Things to Do in Spain in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Spain
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Spring weather hits that perfect sweet spot - daytime highs around 19°C (66°F) mean you can comfortably walk 8-10 km (5-6 miles) daily without overheating, while evenings cooling to 7°C (45°F) create ideal conditions for outdoor dining without the summer tourist crush
- Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions in Seville, Málaga, and Granada are genuinely spectacular - we're talking 60+ brotherhoods carrying centuries-old floats through streets scattered with orange blossoms, and you'll actually see this tradition as locals experience it, not a show put on for tourists
- Southern Spain blooms completely in April - the patios of Córdoba are overflowing with geraniums, Andalusian hillsides turn green (which only lasts about 6 weeks), and you can hike Sierra Nevada trails at 1,500-2,000 m (4,920-6,560 ft) that are still snowbound in March and scorching by June
- Shoulder season pricing means Barcelona hotels run 30-40% cheaper than summer rates, flights from North America drop to around $450-650 roundtrip (versus $800+ in July), and you can book quality accommodations 2-3 weeks out instead of the 8-week minimum summer requires
Considerations
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable - that 10 rainy days average means you might get 3 days of steady drizzle or sudden afternoon downpours, and northern Spain (Basque Country, Galicia) can still feel quite cold with temps around 12-15°C (54-59°F) and persistent dampness
- Semana Santa week (April 13-20, 2026) creates a dual problem - southern cities like Seville become absolutely packed with Spanish domestic tourists (hotel prices triple, restaurants require reservations days ahead), while many smaller businesses across Spain close entirely for the holiday, limiting your options
- Barcelona and Madrid are still in that awkward transition period where locals haven't fully embraced outdoor living yet - beach clubs won't open until May, rooftop bars operate limited hours, and the Mediterranean is still quite cold at 15-17°C (59-63°F), making beach days more about walking than swimming
Best Activities in April
Andalusian Hill Town Walking Routes
April is the only month where hiking between white villages like Ronda, Grazalema, and Zahara de la Sierra is actually pleasant - temperatures sit at 18-22°C (64-72°F), wildflowers cover the limestone hills, and the green landscape (which turns brown by June) makes for incredible photography. The Via Verde de la Sierra, a 36 km (22 mile) converted railway trail, is particularly stunning now. You'll cover 12-15 km (7.5-9 miles) daily on these routes without the brutal summer heat.
Seville Semana Santa Processions
If you time your visit for April 13-20, 2026, you'll witness Spain's most important religious festival as it's actually practiced. Over 60 hermandades (brotherhoods) carry pasos (floats weighing up to 2,000 kg or 4,400 lbs) through the streets from afternoon until 3-4am. The processions follow published routes, so you can position yourself strategically - locals recommend side streets near churches rather than the main cathedral route where crowds are shoulder-to-shoulder.
Camino de Santiago Sections
April weather makes the Camino Frances actually manageable - you'll avoid the summer heat exhaustion that hits pilgrims in July-August, and spring rains have greened up Galicia and Castilla y León beautifully. The trail isn't crowded yet (that starts in May), so albergues (pilgrim hostels) don't require booking ahead. Most people walk the final 100 km (62 miles) from Sarria to Santiago, which takes 5-6 days at a comfortable pace. Daytime temps range 14-18°C (57-64°F), perfect for the 20-25 km (12-16 mile) daily stages.
Barcelona Modernist Architecture Tours
April's mild weather (16-19°C or 61-66°F) makes walking Barcelona's Eixample district comfortable for the 5-7 km (3-4.3 miles) you'll cover seeing Gaudí's works. La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Batlló, and Casa Milà are all best experienced in spring before summer crowds arrive - you're looking at 30-45 minute entry waits now versus 90+ minutes in July. The morning light in April is particularly good for photography, and outdoor cafés in Gràcia neighborhood are open but not packed.
Basque Pintxos Bar Crawls
San Sebastián's Parte Vieja (Old Town) hosts the world's highest concentration of Michelin stars per capita, but the real experience is pintxos hopping - moving between 8-10 bars over 3-4 hours, having one small bite and a txakoli (local white wine) at each stop. April means you'll actually get a spot at the bar without the summer shoulder-to-shoulder chaos. Expect to spend 3-4 euros per pintxo, 2.50-3.50 euros per drink. The ritual is: order, eat standing at the bar, pay immediately, move on.
Prado and Reina Sofía Museum Days
Madrid's weather in April (15-19°C or 59-66°F) makes museum days actually appealing - you're not escaping oppressive heat like in summer. The Prado holds 8,000+ paintings including Velázquez's Las Meninas and Goya's Black Paintings; budget 3-4 hours minimum. Reina Sofía houses Picasso's Guernica and the Spanish avant-garde collection; another 2-3 hours. April crowds are manageable, with 20-30 minute entry waits mid-morning. The free entry periods (last 2 hours before closing) get mobbed - skip them and pay the 15 euro admission.
April Events & Festivals
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
April 13-20, 2026 - Spain's most significant religious festival features elaborate processions in cities across the country, with Seville, Málaga, Valladolid, and Zamora hosting the most impressive displays. Brotherhoods carry centuries-old religious floats through streets while brass bands play funeral marches and saetas (flamenco prayers) are sung from balconies. It's genuinely moving even if you're not religious - the craftsmanship of the floats, the solemnity of the atmosphere, and the fact that entire neighborhoods participate makes this feel like witnessing living history.
Feria de Abril (April Fair)
Typically starts two weeks after Easter (around April 27, 2026 in Seville) - this week-long festival is essentially the opposite of Semana Santa's solemnity. Over 1,000 casetas (decorated tents) fill the fairgrounds where Sevillanos dress in flamenco attire, drink rebujito (sherry and lemonade), and dance sevillanas until dawn. Most casetas are private (invitation-only), but several public ones welcome visitors. The fair opens with a midnight lighting ceremony that illuminates thousands of lanterns simultaneously.
Sant Jordi Day (Saint George's Day)
April 23 in Barcelona - Catalonia's version of Valentine's Day where the tradition is to exchange roses and books. Las Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter fill with book stalls and rose vendors, authors do public signings, and the whole city feels like an open-air literary festival. It's genuinely charming and not commercialized like you'd expect - locals actually participate, and you'll see couples exchanging the traditional gifts throughout the day.