The real spring reigns in the city and steadily pleases the guests of the Catalan capital with warm sunny days.Fresh young greenery and delicate mimosa branches evoke a good mood and call for a stroll through the squares and parks of Barcelona. The city comes alive after a light winter slumber, enticing you with the bright colours of magnificent mosaics on an unusual journey.
Holidays in Barcelona in April: pros and cons
Warming the streets of the marvellous city with spring sunshine, the April weather sometimes does not forget to be a bit erratic. But these minor drawbacks do not spoil the impressions of the trip, and this is what reviews about holidays in Barcelona in April say about it. Many people dream of coming here in the middle of spring — this time is considered one of the best for visiting the Catalan capital. So what's so special about travelling in April?
- Still a small number of tourists. The time of mass holidays comes later, and the beach season has not yet started. That's why you don't have to crowd at the sights, and you don't have to look for a free place on the seashore.
- The pleasant spring warmth makes for lovely walks. You will admire Barcelona in April by walking along its streets, looking at Gaudi's fanciful buildings and breathing the sea-saturated air.
- The price level remains the same. Compared to the previous months, neither travel nor accommodation is expensive, as the high season has not yet started.
- If you choose between European cities, this is one of the best options for spring holidays with children.
It is also worth knowing the minor disadvantages of travelling in April so that you can quickly deal with them and turn them into advantages:
- And yet, the weather in April can be unpredictable. It can be wet and humid, rainy and windy. The good news is that this situation usually doesn't last long, and soon, the sun comes out and warms up the slightly drenched tourists. So, if you're planning a trip, check the short-term weather forecast and stock up on an umbrella and a couple of warm clothes.
- The sea beaches are still not ready to please tourists with the warmth of gentle waves. The water temperature remains at +15°C and does not favour swimming. So, if you dream of swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, you will have to postpone your trip for a month or two, and in the meantime, enjoy walks along the shore and a family picnic on the warm sand.
The weather in Barcelona in April
Sunny weather in April and May is typical, but there are also cloudy days with falling temperatures and rain. In April in Barcelona, there is a chance that you will be able to walk around in a T-shirt or warmer clothes, such as a jacket and jumper.
The weather at the beginning of April can be changeable, with temperatures varying by 8 to 10 degrees for several days. However, it also happens that either constant warmth or constant coolness is established at this time.
Daytime temperatures in Barcelona in mid-April are usually around +18°C to +22°C. Colder temperatures of +10°C, high humidity or winds have been known to occur, so don't forget warm clothes.
Given the peculiarities of the Mediterranean, the weather in Barcelona at the end of April is usually warm, sunny and not characterised by sudden temperature changes. But night-time temperatures are still not very high, ranging from +11°C to +15°C.
Air and water temperature
Barcelona's mild climate spoils its inhabitants with warmth and sunshine. Cold spells do not last long, the rains end quickly, and there are very few cloudy days this month. The average temperature in Barcelona in April is around +15°C.
Air temperature in Barcelona in April
In mid-spring, the air in the Catalan capital warms up to +22°C, with average daytime temperatures around +18°C. It gets a little cooler in the evening, with night temperatures averaging around +12°C.
Sea temperature in Barcelona in April
The water temperature off the coast of Barcelona does not allow you to open the beach season in April. On average, it warms up to +14°C and only rises to +17°C towards the end of the month. The bravest tourists sometimes try swimming, but this process is hardly enjoyable — the water is too cold.
Precipitation
To the delight of tourists, there are few rainy days this month — about 3 - 5. The rain may come suddenly but soon stops, and the sun emerges. The amount of precipitation, respectively, is small — about 45 mm. Despite this, it is better to have an umbrella to avoid getting wet on a walk.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
Barcelona is called "sunny" for a reason. In April, for example, there are no more than five cloudy days. Of course, variable cloudiness happens, but it does not interfere with your walks. Therefore, you can see the sun's glow in the shimmers of Barcelona's mosaics.
Beach holidays
The beach season in Barcelona opens much later as in April the sea water temperature does not yet allow you to enjoy swimming. However, tourists who miss the warmth have picnics on the beach and even sunbathe if the air temperature permits.
Locals with their families also like to visit the beach on a warm weekend, take a basket of food and breathe the sea air. So, when holidaying with children, you can organise a beach picnic and have fun.
Tour holidays
The weather in April promises tourists comfortable walks, and the city rejoices with fresh greenery and blooming mimosas. The queues near the sights are still small, and there are no crowds of tourists, so you can plan excursions — the main thing is to be on time everywhere. And we will tell you what places are a must-see in April.
Tibidabo Amusement Park. It's already open and waiting for guests at the beginning of April. If your children are tired of long walks, and you don't mind plunging into the fabulous world of merry-go-rounds and childhood, go to Mount Tibidabo.
The park here is over a hundred years old, but the mechanical systems of the rides are centuries old and quite reliable. The observation decks offer magnificent views of the city. On weekend evenings, performances in the square in front of the park with theatre and circus actors take place, ending with fireworks.
The park is open only on weekends and holidays, so remember it when planning an excursion. To visit the park you need to buy a single ticket.
Park Ciutadella. It's a luxurious park that has been a historical monument since the middle of the last century. It takes at least a full day to visit, so a sunny morning in mid-April is a good time to start. The park is called an open-air museum for its abundance of sculptures. Here, you can enjoy leisurely walks along shady alleys, see a mini botanical garden, a small greenhouse, a zoo with exotic animals, fountains and even a lake with boats floating on it.
Magic Fountain Show. At the end of April, as the evenings get warmer, stroll to the Magic Fountains in the Spanish Village. Tons of water rushes upwards, creating sculptures and obeying classical or contemporary music sounds. It is worth seeing the installation in the evening when the composition of water and music is complemented by light. And you can do it for free, but not every day — the fountains are open only from Friday to Sunday.
And if you're travelling with kids, add some more unusual and exciting places to your list:
Tip: Buy one of the Barcelona Tourist Cards, which will save you a lot of money on sightseeing and transport. For more information on tourist discount cards, please read our article.
Holidays, events and festivals
The bright spring Barcelona welcomes visitors with pleasure and delights them with warmth, magnificent architecture, delicious food, and fun. We will tell you about the holidays in Barcelona in April, and you will decide which one to visit or visit all of them at once!
The main spring event in the city's life is, of course, Easter. It usually falls at the beginning of April. The Spaniards celebrate it in a big way. There are festive processions and church services, which everyone can join.
A famous Easter pastry is the traditional Easter cake — Mona de Pasqua. It is given to godchildren and decorated with funny figures in the form of cartoon characters. Remember to bring a hat if you're travelling in the first half of April.
The annual Barcelona Hat Stroll attracts crowds of locals and tourists who want to reminisce about an old-fashioned tradition. There are no strict requirements for participants: your hat can be either modest and inconspicuous or super extravagant.
Barcelona celebrates a kind of Valentine's Day (actually St George's Day) not on the 14th of February but on the 23rd of April. It is also called a Book Day.
Girls get roses on this day, and men receive books as gifts. The atmosphere of love is in the air, fuelled by street poets, musicians, amateur writers and simply people in love who crowded the streets. So, if you visit the capital of Catalonia in the second half of April, you can be imbued with romance and fall in love a little.
From the end of April to the beginning of May, Barcelona holds the April Festival — a celebration of Flamenco dance and food. Huge tents with goodies and costumes for the famous Spanish dance and music are on the seafront. Gradually, it fills up with beautiful Spanish women in traditional outfits and the fun and general eating of local specialities begins.
Shopping
By the middle of spring, sales in shopping centres are entirely over. The new season's collections delight with novelties and are successfully sold in big shops and brand boutiques.
Barcelona is a shopaholic's paradise. There are 5 kilometres of shopping streets, entire shopping villages with outlets, and many shops. To help shoppers, bookshops and press stalls offer the Barcelona Shopping Guide, a guide to 450 shops in alphabetical and subject order. And the blue Barcelona Shopping Line bus will help you get to the most popular shopping centres.
Cost of vacation
The flow of tourists starts to increase by mid-spring as the weather gets warmer, and many holidays this month attract travellers. And, of course, spring holidays spent in Barcelona are also a good idea. Therefore, prices in Barcelona in April are slightly higher.
Airfares
Airlines raise airfares by 10-15%, so it is only possible to pay for a flight in advance. Take care of this so that you can save a little money.
Package Tours
You should also book a hotel in advance. At Easter, the number of visitors to the city increases, so there is a lack of vacant hotel rooms, which tour operators take advantage of by slightly increasing prices compared to the previous month.
Food
April is the season for strawberries, apples and medlars. Usually, a cup of fruit slices at the market costs about 3 euros, and half a kilo of strawberries about 3 - 4 euros. Compared to the previous month, fruit prices remain virtually unchanged. Breakfast in a café consisting of coffee and a sandwich with jamon will cost 5 euros, and a portion of scrambled eggs with bacon, toast, coffee, and juice will cost about 7-10 euros.
- Prices in Barcelona for Food in Restaurants, Cafes and Supermarkets
- Spanish Food: 48 Must-Try Dishes in Spain
Tips for travellers with children
April is a great time to travel with your little ones. There are pleasant walks, no sweltering heat, and the markets are full of fruit. There are, of course, rainy days and a drop in air temperature, but these changes are minor and short-lived.
The rides are already open, the parks are green and inviting, the mysterious sculptures and fountains are ready to amaze, and Gaudi's fantastic architecture is ready to impress and captivate all without exception. There are no big queues for sightseeing yet, so this month is perfect for a family trip.
Barcelona welcomes its guests in a festive spring way, providing delicious food, entertainment and comfort. When you come here in April, you can easily experience it all.
We hope Kidpassage's recommendations will help you decide on a cultural and entertainment programme, and the capital of Catalonia will keep you from getting bored. We wish you new exciting journeys!
