If you’re one of those people who have spent months thinking about your costume, making it by hand or searching for the perfect accessories, we have good news. There are places in Spain where carnival is taken seriously – very seriously. Here are some of them:

In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, carnival takes over the entire city. From Santa Catalina Park, the heart of the celebrations, every street and corner joins the festivities with costumes, masks and music. The event attracts so much attention both in Spain and abroad that it has been officially declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest.

The opening proclamation marks the start of a programme that culminates in the Burial of the Sardine. In between, there are performances by murga troupes and comparsa dance groups, as well as the Carnival Parade and, of course, the Senior Queen, Carnival Queen and Drag Queen Galas. If you need a break between events, you’ll find the perfect place to rest at one of Sercotel’s hotels in Las Palmas.

Carnivals are already colourful affairs, but the one in Águilas takes things to another level. During the celebrations, you can enjoy the traditional parades of carnival groups and floats, performances by satirical chirigota groups and the National Drag Queen Competition, which has now been running for over twenty editions.

However, one of the highlights of the programme is the Battle between Don Carnal and Doña Cuaresma. Other unmissable events include the release of the Mussona, a fearsome creature that wreaks havoc for a few hours, and the National Cuerva Competition, dedicated to the carnival’s traditional drink. When you need a break from all the celebrations, any of Sercotel’s hotels in the Region of Murcia will be ready to welcome you.

Badajoz might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of carnival. But perhaps it should be, because the moment you arrive in the city, you’ll be captivated by the incredible atmosphere and the passion its residents have for this celebration.

Get your costume ready, because Badajoz Carnival lasts for several days. That gives you plenty of time to enjoy a programme filled with murga troupes and comparsa groups, a lively street-party atmosphere and, of course, the city’s famous Artefactos parades featuring self-propelled vehicles. An experience of this scale calls for plenty of rest, so stay overnight at Sercotel’s hotel near the city centre.

Sitges is an appealing destination at any time of year, but a visit during carnival is even more tempting. We’re not sure what we love most: the sheer madness of watching a fancy-dress bed race, seeing the carnival parades fill the streets with music, or knowing that the sea is so close by that you can always wander down to the water’s edge.

Sitges Carnival traditionally takes place between Fat Thursday and Ash Wednesday, when the burial of His Majesty Carnestoltes is held. Once the celebrations are over, you can catch up on all the sleep you’ve missed at Sercotel’s hotel in Sitges.