Easter in Mallorca: traditions, food and Semana Santa celebrations

Updated on March 12th, 2026

Easter in Mallorca is a truly unique experience, where Mallorcan traditions come to life in a blend of faith, culture, and gastronomy. During Semana Santa (Holy Week), towns and cities across the island host solemn processions, local customs, and seasonal dishes prepared in family kitchens and traditional bakeries.

For visitors exploring Palma during this time of year, the experience often extends beyond the processions. Restaurants fill with families after evening parades, bakeries prepare traditional pastries, and the city’s food scene becomes part of the celebration itself. Experiences such as our Wine & Dine tour in Palma offer a relaxed way to discover local restaurants and Mallorcan flavours while walking through the historic streets of the Old Town. Whether you’re witnessing an Easter parade in Palma de Mallorca or indulging in traditional dishes, this is a time of year that showcases the island’s deep-rooted heritage.

photo by Yes! Mallorca Property

Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is one of the most significant events in Mallorcan traditions. It begins on Palm Sunday and continues until Easter Sunday, marking the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Towns and cities across the island host solemn yet captivating Easter processions, where religious brotherhoods parade through the streets carrying beautifully adorned religious statues, candles, and banners.

These processions are a striking visual display of devotion, with participants often dressed in traditional robes and hoods, creating an atmosphere that is both dramatic and deeply moving.

Palma de Mallorca is the heart of Semana Santa celebrations, with its ancient streets providing the perfect backdrop for these spiritual gatherings. If you are visiting during Easter in Mallorca, these processions are an absolute must-see.

One of the most important processions during Semana Santa in Mallorca is the Procession of the Blood on Maundy Thursday. Dating back to the 16th century, this deeply symbolic event sees thousands of cofradías (brotherhood members) walking through the historic streets, some barefoot, carrying religious statues and crosses. The atmosphere is both solemn and awe-inspiring, making it one of the highlights of Easter traditions in Mallorca

photo by Sangra

• Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos): The start of Semana Santa in Mallorca, where locals carry palm fronds to commemorate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.
• Good Friday (Viernes Santo): A sombre yet beautiful procession marking the crucifixion of Christ, often featuring hooded penitents walking in silence.
• Easter Sunday (Domingo de Resurrección): The most joyful celebration, symbolising Christ’s resurrection and featuring vibrant parades filled with music and colour.

During Semana Santa, Palma’s historic centre takes on a completely different atmosphere. As evening falls, the narrow streets of the Old Town fill with candlelight as processions slowly move through the city.

Locals and visitors gather quietly along the streets as brotherhoods carry centuries-old statues through the city, accompanied by drums and traditional music. The atmosphere is reflective and powerful, creating one of the most memorable cultural experiences on the island.

After the processions pass, Palma gradually returns to its lively rhythm. Restaurants and cafés fill with families and friends sharing dinner, and terraces become busy again as the city blends celebration with everyday life.

No Easter in Mallorca is complete without sampling the island’s delicious traditional dishes. Semana Santa brings families together, not just for religious celebrations but also for festive meals featuring time-honoured recipes. From sweet pastries enjoyed during family gatherings to savoury treats prepared in advance for Easter Sunday, Mallorcan cuisine plays a vital role in the Easter experience.

During Easter week, bakeries across Mallorca prepare seasonal pastries that appear only during this time of year. Shop windows fill with crespells, robiols, and other sweets that families often prepare together at home. Visiting local bakeries during Semana Santa is one of the easiest ways to experience this culinary tradition.

Crespells – A fun family tradition

Crespells are simple yet delicious Easter biscuits, traditionally made with flour, sugar, butter, and a hint of citrus zest. They are often cut into fun shapes like stars, hearts, and flowers, making them especially popular among children. The tradition of baking Crespells dates back to the 17th century when nuns in convents prepared them during Lent. Today, families gather in the kitchen to bake these biscuits together, passing down recipes from one generation to the next.

Robiols – The perfect Easter treat

Robiols are half-moon-shaped pastries filled with a variety of sweet fillings such as fig jam, pumpkin preserve, cottage cheese, or chocolate. These delicate pastries are made with a thin, buttery dough that crumbles beautifully with each bite. They are typically eaten throughout Holy Week, often paired with a cup of coffee or tea.

Panades – The quintessential Easter pie

One of Mallorca’s most iconic Easter dishes, panades (or empanadas) are small savoury pies traditionally filled with lamb, pork, or fish, often combined with peas and spices. These hearty pastries are prepared in large batches before Good Friday, as they are eaten cold over the Easter weekend when cooking is traditionally avoided. Many local bakeries sell panades during Semana Santa, but the best ones are often homemade, with families taking pride in their secret recipes.

Cocarrois – A vegetarian delight

For those looking for a meat-free option, Cocarrois are a delicious alternative. These crescent-shaped pastries are filled with a mixture of spinach, chard, onion, raisins, and pine nuts, offering a unique balance of sweet and savoury flavours. Cocarrois are a staple of Mallorcan cuisine, enjoyed not just at Easter but throughout the year.

photo by Diario de Mallorca

Frit de Pasqua – A special Easter dish

Unlike the baked goods that can be enjoyed throughout the week, Frit de Pasqua is a dish typically eaten on Easter Sunday. This traditional Easter fry-up consists of lamb offal (or sometimes pork), potatoes, peas, garlic, and herbs, all cooked together in a pan. The dish is packed with flavour and is often served as part of a large Easter lunch with family and friends.

Semana Santa is one of the busiest cultural events on the island. If you plan to visit Palma during Easter week, many streets in the historic centre may temporarily close during the processions.

Restaurants and terraces often become busy after the evening parades, so making reservations in advance is recommended.

At the same time, Easter is one of the most atmospheric times to visit Mallorca. Spring temperatures are pleasant, flowers begin to bloom, and the island is lively without the peak summer crowds.

For travellers who want to explore Mallorca through its cuisine, a self-guided food tour in Palma can be a relaxed way to experience the island’s culinary traditions during Semana Santa.

Instead of worrying about restaurant reservations during the busy Easter period, curated routes guide visitors through Palma’s historic streets, stopping at carefully selected restaurants along the way. Guests can enjoy several dishes and drinks across different venues while discovering the atmosphere of the Old Town.

Options range from a Wine & Dine tour, which focuses on local wines and seasonal dishes in Mallorca’s best restaurants. For those travelling with friends or family, private food tours offer a more personalised way to explore the island’s gastronomy.

• When is Easter in Mallorca?
  Easter takes place between late March and mid-April depending on the year, with Semana Santa celebrations lasting the entire week leading up to Easter Sunday.
• Where are the best Easter processions in Mallorca?
  Palma hosts the largest processions, especially the Crist de la Sang procession on Maundy Thursday.
• Is Mallorca busy during Easter?
  Easter attracts visitors but is still quieter than the summer season, making it a great time to explore the island.
• Are restaurants open during Semana Santa?
  Yes, most restaurants remain open, although reservations are recommended during busy evenings.

Easter in Mallorca is a time of deep tradition, breathtaking processions, and incredible food. Whether you’re here for the Easter parade in Palma de Mallorca, exploring local culture, or indulging in Mallorcan cuisine, Semana Santa in Mallorca is an unforgettable experience. 

Join us at Food Tours Balearics to make the most of your visit and discover the very best of Easter traditions in Mallorca.