Barcelona is more than a city; it is an emotional rollercoaster ride! The millennia old city will stump you with Gothic architecture at the Old Quarter and amuse you with Gaudi’s Modernisme at Sagrada Familia and Park Guell . It will make you giddy with fun at a Flamenco show and lead you into a food coma on a culinary tour. The city will soothe your stress on the sun kissed beaches and spike your adrenaline at the city’s discotheques and pubs. Barcelona has something for everyone, whether you are a culture vulture or a wild party animal, it won’t disappoint you! With the spring blooming across the city, Barcelona in April is a visual treat and this guide will help you plan the perfect trip.
What makes Barcelona in April special??
Pleasant Spring Weather – Thanks to the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona never is in the grip of chilling cold weather but in April the weather becomes perfectly pleasant. The sun feels warm and soothing without the sticky humidity of the summers! There are the odd rain showers but it leaves the city cleansed and bright.
Walk everywhere – Barcelona is best explored on foot and the amazing weather makes it the ideal time to visit the city. From the Gothic quarter to Gaudi’s works, Barcelona has a lot of walking and there is no better time to do it.
Cusp of busy season – May to September is the busy tourist season and by visiting Barcelona in April you can beat the crowds. This means shorter queues and more breathing space at the tourist landmarks.
Barcelona In April Weather
Barcelona in March is a relatively warm month and the average maximum daytime temperature is about 60°F/16°C, whereas the average minimum temperature drops down to about 44°F/ 7°C. One can expect an average of 6 hours of sunshine every day.
Barcelona in April : Things to do
1
Sagrada Familia
Over 130 years in the making, the Sagrada Familia is the icon of Barcelona. The church is Antoni Gaudi’s most ambitious work and famous for its surreal architectural style. Full of symbolism and iconography that drives inspiration from both nature and the Bible; the church’s facades are a must-see!
April Timings
Daily from 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Carrer de Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona,
Spain
Getting There ›
2
Camp Nou
More than 99,000 fans experience emotional upheaval at the world’s largest stadium ‘Camp Nou’ every time their home team ‘FC Barcelona’ play a match. Visitors can take a stadium tour and marvel at the history of the stadium, club and the ‘Messi Area’ with all the La Liga trophies!
April Timings
1st – 14th April 2019: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
14th – 30th April 2019: 10:30 AM – 6:30 AM
Matches scheduled on – April 7th, 21st and 28th 2019
C. d'Aristides Maillol, 12, 08028 Barcelona,
Spain
Getting There ›
3
Park Güell
Mosaic sculptures, natural forms, and extravagant architecture define the Park Guell. The park started off as a housing development but is today a public park where everyone can admire the genius of Antoni Gaudi. Built in 1914 it houses some of the best works of Antoni Gaudi.
April Timings
Daily from 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
08024 Barcelona,
Spain
Getting There ›
4
Poble Espanyol
A walk through Poble Espanyol is akin to walking all across Spain. The Poble Espanyol is an open-air museum with 117 life-size buildings that recreate the iconic villages and towns from Spain’s 15 districts. There is also a theatre, restaurants and workshop areas to introduce visitors to Spanish culture.
April Timings
Monday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Sunday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 AM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 AM
Av. Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 13, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
Getting There ›
5
Barcelona Food Tour
Spanish cuisine is unlike any other European cuisine, the dishes erupt with taste and unique ingredients. April is the perfect time for a Barcelona Food Tour as the Libertad Market is packed with fresh produce, and tourists can sample all the chef specialities at the famous restaurants, and discover the cuisine.
April Timings
Tour starts everyday at 11:30 AM
153 Carrer Gran de Gràcia, Barcelona
Spain
Getting There ›
6
Walk around the Ramblas and Barri Gotic
Spring time in Barcelona is the best weather to explore the La Rambla , Barcelona’s beautiful tree-lined pedestrian street. Start your walk along the La Ramblas and take a detour through the meandering alleyways and streets of the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic), the city’s oldest part with ancient buildings and even a Roman wall!
Gothic Quarter, Barcelona,
Spain
Getting There ›
7
Casa Batlló
The ‘House of Bones’ that’s the local name for the Casa Batlló, redesigned by Antoni Gaudi in 1904. Its sinister moniker refers to the organic skeletal appearance of the facade and the curved balconies. Designed in the Modernisme style, it is built in the trademark Gaudi style and worth a dekko!
April Timings
9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Passeig de Gràcia, 43, 08007 Barcelona,
Spain
Getting There ›
8
Casa Milà
The Casa Mila is the last residential building by Antoni Gaudi and is indicative of his philosophy of community living. The large staircase, otherworldly foyer, and terrace with quirky chimneys all are architectural and design masterpieces. Locally known as a stone quarry, the grey building is a sight both inside out.
April Timings
9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Night tour: 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Provença, 261-265, 08008 Barcelona,
Spain
Getting There ›
9
Flamenco Barcelona
No visit to Barcelona is complete without a stop to watch the famous Flamenco dance! The invigorating dance has fast-beats, swift movements and emotive dancers. Catch a show at any of the iconic Flamenco shows at Tablao Cordobés Flamenco Show, Barcelona Flamenco Olé Show, or Barcelona Flamenco Pasion Show.
April Timings
9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Night tour: 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM
95HF+JW Barcelona,
Spain
Getting There ›
9
Portaventura Day Trip
Just an hour’s drive from Barcelona, Portaventura World is a great day trip from the city. April is the right time to visit the park as it’s just before the busy tourist season but the weather is ideal to stay outdoors all day. It has three amazing parks within, Caribe Aquatic Park, Portaventura Park and Ferrari Land.
Port Aventura Park, Barcelona
Spain
Getting There ›
Barcelona in April : Events to Look Out For
Feria de Abril
26th April – 6th May 2019
Flamenco dancers, fiery performances, lip-smacking food, all these are present at the April Spring Fair in Barcelona. An annual fair it celebrates Andalusian traditions and customs.
Semana Santa
14th – 20th April 2019
Semana Santa is the Holy Week before Easter and every neighbourhood in Spain observes it with processions. Members of the church dress in unique cloaks and masks, accompanied by marching bands and biblical-themed floats called ‘Pasos’.
Trofeo Conde de Godó de Tenis
20th – 28th April 2019
Better known as the Barcelona Open, this clay tennis championship is in its 65th edition and is an event only for male professional players. The current champion is Rafael Nadal who has won it 11 times.
Sant Jordi
23rd April 2019
Sant Jordi Day is the commemoration of Saint George who is the patron saint of many cities in Spain. However, it’s popular as ‘Rose and Book’ day when people exchange roses and books with each other.
Barcelona in April : 5-day Itinerary
1
Barcelona Essentials
LanguageSpanish, Catalan
Time zoneGMT+2
Country Code+93
Socket Type F
CurrencyEuros €
Barcelona Weather in April
Barcelona will enjoy the most pleasant Mediterranean sun of the year, albeit with a few rainy days. However, the rain showers are brief and you will have clear skies through the day. The average temperature is 19°C with daytime highs of 25°C and night lows of 10°C. Sunshine lasts for about 9 hours a day with sunset around 8:30 PM.
Where to Stay in Barcelona during March
Barcelona is a popular tourist destination and the city has accommodation catering for everyone from the discerning luxury traveler to the globe-trotting backpacker. Here is a list of the best of all
- 5 & 4 star Hotels – W Barcelona, Hotel Arts Barcelona, Grand Hotel Central, Sofia, Hotel The Serras, Mercer Hotel Barcelona, Almanac Barcelona
- Budget Hotels – Hotel Jazz, Hotel Rec Barcelona, Hotel Europark, B-Hotel, Hotel Ambit Barcelona, H10 Catalunya Plaza, Musik Boutique Hotel
- Hostels – Mediterranean Youth Hostel, Fabrizzio’s Petit, Itaca Hostel, Hostel One Sants, Casa Gracia Barcelona Hostel, Black Swan, Bed & Bike Barcelona, Generator Barcelona
What to Pack for Visiting Barcelona in April
The cool temperatures in the early mornings and late evening call for light layers. Pack a light sweater, umbrella or rain jacket, and a scarf. You can get light cotton and summer clothing that you can wear during the day when it’s sunny and then layer it if needed. Carry sunscreen, especially if you intend to go swimming in the sea. Wear good walking shoes as Barcelona is best explored on foot.
Getting Around Barcelona in April
Barcelona has a well-organized public transport system on par with most European cities. You can ideally buy a Hola BCN Pass to get access to these modes of transport. Here are all the options to travel around in Barcelona.
Metro – 12 lines with over 156 TMB (City) stations and 24 FGC (Suburbs & special) stations, cheap and convenient for traversing the city.
Bus – Extensive coverage, good for short distances but more chances of getting stuck in traffic
NitBus – The Night Bus runs from 10 PM to 5 AM in select lines and ideal for party revelers Recently, biking has become popular and you can find cycle lanes and bike rentals everywhere.
Barcelona in April - Must Try Delicasies
Barcelona has a rich cuisine with many iconic dishes that will tease your taste buds. Here’s a list of the top expert-recommended dishes you should try and where you can have them in Barcelona.
The chilled deliciousness of the Gazpacho soup is tailor-made for the sunny Catalan weather in April. The soup made of fresh raw vegetables like tomato and cucumber is pureed with fresh herbs and spices like garlic, onion, parsley to create a tangy and nourishing dish.
Where to order: Restaurant La Boqueria
Luscious seafood, juicy meats and crunchy spring vegetables, they all go in together with saffron infused fragrant rice to create the Paella. The rice dish is synonymous with Spanish cuisine and is found in all restaurants in Barcelona, right from street-food stalls to Michelin-star restaurants.
Where to order: Arume Restaurante
The Pan Tumaca is a flavour bomb and yet such a simple dish! Warm toasty bread with oodles of olive oil, pinch of salt and the fresh spring tomato spread, the freshest ingredients make for the best Pan Tumaca. Eat it for breakfast or as a snack, it’s a dish perfect for any time of the day.
Where to order: Don Tomate Barcelona
Pisto is spring on a plate! The dish is a mix of seasonal vegetables like courgettes, bell peppers, tomatoes and zucchini, and seasoned with spices. It is served with a golden fried egg or slivers of chorizo. Good enough to have it as a meal, it is often served as an appetizer or side-dish.
Where to order: Restaurant La Flauta
Croquettes are a staple in any Spanish Tapas and this gooey roll of cheese and yummy ingredients is always a hit. Each restaurant has their special recipe for croquettes and chefs use a variety of cheeses, meats and vegetables to create these fried wonders.
Where to order: Fàbrica Moritz Barcelona
Tips to visit Barcelona in April
- If you are visiting churches in Barcelona, including Sagrada Familia, take clothes that cover your hands and knees. It is respectful towards the local people and their beliefs.
- April is when the flowers are in bloom and you must visit some of Barcelona’s public parks including the Parc de la Ciutadella, Parc del Forum, Parc de Cervantes and Parc de Laberint.
- The Montjuïc Hill is an excellent place to soak up on history at the Montjuïc Castle, Mirador and enjoy the spring at the Parc de Montjuïc. The climb up the hill on the Montjuïc Cable Car is just the cherry on the cake, and offers great 360 degree views of Barcelona.
- Markets are the best place to gain insight in a city’s culture and Barcelona is no exception. Go on a tour of the markets at La Boqueria, Mercat de Sant Antoni, Mercat de Santa Caterina and Mercat de Sant Andreu, and find everything from fresh spring vegetables to artifacts.
- April is the time for carnivals and fun, pay a visit to one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, the Tibidabo Amusement Park started in 1950. Take a ride on the ‘Aerial Railway’ and go up to the ‘Talaia lookout tower’ for great views of the city and enjoy the historic carousels.
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