Easter Week in Valladolid

Zamora has probably the best known processions in the north, while Valladolid is probably second in importance, and León third. Much more solemn than those in the south of Spain, it´s something that cannot be missed if you happen to be in the area during Holy Week. Best days are normally Holy Thursday and Sunday, although there will be processions all days. https://semanasantazamora.info/programa/, https://www.valladolidcofrade.com/semana-santa-valladolid-2024/programa-de-procesiones-y-recorridos, in Spanish but Google website translator is miraculous...(not a pun!)

I spent Easter week in Valladolid about 15 years ago and absolutely loved it. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. That said, I cannot compare it to any place else because that’s been my only experience. However, I can tell you that you will not be disappointed.

I'm going back this Easter Week and I'm, gasp, considering trading the Zaragoza experience for Valladolid

So, we did the full Easter Week in Zaragoza last year and it was incredible. You can read my trip report here. I've also spent a week in Valladolid, though not over Semana Santa. And while I love Valladolid and think it is very overlooked, I'd still go with Zaragoza. Not only the entire experience amazing, but you need to think about non-Easter considerations like more restaurant choices; more variety of sites and museums; more evening activities and places to hang out. I just think Zaragoza will be the complete package for you and your friends.

Don't forget about Zamora (not to be mistaken with Zaragoza!)

History Traveler, not to discount Zaragoza, but I will say that Valladolid has quite a few wonderful restaurants and hotels, and other sites worth seeing. So I wouldn’t leave it off the list on the basis of that. 😊

Totally agree that Valladolid has great stuff -- museums, restaurants, hotels, bars. Again, I love Valladolid. But my personal, subjective opinion is that Zaragoza is a notch above in this regard -- more variety, more innovation, higher quality, more that's unique, more that's UNESCO World Heritage-worthy. Maybe comparing two cities that are so different is unfair, but ultimately, the OP will have to pick one or the other (OR chuck her original question and go to Zamora à la @MikelBasqueGuide)!!

Anyway, I will give Valladolid one big plus over Zaragoza that I didn't think of earlier. If you are going to do a lot of daytripping, I HATED the train station setup at Zaragoza. It is shiny and new, but also not at all convenient to the city center. Valladolid wins that contest hands down.

And--at least as of 2016--the train station in Zaragoza is in something of a food desert. It's a horrible area to stay in; I'm sure that's not a mistake Travel Boss would make, being familiar with the city.

If the decision is between Valladolid and Zaragoza, no doubt about Valladolid!!

Thanks for the replies. Zamora is an interesting option. I loved Zamora when I visited last time because there are a ton of historical sites (that I loved). I was thinking I would skip Zamora this time because my friends aren't nearly the freaks for history that I am. If it's especially good for Easter Week, I might have to rethink that.

Any ideas how to break up the week a couple nights here and there? I'd like to also see Segovia and Toledo in that week, then spend another two weeks that includes Barcelona, Grenada and Cordoba then finish with a couple nights of April Fair in Sevilla. The entire trip is 26 days (Mar. 24 to April 17) with the first day lost to travel (in and out of Madrid).