Visiting Barcelona in April
Outdoors weather, festivals old and new and a spot of Gaudi
By Jessica Bowler 
With perfect weather for sailing, park life and day trips – plus romantic Sant Jordi celebrations and the Seville-inspired Feria de Abril to look forward to – there’s plenty of things to do this April in Barcelona. Keep reading to make the most of spring!
Is April A Good Time To Visit?
T.S. Eliot may have said “April is the cruelest month”, but that could be because he never made it to Barcelona this time of year (at least as far as we know). The city has usually said a firm “adiós” to winter by the time April rolls around, and it starts to show its sunny side. It’s still not the height of the tourist season for a couple of months, so you can enjoy the great weather without the insane crowds of high summer – although for sure they’ll be quite a bustle of people, Barcelona has a year-round appeal as a city break destination.
The city has usually said a firm “adiós” to winter by the time April rolls around, and it starts to show its sunny side.
Aside from its perennial attractions, there are also a slew of events that happen throughout April, so just about any time you arrive during the month you’ll have some interesting stuff to go see, on top of the classic sights. We’ve tried to combine a bit of both on this page, and we’ve confident you’ll want to take up at least one of the suggestions we have listed below… you’d be crazy not to!
What’s the Weather Like in April?
You might not want to pack your swimsuit (the sea is probably still too cold for a proper swim, though there are always a few brave souls who give it a go anyway), but do expect lots of nice sunshine. The average high in April is just over 19 ºC (66 ºF), though you’ll want something to wear in the evenings, which get down to around 13 ºC (55 ºF).
The chances of getting a few showers in April are a bit higher than in the rest of the year, with an average of around 8 rainy days during the month. But don’t worry even if it does rain, because there’s lots going on both indoors and outdoors.
Festivals & Things To Do
Here are our top picks for what to do in Barcelona in April…
1. Sail Away on the Mediterranean
Think private cruises on the Mediterranean sound like something only for the rich and famous? While they’re definitely enjoyed by plenty of A-listers, you can get your own taste of the luxury life with a private sailing trip along Barcelona’s coast for just €350. Sail off on the deep blue sea to get some truly unforgettable views of the city skylines, made only better by the scent of the sea breeze. If hiring your own boat and skipper is a bit too expensive, check out our feature length article on sailing tours, as there are some amazing options starting at just €44 per person – such as this 1.5 hr sail with vermouth by Sailing Experience BCN.
2. Enjoy a Walk at Parc Güell
Barcelona is home to plenty of masterpieces by eccentric architect Antoni Gaudí, but none are better enjoyed on a spring day than Parc Güell. This whimsical park features some of his signature ceramic work, as well as a couple of great vantage points to take in sweeping cityscapes. It was designed to be a housing development, but the idea never really took off. Still, you can still see a couple of houses in the park today, including a pretty pink one where Gaudí himself lived for twenty years. If you’re planning on visiting Parc Güell, we highly recommend booking advance tickets on Get Your Guide, as the park limits the number of visitors per day and it’s not unusual for it to be fully booked. Another option is to cycle up to the gardens via electric bicycle with Gaudi Bike Tours.
PRO TIP: Park Guell is free to enter with certain tourist cards, such as the Barcelona Pass. If you’re planning to visit the Sagrada Familia as well (also included), then the Barcelona Pass is a very convenient option. Otherwise, check our feature article for a full comparison of city passes.
3. Celebrate Sant Jordi’s Day (April 23)
Often described as the Catalan equivalent of Valentine’s Day, the Diada de Sant Jordi (Saint George’s Day to us) is not just a romantic celebration but also a truly local one. Saint George is the patron saint of Catalonia, so the romance gets mixed in with a bit of local pride as well. It coincides with World Book Day, so traditionally men receive books and women receive roses (although today, almost everybody gets a book!). The streets fill with stalls selling books, roses, and all kinds of items adorned with the red and yellow stripes of the Catalan flag. Coupled up, or going solo, take a stroll around the streets of Las Ramblas and the Passeig de Gracia to see plenty of happy smiles, accompanied by the scent of fresh roses.
4. Learn To Cook A Paella!
We don’t need to tell you that the paella is Spain’s most famous dish, and like any classic cuisine it tastes better when it’s home-cooked, than served up in a restaurant. During this fun activity, you’ll first go shopping for the secret ingredients required to make the perfect paella at the legendary La Boqueria Food Market, before heading back to a large kitchen to help your local chef prepare the dish. Once the rice has soaked up all the seafood flavour (vegetarian option also available!), and the crispy bottom layer of socarrat is forming, it’s time to turn off the flame and tuck in to your delicious Spanish dish. At just €65 per person, this is a great activity to do instead of lunch or dinner. You can reserve via Get Your Guide.
5. Helicopter, Sailing and Walking Tour
Yep, you read that right! It’s three experiences in one, during this top-rated tour that gives you three very different perspectives of Barcelona. You’ll start by exploring the Gothic Quarter on your own two feet, on a guided tour with an expert guide, before you go rising high into the skies for a bird’s eye view over the city, in a thrilling helicopter ride. The tour ends with a relaxing boat cruise along the coast. You can securely book the activity via Get Your Guide, which also has a free cancellation policy. The tour is great value at €134.99 per person.
6. Take a Day Trip to Cadaqués
A couple hours north of Barcelona, the Costa Brava is famed for its beautiful wild beaches, pretty white villages and world-class cuisine. The jewel of the coastline is Cadaqués, a small town that sits on a picturesque bay. Famous artists have summered here through its history (most notably Dalí, who had a house a short walk away; Picasso, Miró, Duchamp, and more have also passed through). The town makes a perfect place for a quick break, or as the first stop on your way up to visit other towns on the Catalan coast. It’s a bit tricky to get to via public transport, but you can hire a car, or else sign up for a tour. The one below is great value and includes a trip to the Dali Museum in Figueres.
7. Visit the Feria de Abril
The April Fair is a week-long (or more) festival that usually takes place in the expansive Parc del Forum. The festival is traditionally from Andalusia, so you’ll see traditions from southern Spain (including traditional clothing, dances, drinks and food) along with a good dose of the fiesta spirit (concerts, carnival rides, late nights and plenty of fun). Entrance is free, so round up a group of friends and see if you can master the elaborate art of flamenco – or if not, at least have a good laugh trying. The dates for 2024 have yet to be confirmed, but the place to check them will be on the Federation of Andalusian Culture in Catalonia’s website.
8. See a Flamenco Show at Tablao Cordobes
If your trip to Feria de Abril got you hankering for all things from southern Spain, then satisfy your urges with a visit to one of Barcelona’s professional flamenco tablaos. One of the best is undoubtedly Tablao Cordobes, which throws on three performances a night, together with a sumptuous Spanish buffet (or just a drink, if you’re already made dinner plans). You can buy tickets for Tablao Cordobes by clicking the purple button below. For more options, check all of our favourite flamenco shows.
9. Make Your Own Espadrilles (Spanish Sandals!)
Fashionistas pay attention, because here’s your chance to personalise your own sexy Spanish footwear in the form of the timeless espadrille sandal. Beloved of artists, actors and other assorted A-listers, espadrilles are the ultimate spring and summer accessory and in this fun class you get to build you own from the base up. The workshop takes place at 10am and 4pm every day and includes Cava and snacks, with good times guaranteed. Book using this BARCELONA LIFE discount link to get a €15 discount on the €99 class. The discount is automatically applied when you go to your shopping cart to check out.
10. Visit Gaudi’s Casa Vicens
The last of Gaudí’s works to welcome the general public, Casa Vicens is a stunning mansion inspired by architecture from all over the world, including Arabic influences and orientalist touches. Opening as an attraction as late as 2017, the secret isn’t fully out about this place yet, meaning you can avoid the queues you often find at other Gaudí sites. The house sits on the edge of the bohemian Gràcia neighbourhood, which makes a nice stop for a coffee or meal after visiting the house, and is also near to the aforementioned Park Guell. More info and tickets here, or grab yours via Get Your Guide.
11. See Sharks at the Aquarium
If you’re travelling with kids, or the forecast for the next few days says rain, then fear not… Barcelona’s Aquarium is an awesome attraction that showcases over 450 species of marine life, including three species of shark. Their biggest tank is called the Oceanarium and features a glass tunnel system that brings you nose to nose with some of the sea’s most impressive creatures. You can find the aquarium in Port Vell (the Old Port), towards the bottom of Las Ramblas. Given its popularity, you’re probably best off buying advance tickets on Get Your Guide to ensure you don’t get caught in a queue!
12. Take a VIP Nightlife Tour
Party like a rock star, or a movie star, or a football star – whatever kind of star you’d love to be – on the VIP Nightlife Tour, which gives you access to Barcelona’s most exclusive clubs. With stops (and drinks) in the city’s top choice of bars, you’ll be whisked around the glamorous side of Barcelona in luxury transport, skipping the queues in true VIP style. Every Friday and Saturday night starting in the spring, this is the perfect way to know you’re getting to see the premium side of the city’s nightlife with a fun group of party people. For more party options (including pub crawls and boat parties) be sure to read our nightlife guide.
13. Rock Out At Telegrocesca Music Festival
The concrete jungle of the Parc del Fòrum makes the perfect urban setting for events throughout the year in Barcelona, and April sees the Telegrocesca music festival come to town. This is the biggest university festival in Spain with lots of young and up-and-coming groups featured on stage. Tickets come in at student-friendly prices, starting from around €25, with a drink included. While the crowd is young, you don’t have to be a student to go, and it can be a fun chance to hear lots of local music on the cheap.
14. Check the Indie D’A Film Festival
Taking place in March / April each year, D’A Film Festival is a film fest firmly focused on independent and original cinema (think Sundance more than Hollywood productions), most of which are premiering in Spain for the first time. There are always plenty of fascinating, creative movies – the “D’A” stands for “d’autor”, i.e. “auteur cinema” in Catalan. The official website is your point of reference for checking the programme, with most screenings taking place in venues around the Raval district, such as the Filmoteca Catalunya and CCCB.
15. Enjoy the Return of Brunch Electronik
Barcelona’s got a reputation as a hedonistic city, and there are few better parties to enjoy in the spring than Brunch Electronik, which runs from mid March to June, and is in full swing during the whole of April. This open-air electronic music event brings together music lovers from around the world to dance all day long every Sunday. Despite a distinct hipster vibe, it manages to be a relaxed, fun event where you’ll see people of all ages and get to hear music from both local and international artists. Tickets typically sell out a couple of weeks in advance.
16. Catch The Vintage Barcelona-Sitges Rally
Relive the Golden Age of the automobile. (Photo by Ferran Vidal).
For over 65 years, Barcelona and Sitges have held a rally in March, with streams of vintage cars racing along the scenic coastal roadways. Today’s versions feature charming old automobiles making their way around Barcelona’s city centre and then out to the coast. You can also expect plenty to do around the rally route, like beer and wine tastings, live music, an “elegance contest” (their words, not ours!) and more. In 2024, the rally takes place on the 6-7th March. Check out their website for more info.
Keep Reading…
That’s it for our favourite things to do in Barcelona in April! You can also see what we recommend in February and the best events in March if you happen to be in town a bit earlier, and our guide to visiting in May if you’re here later in spring.
And whenever you’re coming to Barcelona, don’t miss out on our list of fun and original things to do any time of the year.
About the Author
Jessica was born in England and grew up in California before moving to Seville to study Spanish. She now lives here in Barcelona, where she works in communications, studies for her masters and still finds time to update her award-winning blog Barcelona Blonde – as well as being a regular contributor to Barcelona Life!