Ideas for Easter getaways on the Costa del Sol
The Andalusian coastline is a popular tourist destination, especially from early spring to mid-fall. A Holy Week getaway to the Costa del Sol is a great way to explore the area at a time of year that offers wonderful outdoor leisure and cultural activities.
Holy Week in Malaga: tradition and spirituality
One of the main attractions of Malaga during Holy Week is its traditional processions. Bands of musicians and thousands of faithful accompany the penitents on the routes organized by the city's various religious brotherhoods.
Some of the most revered images, such as El Cautivo y la Trinidad (The Captive and the Trinity) and La Virgen de la Esperanza (Our Lady of Hope), generate great excitement among locals and visitors alike. That's why it's a good idea to reserve a box seat or get there well ahead of time to secure a good spot at strategic points such as Plaza de la Constitución or Calle Larios. Processions are also held in Marbella, Estepona, and Vélez-Málaga, which are equally moving and less crowded.
Alternative plans for an Easter break getaway
Although the processions are a major tourist attraction at this time of year, there are other ways to make the most of a Easter break getaway on the Costa del Sol.
- Museum route
Although temperatures are usually quite moderate at this time of year, museums are a good alternative for colder or rainy days. In the capital of the Costa del Sol alone there are 37 museums, some as important as the Picasso Museum, the Pompidou Center, and the Carmen Thyssen Museum. Some organize special exhibitions or activities for these days.
- Enjoy the local cuisine
Some dishes from Malaga's cuisine are particularly popular during Holy Week. This is the case with potaje de vigilia (a spinach and chickpea stew), cod with tomato, and sweet dishes such as torrijas (bread soaked in milk and muscatel wine) and pestiños (fried dough coated in honey and cinnamon).
- Hiking along the coastline
If the temperatures aren't ideal for swimming, you can swap a day at the beach for a coastal hiking trail. Among the most popular coastal trails is the Dunas de Artola, a beautiful circular route on wooden walkways, suitable for the whole family. A little further inland are other popular routes such as the Barranco Blanco route, which usually has plenty of water at this time of year, or the well-known Caminito del Rey route, near Ardales and Antequera, which runs through one of the most impressive gorges in the province (visits must be booked in advance).
- Golf days
It is no coincidence that the Costa del Sol is also known as the Costa del Golf. It is a destination with almost a hundred golf courses as exclusive as the Real Club de Golf Las Brisas (Marbella), the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande (Sotogrande) and the Finca Cortesin Golf Club (Casares). They are the perfect excuse to relax for a few days and enjoy this sport in unique surroundings.