History of Benalmadena pueblo, Costa del Sol

The carpets of flowers in the old part of the village of Benalmadena are an absolute work of art.

The carpets of petals are so attractive

Corpus Christi festival in Benalmadena Pueblo

Benalmadma Pueblo is one of the best towns to take part in a Corpus Christi festival on the Costa del Sol. Several of the streets in and around Plaza de España are decorated with a carpet of coloured petals and greenery ahead of a mid-day church procession. Benalmádena Pueblo comes alive during this annual event, which typically falls in late May or early June.

Corpus Christi 2025

Sun 22 June 2025

The pre-dawn preparations for Corpus Christi festival in Benalmadena Pueblo

Corpus Christi in the village of Benalmádena Pueblo is a vibrant and deeply rooted celebration that intertwines religious devotion with cultural heritage

The locals start work at 04:00 to carefully lay a series of carpets of flower petals in stunning designs and greenery in and around Calle Real and Plaza de España. More than 70,000 stems of flowers are used and it is one of our most photographed traditions, attracting visitors from all over the world. After the 11.00 hrs Sunday morning mass in Santo Domingo de Guzmán church the procession leaves the church and passes through the flower carpets of Calle Real. The main street, Calle Real, has an awning to protect the petals from the sun and it is very pleasant to walk under the shady canopy.

In 2025 the mass is held in Plaza del Alguacil.

Procession route

The streets of the pueblo are adorned with colorful decorations, floral arches, and intricate carpets made of fresh flower petals, forming a tapestry that reflects the community's reverence for the occasion. As the procession winds its way through the narrow streets, adorned with flowers and traditional banners, locals and visitors alike gather to witness this spectacle of faith and tradition.

The 2-hour processional route starts and ends at The Santo Domingo de Guzmán Church then proceeds along Calle Santo Domingo - Plaza de España (for a blessing service) - Calle Lomillas - Calle Alamos - Calle Real (Highlight) - Avenida Juan Luis Peralta - Plaza de las Tres Culturas - Calle Filipe Orlando - Calle Amapolo - Plaza de la Cruz - Calle Azucena - Maestra Ayala - Calle Marbella - Plaza de España - Calle Santo Domingo - Santo Domingo de Guzmán Church.

The Corpus Christi processional provides an insight into this pretty white village

Procession Composition

The procession comprises: A large silver cross, the Cruz de Guía (literally, the Guiding Cross), leads the way, carried by a senior member of the church. The cross is accompanied on either side by elaborate silver candleholders. They are followed by young children who have received their First Communion this year. They have been invited by the parish to wear their First Communion dress again and take part in the Corpus Christi procession, a very special family event. The centrepiece of the procession is the priest carrying a gold star-shaped monstrance. Also known as an ostensory, this is the relic usually seen on the altar to highlight objects of piety, such as the consecrated Eucharist. The priest and the monstrance are shaded by a Eucharistic canopy held aloft by six bearers. On flower-carpeted Calle Real notice that the leading elements of the procession give way to the priest and the monstrance so that they are the first to walk on the carpet. The priest is followed by three municipal officials, and then by a group of elderly parishioners. The procession is followed by the Municipal Band of Benalmadena, led by its embroidered banner. Finally, the procession ends with the parishioners and members of the public who wish to participate.

The priest leads the procession over the carpet of flowers and petals.

A feast for the senses

In the Corpus Christi procession of Benalmádena Pueblo, rosemary and other aromatic plants provide a fresh fragrance that intertwines with vibrant flower petals, creating a sensory feast. The earthy scent of rosemary mingles with the colourful array of petals, enriching the experience with an enchanting aroma that captivates the senses.

The narrow streets are not only decorated with flower carpets, but individual houses and establishments create altars around the village, which are blessed by the priest during the procession, everything is open to the public and it is indeed a great family day out.

The procession and the community

The procession is small by Holy Week standards. At the heart of the celebration is the solemn procession carrying the Blessed Sacrament, accompanied by clergy, the musicians, and worshippers. The centrepiece of the Procession is the priest shaded by a Eucharist canopy held aloft by six bearers Along the route, balconies are draped with tapestries, and residents shower petals from above, creating a spectacle that is both visually stunning and spiritually moving. It is led by mace bearers, followed by young children who have recently received their First Communion who also take part in the Corpus Christi procession. Similar to a bride and groom who wear their outfits only once, this event offers children a chance to don their first communion attire once more and joyfully parade through the village. The excitement and pride gleam on children's faces as they eagerly participate in the procession. It serves as a reminder of the enduring Andalucian traditions that bind generations together.

Practical advice

Arrive early and park your car on the outskirts of Benalmadena pueblo. The centre is closed to traffic long before the procession starts. Take a stroll around the village and visit the points of interest along the procession route. The highlight is the carpet of flower petals on Calle Real. You can walk up and down Calle Real in the narrow space at the edge of the carpet. Watch your step. The queues to walk down calle Real become longer later in the morning. As the procession and the municipal band parade up the Calle Real (at about 13.00 hrs), join the back of the procession and help spread the petals in all directions. Young children (and some older ones) love this.

The little children are so excited to be able to walk and play in the petals of the flowers after the procession has gone by.

Corpus Christi

The feast of Corpus Christi is the Catholic celebration of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. This is the doctrine that Jesus Christ is present in the Eucharist, not merely symbolically or metaphorically, but in a true, real and substantial way.

The Corpus procession passes through the Plaza de España in the village of Benalmadena. The priest gives a blessing at the ornate open-air altar and the town band accompanies the procession.

The Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion, Blessed Sacrament and the Lord's Supper, is a Christian rite that was instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper giving his disciples bread and wine. The elements of the Eucharist, bread, and wine are consecrated on an altar or a communion table and consumed thereafter. It is celebrated throughout Spain and is held in either May or June, depending on when Easter falls.

The main street, Calle Real, has an awning to protect the petals from the sun and it is very pleasant to work under the shady canopy.

Corpus Christi is celebrated on the first Thursday after Trinity Sunday which is the eighth Sunday after Easter Sunday. In some towns there are several days of festivities leading up to the Corpus Christi. The main religious procession is usually moved to the following Sunday.

The Municipal band accompanies Corpus procession through narrow streets of white village © Michelle Chaplow

A magnificent procession carries the consecrated Eucharist through the streets. Corpus Christi is celebrated throughout Andalucia, it is most famous in the province of Granada. However Benalmadena is one of the few towns in Malaga province that celebrate with a procession.