Semana Santa in Andalucia is one of the most incredible spectacles anywhere in Europe. Nazarenos (pictured above in Seville) from local church brotherhoods known as Cofradias take to the streets daily in white peaked costumes that date back to the Inquisition, to shoulder vast, ornate wooden floats, or pasos, bearing statues of the Virgin Mary.

Seville is the most famous place to see the traditional processions, but crowds can be a nightmare. Try Arcos de la Frontera for the back-whipping variety and late night fino-drinking, or Cadiz’s crumbling old town for its unique ’strange goings on at the end of the earth’ atmosphere.

For a wealth of info on Semana Santa in Spanish, click here.