The ultimate guide to visiting Barcelona in April

Visiting Barcelona in April allows you to explore one of the world's most vibrant cities before the summertime crowds arrive. Spring is the ideal time to soak in panoramic views from Park Güell or wander the narrow medieval alleyways of the historic Gothic Quarter.

April’s mild, sunny days are perfect for exploring iconic attractions such as the Sagrada Familia. After the sun sets, go for a wine-tasting and tapas crawl, then conclude the evening with an exhilarating live flamenco performance. Here’s your guide to exactly what Barcelona is like in April.

Why go to Barcelona in April?

The weather is pleasant, but the crowds are absent

Barcelona’s top attractions are notoriously crowded during the summer months, so April is an ideal time to explore Gaudí’s iconic architecture or savor a glass of sangria on La Rambla without hordes of tourists around.

Experience unique Catalan celebrations

April 23 is Sant Jordi’s Day, the Catalan version of Valentine’s Day, when the city comes alive with street vendors selling red roses to gift to loved ones and books in honor of World Book Day.

Barcelona’s parks and gardens are in full bloom

Visiting Barcelona in April means you’ll be there at the peak of spring, making it an ideal time to see the blossoming trees and flowers of Park Güell, Parc de la Ciutadella, and the Botanical Gardens.

There are plenty of exciting festivals and events

Aside from the annual Sant Jordi’s Festival, April also brings traditional Easter holiday celebrations, the Barcelona Beer Festival, the Barcelona Open tennis tournament, and a variety of other cultural events.

Springtime is ideal for outdoor activities

April provides enough hours of sunlight and comfortable daytime temperatures for your favorite outdoor activities, whether you want to take a bike tour around the city’s parks or catch a vivid orange sunset from the shores of Barceloneta Beach.

What’s the weather like in Barcelona in April?

Barcelona's weather in April is typically mild and pleasant, with moderate humidity and an average of seven hours of sunshine each day. It might not be warm enough to swim in the sea just yet, but daytime temperatures are ideal for touring the city without getting overheated, while evenings remain comfortably cool.

Be sure to pack a light jacket for nighttime outings, along with a raincoat or umbrella in case of a passing storm. The good news is that even if you have to contend with a rainy day in Barcelona, there is no shortage of world-class museums, markets, and performance venues to keep you entertained.

• Average day temperature: 66 F (18 C)
• Average night temperature: 48 F (9 C)
• Average days of rain: 5 days
• Average hours of sun per day: 7–8 hours

Top things to do in Barcelona in April

1. Take a scenic stroll through Park Güell

Originally designed by Antoni Gaudí as a private estate for wealthy Catalan families, Park Güell instead became a public park and garden filled with the architect’s fanciful designs. The park’s gates, stairs, walls, and benches are covered in gorgeous tile-shard mosaics (a unique style known as trencadís), with the famous 'El Drac' salamander sculpture being arguably the most iconic example. Park Güell’s winding pathways lead past elegant oak, almond, and olive trees, enormous agave plants, and aromatic gardens filled with rosemary and lavender. Admiring the springtime blossoms and soaking in views of the Mediterranean Sea from the park’s serpentine bench are two of the very best things to do in Barcelona in April.

Address

Gràcia, 08024 Barcelona, Spain

Opening hours

Daily, 9:30 AM–8:30 PM

2. Embrace Andalusian culture at the April Fair

Each year, at the end of April, Andalusian culture comes to Catalonia during the lively Feria de Abril (April Fair). Held at the expansive, waterfront Forum Park, this week-long festival features traditional music, food, drinks, and flamenco dancing from southern Spain’s Andalusia region. Sip a glass of sweet manzanilla sherry and savor the salty crunch of pescados fritos mixtos (fried mixed seafood), then kick up your heels and join in a group flamenco dancing lesson. Make sure to visit the fair at night, when it becomes even livelier with concerts, carnival rides, and cultural performances.

Address

Parc del Fòrum, Carrer de la Pau, 12, 08930 Sant Adrià de Besòs, Barcelona, Spain

3. Relive Catalan history in the Gothic Quarter

The history of Barcelona dates all the way back to ancient Roman times. In fact, there’s an entire Roman city buried beneath the present-day Gothic Quarter, which you can explore at the Museu d’Historia de Barcelona. Above ground, there’s Barcelona’s 14th-century Gothic Cathedral, an ornate marble bridge called the Pont del Bisbe, and the winding alleyways of the medieval Jewish quarter. In the evening, tuck into a savory bowl of seafood paella at one of the many outdoor eateries around the palm-tree-lined Placa Reial. While these popular attractions are mobbed with tourists in the summer months, you’ll find fewer crowds during springtime.

Address

Barri Gotic, Ciutat Vella, Barcelona, Spain

4. Soak in the views from Montjuic Castle

If you’re wondering what to do in Barcelona in April, add the historic castle of Montjuic to your itinerary. Dating back to 1640, this towering military fortress has proudly watched over the city from the top of Montjuic mountain for nearly 400 years. Take the Montjuic Cable Car from the Port of Barcelona up the hillside to explore the castle and its gardens, or make the ascent on foot through the colorful, trendy neighborhood of Poble Sec. While you’re up there, stop for a glass of cava and get breathtaking views from the observation deck at Mirador de l’Alcalde, where you can watch cruise ships and catamarans sail through the busy port below.

Address

Ctra. de Montjuïc, 66, Sants-Montjuïc, 08038 Barcelona, Spain

Opening hours

Daily, 10:00 AM–8:00 PM

5. Go on a wine and tapas food crawl

Visiting Barcelona in April means you won’t have to wait in long lines to get into the city’s most popular restaurants, markets, and wine bars. The best food in Barcelona is right at your fingertips as you stroll through La Boqueria Market, where you’ll find stalls overflowing with local produce, cheese, meats, and seafood. Or you can go on a tapas crawl through the historic neighborhood of El Born or Poble Sec’s Carrer de Blai, which is lined with dozens of inexpensive tapas restaurants. Once you’ve had your fill of crunchy ham croquettes and patatas bravas (spicy fried potatoes with garlic aioli), join a wine tasting to try delicious Catalan wines like Muscat, Tempranillo, and Cava.