Are you coming to Barcelona at Easter? Here is all the information you will need!
After the cold of winter and the unbearable heat of summer that does not arrive, you have found the perfect moment to enjoy the activities of the city.
Whether you are providing drinks in the busy city squares or touring the main attractions of Barcelona at sunset, the best time is Easter.
Let's get into the subject with my guide to Easter in Barcelona.
Holy Week in Barcelona - Dates and Weather
Easter in Barcelona 2020 starts from Abril 10 (Good Friday) to Abril 13 (Easter monday).
Spain being a Catholic country, naturally there are a multitude of festivities throughout the Semana Santa (Easter) so there is a lot to see even if you arrive a little earlier.
In general, the weather is quite pleasant during Holy Week in Barcelona: average temperatures reach 17 ° C, with lows that drop to 8 ° C. With eight hours of sunshine a day on average and only five rainy daysit probably won't get wet.
Before arriving
First of all, it is recommended that you obtain a transportation discount card. Saves you money and helps you get the most out of your vacation. See my article that explains the differences between the available cards.
Second, you will want avoid huge queues buying your attraction tickets in advance online. In many cases, in addition to avoiding queues, you can save up to 15%.
I also suggest you read my article about the best area in Barcelona and choose one of the best hostels or vacation apartments according to your budget.
Easter events in Barcelona
It wouldn't be Easter in Barcelona without him Parades, religious events and especially quality cakes. Here's a list to get you started - if you need any specific advice, feel free to reach out to me in the comments below.
Mass in the Sagrada Familia
Yes, any lay person can attend Palm Sunday Mass and Easter Mass at the Sagrada Familia. It usually starts at 9 a.m. and runs on a first-come, first-served basis until all seats are taken.
Extraordinary Holy Week Masses will be celebrated at the Sagrada Familia on Palm Sunday (Abril 5) at noon on Holy Thursday (Abril 9) at 20 p.m. on Good Friday (Abril 10) at 18 p.m. and the Easter Vigil (Abril 11) at 21 pm.
If you are a group of 25 or more, you will need to complete the form on the Sagrada Familia website.
In addition, for those who wish to attend the Easter massYou can participate in the international version in Santa María del Mar, in the elegant Born district, starting at noon on Sunday.
Eat an Easter Mona
Of all the things to do in Barcelona on Easter weekend, eat cake it's a great thing.
This local tradition dates back to the time when godparents bought their godchildren simple cupcakes with painted hard-boiled egg on top. It was traditionally given in Barcelona at Easter, after Sunday mass.
Today, cakes have taken on a whole new shape.
You'll see them everywhere in bakery windows: delicious cake towers with chocolate figures, animals, famous people, marzipan and more. At a minimum, you will need to take a photo, although the most insolent tourists will not be able to resist the temptation to bring one back to the hotel?
A great place to get one is Write Gran Via situé ave 546 Gran Vía de las Cortes Catalanas.
Palm leaves
On Palm Sunday, you will see children everywhere holding palm fronds, a gift from their godparents.
Today, the tradition has spread to include almost everyone, and the purchase of a palm leaves bouquet Honoring the crowds that lined Jesus' road to Jerusalem is an urban tradition.
The market outside the Barcelona Cathedral or the Sagrada Familia is your best option.
According to Catalan tradition, after the mass on Palm Sunday, children are offered a Tortell de Rams. This brioche stuffed in the shape of a crown exists in different forms, but the most typical is the one filled with marzipan balls and candied fruit.
other events
- For families and those traveling with children, Poble Espanyol usually organizes a Flor en Flor event, pending confirmation for 2020. Recycling workshops, floral decoration, gardening and other activities will be organized, all accompanied by good music.
- For those who wish to attend a flamenco show in a dream setting, the Opera and Flamenco edition will take place on April 10 and the Gran Galà Flamenco on April 12.
Night club events
- Friday 10 of April: Pres. Blocked Jan Blomqvist LIVE | Input | Tickets
- Saturday 11 of April: Len Faki | Razzmatazz | Tickets
- Sunday April 12: SIGHT taken. Matthias Tanzmann, Caal and Carlo Perra | Pacha | Tickets
Holy Week processions in Barcelona
Here's a quick list of the Easter parades in Barcelona. As a rule, you will see them more easily in the famous Gothic Quarter of the city.
April 5 (Palm Sunday)
The first procession of Holy Week of the season takes place in the Ciutat Vella ("old town").
El Paso de la Borriquita ("the way of the donkey") commemorates the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem. There you will find plenty of stalls selling the traditional whitewashed palm leaves and a procession of floats and costumed devotees who catch the eye.
tiempo: from 10 am.
rue: Plaza San Agustín, Hôpital, La Rambla, Santa Ana, Portal del Ángel, Cucurulla, Portaferrisa, La Rambla, Hôpital te Plaza San Agustín.
April 10 (Good Friday)
The Stations of the Cross in the parish of Santa maria del mar.
tiempo: from 9 am.
rue: Basilica Santa María del Mar, Plaza Santa María 1, Old City.
April 10 (Good Friday)
Procession of the Parish of San Agustín (Place San Agustín 2, Old City).
tiempo: 17 p.m. a 23 p.m.
rue: Plaza San Agustín, La Rambla, Santa Ana, Portal del Ángel, Arcos, Plaza Nueva, Avenida Catedral, Boters, Pi, Plaza del Pi, Cardenal Casañas, Boqueria, Hospital and Plaza de San Agustín.
April 10 (Good Friday)
Procession organized by the "Hermandad de Las Angustias" from the Santa Anna Parish (Calle Santa Anna, 29).
tiempo: from 18:30 pm to 22 am
Hours in Easter 2020
Opening hours in Spain are always frustrating - Imagine Barcelona in Semana Santa!
Do you want to visit something and you are not sure of the opening hours? Drop me a line in the comments below.
Tourist Office
First good news, the hours here never change!
During the Easter period in Barcelona, you can collect your transport tickets as usual, either at the airport terminal (T1 or T2) or at Plaça Catalunya.
Transport
On Thursday, April 9 and Friday, April 10, the subway closes at 2 am
Saturday April 11 is open all night and on April 12 and 13 it closes at midnight.
City and night buses run regularly, just like the rest of the year. Check the schedules at each bus stop for schedules and frequencies.
The famous tourist bus and the Aerobus operate normally.
Sagrada Familia
The opening hours of the Sagrada Familia undergo some changes during the Easter period:
- Palm Sunday April 5: opening at 15pm.
- Holy Thursday, April 9: closing at 17:XNUMX p.m.
- Passion Friday, April 10: closing at 15:30 p.m.
- Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 11: Close at 18pm
How are the things going high season, you must buy your tickets in advance online (at least 2 to 3 weeks before) or you just won't be able to log in.
You can do this using the buttons below:
Parc Güell
The most spectacular urban park in the world also continues classic schedules during the Easter period.
The transport service included in the ticket will also operate at regular intervals.
Again you must book in advance online, on pain of leaving the attraction empty-handed.
The stone
Gaudí's tottering mansion and its famous rooftop terrace are also open as usual. There is also the extra bonus this year to have an exhibition of photographs of the talented William Klein.
To guarantee a time slot and save € 3,00 per ticket, it is recommended online book.
Batlló house
This private institution don't change schedules and it is open 365 days a year.
At Easter, you'll even find this epic marine-inspired mansion that will be decorated with a special lighting to celebrate the party.
To guarantee tickets and save € 4,00 per ticket, you must book in advance online.
Casa Vicens
Gaudí's first masterpiece, which was recently released to the public, is open as usual during the Easter 2020 period.
You save € 2 per ticket purchased online through our associated ticket bar by clicking below:
Camp Nou
One of the largest football stadiums in Europe is normally open during the Easter 2020 period, although a clash against Atlético de Bilbao takes place on April 12, which means that visitors to the Camp Nou Experience will not. . he will not be able to go to the field.
If possible, schedule your visit for another day.
You will guarantee your place and save € 3,50 reserving your ticket online using the button below:
Picasso Museum
One of the largest museums dedicated to Picasso closes on Easter Monday.
Also note that Free tickets will not be applied on Sundays during the Easter holidays in the biggest museums in Barcelona.
Poble Espanyol
This spectacular open-air architectural museum does not change its hours and is open 365 days a year.
En general, special events They take place over the Easter period and I will keep you posted on 2020 events as soon as they are communicated.
Magic Fountain
The Magic Fountain show will take place during Holy Week on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 21pm to 22pm..
For Easter 2020, there will be no show on Sundays and Mondays.
La boqueria market
The famous Boquería market on La Rambla is closed on April 10, 12 and 13. You will have to arrive on Saturday the 11th.
stores
Bad news for shopaholics! Most of the top shopping destinations will be closed on April 10, 12 and 13. If you want to go shopping, you will have to do it in the days before or after.
However, there is a very practical exception: the Maremagnum shopping center.
You will find it at the foot of Las Ramblas, open as usual.
Where to eat at Easter in Barcelona
If you want to treat yourself to Easter weekend in Barcelona, take a look at my list of the best restaurants in Barcelona.
Most of them allow easy online booking.
Traditional dishes
When you're there, know that Easter in Barcelona is traditionally meatless. This means feasting on seafood and you can't go wrong choosing any of the following:
- Bacalao con garbanzos (cod with chickpeas)
- Bacalao con sanfaina (cod with a delicious tomato-based vegetable sauce)
- Croquettes (fried potato croquettes with cheese or fish)
- Lent fritters (fried meatballs filled with cream or chocolate)
Another thing to keep in mind on your Easter weekend in Barcelona is the pinnacle of all Catalan food: calçots. These huge chives They are grilled and served with a hot red pepper and garlic sauce called romesco.
Just make sure they bring you a bib! Things tend to get complicated.
Talk to me in the comments below.
Did I miss something? Keep me up to date.
Also, I have said it before and I will say it again: if you are looking for more information about Easter in Barcelona or anything else for a good holiday in barcelona, ask me in the comments below.
Also, don't be afraid to join the discussion of events in Barcelona on my new Facebook group called “For City Lovers”. Here you can ask questions, voice your complaints, chat with other travelers and more - anything goes!
