The Romería in Andalusia is a traditional Spanish Pilgrimage. If you come across a Romería while on holiday in Andalusia, you’ll get a wonderful glimpse into authentic Andalusian life. Horses and riders in traditional dress, beautifully decorated carts, music, families eating and drinking together and, of course, the patron saint at the heart of it all.

A Romería is traditionally a religious pilgrimage to a church, chapel or sanctuary, usually held in honour of the Virgin Mary or a local patron saint. But in Andalusia, it is much more than that. Faith, tradition, music, food and spending time together all come together during a Romería. And the best part? You can experience this centuries-old Andalusian tradition in the area around Finca Las Nuevas and Álora too. In this blog, we explain what a Romería is, where this tradition comes from and which Romerías you can visit during your holiday in Andalusia.

What is a Romería?

A Romería is a traditional Spanish pilgrimage in which people travel together to a religious site. In Andalusia, they often make the journey on foot, on horseback or in colourful decorated carts and carriages. At the heart of the procession is usually a statue of the Virgin Mary or a patron saint. The statue is carried from the village church to a chapel, monastery or sanctuary, often located outside the village. But don’t expect a quiet and solemn pilgrimage. Once the procession gets underway, you’ll see horse riders, colourful banners and beautifully decorated carts. Music fills the streets and many participants wear traditional Andalusian clothing. When the procession reaches its destination, a religious service is usually held.

Afterwards, the social part of the day begins. Families and friends gather together, tables and chairs appear and there is plenty of food, drink, singing and dancing. That is perhaps what makes an Andalusian Romería so special: faith and celebration simply belong together.

Where does the Romería tradition come from?

The history of the Romería goes back centuries. During the Middle Ages, pilgrims travelled long distances to visit sacred places. They did so to demonstrate their faith, ask for forgiveness or fulfil a religious promise. The Spanish word romería is connected to romero, an old term for a pilgrim travelling to Rome. Over the centuries, the word acquired a broader meaning and came to describe different types of religious pilgrimage.

Especially in Andalusia, the Romería developed into a unique combination of religion, local traditions, folklore and community spirit. And that tradition is still very much alive today.

What happens during a Romería in Andalusia?

Every Romería is different, but many share the same traditions. The day usually begins at the village church. The statue of the patron saint is placed on an elaborately decorated throne, surrounded by flowers, banners and other decorations. Then the procession begins. Pilgrims walk alongside horses, riders, carriages and decorated carts. Traditionally, some carts are pulled by horses or oxen, although today you may also see tractors. Music plays an important role. Sometimes a local band accompanies the procession, while in other cases the participants bring their own music and singing. After arriving at the sanctuary, a religious service is usually held. Afterwards, the area becomes a large meeting place where families and groups of friends spend the rest of the day together.

When are Romerías held in Andalusia?

There is no single Romería season. The date depends on the saint or religious celebration to which the pilgrimage is dedicated. Many Romerías take place during spring and towards the end of summer. San Isidro, for example, is celebrated around 15 May, while the Romería of the Virgen de Flores in Álora takes place in September. As exact dates can vary from year to year, it is always a good idea to check the local festival calendar before your visit.

Are you staying at Finca Las Nuevas? Just ask us. If there is a Romería, feria or another local celebration taking place nearby during your holiday, we’ll be happy to tell you where to go.

Romerías near Finca Las Nuevas

You don’t have to travel across Andalusia to experience a Romería. Several traditional pilgrimages take place every year around Álora and the province of Málaga.

Romería Virgen de Flores in Álora

For us, the Romería de la Virgen de Flores in Álora is naturally a very special one. The Virgen de Flores is one of the patron saints of Álora. Her statue spends much of the year at the Convento de Flores, approximately two kilometres outside the village. At the end of August, the statue is brought to the Iglesia de la Encarnación in Álora. The feast day of the Virgen de Flores is celebrated on 8 September.

On the following Sunday, the Romería takes place and the Virgin makes her journey from Álora back to the Convento de Flores. And, of course, she doesn’t travel alone. The Virgen is accompanied by local residents, walkers, horse riders and decorated carts. Many participants wear traditional clothing. Once everyone arrives at the Convento de Flores, a mass is held. Afterwards, families and friends find a spot beneath the olive trees and enjoy an afternoon of food, drinks and music. Because this is not an event organised especially for tourists, we think it is one of the loveliest local traditions to experience.

The Convento de Flores in Álora

The destination of the Romería also has a fascinating history. The Convento de Nuestra Señora de Flores dates back to the 16th century and was later extended. The sanctuary is beautifully situated outside Álora, surrounded by the Andalusian countryside.

The devotion to the Virgen de Flores goes back centuries and the annual Romería has become an important part of Álora’s local traditions. Visit Álora around this time and you’ll quickly notice how much this celebration means to many perotes and perotas – the local names for the people of Álora.

Romería de San Isidro in Cártama and Almogía

San Isidro Labrador is the patron saint of farmers and agricultural workers. His feast day is 15 May, which is why many rural communities in Spain organise Romerías around this date. That makes perfect sense in Andalusia, where agriculture and rural life still play an important role. San Isidro is also celebrated in Cártama and Almogía, both within easy reach of Finca Las Nuevas.

Here you’ll find all the ingredients of a traditional Romería: horses, riders, decorated carts, music and families spending the day together. San Isidro is celebrated in many other villages throughout the province of Málaga and the rest of Andalusia as well. This makes May a particularly good month to unexpectedly – or perhaps not so unexpectedly – come across a Romería during your holiday.

Romería de San Miguel in Torremolinos

For a much larger celebration, there is the Romería de San Miguel in Torremolinos. It takes place every year before the Feria de San Miguel. A large procession of pilgrims, horses, riders and decorated carts travels from Torremolinos towards the Ermita de San Miguel, surrounded by pine trees on the outskirts of town. It is a completely different experience from a small Romería in a mountain village, but that is exactly what makes it interesting to see.

Romería de la Virgen de la Cabeza in Ronda

Ronda also holds a Romería in honour of the Virgen de la Cabeza. This celebration is much smaller than the famous Romería de la Virgen de la Cabeza in Andújar, giving Ronda’s version a distinctly local character. Religion, nature and spending time together all play an important part here too.

Combine the Romería with a day exploring Ronda and you’ll discover a very different side of this famous Andalusian town.

El Rocío: the Most Famous Romería in Andalusia

Want to see just how big a Romería can become? Then El Rocío in the province of Huelva is the place to go. The Romería del Rocío is the most famous and one of the largest pilgrimages in Spain. Around Pentecost, huge numbers of pilgrims make their way towards the village of El Rocío, which belongs to the municipality of Almonte. Many participants spend several days travelling there. They make the journey on foot, on horseback or in traditional carts, with several historic pilgrimage routes passing through the remarkable landscapes around Doñana.

In 2023, the Romería del Rocío was officially declared a Bien de Interés Cultural by the Andalusian government in recognition of its cultural, historical and ethnological importance. What makes El Rocío so special? Even outside the Romería, El Rocío is a fascinating village to visit. Its wide streets are mostly made of sand, and wooden rails for tying up horses can be found outside many of the houses. At the heart of the village stands the large white Ermita del Rocío, home to the Virgen del Rocío. With horses in the streets, whitewashed houses and sandy roads, El Rocío sometimes feels a little like an Andalusian version of the Wild West. During the Romería, this normally peaceful village is completely transformed as pilgrims from across Spain gather here.

Can tourists visit a Romería in Andalusia?

Yes, visitors are welcome to experience a Romería. In fact, it is a wonderful way to discover Andalusian traditions and local culture. Just remember that a Romería is first and foremost a religious and local tradition, rather than a tourist attraction. Be respectful during religious moments, give the procession plenty of space and ask permission if you want to take close-up photographs of people. Apart from that, simply look around and enjoy what is happening. You really don’t have to understand every tradition to feel the atmosphere.

Experience authentic Andalusia on your holiday

For us, these are exactly the kind of moments that make a holiday in Andalusia special. Of course, the Caminito del Rey, Málaga, Ronda and El Torcal are fantastic places to visit. But sometimes it is the unexpected experiences that you remember years later. You drive through a village and suddenly the road is filled with horses. People are wearing traditional clothes, music is coming from a carriage and somewhere among all the activity, an elaborately decorated religious statue is being carried through the streets. Then you know: something special is happening. A Romería gives you a glimpse of an Andalusia that has not been created especially for visitors. Young and old come together, families meet and centuries-old traditions are simply passed from one generation to the next. And that is exactly why we love them.

A holiday home in the heart of Andalusia

From Finca Las Nuevas, our small-scale finca in the hills near Álora, you can discover not only Andalusia’s famous sights but also its local festivals, traditions and village life. Our holiday homes are surrounded by olive and almond trees, with beautiful views towards the mountains of the Sierra de las Nieves.

And if there happens to be a Romería, feria or special village celebration taking place during your stay? Just ask us. We’ll happily point you in the right direction. Because for us, discovering authentic Andalusia is just as much a part of your holiday as a day in Málaga or walking the Caminito del Rey.