Carnival On Spain?

Carnival On Spain
Carnival in Spain, like everywhere else in the world, marks the start of Lent, a Christian religious observance. Carnival is held on Sundays and is similar to the Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) celebrations in the United States. These events honor life, fun, and excess before the beginning of the somber Lenten season.

How does Spain celebrate carnival?

Spain is known around the world for its many fiestas, among other things. The truth is, there’s a good reason for it. In Spain there aren’t many long periods of time without celebrations in one of the small towns, cities, or all over the country at the same time.

Even between Christmas and Holy Week, which can be considered Spain’s two biggest holidays, Spaniards find a reason to celebrate: carnival;
During this time, on your way to school or work you might see Superman waiting at a stoplight, a pirate crossing the street, or even a zombie descending into the metro;

Carnival in Spain doesn’t have the elegance of Venice or the rhythms of Brazil; it’s an event all its own where people young and old have a great time without breaking the bank. The origins of carnival date back many centuries. The celebrations that spread across Europe during the Middle Ages were strongly tied to religion.

During the 40 days of Lent, Christians were deprived of certain pleasures like eating meat, doing fun things, etc. That’s why just before Lent starts, each year people celebrate a few days of non-stop partying to eat as much meat as possible and have all the fun they can before the 40 days of abstention.

Over time, what began as a way of preparing for Lent became what we know today as carnival. In Spain, carnival usually begins with a pregón , an opening speech by an important local person or a celebrity. After the speech, the days of street parades, costume contests, street theater, and general partying begin.

Carnival comes to an end with the Entierro de la Sardina tradition, celebrated the day before Lent begins;
The Burial of the Sardine is a parody of a funeral in which a large figure of a sardine is set aflame and burned to symbolically mark the farewell to life’s pleasures and the sad arrival of Lent;

REGIONAL VARIATIONS ON CARNIVAL CELEBRATIONS The carnival experience varies a great deal depending on where in Spain you are. In the north, antroido in Galicia and arntroxu in Asturias are related to Celtic pagan traditions. Meanwhile, the Galician peligqueiros and cigarróns are the modern version of shamans with animal masks.

Catalonia also pulls out all the stops to celebrate carnival. The city of Solsona holds a donkey hanging (no animals are harmed!) and in Vilanova i la Geltrú you can see a spectacular merengada , a battle fought by throwing meringue pies; the moixo foguer, a man dressed as a bird; and the arrivo, the arrival of King Carnival.

Ciudad Rodrigo, a city very close to Salamanca, has one of the most original traditions in all of Spain. El carnaval del toro combines carnival with another one of Spain’s most typical traditions: bulls. That said, there’s no doubt that carnival is celebrated most intensely in Cadiz in Andalusia and Tenerife in the Canary Islands.

These cities’ carnival celebrations are a lot more like those in Brazil and the Caribbean. Music and live bands play a much bigger role than in other places in Spain, and the dancing and costumes are the true showstoppers.

Especially in Andalusia, the two musical groups that really stand out are the comparsas (troupes) and the chirigotas (comic carnival bands). The comparsas perform music and dances influenced by Latin America, while the chiringotas sing practically without instruments.

In the chiringotas, the members themselves are the ones who make up the songs, which usually include biting critiques of society, current events, or politics in general. Every city holds a special gala to choose their own Carnival Queen , but the most famous and important one takes place in Tenerife.

The competition is a lot like a beauty pageant, but they also judge the originality of the outfits: dazzling dresses built with various frames and even wheels because they can weigh up to 450 pounds. Now that you know all about carnival in Spain, the only thing left to do is put on your mask and join the party!.

Where is the most famous carnival in Spain?

2001 Carnival Queen candidate | © TDT/WikiCommons Carnaval, as it’s known in Spain , takes place during the week leading up to Lent, usually around the end of February, and is one of the most vibrant and lively events on the Spanish calendar. Like with most things in Spain, each area or city has a slightly different take on the occasion, however you can be sure to always find buzzing parades, fantastic costumes and fabulous parties. Here are the best places to celebrate carnival around Spain.

The island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands is home to Spain’s biggest and wildest carnival, lasting a whopping three whole weeks. Emulating the famous Rio Carnival in Brazil – think flamboyant parades and dancers clad in sparkly costumes with feather headdresses – the festival centers around various competitions.

However, rather than samba, these pageants are to elect who will be crowned Carnival Queen, with other competitions also happening, like Children’s Carnival Queen, Seniors’ Carnival Queen, and Carnival Drag Queen. Highlights include the Mogollones, live street parties with Latin and salsa music; the Cabalgata, or Grand Parade, full of extravagant floats and costumes; and the Entierro de la Sardina, the Burial of the Sardine, a comic and grotesque funeral procession to make way for Lent. Carnaval Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain | ©Philippe Teuwen / Flikr The coastal city of Cádiz takes a different approach to carnival. Here it’s not so much about glittering costumes and elaborate floats, as it is about humor and wit. This doesn’t mean it’s not as popular – on the contrary, it’s one of the biggest and best carnivals in the country. Entertainment focuses on music, and during this time the city streets are flooded with groups of troubadours in costume, singing and playing musical instruments. Carnaval Cadiz, Spain | ©Africa Mayi Reyes / Flikr The coastal town of Sitges lies around half an hour south of Barcelona and hosts a legendary carnival celebration, attracting over 250,000 people each year. Particularly popular with the LGBTQ community, its focus is on parades, outrageously flamboyant costumes and, of course, magnificent parties. While most carnivals in Spain feature some kind of drag procession or performance, Sitges goes in for it in a big way, attracting the best drag talent from across Europe each year. Carnaval, Sitges, Spain | ©Press Cambrabnc / Flikr Barcelona ‘s carnival may not be as big and elaborate as those in Tenerife, Cádiz or Sitges, but the Catalan capital celebrates in its own way. While there’s not one main procession in the city, that’s because each district celebrates with its own, with schools and organizations dressing up in themed costumes and parading through the streets. The area with the biggest festivities is El Born , which holds a drag queen horse-and-carriage parade and live concerts.

Most of the songs are satirical and aim at making fun of politicians, celebrities and well-known figures within the community;
Daily firework displays and competitions are also part of the celebratory itinerary;

The neighborhood also hosts La Taronjada (Battle of the Oranges), which, instead of using real oranges like in Italy , uses orange balloons and confetti. Carnaval, Barcelona | ©OK Apartment / Wikimedia Commons Like Barcelona, Madrid ‘s carnival may not be as big as some of the others, however it still makes for an entertaining sight. The capital city’s own take on carnaval is like a mix between the Venice Carnival, with its elaborate masks , and Cádiz, with its humorous songs. The main event is the Parade of Buffoons, which features Venetian outfits, as well as jesters and traditional costumes from around the world. Madrid Carnaval, Spain | ©Barcex / Wikimedia Commons.

What is a Spanish carnival called?

Carnival in Cadiz – Cádiz, in Andalusia, is the carnival of “comparsas” , “coros” and “chirigotas”: songs full of irony and criticism that are written by the different groups who participate in the fiesta. They parade through the city centre, spreading an atmosphere of freedom and fun in a carnival officially declared of International Tourist Interest.

Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife © Jesús DSousa.

Where is Carnaval in Spain?

Of all the crazy Spanish fiestas that take place throughout the year there is nothing wilder than the Carnival celebrations in late February. The week leading up to Lent is a time for wild partying in some parts of Spain when the country plays host to Europe’s biggest and best Carnival festivals.

Why is carnival important to Spain?

Carnival in Spain, like everywhere else in the world, marks the start of Lent, a Christian religious observance. Carnival is held on Sundays and is similar to the Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) celebrations in the United States. These events honor life, fun, and excess before the beginning of the somber Lenten season.

What happens in Carnaval?

Carnival in Rome circa 1650 Carnival is a Catholic festive season that occurs before the liturgical season of Lent. The main events typically occur during February or early March, during the period historically known as Shrovetide (or Pre-Lent). Carnival typically involves public celebrations , including events such as parades , public street parties and other entertainments, combining some elements of a circus.

Elaborate costumes and masks allow people to set aside their everyday individuality and experience a heightened sense of social unity. Participants often indulge in excessive consumption of alcohol, meat, and other foods that will be forgone during upcoming Lent.

Traditionally, butter, milk, and other animal products were not consumed “excessively”, rather, their stock was fully consumed as to reduce waste. This festival is known for being a time of great indulgence before Lent (which is a time stressing the opposite), with drinking, overeating, and various other activities of indulgence being performed.

For example, Pancakes , donuts, and other desserts are prepared and eaten for a final time. During Lent, animal products are eaten less, and individuals have the ability to make a Lenten sacrifice , thus giving up a certain object or activity of desire.

Other common features of Carnival include mock battles such as food fights; expressions of social satire ; mockery of authorities; costumes of the grotesque body that display exaggerated features such as large noses, bellies, mouths, phalli , or elements of animal bodies; abusive language and degrading acts; depictions of disease and gleeful death; and a general reversal of everyday rules and norms.

The Italian tradition of wearing masks dates back to the Venice Carnival in the 15th century, and has been an inspiration in Greek theater and Commedia dell’arte for centuries. The term Carnival is traditionally used in areas with a large Catholic presence, as well as in Greece.

In historically Evangelical Lutheran countries, the celebration is known as Fastelavn , and in areas with a high concentration of Anglicans ( Church of England / US Episcopal Church ), Methodists , and other Protestants , pre-Lenten celebrations, along with penitential observances, occur on Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras.

In Slavic Eastern Orthodox nations, Maslenitsa is celebrated during the last week before Great Lent. In German -speaking Europe and the Netherlands , the Carnival season traditionally opens on 11/11 (often at 11:11 a.

This dates back to celebrations before the Advent season or with harvest celebrations of St. Martin’s Day.

1 Etymology
2 History
- 2. 1 Development
3 Theories
4 Geographic distribution
- 4. 1 Africa
  - 4. 1 Cape Verde Islands
  - 4. 2 Namibia
  - 4. 3 Seychelles
  - 4. 4 Zimbabwe
- 4. 2 Americas
  - 4. 1 Antigua
  - 4. 2 Argentina
  - 4. 3 Aruba
  - 4. 4 Bahamas
  - 4. 5 Barbados
  - 4. 6 Belize
  - 4. 7 Bolivia
  - 4. 8 Brazil
    - 4. 1 Rio de Janeiro
    - 4. 2 Recife, Pernambuco
    - 4. 3 Salvador, Bahia
  - 4. 9 Canada
  - 4. 10 Caribbean
  - 4. 11 Colombia
  - 4. 12 Dominica
  - 4. 13 Dominican Republic
  - 4. 14 Ecuador
  - 4. 15 French Guiana
  - 4. 16 Guatemala
  - 4. 17 Haiti
  - 4. 18 Honduras
  - 4. 19 Mexico
  - 4. 20 Nicaragua
  - 4. 21 Panama
  - 4. 22 Peru
    - 4. 22. 1 Cajamarca
    - 4. 22. 2 Crime
  - 4. 23 Puerto Rico
  - 4. 24 Trinidad and Tobago
  - 4. 25 United States
  - 4. 26 Uruguay
  - 4. 27 Venezuela
- 4. 3 Asia
  - 4. 1 India
  - 4. 2 Indonesia
  - 4. 3 Israel
- 4. 4 Europe
  - 4. 1 Albania
  - 4. 2 Belgium
  - 4. 3 Bosnia and Herzegovina
  - 4. 4 Croatia
  - 4. 5 Cyprus
  - 4. 6 Czech Republic
  - 4. 7 Denmark and Norway
  - 4. 8 England
  - 4. 9 Finland
  - 4. 10 France
  - 4. 11 Germany, Switzerland, and Austria
    - 4. 11. 1 Germany
    - 4. 11. 2 “Rhenish Carnival” (Rheinischer Karneval, Fasnacht, Fasnet, Fastabend, Fastelovend, Fasteleer, Fasching)
    - 4. 11. 3 “Swabian-Alemannic” Carnival ( Schwäbische Fastnacht )
    - 4. 11. 4 Swiss Fasnacht
  - 4. 12 Greece
  - 4. 13 Hungary
  - 4. 14 Italy
  - 4. 15 Lithuania
  - 4. 16 Luxembourg
  - 4. 17 Malta
  - 4. 18 Netherlands
  - 4. 19 North Macedonia
  - 4. 20 Poland
  - 4. 21 Portugal
    - 4. 21. 1 Azores
    - 4. 21. 2 Madeira
    - 4. 21. 3 Ovar
    - 4. 21. 4 Other regions
  - 4. 22 Russia
  - 4. 23 Slovakia
  - 4. 24 Slovenia
  - 4. 25 Spain
    - 4. 25. 1 Andalusia
    - 4. 25. 2 Canary Islands
    - 4. 25. 3 Catalonia
    - 4. 25. 4 Valencian Community
  - 4. 26 Turkey
5 See also
6 Notes
7 References

What do you wear to a Carnival in Spain?

Affiliate links and ads may be sprinkled throughout the free content you see below. If you purchase from one of these links I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, but helping me cover the costs of Lauren on Location. Please see my full disclosure policy. So, I attended Cádiz Carnaval last weekend and to put it short- IT WAS FREAKIN AWESOME. There will be a more detailed post covering my experience coming soon. For now, as there is one more weekend of Cádiz Carnaval craziness coming up, I thought I would share my insights on just how to dress …. Since apparently, I, myself, didn’t know beforehand.

I searched and searched but found little specific information on what type of costume to wear;
Sure there were loads of pictures and everyone so gratefully informed me to ‘wear a costume’ (uh, duh;
), but I was looking for more;

What do the locals wear? What are the norms? What themes do the masses gravitate toward? I take my costumes very seriously and I wanted to be prepared. Is that too much to ask? Well, if you’re anything like me and you want more information, here’s what I saw, what mistakes I made and what I wish I would have worn! Here you have it: How to Dress for Cádiz Carnaval: Wear a Costume Faux pas #1- wearing normal clothes.

Hey, you! You’re going to Carnaval! Suck it up and wear a costume! This may seem like an obvious point, but some of our friends came without one. If you don’t show up in a costume, you will most likely be the ONLY one.

Sure I saw a few people walking around sin disfraz- but they were either old or thought they were “too cool” aka boring. Chances are this is your one time to experience Carnaval and the whole point of the festival is to dress up- so do that. No fear! If you don’t have time to buy one beforehand that’s absolutely fine.

The streets will be lined with vendors selling colorful wigs, masks and accessories. Money also shouldn’t be a problem, as for under 10€ you can get pretty damn creative at one of Spain’s infamous ‘chino’ stores.

You pretty much have no excuses…. 😀 Dress as something specific Dress as something specific or risk getting flooded with the question- ‘what are you?’ Pretty much everyone roaming the streets was something clear-cut. There was no guessing involved and outfits were pretty damn easy to identify. Our mistake- my friends and I just bought random things to throw together. I shopped pretty aimlessly, grabbing shiny sparkly accessories from different stores with no sort of plan. What are we? …. good question. Find a group to be a matching theme Apparently, my friends and I didn’t get this memo either. From the wee hours of the day we observed the masses stumbling around in small similarly dressed groups. These little matching posies of Carnaval goers all followed some sort of theme. Families, friends, couples- they all either completely matched or complimented each other in some way. Be funny The best part of Cadiz Carnaval is that there are NO rules. Everything and anything goes. No one was dressed seriously and many were dressed controversially. After all, the main spectacles of the festival are chirigotas. (Chirigotas are satirical groups of entertainers who poke fun at everything from world news and current events to celebrities and politicians.

I guess I thought I was dressing for Mardi Gras or a some kind of neon rave? Thankfully my glitzy butterfly wings somehow brought it all together and I started calling myself a fairy. Try to find someone to be the bacon to your eggs and you’ll fit right in.

) Follow their lead and incorporate some sarcasm in your costume. Make fun of something or someone. It’s all about laughs and humor. Nothing is ‘too soon’ or ‘too extreme. ‘ Get critical. Heck, get controversial. It’s all in good fun. Get creative In the words of SpongeBob- just use your IMAGINATION. People got really, really creative with their outfit choices. Even after 4 years of university theme parties, I was extremely impressed! An exceptional costume is so much more than ‘just a costume. ‘ It’s a conversation starter. People make a point to engage you if they are intrigued by your ensemble. One of my favorites of the night Dress warmly Newsflash- Cádiz is an Island. Carnaval is in February. Another point my friends and I somehow looked over. Sure Cádiz is in the south of Spain and more temperate than most of the country, but at night the Island breeze gets COLD. Especially in the spring months where a light sprinkle is common and you’re likely to be damp. Zip-up fleeces and tights are the way to go After we realized how chilly we were, my friend and I bought new costumes [AKA 10€ fleece cheetah PJs] at a chino. It was possibly the best purchase of the weekend. Be comfortable Carnaval is a nonstop all-day, all-night party, so if you’re planning on lasting throughout, comfortability is key. From what I observed- no one went out of their way to be “cute. ” In fact, we saw quite the opposite.

Don’t be afraid to step out of the box. This is the time to get clever. During daylight hours the temperature was very pleasant, but I suggest bringing layers for later, because even under that beer blanket, you’re bound to get chilly.

Don’t worry so much about how you look ; worry more about how you feel. Sorry ladies, you may not be meeting your future husband this weekend, but you’ll have a damn good time. Plus I’d rather romp around in converse than 5 inch heels any day. In the end, I promise you’ll thank me. Suggestions

Wear substantial footwear – I’m serious. Aside from the mounds and mounds of garbage, broken glass, and soggy confetti, you’ll encounter more pleasant substances such as vomit and floods of pee. Seriously, there are people EVERYWHERE pissing all over the place. Please, for the sake of my sanity, cover your feet.
Be careful with your belongings – Carnaval attracts a shit ton of tourists. Drunk tourists. Careless tourists. With money. And Cameras. And iPhones. Pack all of these inebriated bodies in a tight place and you have a pickpocket’s fairytale. If you’re not good at keeping an eye on your stuff, leave it at home. I bought a fashionable 2 Euro fanny pack and tucked it under my costume.

I almost forgot, The most important rule of Cádiz Carnaval—> Have fun!!!! Oh, and god speed 😀 This website uses cookies to improve your experience. You can choose to accept, reject or find out more. Accept Reject.

What city has the largest Carnival celebration?

What is the Rio de Janeiro Carnival? – Every year, over five million people descend on the Brazilian coastal city of Rio de Janeiro for the biggest carnival in the world, to see the colourful costumes, enormous floats and street parties of the Rio Carnival.

What is Carnival in Barcelona?

How Barcelona celebrates its Carnival – Carnival, which is also in Barcelona, is the time of joy, exuberance and joie de vivre, before Ash Wednesday when the 46-day Lent to Easter begins. Carnival, in Catalonia “Carnaval” is celebrated as in Central Europe.

One disguises oneself, there are carnival events and parades, which are almost as colourful as in Cologne or Mainz;
And the bars are full;
The special costumes, the typical disguises and wizards make this carnival so worth seeing;

Children will love the carnival in Barcelona, also. If you tend to dislike carnivals and would like to take refuge from the clownish goings, we can relieve your mind. In Barcelona, El Carnaval is not as ubiquitous as in Mainz at the carnival or the Swabian-Alemannic Fasnet.

Does Madrid celebrate Carnival?

Every year, on the Friday before Shrove Tuesday, Madrid celebrates Carnival, an annual event fills the streets with music, colour and laughter. In 2020, the events, which are held in different neighbourhoods each year, took place in Madrid Río and Matadero Madrid.

When did Carnaval in Spain start?

Tenerife Carnival festival date back to the 17th century when the first Spanish settlements were established there. The festival has been celebrated ever since, and was known during Franco’s dictatorship by the euphemistic name Winter Festival.

What Spanish countries celebrate carnival?

What do you wear on a carnival in Spain?

I searched and searched but found little specific information on what type of costume to wear;
Sure there were loads of pictures and everyone so gratefully informed me to ‘wear a costume’ (uh, duh;
), but I was looking for more;

The streets will be lined with vendors selling colorful wigs, masks and accessories. Money also shouldn’t be a problem, as for under 10€ you can get pretty damn creative at one of Spain’s infamous ‘chino’ stores.

Don’t be afraid to step out of the box;
This is the time to get clever;
During daylight hours the temperature was very pleasant, but I suggest bringing layers for later, because even under that beer blanket, you’re bound to get chilly;

Wear substantial footwear – I’m serious. Aside from the mounds and mounds of garbage, broken glass, and soggy confetti, you’ll encounter more pleasant substances such as vomit and floods of pee. Seriously, there are people EVERYWHERE pissing all over the place. Please, for the sake of my sanity, cover your feet.
Be careful with your belongings – Carnaval attracts a shit ton of tourists. Drunk tourists. Careless tourists. With money. And Cameras. And iPhones. Pack all of these inebriated bodies in a tight place and you have a pickpocket’s fairytale. If you’re not good at keeping an eye on your stuff, leave it at home. I bought a fashionable 2 Euro fanny pack and tucked it under my costume.

How does Spain celebrate Semana Santa?

Celebrate Semana Santa in Spain | © juantiagues / Flickr Easter time in Spain can be very different from how you might be used to celebrating it at home. There are no Easter egg hunts or giant bunnies – and not much chocolate either. Here, it’s more about the religious side of the festival, filled with masses, processions and religious floats. Here are 11 Easter traditions and customs you should know about in Spain.

The Easter period in Spain is known as Semana Santa, or Holy Week, and events in many cities around the country really do last a whole week. Here it’s not just about Easter Sunday – there are many other traditions leading up to the day, which are perhaps even more important.

Many Spanish also take this week as holiday, either to go back home and visit family or visit someplace new. You’ll also find that many smaller, family businesses are closed during this week. The religious processions are the main part of Semana Santa. These go on all week and consist of many people parading through the streets in colourful costumes, carrying huge floats, and mourning the death of Christ. Semana Santa processions in Spain | © Willtron / Wikimedia Commons The floats are an important part of the religious process. They are huge, intricate and elaborate pieces of artwork, which feature statues of the Virgin Mary, Jesus on the cross and important events such as The Last Supper. During many of the processions, the floats are carried on the heads of men and women who hide underneath them. A float during Bilbao’s Holy Week celebrations | © Jean-Pierre Dalbéra / Flickr During the parades you’ll see many religious brotherhoods, dressed in colourful silky costumes with pointed hoods, covering their heads and faces. The costumes of these religious brotherhoods may remind visitors of certain groups, which were around in the southern United States, particularly during the 1950s and 60s, but there’s nothing sinister about these costumes – they are simply historic and symbolise the brotherhoods they represent. Drumming during one of Bilbao’s Holy Week processions | © Misko / Flickr Another part of the processions are the mourners. Dressed all in black, they are usually women, wearing lacy veils and carrying candles. They symbolise the mourning of the death of Christ and usually follow the brotherhoods and floats. Candles are a typical part of these religious processions, whether they take place in the day or night, and are often carried by the mourners and the brotherhoods.

Brass bands and drummers are also in accompaniment;
Some of the best and most elaborate religious processions can be seen in the Andalusian cities of Seville and Granada , as well as further north in the Castilla y León cities of Zamora, Salamanca and Valladolid;

Children, particularly in Andalusian cities , have competitions between themselves during this time to see who can make the biggest ball of wax. Every so often the processions come to a standstill so that the people carrying the floats can rest or change over, and when they do, children will bend down underneath the candles to collect the hot dripping wax and add it to their ball. Children collecting wax from the candles during Holy Week in Spain | © Asier Solana Bermejo / Flickr Easter Sunday in Spain is all about going to mass and staying home with family. It’s a similar time to Christmas in that families often travel home for Easter, and a big meal is cooked and eaten together with family. A typical Easter Sunday dinner may consist of garlic soup ( sopa de ajo ) with a baked egg in the middle, or seafood.

Forget chocolate Easter eggs, the Spanish have their own Easter treats. Similar to French toast, torrijas are typically eaten around Easter time. They consist of bread, dipped in milk and egg, then fried, before being sprinkled in sugar and drenched in honey.

Some of them also have a burnt sugar layer on the top, similar to a crème brûlée. Some of the best torrijas can be found in the Basque Country. Try some torrijas during Easter time in Spain | © Tnarik Innael / Flickr Another Easter treat are pestiños, which are like crunchy, deep fried fritters, flavoured with anise and orange and glazed with sugar or honey. You’ll mostly find them in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. Easter cakes, or Monas de Pascua, are typically found in the Catalunya and Valencia regions. Traditionally they consist of sweet bread rings with whole eggs baked into the top and sprinkled with candied pieces of fruit and sugar. Try a traditional Mona de Pascua at Easter in Spain | © Juan Emilio Prades Bel / WikiCommons Bueñelos are like small doughnuts, although they are irregular in shape and have no hole in the middle. They are deep fried and are usually sprinkled with sugar. Valencia is a great place to try bueñelos – here they make them with pumpkin.