When in Spain

Spain’s Festivals – La Feria de San Isidro


Listen Later

Hola a todos!! In episode three of When in Spain I guide us around the Feria de San Isidro in Madrid and take in the sights, sounds and flavours. To hear all the festivities hit play on audio player above and immerse yourself in all things Feria!
FOLLOW WHEN IN SPAIN
Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/2SOrKrL
Join the When in Spain Facebook Group. https://bit.ly/2CdDgWt
Follow on Instagram to see photography from across Spain. https://bit.ly/2D5p6IJ

WANT TO SUPPORT WHEN IN SPAIN? Make a small donation $1-$5 via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wheninspain
What is a feria?
In short, it’s an annual festival that takes place in practically every town and city across Spain between Spring and Autumn. Each feria usually lasts around a week and celebrates local traditions, music, dance, food and some of them have religious connections, such as Madrid’s San Isidro.
If you’re thinking of the cliché of flamenco, girls in bright coloured figure-hugging dresses wearing flowers in their hair…

My advice for anyone who’s never been to a feria. Go! It’a raucous induction to the España profunda – deep Spain. In my opinion some of the most lively and colourful ferias are in Andalucía in southern Spain. If you’re thinking of the cliché of flamenco, girls in bright coloured figure-hugging dresses wearing flowers in their hair and jugs of Rebujito flowing like water,  (Sherry mixed with lemonade) this is as close as it gets. The big ones in the south are in Seville, Malaga, Cordoba and Cadiz.
Other ferias
Of course, not all ferias are made in Andalucía. There are a few others which are well-known. Pamplona in the north of Spain has it’s San Fermín, the one where people get chased by bulls through the city’s narrow streets, usually resulting in more than few drunken guiris getting trampled. Valencia, on the east coast has Las Fallas, a deafening feria where towering fallas – cardboard and paper-mâché figures are burned to the ground and a daily explosive barrage of coordinated firecracker and fireworks displays called Mascletàs take place. Not for the faint-hearted. Bring your earplugs. Once was enough for me.
…and in Madrid, San Isidro
So where does that leave Madrid’s Feria de San Isidro? Meh. For me it falls short. Nada especial. I only say this because considering Madrid is the capital city, its feria is pretty low-key which surprises me considering Madrid is renowned for its buzzing nightlife and lively ambiente. That said, it certainly has a charm to it and a curious history.



San Isidro (Saint Isidore) is the Catholic Patron Saint of Madrid and the Patron Saint of Farmers. (1070 – 1130?) His full name is San Isidro el Labrador,
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

When in SpainBy Paul Burge

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

148 ratings


More shows like When in Spain

View all
Travel with Rick Steves by Rick Steves

Travel with Rick Steves

167 Listeners

Travel with Amateur Traveler Podcast by Chris Christensen

Travel with Amateur Traveler Podcast

44 Listeners

Rick Steves' Europe Video by Rick Steves

Rick Steves' Europe Video

230 Listeners

Coffee Break Spanish by Coffee Break Languages

Coffee Break Spanish

5,103 Listeners

Zero To Travel Podcast by Jason Moore

Zero To Travel Podcast

826 Listeners

Join Us in France Travel Podcast by Annie Sargent

Join Us in France Travel Podcast

1,042 Listeners

Dan Snow's History Hit by History Hit

Dan Snow's History Hit

4,653 Listeners

Untold Italy travel podcast by Katy Clarke

Untold Italy travel podcast

646 Listeners

Where to Go by DK Travel

Where to Go

25 Listeners

Spain To Go by Daniel Welsch

Spain To Go

32 Listeners

The Rest Is History by Goalhanger

The Rest Is History

13,184 Listeners

The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

The Ezra Klein Show

15,404 Listeners

Kimberly's Italy Travel by Kimberly Holcombe

Kimberly's Italy Travel

183 Listeners

Beach Travel Wine Podcast by Leanne McCabe

Beach Travel Wine Podcast

16 Listeners

The Making of Madrid by Felicity Hughes

The Making of Madrid

0 Listeners