swissgirl

I have booked a trip to Madrid and SEville for Holy Week and now I am concerned. I knew there were festivities for Holy Week but the more I read, the more I am beginning to realize how big these are and how crowded it may be, particularly in Seville. Will we have long lines to do/see everything? Eat, flamencos, sightseeing? Anyone been there during that time that has suggestions and/or can alleviate my (hopefully misguided?) fears, I would much appreciate hearing from you!!!

kenderina

No problem in Madrid, most people from there "emigrate" on holidays...many to Andalucia and other places where there are big celebrations for the Holy Week and also to the coasts if weather is good (this year is too early for that , though).

Seville would be VERY crowded. Not just long lines..but streets wall to wall with people going up and down following processions. Anyway, it would be an experience you probably won't forget (even if you happen to not enjoy it which is not the usual thing ! ) I hope you have a hotel yet.

WTnow

We were in Seville for Holy Week last year and it IS a madhouse. If you do not like crowds....it will be tough as it is crowded day and night.

It is a bit like being in Time square in NYC on NYE or The world series....crowded with a capital C!

That said it is quite fascinating too...but you better have a good plan or someone who can lead you to the best.

We also went to Seville a month before that and I must admit I liked it better without the crowds and madness. Still I am glad that we saw Holy Week there as it is a once in a lifetime kind of thing.

swissgirl

Ok, my husband will absolutely hate being in a place with that type of crowds. so...may have to rethink.
What about Granada? Will it also be crazy? We arrive in Spain on the Tuesday before Easter, so if we still wanted to see Seville, would it make sense to go straight there and then leave again...but say, Thursday?? When does the madness begin?? We do actually have a hotel...hotel Albanico.
Where else could we go or stay around Seville? Suggestions welcome.

tower

swissgirl:

I'm with WTnow...Holy Week is unlike anything you can imagine...sure, it's crowded everywhere, but the sights, the scenes are engulfing...try it.

Stu T.

swissgirl

It sounds fascinating, but will every street be packed wall to wall with people every day? Or just certain days and certain streets where the processions are? How is it possible to get a decent meal, drink, etc, with that many people in town? Or do lots of people come in for day trips and then retreat in the evenings to surrounding towns?
Sorry if my questions seem naive or winy but my husband really does not like crowds......

CathyM

It will be very crowded in the area around the Cathedral and where the processionals are going each evening. However, it will still be possible to get something to eat and enjoy the city even with the crowds. I stay very near the Cathedral each year and have experienced my share of crowds so thick you can't move. However, this has been isolated to the area just around the cathedral or where a processional has just passed or is approaching. I wouldn't miss Sevilla at this special time.

Which days were you planning on visiting Sevilla? The largest crowds will be on Thursday.

Granada is also very crowded at this time, but not as much as Sevilla. Also, I would think you would have problems finding hotels in Granada for Holy Week at this late time.

Pegontheroad

I envy you! I've always wanted to be in Seville for Santa Semana. I agree that it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

tower

Swissgirl:

>>>I agree that it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.<<<

Peg is sure right on this one....don't miss it. We stayed in the Barrio Santa Cruz and didn't feel the major crowds concentrated around the cathedral...honestly, the crowds will not be as bad as your husband envisions...there are processions all day, also, and we found the evening crowds the largest by far.

Stu T.



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artlover

We were in Seville during Santa Semana and I really don't like crowds, but I didn't have a problem with it at all. It was very special and we didn't have any trouble getting into restaurants (but being American, we eat early for Spain) and our hotel got us tickets for Los Gallos. We paid more for our room than it would have been at other times, but the only problem we had was getting train reservations to Madrid--seems 2/3rds of Spain was travelling that weekend, so if you need to take the train, get reservations in advance. Otherwise, I don't think it's a problem.

tower

>>>our hotel got us tickets for Los Gallos<<<

we stayed closeby in The Casas de la Juderia..also got us tix...I've read comments by Flamenco mavens herein that deride the place...we're not experts, didn't know any better, so we loved the performance. Shheeeesh!

Stu T.

swissgirl

Thanks everyone. We were planning on arriving on Tuesday and leaving on Saturday, but we are flexible as we do not fly back out of Madrid until Wednesday morning.

artlover

While some may "deride" Los Gallos, my Spanish teacher here in Seattle, who grew up in Seville and does flamenco herself speaks highly of it. We sure enjoyed it!

kenderina

I think if you arrive Tuesday and leave Thursday in the morning , it would be perfect for you. You will have the chance to see some processions (there are a few every day of the week) but will avoid the BIG crowd which begins Thursday night and keeps on going through the weekend till Easter Monday.
The reason why is because in Andalucia kids are on vacation all the week but not in the rest of Spain, where the holidays begin on Thursday , so most visitors arrive that day.

swissgirl

Thanks Kenderina,
Any suggestions on where we should go for Tues- Thurs. We rented an apartment in Madrid from Sat-Wed. I suppose we could head to Madrid early but I think the 4 days we already have planned there should be plenty. Would prefer to go somewhere perhaps close to Seville (a beach town would be fantastic, if that is possible).

wftraveler

We will be in Seville also on Thursday and Friday during the Holy week (3/20-21). Does anyone know if Cathedral will be closed either of these days. Is there a good time to visit it. Do we need to purchase any advanced tickets. Also, we are trying to get train tickets from Granada to Seville on Thursday morning, but Renfe doesn't have schedule yet. Are there other options like bus.

kelliebellie

We were there last year for Holy Week. If you click on my name you can get our trip report.

The processions don't start each day until around 2 to 4 pm. If you are planning on using your car, do so before that time because the city centers will close down. It is really fun, and only crowded in spurts. The bands that play are amazing and it is such a great festival!

Don't buy tickets or sit in the grand stands to watch the processions. Just walk around the city and you will see plenty.

I would recommend Ronda if you want to get out of Seville for a few days. The Parador there is amazing and the town is cute and quiet, but not too quiet.

Challiman

Three of us from USA traveling to Barcelona, arrive Good Friday, so we share your concerns. You might search for my post about what to expect. Mainly we've heard many things close and finding restaurants open could be a problem. Others say don't worry. I guess either way it will be a big adventure, and that's how we are looking at this trip. Good luck.

swissgirl

Thanks everyone. I wrote my Hotel and they assured me that all the restaurants are open as are Flamenco shows and I should not have any problems. They stated they would help me with reservations for both when I arrive.
We have been to Rhonda in the past...my husband and children were not that enthusiastic about it, but it was july and HOT!!!
Think we will plan on staying in Seville...we will either love it or hate it, but as someone said, we will probably never forget it!!! I, for one, am looking forward to it, but I am not telling my husband what I already know!!! He is clueless about my concerns and I will let hims stay that way!! If he doesn't like, I will just act surprised.....how was I to know how crowded it would be!!! LOL>