VDLP next April

[sharon w]

We are planning to start in Sevilla during Holy Week next April. We realise that there will be many people in Sevilla at this time but would like to see some of the festivities.
Has anyone any advice for us regarding this time? Also, any other suggestions would be most welcome. Are there too many people setting out from Sevilla during mid April that should make us rethink our start dates?
Thanks Sharon

 

[bsewall]

I've left Seville on the Tuesday after Easter (2013) and on Good Friday (2016) and was still able to find a bed each night at the albergues. But, for the VdlP, it will be crowded at that time of year and you'll probably need to take some extra precautions. Just get to the albergues by 2:00 in the afternoon and you should be fine. If you're going to be later than 2 or 3, see if you can find a place that takes reservations.

If you plan to be in Seville for Semana Santa, make your hotel reservation early. I highly recommend the Hotel Simon that's only a block from the Cathedral. One caveat - with all the processions going through the Cathedral at all hours of the evening, it will be noisy. So you may want to book a place a little more off the beaten track.

 

[sharon w]

I've left Seville on the Tuesday after Easter (2013) and on Good Friday (2016) and was still able to find a bed each night at the albergues. But, for the VdlP, it will be crowded at that time of year and you'll probably need to take some extra precautions. Just get to the albergues by 2:00 in the afternoon and you should be fine. If you're going to be later than 2 or 3, see if you can find a place that takes reservations.

If you plan to be in Seville for Semana Santa, make your hotel reservation early. I highly recommend the Hotel Simon that's only a block from the Cathedral. One caveat - with all the processions going through the Cathedral at all hours of the evening, it will be noisy. So you may want to book a place a little more off the beaten track.

Thanks so much. Great info. I was thinking of Hotel Simon. When you left on Good Friday, was anything open in the way of bars or restaurants?

 

[Walli Walker]

Hi Sharon, we are 4 Australian women leaving Granada at the end of Holy Week 2017. We may meet on the V de l P.

 

[camino07]

Hey Sharon
Might meet up again next year , i'm walking with a camino buddy starting the week after Easter. God willing

 

[sharon w]

Hi Heather. We would love to see you along the way. Bob, Chrys and I are walking , so shades of last year. Can't wait. But as you said, God willing. My mum is 92 so all revolves around her good health.

 

[sharon w]

Hi Sharon, we are 4 Australian women leaving Granada at the end of Holy Week 2017. We may meet on the V de l P.

Sounds like there will be many Aussies along the way. Hope to see you. I love Granada. There are many wonderful places to visit there.

 

[bsewall]

Thanks so much. Great info. I was thinking of Hotel Simon. When you left on Good Friday, was anything open in the way of bars or restaurants?

I had no problems finding some place open for food or drink. Yes, the pilgrim restaurant in Guillena opened a little late because of the Semana Santa procession, so we just sat at the bar and drank vino until they were ready to serve food.

 

[gracethepilgrim]

Hi @sharon w, You’ll LOVE Semana Santa (be prepared for crowds like you’ve never seen in your life - hard to escape but oodles of fun). Find an English-speaking local to explain what/how the processions are and which ones to see. You can spend days (and nights) enjoying the spectacle.

As for accommodation, you would be best to stay in the centre but places around the Cathedral will be noisy almost 24 hours a day. Stay in the ‘old town’ but try for a place (say) nearer Plaza del Duque (where the big El Corte Ingles is). This is a wonderful spot to see all the Pasos (processions) as they head to the Cathedral. I used to live near here and it’s a gorgeous area and very central. There are quite a few AirBnB places in this area too. Worth signing up if you’re not already a member.

Another suggestion is to stay in Sevilla and enjoy the atmosphere 2-3 days after Semana Santa - you’re sure to miss the bubble then.

If you would like to ask specific questions, please PM me.
Buen Camino, Grace

 

[sharon w]

Hi @sharon w, You’ll LOVE Semana Santa (be prepared for crowds like you’ve never seen in your life - hard to escape but oodles of fun). Find an English-speaking local to explain what/how the processions are and which ones to see. You can spend days (and nights) enjoying the spectacle.

As for accommodation, you would be best to stay in the centre but places around the Cathedral will be noisy almost 24 hours a day. Stay in the ‘old town’ but try for a place (say) nearer Plaza del Duque (where the big El Corte Ingles is). This is a wonderful spot to see all the Pasos (processions) as they head to the Cathedral. I used to live near here and it’s a gorgeous area and very central. There are quite a few AirBnB places in this area too. Worth signing up if you’re not already a member.

Another suggestion is to stay in Sevilla and enjoy the atmosphere 2-3 days after Semana Santa - you’re sure to miss the bubble then.

If you would like to ask specific questions, please PM me.
Buen Camino, Grace

Thanks Grace. I have been to Sevilla after our Camino in 2012. It was in July so fairly quiet because of the heat. There will be 4 of us walking so I will share your advice with them. For me, I would love to see some of the processions. However, before or after Semana Santa would still be good.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Sevilla is wonderful during Semana Santa. My only advice would be to book your lodging NOW.
You can find lodging on www.booking.com.

 

[sharon w]

Sevilla is wonderful during Semana Santa. My only advice would be to book your lodging NOW.
You can find lodging on www.booking.com.

Thanks Annie

 

[sharon w]

Thanks Annie

Accommodation booked at Zaida.
Starting our walk on 15th April.

 

[StevethePlanner]

I also am planning to start from Seville around mid-April 2017. I want to arrive in Santiago May 23 and am in the process of determining stages. Don't know the exact date yet that I would be starting in Seville. One side of the coin says Seville at Easter might be interesting. The other side of the coin says I don't like crowds (and don't really want to follow a pilgrim bubble post-Easter). I certainly understand the need to book accommodations in Seville around that time. Does anyone know if crowds are bigger before or bigger after Easter?

 

[sharon w]

Hi Steve. We may meet you along the way. We plan to arrive in Santiago on 25th May. As previously stated we are leaving on 15th April. Not sure about numbers till we get there I suppose.