In this post, we’ll cover some of the best things to do in Barcelona in April, including a variety of family-friendly, nighttime, as well as free activities, updated for 2023.
For even more great ideas, make sure to read some of the following posts:
- Free Walking Tours
- Hop on Hop off Bus Tours
- Barcelona City Passes
- Things to Do in Barcelona
- Barcelona Weather in April
TOP 10 EVENTS AND THINGS TO DO
This section provides several different popular activities you can enjoy in Barcelona this month, including special events, festivals, and other fun activities you may want to consider.
1) Go to a Concert
There will be several notable musicians performing in Barcelona throughout April, making this an excellent time to attend a concert.
Here are a few of the best concerts taking place this month:
- Eros Ramazzotti | Apr 2nd
- Steve Vai | Apr 2nd
- Birdy | Apr 18th
- Bacilos | Apr 19th
- Alex Ubago | Apr 21st
- Vance Joy | Apr 22nd
- Ziggy Alberts | Apr 23rd
- Calum Scott | Apr 25th
- Eels | Apr 27th
- Bruce Springsteen | Apr 28th
- America - Band | Apr 28th
Alternatively, you can also see a Spanish Guitar concert at the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi.
For even more great shows to attend, check out this list of concerts in Barcelona.
2) Attend a Sporting Event
When it comes to sports, the people of Barcelona can’t get enough football, and there will be a few different opportunities to see their team performing this month.
FC Barcelona
- Real Madrid FC | Apr 5th
- Girona FC | Apr 9th
- Club Atlético de Madrid | Apr 23rd
If you’re more interested in basketball, there will also be several chances to see some of the biggest teams in Spain this April.
Tennis
The semifinals for the Barcelona Open will be held on Saturday, April 22nd, 2023.
The Barcelona Open Finals are on Sunday, April 23rd, 2023. Tennis fans won’t want to miss out on this one!
For even more sports you can enjoy while visiting the city, check out this list of sporting events in Barcelona.
3) Enjoy a Flamenco Show
While visiting one of the biggest cities in Spain, you should also experience one of the most popular traditional Spanish dances – the Flamenco!
There are 3 shows a night every night in April, which makes it easy to find time to see this iconic show.
The Tablao Flamenco Cordobes is the only venue of its kind in La Rambla and has been hosting flamenco artists since 1970.
Purchase Flamenco tickets or learn more.
4) Take a Walking Tour
With spring arriving, this is an excellent time to take a free walking tour and learn more about the city of Barcelona from an experienced tour guide.
Barcelona city tours typically include the Old Town, historic port, Gothic District, and the Barcelona Cathedral - not to be confused with Sagrada Familia - among other landmarks.
For more details, please read our post covering Barcelona walking tours.
There are also a variety of different paid walks covering topics including the civil war, Barcelona nightlife, Gaudi, the supernatural, and more.
5) Save Money With a Tourist Pass
If you’re planning to visit multiple popular attractions while in Barcelona, you could save 50% or more off admission prices by using a tourist attraction pass.
There are three different types of passes to choose from, each one serving a different purpose.
While the all-inclusive pass is excellent for anyone planning at least 4-5 activities per day, a preset package might be better for visitors with limited time.
There is also a flex pass you can use which lets you pick just the attractions you want, and this service is best for expensive activities.
Here are a few of the more notable attractions included with Amsterdam tourist passes:
- Hop on Hop off Bus Tour
- Barcelona Bike Tour
- Las Golondrinas Cruise
- L’Aquarium Barcelona
- Camp Nou Tour
- Sagrada Familia
- Port Aventura
- Picasso Museum
- Dali Museum
- Barcelona Zoo
- And more!
For additional information about these services, please read our post covering Barcelona tourist passes.
6) Learn How to Make Paella
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to authentic Spanish cuisine, now you can!
After seeing La Boqueria with the chef to learn about and purchase the ingredients, you’ll get expert instruction on this traditional seafood dish.
This paella cooking experience will lead you through the steps.
You’ll start by mixing your own Sangria and having a taste of some tapas before the chef starts the interactive cooking workshop.
This cooking class includes all the food required, as well as your choice of drinks.
After the meal and drink, you’ll get all the recipes emailed to you to recreate!
Of course, if you’re more excited about eating than cooking, you can take a great tapas tour or sample all sorts of Spanish cuisine on a Secret Food Tour of the city.
7) Celebrate Sant Jordi
Sand Jordi's Day celebrates the legend of Saint George and the dragon.
While it isn't a public holiday, it is celebrated as the region's version of Valentine's Day.
You'll find flowers, red decorations, and the red and gold Catalan flag everywhere throughout the city on April 23rd.
If you go to the pedestrian street of Las Ramblas, you'll find it transformed into one large flower and book market.
Visitors with a sweet tooth should taste Sant Jordi bread from local bakeries, which is made with red sobrassada sausage.
8) Visit a Historic Landmark
With the tourism season about to kick into full swing, April will be one of the last chances to visit popular historic sites and landmarks without fighting through a lot of crowds.
Here are a few locations you may want to consider during the spring:
Each of these sites is included with at least one tourist pass, so if you plan to visit more than one, you can most likely save some money by using these services.
9) Celebrate Semana Santa and Easter with the City
This year, Easter weekend is April 14th - 17th, 2022. Easter is the culmination of Semana Santa or Holy Week.
On both Good Friday, April 14th, and the following Monday, April 17th, much of the city will be closed for the public holidays. Most businesses will run as normal on Saturday, however.
If you’re interested in attending mass, anyone can go to Palm Sunday or Easter Mass at Sagrada Familia and Barcelona Cathedral.
You'll probably see local children waving their palm leaves for Palm Sunday on April 2nd.
If you want to take part, there will be market stands close to the cathedral to purchase your own. This is when the most colorful parades will happen.
As for Easter parades, Barcelona's festivities will be slightly more subdued than those in other regions.
You'll probably catch a glimpse of religious orders and brotherhoods on their symbolic processions.
10) Visit a Limited Art Exhibit
There are a few very interesting exhibits available in Barcelona during the month of April 2023.
Even if you're not typically interested in art, you might want to check out some of these attractions!
The biggest exhibition is The World of Banksy at Espacio Trafalgar.
You can expect to see over 100 different works of art from Banksy, and the attraction will be available throughout the month.
There will also be an exhibit focusing on the life and times of famed actress Marilyn Monroe at the Cal Gerrer House Museum.
You can expect to see a variety of photos, documents, and books related to her work.
UNCONFIRMED: Take a Dance Class or Watch the Showcase at the Jazz Dance Festival
The country’s largest Jazz Dance festival will be hosting classes, events, documentary showings, and a showcase for instructors and participants to perform in.
This event typically takes place in April, but it has yet to be confirmed for 2023.
Prices:
- 1 Class: €35
- 3 Classes: €90
- 6 Classes: €160
- Full Festival Schedule: €255
- Non-Participant Showcase Tickets: €10
NOTE: If you have children in your family who love to dance, anyone aged 11 and up can participate in classes! There are Junior classes available for these younger participants.
UNCONFIRMED: Take the Kids to the Earth Day Eco-Festival
This year, Earth Day is on April 22, 2023. Fira de la Terra, the annual eco-festival, usually takes place on the closest weekend, April 22nd, 2023.
Head over to Parc de la Ciutadella to find a market with local and fair trade vendor booths selling food and crafts.
Entertainment includes live music, dance performances, and interactive dances that everyone can join in.
There will also be fun, child-focused activities and crafts!
Admission is free on both days from 11:00 am - 20:00 (8:00 pm).
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