Barcelona in April: Weather, Things to Do, Where to Go (2024)
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Wondering when to plan your trip to Barcelona? Can’t decide between sandy summers filled with sangria, less crowded days in January, or anywhere in between?
Well, you’ve come to the right place! At this point, I have first hand experience on what each month has to offer in the Catalonian capital and I love sharing the details with fellow travel enthusiasts like you!
In this post, I’ll share things to do, see, weather, packing insights, and answers to our most frequently asked questions when planning a trip to Barcelona in April.
Is April a good time to visit Barcelona?
Yes! April is amazing time to visit Barcelona. The temperatures are perfect for indoor and outdoor activities – hike nearby mountains, explore the museums, or take in the local culture at a cooking class.
Busy season usually doesn’t ramp up until later in the spring, so you might get lucky and beat the crowds.
Unfortunately, April is not the best beach month, but it does still offer plenty of excitement!
Weather in Barcelona in April
April showers don’t bring May flowers when living in Barcelona! As a general rule of thumb, April is not considered a very wet month, normally seeing a few scattered showers throughout the month.
Typically, April offers mild but enjoyable weather, with average temperatures of 17°C / 63°F. Days will be filled with plenty of sun and a cool breeze coming from the ocean.
The Mediterranean water begins to warm in preparation for the pending summer months. Water temperatures tend to be around 14°C / 58°F. Typically I would say that is a bit chilly for my liking, but cold plunges are in these days!
Overall, April offers 30 days of pleasantries, reprieve from the hotter months in the summer, but visibly warmer than the depths of Winter. 10/10 would recommend a visit in April!
At the time I published this post, Barcelona, among other regions in Spain, are in an intense drought. Depending on when your visit falls, you may notice restrictions on public water usage.
For example, public showers that are typically available at beaches to rinse sand off, may not be available. Fountains that are sometimes found in the historical squares may not be running.
Average Temperatures in April
- Average high in Barcelona in April is 70°F / 21°C
- Average low in Barcelona in April is 48°F / 9°C
- How hot is it in Barcelona in April? Barcelona reaches a high of 73 °F (23 °C) in April
- What month is the warmest in Barcelona? July and August are the warmest months in Barcelona reaching highs of 85 degrees F (29°C).
How warm is Barcelona in April?
Average Barcelona April Temperatures are generally highs of 63°F / 17°C and average lows of 58°F / 14°C. Temperatures tend to increase as the month goes on with the warmest days seeing temperatures of 72°F / 21°C.
Average Rainfall for April in Barcelona
- Average rainfall in April in Barcelona: Barcelona see’s an average of 1-1.5inches of rain in April.
- What are the rainy months in Barcelona March with 3 inches and September-November with 3-4 inches on average are the rainiest months in Barcelona
- What is the rainiest month in Barcelona? October is the rainiest month in Barcelona with an average rainfall of 3.5 inches (90 mm). April has the second-highest rainfall at 3 inches (76 mm)
Barcelona Holidays and Festivals in April
1. Celebrate Sant Jordi’s Day
Sant Jordi’s Day is celebrated on April 23rd and is similar to Valentines Day in the United States, but with different traditions and love to be shared beyond romantic partnerships.
Sant Jordi is the patron Saint of Catalonia, and in addition to the traditions of love and friendship, there is a deep sense on pride and tradition.
Traditionally, men are given books, and women are given flowers. People give to not only their romantic partners, but friends, colleagues, and neighbors.
You’ll find roses everywhere! From street vendors selling red roses, to hotels and notable buildings decorated, the city is truly transformed into something truly special. In addition to roses, there are plenty of book shops along notable streets and Catalan flags everywhere!
2. Feria de April
Feria de April is a week-long event that typically falls towards the end of the month. While the original tradition hails from the Andalusian region of Spain, this festival brings the best of Andalusia to Catalonia.
During the Feria de April Barcelona, you can expect plenty of traditional Flamenco shows, honoring the dances and melodies of the south, along with the elegant outfits and attire that come with it.
Refuel with Andalusian tapas after all that dancing, and enjoy dishes at tapas bars like montaditos, paellas, and rebujito cocktails.
There will be plenty of family friendly entertainment and exhibits, making this a perfect event to attend with the kids.
Dates are always posted on the Catalan April fair website.
Best Things to Do in Barcelona in April
1. Check out the Barcelona Open Banc
Open Banc Sabadell, or the Barcelona Open is one of the most important tennis events in Spain and draws in grand slam players from around the world. This year’s tournament is scheduled from April 13th - April 21th. TOURNAMENTS ARE USUALLY HELD ...
Whether you’re a tennis fan or not, seeing the best of the best compete is guaranteed to be exciting.
2. Palo Market Fest
Palo Market Fest is held once a month in the Poblenou district of Barcelona. If your visit occurs over market fest days, I recommend attending for a few hours in the afternoon.
The market is full of food vendors, vintage shopping, live music, and great cocktails. There are plenty of stalls to stroll through and incredible international cuisine to try.
Nothing beats a sunny afternoon than sipping on drinks while jamming out to live music in the edgy Poblenou neighborhood.
3. Check out a FC Barcelona match
Barcelona lives for football, and by that I mean soccer, culture. April is a great time to try and catch a match. FC Barcelona also has a basketball team and games are quickly gaining just as much momentum. If you’re a sports buff, I recommend adding a game to your itinerary.
4. Attend the Barcelona-Sant Jordi International Film Festival
If you’re a movie buff with a trip planned for spring be sure to check out the Barcelona Film Fest at the Verdi Cinemas. The week- long event has plenty of prominent industry names hailing to Barcelona to promote recent works of art.
5. Take a Day Trip to the Penedes Wine Region
If you’re a wine or cava enthusiast, I highly recommend taking a day trip to the Penedes Wine Region.
Penedes Wine Region is just a quick 50 minute train ride on the R4 line from Barcelona and is home to some of the largest and most profound wine and cava producers in the world.
There are plenty of tours that can be done as a group, or self guided, to give you a taste of what the region has to offer. Figuratively and literally! Plus, this landscape is gorgeous. Nothing beats wine tasting in a country that looks like something out of a fairytale!
What to Wear in Barcelona in April
Barcelona in April is neither exceedingly hot nor cold, and drought or not, you likely won’t see much rainfall. Dress for hiking in the mornings, e-biking during the days, and cooking classes in the evening.
If you’re not already accustomed, layers will become your best friend.
When packing, include
- short sleeves and shorts
- sun dresses paired with light sweaters
- tank tops
- jackets for evenings
- comfortable shoes
- hiking shoes if you want to hike
- sunglasses
- hats for sun protection
- sunscreen
While it’s not necessarily hot, it will likely be quite sunny. It’s important to wear sunscreen year-round!
Locals dress for the season, not the weather. As someone who grew up being personally victimized by northern winters, I couldn’t quite understand why people wouldn’t want to wear flip-flops on the first mild day after a long, dark, winter.
Some days I rebel, finding solidarity amongst other expats thankful enough to be basking in the Spanish sun. More often than not, I try to acclimate, and dress for the season, not the weather.
Getting Around Barcelona
Barcelona is one of the most accessible cities I’ve ever been to. From the moment you step out of the airport, public transport is easy. You can arrive to center city via airport bus, metro, train, or cab.
Once you’ve arrived in city center, the same options exist and connect all the city and surrounding suburbs. Barcelona is compact and all points of interest can be reached by foot.
The T-Casual ticket is an affordable option (roughly 11 Euros) that allows for 10 rides across metros, buses, and trams. Tickets can be purchased in the machines at all metro stations.
Is Barcelona safe?
Yes. While Barcelona sees plenty of petty crime like pickpocketing, it is an incredibly safe city. As someone who’s traveled most of Europe solo, and lives alone thousands of miles from home, I can comfortably say that Barcelona is safe.
All major cities, especially those that see high levels of tourism, will have concerns around pickpocketing. Always be mindful of belongings in busy areas and avoid dressing flashy. It’s not uncommon for gold necklaces or expensive watches to be snatched off of unsuspecting tourists before they even notice.
Lastly, don’t walk through areas alone, highly intoxicated, or both. The streets in neighborhoods like the Gothic Quarter and Born can be confusing during the day, let alone after 7 overpriced gin and tonics.
Look out for each other, use cabs, and be discreet while using Google Maps to get around Barcelona. I have a free safety e-book to help you prepare for your trip.
FAQs
Is it a good time to visit Barcelona in April?
April is a great time to visit Barcelona. The weather is mild and pleasant, with plenty of sun-filled days.
It’s still considered an off peak for tourists, and there are typically shorter lines for tourist drivers like the Sagrada Familia.
What is happening in Barcelona in April?
There are plenty of events taking place in Barcelona in April. Sant Jordi day is one of the best traditions that intersects love, independence, books and flowers.
Additionally, you’ll find plenty of cultural events, and local neighborhood fairs.
How hot is it in Barcelona in late April?
Late April weather in Barcelona is not considered hot. Expect late April highs to be around 23°C / 73°F.
What month is good for Barcelona?
Given the beautiful days April has to offer, I highly recommend a visit in April. There's little humidity and the peak summer crowds haven't amped up yet.
However, Barcelona will always have a significant list of reasons to visit in any month - it depends on your preferences!
Is Barcelona crowded in April?
Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in the world and you will never be too far away from another like minded traveler. However, April does not see the peak tourism traffic like July and August do.
Barcelona in April Isn’t for You If…
You want to sunbathe and swim in warm Mediterranean waters. I’d recommend planning a visit from June-August if you’re coming to spend the majority of the time on the beach.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s incredibly easy to enjoy some relaxation time by the beach in April, but spending time physically in the water will be more enjoyable from June onwards. Especially if you want to spend a weekend in nearby beach towns like Costa Brava and Cadiz.
Otherwise, April is a fantastic time to visit!
Final Thoughts: Visiting Barcelona in April
So there you have it! Will you be visiting Barcelona in April? April is a fantastic time to visit Barcelona.
The weather is mild and sunny - none of that humidity that I absolutely hate in the summer months!
And, there’s so much to do with nearly half of the crowds! Visiting in April gives you the chance to experience unique Catalan traditions like Sant Jordi Day.
No matter which month you decide to visit, I can guarantee your Barcelona adventure will be fulfilled with plenty of highs!
