Semana Santa (Holy Week – Palma)

Experience the Soulful Tradition: Semana Santa in Palma

Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Palma is Mallorca’s most emotional spring event, when candlelit processions, hooded confraternities, and sacred music flow through the island capital’s old town toward the soaring façade of La Seu Cathedral. Timed between late March and April depending on Easter, Semana Santa (Holy Week – Palma) offers travelers a rare chance to experience Mallorca as a living cultural island, not just a beach destination.

What is Semana Santa (Holy Week – Palma)?

Semana Santa is the week leading up to Easter, commemorating the Passion of Christ through religious services and public processions held from Monday through Easter Sunday across Mallorca island. Palma de Mallorca is a focal point because many of the most notable events take place in and around the historic center, where narrow stone streets amplify the sound of drums and create an unforgettable atmosphere.

A distinctive element is the presence of carapunats, hooded penitents who organize into confraternities or cofradías, each with its own clothing and devotional images carried in procession. Even visitors unfamiliar with Catholic traditions can follow the symbolism through the floats and statues, which include figures such as La Dolorosa, El Sant Crist, and La Veronica.

When Semana Santa Happens in Palma

Semana Santa does not fall on fixed calendar dates because Easter changes each year, so Holy Week in Palma is typically held in March or April. The best planning approach is to confirm Easter Sunday for your travel year, then map your Palma visit to Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, which are consistently highlighted as the most important procession days.

Palma’s Holy Week atmosphere builds across several days, but the city feels especially intense at night when solemn parades move through the old town. If you want the strongest experience, plan to be in Palma from Thursday through Sunday so you can see both the most dramatic processions and the lighter Easter celebrations.

Palma’s Must-See Holy Week Highlights

Semana Santa in Palma is not one single parade, it is a sequence of events that each have their own mood. The following highlights are specifically documented for Palma and are reliable anchors for a traveler’s itinerary.

Maundy Thursday: Crist de La Sang Procession

On Maundy Thursday, Palma hosts the solemn Crist de La Sang procession, described as carrying a representation of the crucified Christ through the streets to remind worshippers of the meaning of Christianity. The start time is listed as 19:00, departing from the Anunciació church to the cathedral.

This evening is a defining “old-town Palma” moment, with crowds lining the route and the city’s historic architecture turning into a dramatic stage. Arriving early lets you choose a comfortable viewing spot and avoid having to push through packed streets once the procession begins.

Good Friday: Cathedral Reenactment and Holy Burial

Good Friday in Palma includes a public reenactment of Christ’s Passion in front of Palma Cathedral at 12:00. Later that day, the Sant Enterrament (Holy Burial) procession departs from Sant Francesc at 19:00.

These events offer two different perspectives on Holy Week: a midday ritual centered on the cathedral steps and an evening procession that feels deeply solemn and reflective. If you are visiting Mallorca for culture, Good Friday in Palma is often the day that leaves the strongest impression.

Easter Sunday: Mass and the Meeting of Images

On Easter Sunday, Palma Cathedral hosts a major mass, and See Mallorca notes it is usually attended by the royal family. The same source describes a parade where the images of Christ and the Virgin meet after the resurrection.

This day feels brighter and more celebratory than the earlier, heavier processions. It is also a beautiful time to walk Palma’s historic center, since the city remains animated but often with a softer mood.

Where to Experience Semana Santa in Palma

Palma’s Holy Week is closely tied to specific landmarks that help visitors orient themselves and plan movement through the city. The cathedral is central to the experience because the Good Friday reenactment is in front of Palma Cathedral, and the Maundy Thursday procession is described as heading to the cathedral.

Sant Francesc is another key reference point, since it is listed as the departure location for the Good Friday Holy Burial procession. Building your walking plan around the triangle of the Anunciació church area, La Seu Cathedral, and Sant Francesc helps keep the night manageable in a crowded old town.

Island Culture, Food, and Respectful Travel Tips

Semana Santa in Palma is a cultural event first and a tourist attraction second, so respectful behavior matters. Dress modestly for evening processions, speak quietly, and be cautious with flash photography so you do not disrupt the solemn atmosphere.

Food is also part of the tradition, and See Mallorca highlights two classic Easter items found in bakeries across the island: panades (savory pies with meat and peas) and rubiols (sweet pastries often filled with pumpkin). A simple way to experience the island’s Holy Week culture is to pair a procession viewing with a bakery stop in Palma’s old town, turning the night into both a spiritual and culinary memory.

Pricing and Practical Costs

Semana Santa processions in Palma take place in public streets and landmark areas, and sources describing the events present them as public experiences rather than ticketed attractions. That typically means there is no standard ticket price to watch the main Palma processions from public viewing spots.

Travel costs come from accommodation, transport, and optional add-ons such as hotel Easter brunches or concerts that may be offered seasonally. Mallorca Map notes that many hotels offer Easter brunches and provides a price range starting around €60 to €80 per person, with higher-end options reaching about €150.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event name: Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Palma de Mallorca
• Event category: Religious cultural festival with public processions and Easter rituals
• Typically held: March or April (dates vary annually with Easter)
• Main Palma highlights (confirmed):
• Maundy Thursday: Crist de La Sang procession at 19:00, departing from the Anunciació church to the cathedral
• Good Friday: Passion reenactment in front of Palma Cathedral at 12:00
• Good Friday: Sant Enterrament (Holy Burial) procession departing from Sant Francesc at 19:00
• Easter Sunday: Major mass at Palma Cathedral and a parade where images of Christ and the Virgin meet after the resurrection
• Key venues/landmarks (confirmed): Palma Cathedral (La Seu), Anunciació church, Sant Francesc
• Pricing (confirmed): Main processions are described as public events with no standard ticket price for viewing from public areas
• Optional pricing examples (if choosing paid add-ons): Hotel Easter brunches noted from about €60–€80 per person, with some up to about €150

If Mallorca is on the travel list and a deeper island experience is the goal, plan your Palma stay during March or April when Semana Santa arrives, follow the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday routes through the old town, and let the candlelight, drums, and cathedral backdrop show you a side of Palma that most visitors never get to see.