15.00hrs each day. Our advice is to park near Maria Zambrano Park or near Calle Plateros and walk the 10-15 minutes into the town centre.
For more information about Semana Santa in Velez see our Easter page here.
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