The Guide to Holy Week in Andalusia

Closed to traffic
During Holy Week, the old part of town is completely closed to road traffic, so leave your car behind if you want to move from one place to another: taxies are easy to find. You can park your car at the Port, accessed through the entrance to San Andres, next to the train station (RENFE), or in any public parking outside the processional routes. Keep in mind that the usual way to see the processions is on foot, so always wear comfortable shoes and be aware of your limitations. The week is very long and grows in intensity; it would be a shame to exhaust yourself by Easter Friday, and not have the energy to continue.
Visit the Temples
Every morning you can and must visit the temples of the brotherhoods that parade that day. It’s the best way to imbibe the atmosphere and share the excitement prior to each brotherhood’s departure. On some mornings they act out the traditional ‘moves’, where the images are brought from out the temples to their floats, a local preview of the evening procession. The most spectacular is the ‘Cautivo’ on Easter Monday; an explosion of fervour that spills out over the neighbourhood, helping us all to understand what this Week of Passion really means. It is also worth mentioning the arrival of The Legion, who disembark from their ship in the Port on Easter Thursday (though the Christ of Mena has kept watched over them since Easter Wednesday).
Make your own programme
Avoid the crowds if you can, and if you do find one, do what you can to lose it. Doorways or shops can offer good shelter sometimes. There are always side streets that might not seem to have much to offer at first, but can offer you the opportunity to enjoy a first hand experience. Respect the pace of the procession; cross in the right place and at the right time, and always give priority to the penitents. Being in the front line can be magical, but it also has its disadvantages. What was possible in the past is no longer possible today. In fact, this is the first interactive ceremonial parade in history; it is therefore hoped that each individual can organise his or her own schedule according to individual needs and abilities.
Recommendations for children
We include some special recommendations for those who accompany children. Keep in mind that there are many accessible open spaces where the children are free to run around, with places to sit and have a drink whilst waiting for the procession. They can even ‘ask for wax’ from the ‘Nazarenes’ (the penitents walking in the procession), a typical Malaga custom and a great way for the little ones to lose their fear of the somewhat daunting figure of the “Nazarene”. Don’t worry too much about the safety of the kids, if they go out of sight for a few minutes you can be sure that someone is watching out or looking after them with the same care as you would. Children are in reality the very essence and reason for Holy week in Malaga.
Conclusion
To summarise the basic principles; it’s important not to forget that this is a religious celebration, although it may not seem so at times. Respect and you will be respected. Very few ceremonial parades are as open and respectful to the foreigner as Malaga’s Holy Week. The only thing requested of you, no matter what you think or feel, is to respect the beliefs of others. This is also a sociological and cultural event, extremely well controlled; in essence, a way of understanding life and death, and a tradition that is much more important than it seems.