635 Views

Even when you’re nicely acquainted with Spanish delicacies, there’s a great likelihood you’ve but to come across a number of the beloved Easter meals in Spain! I attempt to immerse myself within the native fare at any time when I go to, however I used to be uncovered to a different world of culinary delight after I arrived throughout ‘Semana Santa,’ in any other case often called Holy Week.

My Madrid meals excursions gives you nice insights into regional flavors and components, however with Easter bookings to Spain growing this 12 months, I felt it was the correct time to place collectively this information to Semana Santa meals!

The Function of Meals in Semana Santa

Though Spain remains to be a predominantly Catholic nation, the church’s affect on society has dwindled through the years. But, the cultural and gastronomic traditions related to Holy Week proceed to face the take a look at of time.

Meals-focused gatherings and shared eating experiences are very a lot hallmarks of Spanish tradition, however they’re extra necessary than ever throughout instances of celebration. 

Candy treats function closely within the culinary scene all through Lent. Nonetheless, many conventional Spanish Easter desserts are reserved for Semana Santa, the ultimate week of the 40-day Lenten interval. 

Moreover, many individuals abstain from meat to commemorate the fasting and struggling of Jesus, that means that Easter soups and stews are typically vegetable or fish-based.

Semana Santa Processions and Meals Tradition

It’s inconceivable to speak about Easter in Spain with out mentioning the procesiones — the dramatic processions that rework cities throughout the nation throughout Holy Week. In Seville, Málaga, Valladolid, and Zamora, hooded nazarenos carry elaborate pasos (floats depicting biblical scenes) via candlelit streets, accompanied by hauntingly lovely saetas (devotional songs).

These processions form the rhythm of every day life — and consuming — throughout Semana Santa. In Seville, the place processions run from March 27 via April 5 in 2026, streets fill with the odor of incense, orange blossom, and frying torrijas from pop-up stalls. Locals eat at odd hours, grabbing tapas between processions and sitting down for lengthy household meals on Easter Sunday.

For those who’re visiting Seville throughout Semana Santa, my Seville meals excursions are an exquisite strategy to uncover the town’s culinary traditions — from flamenco-filled tapas bars to market stalls overflowing with seasonal specialties.

High Conventional Spanish Easter Meals

Potaje de Vigilia

For those who attempt only one Easter meals in Spain, make it potaje de vigilia. This nourishing stew is produced from cod, chickpeas, and boiled eggs and is a Semana Santa staple nationwide.

The particular birthplace of potaje de vigilia is unclear, but it surely possible happened as Spaniards tried to veer away from meat-based dishes throughout Lent. Cafe del Kasco in Toledo, not removed from Madrid, is a incredible place to attempt it.

Torrijas

Torrijas was the Easter dessert I used to be most wanting to pattern, because it’s basically a Spanish tackle French toast! Generally, the bread is soaked in wine, but it surely’s normally dipped in milk and egg earlier than getting fried in olive oil and dusted with cinnamon.

These Andalusian goodies happened within the medieval period when locals tried to make use of up stale bread, and the staff at Aparicio in Malaga put together some notably tasty varieties.

Carolyn, our operations supervisor in Madrid says:

“Rising up, I might assist my mom and grandmother make Torrijas each Easter. It began as a easy custom the place I might be in command of coating them in sugar, however through the years I’ve refined the recipe, including my very own twist – serving them heat with a scoop of ice cream for an additional indulgent contact!”

Hornazo

Hornazo is a meat-lover dream, as this satisfying pie is usually full of pork loin, chorizo, and boiled eggs. Whereas candy alternate options exist, the savory model is essentially the most famend of the 2.

The dish traces its roots to Salamanca within the Castile and León area. Up to now, hornazo was loved as a celebratory snack throughout Lunes de Aguas, on the primary Monday after Lent. If you end up within the metropolis, you need to take a look at the products at Pastelería La Hornazería.

Mona de Pascua

There tends to be various symbolism in Easter meals in Spain, and top-of-the-line examples of that is Mona de Pascua. This spherical brioche cake is an Easter Sunday and Monday specialty, normally topped with boiled eggs to characterize new life.

Catalonia is synonymous with this pleasant dessert and Lyndsy, our Barcelona meals tour information says, 

“Courting again to the fifteenth century, this Easter deal with has nothing to do with monkeys (Monos) and all the pieces to do with all of the candy components catholics cannot eat in the course of the month of Lent. They might save the eggs to make a candy spherical cake with a gap within the center symbolizing rebirth. Historically they embellish it with hard-boiled eggs to eat on Easter Sunday and finish the Lent season, welcoming Spring.

“The Godparents of a kid are supposed to give a Mona to their godchild to finish their gastronomic fasting. Bakeries show elaborately embellished Monas lined in chocolate eggs, chicks and bunnies to have fun Spring. In case your mona features a hardboiled egg within the center, it’s fairly conventional to ‘crack’ them on the brow of your loved ones members or associates… ideally abruptly!”

These of you planning to spend Easter in Barcelona will love the sorts of this cake at Escribà.

Sopa de Ajo

Easter meals in Spain isn’t simply in regards to the candy stuff, and sopa de ajo proves that the Spanish are simply as gifted at getting ready savory choices. It’s a easy garlic soup produced from rooster broth, paprika, and off bread, and in some circumstances, eggs or ham are added.

Regardless of beginning out as a peasant dish, sopa de ajo later turned an Easter favourite in Madrid and Castile and León. I sampled it for the primary time in Sobrino de Botín and couldn’t suggest it sufficient!

Bueñelos

Bueñelos are Spanish-style fritters. Flour, butter, eggs, and milk are mixed to kind a lightweight dough that’s then fried and typically full of a saccharine filling of cream, chocolate, or custard.

They happened on account of Moorish influences in Andalusia, and I managed to safe some at Bellas Durmientes in Malaga.

Regional Easter Meals Highlights

Some Easter meals in Spain are favourites in virtually each nook of the nation, whereas others are notably standard in particular areas. Under are some regional Easter specialties to look out for, relying on which a part of Spain you end up in throughout Semana Santa 2026.

Madrid / Castile and León: Sopa de ajo, bartolillos (small cream-filled pastries), and hornazo. Madrid’s confiterías go all-out for Easter, with torrijas and bartolillos displayed in store home windows from mid-March. Salamanca celebrates Lunes de Aguas (April 13 in 2026) with hornazo feasts by the river.

Catalonia: Mona de Pascua and escudella i carn d’olla (a hearty meat and vegetable stew). Barcelona bakeries compete to create essentially the most elaborate mona truffles, with trendy variations that includes chocolate sculptures that may be true artworks. Easter Monday is a public vacation right here.

Valencia: Bacalao (salt cod dishes) and panquemao (a candy Easter bread much like brioche, scented with orange blossom and anise). Easter Monday can also be a public vacation in Valencia.

Andalusia: Torrijas, buñuelos, and pestiños (honey-glazed pastries). Seville and Málaga are the epicentres of Semana Santa processions, and avenue meals stalls promoting torrijas and churros line procession routes all through the week.

Basque Nation: Bacalao al pil pil (cod in olive oil and garlic emulsion) and pastel vasco (a custard-filled pastry). Easter Monday is a public vacation within the Basque Nation, making it an extended weekend vacation spot.

Sensible Suggestions for Semana Santa in Spain (2026)

Just a few issues price understanding when you’re visiting Spain over Easter 2026:

Restaurant closures: Many eating places shut on Good Friday (April 3), particularly outdoors main vacationer areas. Easter Sunday can be quiet. E book forward for standard spots, notably in Seville and Madrid.

Procession schedules: In cities like Seville and Málaga, processions can block streets for hours. That is a part of the attraction, however plan meal instances round them. Native vacationer places of work and apps publish every day procession routes and instances.

Regional variations matter: Easter Monday is barely a public vacation in Catalonia, Valencia, the Basque Nation, the Balearic Islands, and Cantabria. In Madrid and Andalusia, it’s a standard working day. Maundy Thursday (April 2) is a vacation in most areas however not all — examine your particular vacation spot.

E book lodging early: Seville throughout Semana Santa is certainly one of Spain’s hottest journey durations. Motels replenish months prematurely and costs spike considerably.

Conclusion

There’s by no means a nasty time to go to Spain, because the meals is outstanding regardless of whenever you arrive! That stated, sampling the Easter meals in Spain is very thrilling, permitting you to expertise luxurious fare that’s virtually inconceivable to seek out all through the remainder of the 12 months.

Sources

Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Madrid meals excursions & culinary experiences. https://www.eatingeurope.com/madrid/

Cash Tourism. (2024, April 5). 16.8% improve in Easter 2025 bookings – Spain and Portugal within the high positions. https://money-tourism.gr/en/16-8-increase-in-easter-2025-bookings-spain-and-portugal-in-the-top-positions/

Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Cafe Del Kasco, Toledo. https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g187489-d4039151-Critiques-Cafe_Del_Kasco-Toledo_Province_of_Toledo_Castile_La_Mancha.html

Fb. (n.d.). Confitería Aparicio. https://www.fb.com/p/ConfiterpercentC3percentADa-Aparicio-100059128663902/

Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Escribà, Barcelona. https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g187497-d2314979-Critiques-Escriba-Barcelona_Catalonia.html

Botín. (n.d.). Sobrino de Botín – The oldest restaurant on the earth. https://botin.es/en/

bellasdurmientes_cafeteria. (n.d.). [Profile]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/bellasdurmientes_cafeteria/?hl=en