Once April arrives in Spain, it’s official: spring is well and truly underway and winter but a fond memory. April is a strange month in some ways as it’s both the shoulder season – meaning low prices and low crowds – but it also features one of Spain’s biggest annual festivals – Holy Week – and the Easter holidays. These things combine to offer you a month that can be as laid back or lively as you like.
It’s also a wonderful month for nature lovers as the sun shines on landscapes bursting with signs of spring and beaches beckon to the first sunbathers of the year. Culture hunters will delight in the variety of Spanish traditions and celebrations on display. And foodies, who are always assured a great time in Spain, have the added joy of seasonal delicacies to tempt their taste buds.
If any of that sounds appealing, you’re in the right place. We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 things to do and see in Spain in April so you can start planning your perfect spring holiday!
- Semana Santa
- For the love of books
- Easter extravaganzas
- Back to the beach
- City racers
- Spring fiestas
- Slide into spring
- Eat, drink, eat, repeat
- Party time
- Monkeying around
First things first: What’s the weather doing?
The weather in Spain in April is taking a determined turn towards summer. You can expect the occasional shower and will still feel an evening chill in the north and in Madrid, with lows of around 8 ºC. But most of the country is warming up nicely.
Average temperatures during the day in Northern Spain sit between 12 and 16 ºC. Madrid peaks at around 18 ºC while Barcelona, the Costa Brava and the Balearics average in the high teens, but are starting to climb above 20 ºC some days. This is similar to the inland cities of Granada and Seville, while the southern coastal towns of Valencia, Malaga and Marbella enjoy averages of 22 ºC; that’s beach weather! Although since the sea sits at a chill 16 to 18ºC in spring, it’s perhaps not quite time for swimming yet.
Now that you know what weather to expect, let’s start filling up your itinerary.
Semana Santa
Unsurprisingly, given the country’s overwhelmingly catholic population and centuries of religious devotion, Easter celebrations take centre stage in Spain in April. And Semana Santa or Holy Week, is the event the country is most known for.
Semana Santa events vary from town to town but generally occur in the week leading up to Easter Sunday to commemorate the Passion of Christ. The week’s main feature is the elaborate processions of ornate floats. These are adorned with life-size statues depicting scenes from the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Carried on the shoulders of costaleros, these heavy floats move slowly through the streets, flanked by penitents wearing traditional flowing robes and hooded masks, accompanied by fragrant incense and haunting processional music. In the south, the processions feature a traditional flamenco song, saeta, an unaccompanied and often improvised lament portraying an outpouring of emotion.
As you can imagine, Semana Santa is a deeply spiritual time and can be quite solemn to witness. However, it is also a time when Spain celebrates its history and community. This intense, week-long celebration has roots as far back as the 16th century, and Semana Santa rituals are passed down from generation to generation. It’s a fantastic time for visitors to glimpse Spain’s rich past and marvel at time-honoured traditions. And it’s an event that tourists often find surprisingly affecting, even if they don’t consider themselves religious.
Parades occur all over the country in varying degrees of splendour, but Andalucía’s celebrations are on a whole other level. Seville is renowned for having the country’s largest and most elaborate Semana Santa events, and the parades there are legendary. The celebrations in Granada, Malaga, Jaen and Cordoba are also well known, but you’ll find smaller, more intimate processions in towns throughout the region.
Want to witness the grand holy week celebrations? Book accommodation in Seville or elsewhere in Andalucía to be in the heart of the events. But book early because this area gets very busy for this world-renowned festival.
For the love of books
Book lovers simply must head to Barcelona in April. It’s the event you’ve been dreaming of, a whole day dedicated to the gifting of books to your loved ones – and receiving them in return!
April 23rd is the Day of Sant Jorge (or Saint George), the patron saint of Catalonia. However, April 23rd is also Catalonian Valentine’s Day, the day that both Shakespeare and Cervantes (author of Don Quixote) died. As such, Catalonia and Barcelona especially use the Festival of Sant Jordi to celebrate their saint, love and literature all at once.
Traditionally, men would receive books as gifts from their admirers, and women would receive flowers. This tradition has evolved so that now everyone gives and receives either or both regardless of gender. Whether you’re in a relationship or not, it’s a wonderful time to visit Barcelona and see the book stalls and flower sellers springing up all across the city and along Las Ramblas. Even if you’re travelling alone or are lacking in admirers, you can still spend sunny days browsing open-air book stalls and buying yourself flowers! Is there any better way to spend your time?
Lovers and book lovers alike, search for accommodation in Barcelona now to be in the perfect place to exchange books and flowers on April 23rd!
Easter extravaganzas
Semana Santa in Andalucía is the most well-known Easter celebration in Spain, but it’s far from the only way the country celebrates the holiday. There are other events happening across the country, some separate and some blending with the Semana Santa events.
- In Cuenca near Valencia, you can catch Religious Music Week, which features international orchestras and musicians playing traditional religious compositions in some of the city’s most impressive religious buildings.
- Navarre in the Basque Country has various celebrations, including the Bolantes. On Easter Sunday, costumed dancers decked out in traditional garb, including bells and ribbons, dance through the streets of Luzaide-Valcarlos to welcome pilgrims arriving along the Way of Saint James.
- Also in Navarre is the ‘burning and buffeting of the Volatin’, a custom that dates back to the Middle Ages. It takes place on Easter Saturday when a large effigy with a firework in its mouth is set alight and then ‘buffeted’ around until it disintegrates, symbolising the suicide of Judas.
- On Easter Sunday in several towns, including Tudela and Peñafiel, you can watch the Descent of the Angel. Thousands of spectators gather in the main square to watch as a harnessed child dressed as an angel ‘flies’ towards a large statue of the Virgin Mary and removes her mourning veil, depicting Mary learning of the resurrection of her child. It’s an extraordinary spectacle, and greatly improved by the emotions on the face of the child chosen for the honour – and their family members watching from the crowd!
- In March, we talked about Burial of the Sardine events happening all around the country to mark the end of Carnival. Well, Murcia saves their Entierro de la Sardina event to celebrate the end of Holy Week instead. This unique and silly event attracts thousands of visitors annually. It has been named a Festival of International Tourist Interest and is a great way to shake off the solemnity and restraint of Easter and celebrate the oncoming spring.
- Lastly, although the Easter Bunny never really made his way to Spain, Easter Eggs did! Thanks to the country’s large numbers of tourists and ex-pats, you can buy them in most shops and supermarkets. So, if you’re in Spain with your kids for the easter holidays, they don’t have to miss out on their chocolate fix!
Want to watch one of these cultural easter traditions? Search for your dream accommodation in Spain in April now to enjoy Easter as you’ve never experienced it before.
Back to the beach
April’s rise in temperatures and lengthening hours of sunshine coincide nicely with the Easter holidays. It’s not scorching hot yet, which means you and the kids can catch some rays and spend hours paddling and building sandcastles without overheating or needing to seek shade. So pack up the family and head to some of Spain’s most beautiful beach destinations to enjoy these glorious coastlines before summer madness takes over.
The Costa Brava is an excellent choice, with abundant blue flag beaches interspersed with quaint villages and atmospheric medieval towns. It’s ideal for a family holiday because of the gentle waves and sandy coves, and for adult travellers, thanks to the abundance of art galleries, historical sights, unique accommodations and excellent restaurants. In fact, this area is so lovely that it’s a shame to have to pick just one place to visit. Why not hire a car and road trip the Costa Brava to explore every nook and cranny of this stunning coast?
Head to Andalucía’s southern tip for the hottest mainland temperatures and enjoy up to nine hours of sunshine daily. Explore the peaceful, Atlantic-facing Costa de la Luz for an under-the-radar stretch of Spanish coastline. It stretches from Tarifa through Cadiz and Huelva and boasts unspoilt beaches, stunning sunsets, and plenty of Andalucían charm. Alternatively, head east from Tarifa up the Mediterranean coast to explore the 150 km-long Costa del Sol. More developed than the West Coast, the East offers a livelier atmosphere with more entertainment and activities in its string of famous resort towns, such as Marbella, Malaga, and Torremolinos.
And, as always, when you’re looking for a beach holiday in Spain in April, you cannot go wrong with a trip to the Canaries. Located closer to the African Coast than the European one, these islands are generally the warmest destination in Spain. With highs of 24°C in April, you can enjoy a little sunbathing and some alfresco dining. While a sea temperature of around 19 °C might not be enough to tempt you into the water, the Canary Islands are bursting with other activities that make them the perfect family holiday destinations.
Fancy spending your spring holidays on the beach? Book accommodation in Southern Andalucía, on the Costa Brava or the Canary Islands, to max out on early sunshine. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
City racers
Not the type to enjoy a relaxing holiday? Want a vacation challenge instead? Well, why not tackle a marathon or three? (Well, two and a half).
Start off easy (comparatively) with the Magaluf Half Marathon on April 5th. See a different side to this party hot spot as you race through the sea-level course around the coastal resorts of Magaluf and Palma Nova before heading to Son Ferrer and the atmospheric finish line at the Magaluf Athletics track.
The event attracts competitors from 24 countries to compete in the 10k and 21k races on the 5th and kids’ races on the 4th. The best part? This event is celebrated with a Travelling Pasta Party! And all participants get a ticket to it! What better way to re-fuel after such a race?
Get your stretches in because the Zaragoza Marathon takes place the very next day! Head to Aragon on April 6th for a full marathon course that takes you past some of the city’s best sights and scenery. This race has been going on for decades, and the course has been redesigned according to feedback from each year’s runners.
It passes along some of the city’s most iconic central streets, along the Ebro River and Imperial Canal and several famous bridges. The event also offers a flat 10k course through the city centre. Both races have their finish line at the suitably majestic Plaza del Pilar.
Take a little break to rest those muscles, then head to the capital city on April 27th for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Madrid Marathon! This event has been going on for 47 years and attracts over 40,000 participants from all over the world.
There are three distances to choose from: 10k, 21k (half marathon), and 42k (full marathon), and, of course, the routes have been designed to take runners through some of the city’s most beautiful and famous areas. And, as the name might suggest, this race has a fantastic atmosphere! Over 30 entertainment stages are set along the course designed to keep the runners rocking and motivated, making it a great day out for supporters and participants alike.
Fancy challenging yourself in Spain in April? Booking your ideal accommodation in Magaluf, Zaragoza, or Madrid will be the easiest part of your Marathon prep!
Spring fiestas
If the Easter celebrations all sound a bit too solemn and religious for you, don’t worry; there are plenty of other things happening in Spain in April. Check out our top five picks here:
- Think they don’t make them like they used to? Well, head along to the Barcelona-Sitges International Period Cars Rally for proof. This procession of cars built between 1900 and 1924 is a fantastic display of museum-piece automobiles complete with period-costumed drivers and passengers.
- Movie buffs can head to Garan Canaria for the Las Palmas International Film Festival or Barcelona for the Barcelona film fest.
- Celebrate the end of Easter with the Bando de la Huerta spring fiesta in Murcia. A colourful celebration of the countryside, its spring bounty and the people who live and work in this fruit-growing region. Enjoy plenty of food, drink, and entertainment throughout the day and long into the night. The main event is the procession of oxen carts from which huertanos – orchard workers – throw food into the crowd while others dance alongside the carts accompanied by folk musicians.
- The Ciutat de Clàssica classical music festival kicks off in Barcelona in March and runs through to mid-April. This collaboration between the city’s main theatres and smaller venues features a program of 18 main concerts and smaller free events.
- And last but certainly not least, Seville’s Feria de Abril! This spring festival began as a cattle fair in 1847 and has grown from there to become one of the region’s most famous festivals. Thousands of colourful casetas – tented booths – take over the Los Remedios fairground, and for a whole week, it is the place to be for entertainment in Seville. Expect daily bullfights, flamenco performances, equestrian exhibitions, food, drink, dancing and revelry well into the early hours. Be sure to try the rebujito cocktail made with Andalucían sherry and lemon soda.
Fancy checking out one of these Spanish festivals or events in April? Book accommodation in Barcelona, Gran Canaria, Murcia, or Seville now to be at the heart of the action.
Slide into spring
If you’ve always avoided skiing holidays because you’re not a fan of the cold, then spring skiing is for you!
Picture this: you’re in the snowy Spanish mountains, but the sun shining down on you is so pleasant that you’ve ditched your ski jacket and woolly hat. You’re cruising along soft slopes bordered by the greenery of new spring growth, the sky is blue, and the birds are singing.
You’re headed to a restaurant with a large south-facing terrace, and you’ll sit out in a t-shirt and sunglasses to enjoy a delicious lunch with a cold glass of wine. Then, you’ll hit a few more runs to get to a bar where the Apres ski band has set up outdoors for a little alfresco live music session. Tempted? You should be! Spring skiing offers some of the most undeniably enjoyable conditions of the year.
Ok, if we’re talking snow conditions, then maybe not. Spring is not the season to expect deep, fresh powder and backcountry treks. Heavy snowfall in April has been known, so it’s not off the cards, but it’s more likely that, despite constant grooming, a few of the runs will look a little patchy by April. But this is more than made up for by the mild weather, plenty of sunshine, lots of outdoor dining and drinking, and all the fun of skiing without the frostbite! Plus, the last weeks of the season come with the fewest crowds and some of the lowest prices of the season. What’s not to love?
If this sounds like a plan to you, check out Sierra Nevada Resort. It’s the most southerly ski resort in Europe, yet it has some of the highest altitudes in Spain, plus high-tech snow-making and grooming equipment. This means it perfectly combines the mildest spring weather with the best possible snow quality. It does this so well that they predict staying open till April 27th in 2025, later than almost all other Spanish resorts. Plus, they celebrate spring with the annual Sun & Snow Weekend music festival, so you can ski and party your heart out!
Baqueira-Beret in the Pyrenees is another snow-sure Spanish resort that plans to stay open until April 14th. Alternatively, head to La Molina, in Catalonia. It’s one of the oldest resorts in Spain and has runs at an altitude of 2,445m! It’s well connected to the resort of Masella, making this one of Spain’s largest ski areas, with a projected closing date of April 21st.
Fancy a late-season ski holiday? Check out accommodation in Spain’s best ski resorts now, and remember, one of the joys of Spain is its diversity! So why not consider a city break followed by a few days skiing, followed by a few days on the coast?
Eat, drink, eat, repeat
As always, foodies visiting Spain will be in heaven. Check out these seasonal delights just waiting to be sampled in April.
The small town of Trujillo might look familiar from its star turn in the Game of Thrones series House of the Dragon, but it has more than one string to its bow. This medieval town holds the National Spanish Cheese Festival during the long weekend at the end of April / start of May. The streets fill with markets and stalls displaying a vast array of artisanal cheeses from across the region. Expect samples galore and some excellent local wines and tapas to pair them with.
In late April, Cordoba hosts a wine-tasting week to celebrate the many varieties made in Spain’s famous Montilla-Moriles region. Over 20 wineries flock to the city to display their wares at street stalls and al fresco bars. They offer tastings and demonstrations and put their vintages up for judgment by the country’s most discerning palates. Expect a wide range of delicious local wines paired with exceptional tapas, live performances, and open-air concerts.
Fancy sampling something a little different? Head to Galicia for the annual Lamprey Festival! What’s a lamprey, you ask? Well, they are rather unattractive, cylindrical sucker fish that swim up the Minho River to spawn in spring. Despite their appearance, they are prized as a delicacy in Arbo Pontevedra, and people flock to this festival in their thousands to enjoy the unique taste of these fish.
The Lampreys are caught in the old-fashioned way from pesqueiras, stone weirs, then usually cooked in a clay casserole dish with rice, bread and white wine from the region. It’s a must for fans of unique foods and flavours!
In January, we told you about the start of the cider season in Basque Country, when the traditional cider houses open their doors for visitors to sample the new year’s ciders straight from the barrels. This is a highly enjoyable and old-fashioned custom, but it’s becoming less and less common these days, so we recommend checking it out while you still can. As April is the last month of this cider season, it’s the perfect time to head to a cider house and sample the cider alongside traditional rustic fare of salt cod, omelette and cheese with walnuts and quince. If you miss out, you can enjoy bottled cider all year round, but it’s just not the same!
Fancy tantalising your taste buds with any of these seasonal treats? Book accommodation in cheese, wine, lamprey or cider country now to ensure you enjoy the best menus in Spain in April.
Party time
After a peaceful winter spent recharging and relaxing, the world-famous party island of Ibiza is ready to come back to life with a bang!
April on the White Isle is an exciting time of fresh starts and preparation as the bars and clubs gear up for the long summer of hedonism ahead. In April, hordes of seasonal staff arrive on the island searching for accommodation, jobs and adventures. The bars start showcasing pre-season deals, and the super clubs kick off the season with epic dusk-till-dawn opening parties. The atmosphere is electric, and the island practically crackles with anticipation.
The opening dates change each year, but a good marker is IMS Ibiza. This three-day conference gathers all the biggest names in electronic and house music to discuss innovations, challenges, and trends in the music industry. IMS holds an annual party in the UNESCO heritage-listed old town of Dalt Vila, and it is unofficially considered the kick-off of the Ibiza party season. In 2025, this is scheduled for the 23rd to 25th of April, so it’s a safe bet that club opening parties will pop up around then.
Keep an eye on your favourite clubs’ socials to be in the know when they pick an opening date. Ushuaïa, DC-10 and Pacha, along with newcomer Hï Ibiza, tend to be the trendsetters opening their doors first. Ibiza Rocks Hotel opens for accommodation in late March and then kicks off its iconic pool parties at the end of April, while the famous day club O Beach starts the party on April 25th in 2025.
Want to be at the very first parties of the season in Ibiza 2025? It’s never too early to book Ibiza accommodation as it can fill up quickly once dates are announced and the party gets in full swing. Search for your dream accommodation now, and remember, in Ibiza, it’s all about the luxury villas!
Monkeying around
Visiting one country not enough for you? Homesick for British comforts while in Spain? Just nip over to Gibraltar for a day trip!
Gibraltar is a unique place. This rocky, limestone spit of land sits at the southern end of the Iberian peninsula. Despite its diminutive size of just 6.8 km², it has been hotly contested over the centuries due to its excellent strategic location at the western mouth of the Mediterranean. It was ruled first by the Moors and then by the Spanish before being ceded to the British in 1713. It’s now a self-governing British Overseas Territory with a unique make-up thanks to its many rulers and diverse population.
Gibraltar has really leant into the ‘Britain under the Spanish sun’ vibe, so as you wander the streets, you’ll see cars driving on the left side of the road, old-school red telephone boxes, British pubs, shops decked out in Union Jacks and restaurants offering English breakfasts, fish ‘n chips and roast dinners. All while you soak up the balmy Mediterranean climate.
This juxtaposition is fun to experience, but there are many other reasons to visit this intriguing place. The vast limestone mountain known as the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ dominates the landscape at over 400 metres tall and is crisscrossed with hiking trails and viewpoints. There are cave systems, beaches, and a nature reserve to explore, as well as layers upon layers of history to discover, including centuries-old siege tunnels, Moorish castles, baths and buildings, and WWII guns and bunkers. But the highlight of Gibraltar has to be the wildlife!
Gibraltar is home to Europe’s only wild primate, the Barbary Macaque. How these tailless apes came to be in Gibraltar is unsure, but there are currently over 300 of them, and they are much loved by residents and tourists alike. The easiest way to see them is to take a cable car to the Upper Rock top station, where you can wander amongst them while admiring the stunning views. The macaques are well used to humans, so you can get quite close to them to take pictures, but don’t try to touch them; no matter how cute they may look, they are wild animals and should be treated as such. Similarly, it’s illegal to feed them, so you’d be wise to put away all food before visiting lest you get mugged for it by hairy paws!
Want to step out of Spain for a few hours? You can drive to Gibraltar under your own steam, but booking an organised tour is easier so you don’t have to worry about parking. Find your ideal accommodation in Andalucía now, and then book a day trip from Malaga, Cadiz or Seville. And don’t forget your passport! Seriously, you’ll need it at the border crossing.
Top tips for travelling in Spain in April
Not sure what to pack or how to plan for an early spring trip? We’ve got you covered with these top tips for a holiday in Spain in April:
- Be flexible with dates. While April is very much the shoulder season for tourism, Easter brings a bump in crowds and pricing due to the Semana Santa celebrations and the school holidays. If you want to travel during Easter, book your flights well ahead for the best deal. If you want a cheaper ticket, book outside of the Easter dates.
- During Easter and the Holy Week celebrations, some businesses keep irregular hours or close altogether. Call or check ahead of time to make sure you don’t get caught out.
- If you decide to book a spring skiing holiday, make sure you have the correct travel insurance. Many policies don’t cover winter sports as standard, so ensure you’re covered before you hit those slopes.
- The sun is starting to make its presence felt in April, so you need to protect yourself! Remember, even when it’s not super hot out, the sun can do damage, so don’t forget to wear your sunscreen and pack a hat and sunglasses.
So what do you think of our top 10 things to do in Spain in April?
Are you tempted to race through the streets of Madrid, try out some spring skiing, dine on seasonal delicacies or dance till dawn at an Ibiza opening party? Do you want to witness one of Spain’s most evocative festivals or join the tradition of exchanging books with loved ones?
Whatever activity appeals to you, book your accommodation today to start planning your dream holiday to Spain in April.
What about next month? Here’s our guide to the top 10 things to do in Spain in May.
I am a huge fan of Spain and knew I would be before I’d ever set foot there. Any country where meals last for hours and afternoon naps are part of the culture is always going to be right up my street! And it did not disappoint. From beach holidays in the Canaries to working in the Balearics to road-tripping through the mainland and city breaks in the country’s urban hubs, I have returned again and again to Spain and will continue to do so for years to come.