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Badajoz Carnival, Spain

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Bielsa Carnival, Spain
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Ibiza Carnival, Spain

 

What is the Carnival of Badajoz?

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The carnival of Badajoz is one of the most popular and significant annual celebrations of the city. The Carnival of Badajoz has the characteristic of having been in constant growth and development for years, thus becoming one of the most colorful with respect to the parades and comparsas. The celebration in the city is a true outburst of party, joy, music and dancing that lasts 5 days.

The carnivals of Badajoz were declared Fiesta de Interés Nacional thanks to the Spanish government and the Junta de Extremadura, with the aim of promoting and expanding the participation of citizens in the carnival festivities. Currently, they plan to become a Fiesta of International Tourist Interest..



The celebration of carnival in Badajoz is the third most important carnival in Spain, with a participation of approximately 80,000 visitors annually.

 

The Badajoz carnival is one of the most popular in the country and in Europe. The comparsas wear elaborate and colorful costumes during the main parade

The carnival of Badajoz is one of the most popular in the country and in Europe. The comparsas wear elaborate and colorful costumes during the main parade

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When is the Carnival of Badajoz?

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Badajoz Carnival lasts 5 days and starts before Ash Wednesday.

 

 

History of the Carnivals of Badajoz

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Records of carnivals in the city date back several centuries. However, it is between the 19th century and the 20th century when the carnivals begin to occupy the historical records of the town. At this time, carnivals were popular throughout the Autonomous Community of Extremadura. During these dates, the celebrations consisted basically of dances masks and some street parades..

During the war and prohibition of the festivities by General Franco, the carnivals reached their critical point, in which the festivities managed to disappear. When General Franco dies, thecity of Badajoz tries to reclaim the festivities, fighting against the moral regulations of religion towards carnival celebrations. As a result, from 1980 onwards contests and parades began to take place, which meant a new beginning of the festivities in the city.



The carnival reached its climax during the decade of the 1980s, when there is a great participation on the part of the citizens. During these times, the Tuesday of Carnival was reclaimed as a day holiday and elements were included in the celebrations that are still maintained in today’s carnivals. Since then, the festivities have received countless contributions and as a result, have evolved becoming one of the city’s attractions and developing new attractions related to the festivities such as the Badajoz Carnival Museum. In 2011, the carnivals of Badajoz obtained thetitle of Fiesta of National Tourist Interest, which has allowed them to develop and grow even more.

 

Where is the Badajoz Carnival

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The carnival is celebrated in the city of Badajoz, municipoo homonymous, Autonomous Community of Extremadura, Spain. Carnivals have greater participation in the city center and Plaza de España.

 

The parades are made up of the groups and comparsas that during the route perform choreographies

The parades are made up of the groups and comparsas that during the route perform choreographies

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How is the Carnival of Badajoz celebrated?

In the days before the start of the official celebrations, two festivals in particular take place, one called Las candelas del Margen Derecha, held in the San Fernando neighborhood on the penultimate Saturday before the start of the carnival. The other is Las candelas de Santa Marina, which is held in the Barrio de Santa Marina on the Saturday before Carnival Friday. During the festivities people take to the streets to burn a doll called Marimanta. In addition, they walk the streets of the towns where they are held to celebrate with murgas..

As a general rule, every day, with the exception of Fridays, you will find the murgas in the different points of the city such as bars and plazas. Likewise, the week of festivities is full of activities and celebrations.

If you want to know more about tourism in this country, I recommend this guide:

 

The week of festivities begins with the parades and comparsas of children, followed by thereading of the Pregón and theMurgas contests. Likewise, there are costume contests and night parties where participants must wear costumes as a rule of the celebration. Of course, the Grand Parade takes place, where comparsas and groupings take to the streets of the city to perform their choreographies and show off their colorful and elaborate costumes.

In the last days of the celebration are held the contests costume and children’s performances and a largenight party that lasts until the wee hours of the morning. Finally, the emblematic Burial of the Sardine takes place, in which a funeral procession is carried out and after the afternoon the prizes for the contests held during the celebrations are awarded.

 

Tips to go to the Carnivals of Badajoz?

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To come to spend the carnival in Badajoz, it is recommended that you make a travel itinerary where you can include various activities in the city. Also, be sure to make reservations at your preferred lodging because during the dates thousands of people come to see the festivities, so accommodation can become a little scarce.

 

Events in Badajoz Carnival

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At the beginning of the celebrations, thechildren’s parades take place around the city to the Plaza de España, where thePlaza de España ceremony of El Pregón takes place. After this, the final stage of the concurso de Murgas takes place.

On Carnival Saturday the contests costume contests are held and in the evening a big costume party is held. The following day is the Grand Parade, when dozens of comparsas and groups take over the city at different points. This is one of the most awaited celebrations and you can appreciate the comparsas performing their corografias and wearing strong>strong>strong costumes and dresses imposing, full of color and impressive shapes and sizes.

 

 

Likewise, onMonday of Carnival acostume contest is held in the afternoon and in the evening a big celebration of costumes and festivities that lasts until the early morning.

Finally, on Shrove Tuesday, the Burial of the Sardine takes place, when the funeral procession of the little animal takes place and people dress in black and there is a parade through the neighborhoods. Likewise, the festivities come to an end during the night, when the prizes of the contests are awarded.

 

Las comparsas visten de prendas coloridas durante el desfile de carnaval de Badajoz que empieza al medio día

Las comparsas visten de prendas coloridas durante el desfile de carnaval de Badajoz que comienza al medio día

 

Badajoz Carnival Parades

 

During the parade the dozens of groups and comparsas take to the streets to entertain the spectators with their choreographies and large and colorful carnival costumes. The streets are filled with crowds of visitors and locals to see the essence of the carnivals in Badajoz. The parade runs through the main streets of the city such as the Avenida Europa and the Paseo Fluvial.

 

Parade route

 

The parade crosses the main streets of the city during the carnivals

The parade crosses the main streets of the city during the carnivals

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The comparsas and participants start getting ready for the start of the parade which takes place at noon and begins at Paseo Fluvial, crossing Santa María, then Enrique Seguro Otaña street and ending at Avenida Europa.

 

Sardines are common to consume during the carnival in Badajoz, especially on Shrove Tuesday

Sardines are common to consume during the carnival in Badajoz, especially on Shrove Tuesday

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What to eat in the Carnival of Badajoz[/h2>.

Badajoz is famous for its great variety of tapas, which you can try especially after the Entierro de la Sardina on Tuesday of Caranval. Likewise, you can also find grilled sardines on Tuesdays after the Entierro de la Sardina..

Some of the places that the city offers you to go out to eat are: Marchivirito, Restaurante El Mirador del Guadiana and Churrasquería Restaurante El Vivero..

 

Badajoz is famous for having a wide variety of tapas. They are consumed in large quantities after the main carnival celebrations.

Badajoz is famous for having a great variety of tapas. They are consumed in large quantities after the main carnival celebrations

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Travel Insurance

 

From Carnavalesdelmundo.org we recommend to hire a good insurance to visit this carnival and to know the rest of the country. For being our readers we offer a 5% discount on all IATI insurances. Read more information about all insurance offers here:

 

 

What to see and do inside the Badajoz Carnival

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Within the carnivals you have a wide variety of activities that you can attend. Some of these activities correspond to the Murga contests, as well as the costume competitions. Also, you have some party options during the night that last until dawn. Finally, you can’t forget to go to the Grand Parade, where you can see the many elaborate, colorful and brilliant costumes that the comparsas and agrupaciones have to offer.

If you don’t want to complicate things, here you can book interesting excursions in Spanish in this city:.

Guided tours in Spanish around the world

 

What to see and do outside the Badajoz Carnivals

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Badajoz Carnival Museum

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It is a museum where the singularities of the carnival of the city are shown. On display are exhibits such as costumes, musical pieces and various artifacts.

 

Plaza Alta

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It was the center of the city for several centuries. During the Middle Ages it hosted a wide variety of markets and festivities and celebrations were held in its square.

 

Alcazaba of Badajoz

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This attraction is a Muslim fortification and is the largest in Europe of this style. It was built in the 12th century and has 1300 meters of wall.

Also if you want to visit museums and important buildings in this city we recommend that you book your entrance ticket in advance through Tiquets: .

Book tickets in the city you are visiting

 

Safety in the Carnival of Badajoz

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The city of Badajoz is a safe city and you can stroll through its streets both day and night.

If you decide to attend the carnivals just make sure to keep your belongings in a safe place to avoid misplacing them. Also, we recommend the following products to keep your belongings safe:

 

 

Weather at the Carnival of Badajoz

 

The city of Badajoz has a somewhat cold climate, as temperatures range between 5 and 16 degrees Celsius with little rainfall.

 

The groups and comparsas wear colorful and colorful costumes during the carnival of Badajoz

The groups and comparsas wear colorful and colorful costumes during the carnival of Badajoz

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How to get to Badajoz Carnival

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How to get there by plane

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The Badajoz Airport is the closest airport to the city and receives flights from various parts of Spain and Europe. If you decide to arrive by plane, once you are at the airport, you can use the different means to get to the city center.

We recommend buying airline tickets through Kiwi.com or Skyscanner where they are usually cheaper. More information on this link to review Kiwi.com..

How to get there by train

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You can take a train from Madrid to Badajoz from Atocha. The journey takes 5 hours.

From Barcelona you can take a train on the AVE lines to Madrid. After arriving, transfer and take a train on the 17194 or RE lines to Badajoz.

 

How to get there by bus

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From Madrid you can take a bus to Navalmoral de la Mata. From there you take another bus to Badajoz.

In Barcelona you can take a bus from Carrer d’Alí Bei to Badajoz. The journey takes 13 hours.

The Lisbon Airport Lisbon also offers buses to Badajoz.

 

How to get there by car

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From Badajoz Airport take the BA-023 and N-V until you reach the center.

From Madrid take the A-5 until you reach Badajoz. The trip takes 4 hours.

From Barcelona you can take the A-2 and A-5 to Badajoz. The trip takes almost 10 hours.

 

Where to stay in Badajoz Carnival

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Booking.com

 

Sercotel Gran Hotel Zurbarán

4-star hotel 600 meters from the center. Rooms are spacious and feature air conditioning, TV and private bathroom. Facilities offer gym, free internet and parking.

 

Hotel Badajoz Center

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Hotel 1.4 km from the city center. Rooms feature satellite TV, minibar and private bathroom. The hotel has a swimming pool, parking, gym, bar and restaurant.

 

NH Gran Hotel Casino de Extremadura

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5-star hotel 1.4 km from the center. Rooms have satellite TV, minibar and bathroom with bathtub, shower and hairdryer. The hotel offers of gym, bar, restaurant and free wifi.

We recommend you use Booking.com to book hotels at a good price, check more information here:.

 


Booking.com

 

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