Spain in April signifies the beginning of spring, an excellent time to start travelling across the country. April in Spain offers blooming flora and sightings of fauna, long sunny days and a shoulder season that sees you dodge the masses of tourists that flock to the country in summer.
April is perhaps one of the greatest months and seasons to visit Spain, with temperatures in Marbella, Alicante, and Malaga mild enough for sunbathing. Spain in April also brings the city of Seville to life with the celebrated Feria de Abril – one of the most popular festivals in the Spanish calendar.
If you are planning a trip to Spain, April stands out as one of the most rewarding times of the year to travel the country. So let’s take a closer look at April in Spain and the many trips that make this month one of the best.
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Where to Go in Spain in April
When journeying through Spain in April, there are several places that stand out as a must-see during spring. At the top of this list is the city of Seville, the capital of the Andalusian region. Seville plays host to the Feria de Abril, a festival full of good times, great food and flamenco.
It’s not just the region’s capital that draws many to Andalusia in April. The perfect level of heat and mild days make travelling through Andalusia in April the perfect time of the year. With the sun out, destinations such as Cadiz, Malaga, and Almería invite you to sightsee before the blistering heat of the summer arrives.
At the other end of the country, Spain’s Galicia region blooms into life. As the rains ease off and the spring flora comes into its own, April is the ideal time for a trip through the lush region of Galicia and its sacred way of St James.
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What to Do / Best Places to Visit / Unique Experiences
Bilbao
Although quite cool during the start of the year, the weather in Bilbao begins to ease off during the month of April. This gives the ideal conditions for exploring the northern Spanish city of Bilbao, and it is one full of wonder!
One of the biggest draws to Bilbao is the world-famous Guggenheim museum of modern and contemporary art. Aside from being home to a huge art collection, the museum’s building alone is a huge draw for those visiting Bilbao in April.
Santiago Compostela
Located in the northwest region of Galicia, Santiago Compostela has become the iconic ending point to the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. As spring in Spain gets underway, Santiago Compostela and the surrounding route to the city bloom into shades of green and are coloured by exquisite flowers.
Even if you don’t wish to complete the entire Camino de Santiago, the city of Santiago Compostela alone is worth a visit in April. The city’s old town and cathedral are some of the most captivating sights in all of Gallicia. So much so, that Santiago Compostela‘s Old Town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Barcelona in Spring
Visiting Barcelona in April is considered one of the best times of the year to see this magical city. The high heat of summer hasn’t quite arrived, but Barcelona rarely sees rainfall during this time – the perfect recipe for exploring the city.
With far fewer tourists visiting Spain in April, you’ll have the chance to explore iconic Barcelona landmarks such as La Sagrada Família without the overwhelming crowds. April also sees the city of Barcelona jump wholeheartedly into Easter celebrations.
Festivals / Special Events
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Feria de Abril
Feria de Abril, or April Fair, is one of the most exciting festivals in Spain and lasts for around a week. Seville, the capital of the Andalusia region, holds the festival and the week-long celebrations include lots of food stalls, flamenco performances and street-wide parades.
Making up the centre of the fair are a series of individually decorated marquee tents which are temporarily built on the fairground – this gives the celebrations a boundless sense of colour and festivity.
Holy Week
Christianity and Spain come hand in hand, with traditions being passed down over centuries. Even for those who are not overly religious, Spain’s Holy Week is a fantastic festival to witness. For an entire week in April, religious processions make their way along the streets of Spain’s Andalusian cities. Southern Spain retains much of its traditional Catholic festivals, making it one of the best regions to visit during Holy Week.
These jaw-dropping processions include devotees carrying large crosses or statues of patron saints through the streets. This is designed to reenact the last days of Jesus’ crucifixion, with some celebrations even going as far as to erect a stand-in christ strapped to a cross. To see Holy Week in full swing, why not join a customisable 8-day trip through the best of Andalusia.
National Spanish Cheese Festival
Cheese lovers travelling through Spain in April should not overlook the small town of Trujillo and its National Spanish Cheese Festival. Held in the last week of April, this festival displays and sells the very best cheese Spain has to offer.
Endless market stalls and tasting tents line the small town, turning the neighbourhood into a Mecca of cheese. Alongside the fantastic cheeses, there are also plenty of expertly made bottles of wine to wash it all down. The National Spanish Cheese Festival is certainly a must for lovers of cheese. To visit the town of Trujillo, join the week-long trip along Spain’s Via de la Plata.
Weather in Spain in April
Spain in April sees the first biggest chance of the year. Although you may encounter the odd shower in northern regions such as Galicia, the overall rainfall in Spain begins to end. As you make your way further south, long warm days become the norm, with temperatures rising to around 24°C, especially in Andalucia.
Often seen as one of the best times to visit Spain, April’s weather is warm enough to explore the open spaces of rural and wild Spain. While at the same time, the scorching heat of high summer is yet to arrive in the major cities.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The currency in Spain is the Euro. At the time of writing, USD$1 is equivalent to €0.93.
- Travellers from outside the EU will require a short-stay visa: this is the general visa for tourists and allows you to stay and travel through Spain for 90 days.
- Eating practices in Spain usually happen quite late in the day. Lunch is eaten at around 2 pm, and dinner can be eaten as late as 9 pm.
- Most shops and businesses close between 2 pm and 4 pm; this is known as the siesta.
- Spanish isn’t the only language spoken in Spain. Catalan is the primary language in Catalonia, Basque is spoken in the northern Basque region and Galician is used in Galicia, northwestern Spain.
- April sees many religious celebrations for Holy Week, especially in southern Spain. Make sure you are prepared for the parades and celebrations that can affect normal movement and travel through Spain.
For those of you looking for the perfect trip through the Iberian Peninsula, Spain in April is an ideal time to visit. The north of the country offers ideal temperatures to explore the Atlantic coast, and journeys through Andalucia aren’t hemmed in by the south Spanish heat. To find your perfectly curated trip to Spain in April, get in touch with our Local Designers based in Spain today!
