Spring is in the air! Buds are forming on trees, flowers are preparing to bloom, and long, sunny, warm days are ahead.
And it is not high tourist season yet. This means fewer crowds to enjoy all the cool events happening in Catalonia during April: eating typical foods for Easter, celebrating the most romantic day of the year for Catalans, or enjoying an indie film festival.
Are you spending some days in Catalonia during April? Scroll down! We’ve rounded up a list of local plans to do in Catalonia during this month.
* Post written for the first time in March 2022 and updated in March 2024.
The weather in Catalonia in April
Catalonia (except the Pyrenees) has said goodbye to winter by the time April rolls around. Spring temperatures are pleasant, sunshine is the norm, and the hours of light are plenty for exploring around!
🌡 Temperatures
The temperatures vary a lot depending on the area of Catalonia you’re visiting. Spring is in the air, and temperatures get warmer and warmer.
On the coast, the average high in April is just over 19ºC (66ºF). It’s warm enough for T-shirts at midday. The sea is probably still too cold for a proper swim, but there are always a few brave souls who give it a go. In the evenings, temperatures always drop, so it’s good to have a jacket at hand.
Day temperatures are similar in central and western Catalonia, although they get a bit lower at nighttime.
In the mountains, temperatures are lower, especially at night when they reach around 5ºC (41ºF).
You can watch the weather on your phone’s app (we usually use Google Weather) or Accuweather.
🌦 Weather
Don’t expect a lot of grey days like in Norway or London. We’re lucky sunshine is the norm in most parts of Catalonia!
☔️ Rain and snow
The chances of getting a few showers in April are a bit higher than in the rest of the year (especially in the mountains, where it rains more often). With a bit of luck, you won’t get wet during your visit.
But, just in case, we recommend you pack a jacket that is also waterproof, so you can keep exploring without getting soaked!
☀️ Hours of light
The hours of light increase considerably in April. There’s plenty of sunshine for outdoor activities, with the sun rising at 7:30 am at the beginning of the month, and at 6:50 am at the end of the month.
The sunset happens at 8:15 pm at the beginning of the month and as late as 8:47 pm at the end of April. It’s a wonderful time to enjoy sunsets as they won’t happen as late as in summer.
What to pack for a trip to Catalonia in April
🧣 Clothing
What about the clothes to pack? You’ll definitely need to add a spring jacket and a jumper to your packing list. The temperatures get down in the evening, and it can get chilly. If you’re going to the mountains, pack a coat and some warm jumpers. Thermal layers and gloves might still be necessary if you decide to practise any winter sports. You might want to pack your swimsuit for a holiday on the coast. Maybe you don’t use it for a swim, but you might want to get tanned if the sun is shining!
🥾 Footwear
Regarding shoes, sneakers are a great option. A pair of hiking boots will do if you plan to go to the mountains. Always remember to bring comfy shoes!
What’s on in Catalonia in April
Go skiing
Although it’s no longer winter and temperatures are a bit warmer, it’s not yet time to hang the skis! Ski resorts in Catalonia are open until beginning/mid-April. So, if you fancy a last-minute trip to the mountains before the season is over, you still have time!
Catalonia is home to 9 ski resorts, so we’re sure you’ll find one that suits your level and taste. For more info about the ski resorts located in the region, take a look at our blog post Where to ski in the Catalan Pyrenees: A guide to all the ski resorts in Catalonia.
And if you decide to venture a little bit further, you can also explore the ski options available in Andorra at our blog post Skiing in Andorra: A guide to all the ski resorts in the country.
Check the Indie D’A Film Festival (4th to 14th April)
Cinephiles will love this plan!
April rounds out with the D’A film festival, which celebrates the best in indie film and what’s next to come in the world of cinema.
The “D’A” in the festival’s name stands for d’autor (auteur cinema in Catalan). So, expect plenty of fascinating, creative movies, more like Sundance than Hollywood productions.
Participate in a triathlon in a unique setting (6th & 7th April)
If you like to sneak a sports event on your trip, you might be interested in those two triathlons. What’s unique about them is not the option of choosing between several distances or the number of participants. What’s special are the dreamlike locations where the triathlons take place.
In April, this circuit, named the TriTour, has one race. It takes place in the beautiful southern region known as Terres de l’Ebre. It’s on the weekend of the 6th Apr and 7th of April in the Deltebre. Think about swimming at the end of the Ebre river, where it is about to join the Mediterranean sea, cycling through rice fields, and running nearby swamps or pretty villages.
Party under the sun with Brunch in the city (14th and 28th April)
Who said you must spend the whole night out to enjoy great parties? For those who like more to party in the sunshine, be in bed at 11 pm, and wake up fresh the next day, allow us to introduce you to Brunch in the city!
This festival takes place on Sunday the 14th and 28th of April. You only need to book your ticket in advance, and love electronic music! Then, you’re ready to have a great time.
And the location? It’s always in Barcelona, but the place changes every time! It can be in the famous Poble Espanyol, a park in Les Corts, or an old beer factory.
There’s also something cool about this festival that party mums and dads will love: little party animals are welcome! The festival has an area exclusively designed for kids and parents. Also, there are activities programmed, so the young enjoy it as much as the old!
Enjoy a tennis match at the Trofeu Conde de Godó (13th to 21st April)
The Conde de Godó Trophy, currently known as Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, is the oldest tennis tournament in Spain and an unmissable event for some of the best tennis players in the world. It will occur at the Reial Club de Tennis Barcelona from the 13th to the 21st of April.
We’re sure you’ll love this clay-court tournament if you’re a sports fan. Get ready for a day of top-class tennis matches, a festive atmosphere, and many people cheering!
Rafael Nadal, and Carlos Alcaraz are some of the players that have already confirmed their participation in the tournament. Who will be the winner?
Cruïlla DO Terra Alta (20th & 21st April)
Cruïlla, the famous festival that takes place in Barcelona every summer, is expanding and reaching new locations. On this spring edition, the festival takes place in a wine-producing area of Catalonia, so music and wine will be the main characters.
The festival is called Cruïlla DO Terra Alta and takes place on the 22nd and 23rd of April in the small village of Batea.
Not only you’ll be able to listen to local artists, like Oques Grasses and Gertrudis, but you’ll do so while sipping local wines!
Sant Jordi (23rd of April)
The Diada de Sant Jordi (Saint George’s Day to us) is the Catalan equivalent of Valentine’s Day. But it’s not only a romantic celebration. On the 23rd of April, romance gets mixed in with local traditions and literature. Sant Jordi (Saint George) is Catalonia’s patron saint, and the celebration also coincides with World Book Day.
Take a stroll around the streets of any Catalan city, filled with stalls selling red roses, books, and all kinds of items adorned with the red and yellow stripes of La Senyera, the Catalan flag. The tradition is that men give women a red rose, while women give men books (although nowadays you give whatever you want to whoever you want!).
Although the festive atmosphere, Sant Jordi is not an official public holiday in Catalonia.
Get your cheese-fix at Lactium (20th and 21st April)
Cheese lovers, welcome to the largest cheese market in Catalonia! In May, the cheese festival Lactium takes place in the charming city of Vic. 40 Catalan and artisan cheesemakers from all over the country go there, and you’ll be able to taste and buy more than 200 cheeses!
Would we change all our travel plans to go specifically there? No. But if you happen to be in Barcelona and have a free day, this is a great choice for a day trip. You can reach Vic by train and the market takes place only 10 min walking from the train station.
Also, Vic is a city rich in history and with delicious places to eat. We recommend checking the historic medieval city centre, cathedral (Catedral de Sant Pere de Vic), main square (Plaça Major), and Roman temple.
For eating, Sherpa Vic (Nepalese cuisine), Devici Bar de Vins (wine bar); Peter’s Brasas (Latin food, huge portions!), and El Manubri Gastro-Bar (focaccias and cocktails) are excellent choices.
Other cool plans to do in Catalonia in April
Looking for more ideas for your spring trip? Here you have some suggestions:
- Cycle the Olive Oil route in Tarragona: Jump on a bike and immerse yourself in a landscape strongly dominated by the cultivation of olive trees. Along the way, learn about olive oil, its history, and its production.
- Discover Barcelona alternatively: Why not enjoy the early spring weather by exploring the city’s best sights by bike, inline skates, or SUP?
- Visit Cardona’s impressive Salt Mountain and its medieval castle: Cardona is famous for being home to one the most important salt deposits in the world and an exceptionally well-preserved medieval castle. It’s a great day trip from Barcelona!
- Spend a magical night (or two!) in a treehouse: Bring your childhood dreams to life in one of the treehouses you can find all over Catalonia.
And if you’re spending some days in Barcelona, no matter the season, don’t miss out on our list of original things to do any time of the year.
Have you ever visited Catalonia in April? If so, we would love to hear about your experience!
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