350,000 People Set to Descend on Alicante for Spain's Second-Largest Pilgrimage Walk

Spain's Second-Largest Pilgrimage

Around 350,000 pilgrims are expected to descend on Alicante this Thursday for the city's 537th Santa Faz pilgrimage — the second biggest walk of its kind in Spain, after the famous Santiago de Compostela route.

The event traditionally takes place on the Thursday in the week after Easter and draws huge crowds from across the region.

The Route

Participants start at Alicante's San Nicolás cathedral from 8am, walking the 7.5 kilometre route to the Santa Faz monastery.

The monastery houses the famous Veil of Veronica — a piece of cloth said to have been used by Veronica to wipe the face of Jesus as he carried his cross to Calvary. The veil can only be seen during the annual pilgrimage and is locked away for the rest of the year.

Four Days of Celebrations

Many people do the walk on Friday, Saturday or Sunday instead, creating a four-day party atmosphere around Alicante with stalls and entertainment along the route.

The weather forecast is excellent — no rain predicted.

Security and Logistics

Extra Policía Local officers are being deployed, with drones and beach quad bikes keeping an eye out for illegal outdoor drinking parties (botellones) involving young people. Special cleaning operations have been running all week with 51 workers, 34 vehicles and an additional 140 rubbish containers along the route.

This article is based on reporting from The Olive Press, published April 15, 2026. This article is for informational purposes only.