10 Things to Do in Barcelona in Spring

Spring is many people’s favorite time of year. And it’s no wonder—warmer temperatures are on the way, and there are more outdoor activities to enjoy.

There are plenty of options for things to see and do in Barcelona. But in the spring, Barcelona hosts a wide variety of events to welcome this beautiful time of year. Here’s the ultimate guide for your vacation in the city.

Religious holidays are very important in Barcelona, and in Spain in general. No matter what your religion is, experiencing these types of celebrations is essential to immersing yourself in the city’s culture, and best of all, everyone is invited to celebrate and have fun.

There are various Holy Week traditions, but the most important are the processions. On Palm Sunday, the faithful take palm leaves and join the La Burreta procession, which winds through the center of Barcelona reenacting Jesus’ entry into the city of Jerusalem. This procession begins in the morning at the parish church of Sant Agustí and is a quintessential Barcelona experience during your spring visit.

Another procession I recommend joining is the one on Good Friday, which takes place between the Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas in Barcelona, right in the heart of the city’s tourist district.

Finally, don’t forget to give an Easter cake as a gift to round out your Holy Week celebration in true Barcelona style.

• When?: Holy Week, dates vary by year.
• Where?: Barcelona
• Price: free

Girona Temps de Flors is a festival featuring floral displays at various monuments, historic buildings, courtyards, and gardens throughout the city of Girona. Thousands of tourists visit the city each year to take part in this event, which fills the streets with color and fragrance in the heart of spring.

This festival takes place in early May and is well worth a visit to see what it’s all about. It’s completely free and outdoors, which makes it even more appealing.

Girona is a city in the province of Catalonia, just 100 kilometers from Barcelona. If you’re wondering how to get to Girona, check out our article with all the directions; or simply book a guided tour from Barcelona—the best option for your vacation. This will let you enjoy your visit to the fullest without any worries.

I recommend exploring the narrow streets of the Jewish quarter, the Call, and visiting the Cathedral of Santa María, the highlights of Girona.

• When?: early May
• Where?: Girona, Catalonia.
• Price: free

On the second weekend of April, comic book and humor fans have their place in the city of Barcelona. This event has been held since 1981, and since then, thousands of visitors have come to the city in the spring to enjoy the event.

The Saló del Cómic is one of the most important events in the world of comics, featuring visits from renowned artists, art workshops, raffles, exhibitions, and much more.

General admission is around €10 and can be purchased both online and at the box office at the Fira de Montjuic.

• When?: Second weekend in April
• Where?: Fira Montjuic, Barcelona.
• Price: €10

Sant Jordi is one of the most eagerly awaited dates on Barcelona’s calendar of celebrations. April 23 is International Book Day, but it also coincides with the feast day of the patron saint of the province of Catalonia. Two major reasons that gave rise to such a special day.

During the Sant Jordi celebration, the streets are very crowded and the atmosphere is lively. The tradition involves giving a rose and a book to a loved one, so you’ll find stalls selling books and roses on every corner. You’ll see many people carrying their flowers throughout the city as they take a stroll on Sant Jordi Day.

If you plan to visit Barcelona in the spring, you’ll be able to enjoy this day where flowers, literature, and joy take center stage. And I assure you it will be one of the things you’ll never forget about your time in Barcelona.

Don’t forget to stop by Casa Batlló, as its façade is adorned with hundreds of roses and becomes one of the most photographed spots of the day.

• When?: April 23
• Where?: Barcelona, Catalonia.
• Price: Free

April 27 is the day to commemorate the patron saint of Catalonia. If you’re traveling through Barcelona in the spring around this time, it’s a special day to visit the unique mountains of Montserrat.

Montserrat is a natural park known for its beautiful hiking trails and the monastery nestled among its mountains. The Virgin of Montserrat is also well-known for her distinctive dark complexion, and thousands of faithful visitors come year after year to pray for their intentions and explore her great sanctuary.

Getting to the Abbey of Montserrat is very easy, and it’s located just a short distance from the city of Barcelona. You can book a guided tour, the best way to make the most of your visit.

• When?: April 27
• Where?: Monserrat, Catalonia.
• Price: Free

Sant Joan Night is celebrated in a big way in Barcelona, and the city is filled with street parties, bonfires, and fireworks.

The night of June 23–24 is the shortest of the year, and Catalans bid farewell to spring to welcome summer with positive energy and a grand ritual.

The Flame of Canigó is the city’s most deeply rooted tradition. If you head to Plaça Sant Jaume, you’ll see a huge bonfire lit. From there, the fire will be used to light all the other bonfires scattered throughout the city of Barcelona. It’s like that “mother bonfire” from which all the other fires are kindled.

Many community dinners are held in different neighborhoods, and the city fills with music in every corner.

The night culminates with fireworks on the various beaches at midnight, which will be more crowded than you’ve likely ever seen before.

Be sure to try the delicious cocas de Sant Joan, a traditional sweet of this celebration, which is always accompanied by a nice glass of cava. Cheers!

• When?: June 23
• Where?: Barcelona, Catalonia.
• Price: free

La Nit dels Museus, as its name suggests in Catalan, is an open house event for all municipal and private museums in the city of Barcelona.

It takes place on the Saturday night closest to May 18, which is International Museum Day, and is an ideal plan for a spring night in the city.

The event starts at 7 p.m., and admission is free until around 1 a.m., so I recommend thinking ahead about which museums interest you and planning your route accordingly. You can check out my article on the best museums in Barcelona to get a general idea.

In fact, there are certain galleries and exhibitions that are only accessible on this night, making it a very special event. Are you going to miss it?

If you aren’t lucky enough to be in the city for this date, don’t be discouraged. The Barcelona Museum Pass is designed for anyone who wants to visit several of the city’s museums at significant discounts.

• When?: the Saturday closest to May 18
• Where?: Barcelona, Catalonia.
• Price: Free

Barcelona is one of the best cities for music festival lovers.

Sónar Barcelona is a renowned event held on the third weekend of June, which many people look forward to all year long. It features three days of pure electronic music and top-tier artists.

It’s such a massive event that it’s split into two parts: Sónar by Day and Sónar by Night, but you can buy a ticket for whichever part you prefer. Tickets start at €35 for a single night, and you can purchase passes for different days and parts of the event.

It’s a festival that travels to different cities, including Berlin and New York, so if you’re visiting Barcelona and have the chance to attend, don’t miss out.

• When?: Third weekend in June
• Where?: Barcelona, Catalonia.
• Price: starting at €35

A place’s customs and folklore have very diverse origins. And they’re totally fascinating, too.

This tradition takes place exclusively in Barcelona and attracts both locals and tourists who want to see what it’s all about for themselves.

L’ou Com Balla, or “How the Egg Dances” in English, consists precisely of making an egg ** “dance”** by placing it strategically in the jets of fountains in the city’s various courtyards and gardens. The fountains are specially decorated for this grand occasion.

Unfortunately, I’ll let the secret out: to keep the egg from falling, you simply place the entire shell of an empty egg inside it.

If you’re traveling through Barcelona in the spring and would like to be part of this celebration, you can visit Barcelona Cathedral, the Frederic Marès Museum, the Maritime Museum, and the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes.

This event takes place in mid-June and participation is completely free. Don’t forget to bring your camera!

• When?: Mid-June
• Where?: Barcelona, Catalonia.
• Price: free

Primavera Sound has been held in Barcelona since 2001 and has been a huge success ever since.

At the end of May, this music festival takes place at the Parc del Forum in Barcelona. Here you can enjoy performers from rock, pop, and electronic music genres, all gathered together at the same festival.

In fact, it’s such an inclusive festival that it gives both established artists and up-and-coming musical legends a chance to showcase their talent.

The event spans two separate weekends, and you can buy a ticket for one of them or a pass for both. If you want to go just one day, tickets start at €100. Remember to book in advance, as Primavera Sound is one of the most popular events in Barcelona.

• When?: late May
• Where?: Barcelona, Catalonia.
• Price: starting at €100

The spring weather in Barcelona is among the most pleasant you’ll find in the city. Temperatures range from a high of 15°C in March to a high of 25°C in June.

It’s true that there are still some cool days, but you no longer need to lug that winter coat around with you everywhere. Rain is frequent in March and April, but after this period, sunny days abound. In fact, some brave souls are already taking their first dips at Barcelona’s beaches.

Barcelona is a city that lends itself to spending days outdoors. That’s why spring is a great time to visit the city. You can enjoy both its parks and the terraces scattered throughout the city.