Setmana Santa Marinera

Around 30 brotherhoods carry their floats through the Grau, Canyamelar and Cabanyal every Holy Week. This is Setmana Santa Marinera, the Holy Week of València's seafront districts, recognised as a Festival of National Tourist Interest. It looks like no other in the city: the sea shapes everything.

What it is

The floats and parades have a fishing-village feel. Brass bands, hooded penitents, thrones carried on shoulders, and locals whose families have belonged to the same brotherhood for generations. It is a neighbourhood affair, with familiar faces and a shared hush when an image passes. That closeness is what sets it apart from the grand cathedral processions.

When and where

It runs over Holy Week, in March or April depending on when Easter falls, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. The setting is the streets of the Cabanyal, Canyamelar and the Grau, a short walk from the beach. Events range from the penitential processions of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday to the joy of Sunday.

What to see

Keep Easter Sunday free: that is when the burning of Judas takes place and the mood shifts, more festive and seafaring. A few tips:

• Come early on the main days; the narrow Cabanyal streets fill up fast.
• Stop to eat nearby; find ideas in the food guide.
• Check exact times in the agenda, as they change each year.

Frequently asked questions

When is it?

It coincides with Holy Week, in March or April depending on the liturgical calendar. For exact dates and procession times, see the agenda.

Is it free?

Yes. Everything happens in the street and access is free. Find more no-cost plans in free things in València.

Where is it best experienced?

Along the streets of the Cabanyal and Canyamelar, where the brotherhoods are concentrated. To plan your day, the guide what to do in València over a weekend helps.