April in Spain: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

Whether you're visiting Barcelona in northeastern Spain or traveling to the sunny Canary Islands, April is a great time to plan a vacation to Spain, though the weather and events vary by region.

Along with warmer weather—and despite a few spring showers—you can also expect cities across the country will take the opportunity to host a variety of seasonal events, festivals, and parties including the week-long Semana Santa and Easter celebrations.

When picking out where to go in Spain in April, it really comes down to what you want to do and what you want to see during your travel. All of Spain's best cities are relatively warm this time of year, but you should be sure to check out the regional weather before you go.

Spain Weather in April

Depending on where you're staying during your trip to Spain, you're likely to experience vastly different weather no matter what time of year you visit. However, the climate around the entire country is usually comfortably warm throughout April, getting gradually warmer as the month progresses.

The southern Spanish region of Andalusia experiences overall warmer weather than the northern portion of the country, which tends to be cooler and also rainier. If you're visiting San Sebastian in the Basque Country or Galicia in the northwest, make sure you have waterproof clothing or an umbrella.

Coastal cities like Barcelona, Valencia, and Malaga, tend to have a more steady Mediterranean climate, with sunny days and mild changes between daily highs and lows. But cities inside Spain's interior, such as dead-center Madrid, experience more drastic fluctuations—days in April can be surprisingly hot while the evenings get cold. Madrid is also more likely to experience surprise rainstorms, so be prepared just in case.

What to Pack

A good rule of thumb to keep in mind when visiting Spain in April: layers. Bring scarves, cardigans, light T-shirts, and similar clothing items that can easily be layered. Temperatures can be quite chilly in the mornings and evenings but are generally pleasant during the day in most places, so it's good to have options.

Keep in mind that Spaniards usually dress according to the season—not the weather. That means that even if it's sunny and warm, don't be surprised if you see locals wearing light jackets and long pants (it's not summer yet, after all). Keep this in mind if you don't want to stick out. 

While some places are rainier than others, you never know when an unexpected shower will hit. A compact umbrella that can easily fit into your handbag or backpack is always a good thing to have when out and about in Spain in April.

April Events in Spain

As the weather gets warmer throughout the month, cities around Spain host annual and special events in celebration of spring each April. The longer days and late sunsets in Spain bring out locals and visitors for a month full of music, cultural, religious, and culinary events.

• Semana Santa is one of the most important festivals in Spain, especially in the southern province of Andalusia. This is spring break in Spain, so many Spaniards are traveling during this time as well and the prices reflect that. Celebrations take place throughout the week leading up to Easter Sunday, usually during the first weeks of April but it can also fall in March.
• Fería de Abril is literally the "April Fair," and it's the biggest event of the year in the southern city of Seville. It starts two weeks after Semana Santa and for an entire week, you'll find people partying in the streets, concerts in plazas, and flamenco dancers showing off their moves.
• La Passió, a performance of "The Passion of the Christ," takes place every weekend from mid-March until early April in the town of Esparraguera, Catalonia, near Barcelona.
• The Human Rights Film Festival takes place in San Sebastian near the end of April, the same city that hosts the prestigious San Sebastian International Film Festival later in the year.
• Bando de la Huerta is a colorful street festival complete with dancing, parades, and floats that takes place in the city of Murcia and always begins on the Tuesday after Easter.
• The Sant Jordi Festival is a local celebration that combines Valentine's Day traditions with a celebration of the lives of Cervantes and Shakespeare, who both died on the same day. It takes place in the Catalonia region on April 23 every year, when lovers typically gift books to one another.
• Festimad is a festival of musical diversity in Madrid that takes place over two weeks and typically begins at the end of April. Artists of all genres put on performances in venues all across the Spanish capital and you can find nightly concerts to attend.
• The Cata de Vino Montilla-Moriles is a huge tasting event featuring local wines in the southern province of Córdoba. The region is especially known for its sweet dessert wines.

April Travel Tips

• April is generally considered the start of the high season throughout much of Spain. As a result, accommodation prices can be higher than they were during the winter months, and hotels book up quickly. Try to reserve as far in advance as possible.
• Semana Santa, the week before Easter, is the spring break equivalent in Spain. Everyone is out of school and many Spaniards are also traveling during this time, so flights, trains, and accommodations will be extra expensive during this week.
• No matter where you go, remember to check the weather ahead of time and pack accordingly to avoid getting taken by surprise in the case of an unexpected rain shower.