Barcelona in March

Barcelona in March

By Robert Heaney

As Barcelona waves goodbye to winter and beckons in the spring, the city begins to enjoy the best of all worlds – Sunny days and mild temperatures, a bustling atmosphere without too many crowds, and a whole host of events to keep spirits high.

Choosing to visit Barcelona in March may prove a rewarding decision no matter your travel style. Many would consider the spring period the best time to take a trip to the Catalan capital. Take this chance to explore everything the city has to offer without battling constant crowds and jump into one of the many local festivities and events.

 

Tourism in March

Barcelona tourism in March

Spring offers the city of Barcelona a delightful grace period in which tourism rates begin to rise gradually without taking over the city as can be expected in the summer months. With temperatures averaging between the low-40s and high-50s, you can bet on mild but sunny days and cool but pleasant evenings.

While it may not be the best time for a dip in the Mediterranean, and while you’ll likely need to pack a jacket or two, March offers the ideal opportunity to explore everything that Barcelona has to offer. In booking your trip, you’ll find yourself blessed by lower airfares, cheaper hotels and pretty much your pick of the litter for accommodation.

But the biggest benefit of visiting Barcelona in March will be the opportunity to see just about anything you want without any of the summertime hassle. You shouldn’t have to fight huge crowds to get into your choice of attractions, and booking should often be available for the same day.

This would be the perfect opportunity to explore the Sagrada Familia without having to wade through the tourists. Or wander around Park Güell during one of its quietest and most tranquil times. Or visit Barcelona Zoo without all of the summer break kids taking up the best viewing spots. Your trip will truly be your own in spring.

 

Sant Medir

Barcelona Sant Medir

Early in March, locals to the old town of Gràcia take to the streets to observe the Sant Medir parade and all of the festivities it brings with it. The event is most well-known for the many candies, toffees and treats thrown to onlookers by those within the procession of horses, floats and lorries.

Following in the footsteps of a local baker who began the annual procession in the 19th Century after miraculously recovering from illness, the celebration has since become known locally as the dolça festa, the ‘sweet festival’ for the many treats gifted to the enthused observers.

If you happen to be visiting within the first week of March and feel like embracing your inner child, be sure to make your way to the parade with a spare bag in hand ready to join the many expectant kids to catch all the candy you can!

 

Barcelona-Sitges International Vintage Car Rally

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This is truly one for the vintage vehicle buffs. For over half a century now, Barcelona has been witness every March to an enthused procession of nostalgic and bygone automobile models. For two days, the city’s coastal routes of Barcelona and Sitges growl with the sound of hundreds of these beasts for onlookers to revel at.

The rally has become a staple for vintage car enthusiasts the world over, with many flocking to the city each year for the event. As such, the streets surrounding the rally route often like to capitalize on this increased custom with various events, live music, merchant stalls, wine tasting sessions and workshops.

 

Barcelona Marathon

Having indulged in the many food-based festivities of the fall and winter seasons, many locals and visitors start training for the Barcelona Marathon. The 26-mile route takes runners on an athletic tour past some of the city’s most iconic monuments.

Beginning at the foot of Montjuïc, the course loops around the inner districts of the city, past the likes of Camp Nou in the west and Parc del Fòrum in the east, before looping back around via the coast. If running is your thing, why not train up for a few months before your trip for a unique way to explore the city?

 

Barcelona Beer Festival

Barcelona beer festival in March

Barcelona in March is also typically host to the Barcelona Beer festival, which has grown rapidly since its inception in 2012 to host around 30,000 attendees each year. The festival brings together more than a thousand accredited professionals to celebrate and share their love of brewing beer.

Offering many hundreds of variations of beer and a whole host of different activities, beer lovers both local to and visiting Barcelona can truly revel in their shared beverage passions. The event also offers a range of shows and live music for attendees to enjoy. Why not go grab yourself a beer or three during your springtime visit?

 

St. Patrick’s Day

St Patrick's Day in Barcelona

While St. Patrick’s may not be a strictly Catalan or even a Spanish event, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it isn’t embraced by those who want to celebrate. There’s always sure to be a sizable group of expats and tourists gathering at their nearest Irish Pub to sink a few pints of Guinness. Among the most popular venues are Flaherty’s, the George Payne and the Wild Rover.

 

Wrapping Up

Springtime is often overlooked by many as an ideal time to visit Barcelona. While it may not offer the same warm days and perfect swimming weather as summer, it compensates handsomely by allowing you to see Barcelona in a more quiet and authentic state.

Alongside the benefits of lower tourism rates, you’ll also have the opportunity to observe and even participate in many of the region’s most hotly anticipated events of the year. Whether you’re looking for a genuine cultural experience or simply a relaxing trip to the heart of Catalonia, visiting Barcelona in March will almost certainly pay dividends.

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Avinguda Diagonal from above splitting Barcelona in two
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2 Days in Barcelona

While exploring a city as large and culturally rich as Barcelona in a short span of time may seem an intimidating task, it’s actually perfectly doable once you put together a solid plan of everything you’re genuinely interested in seeing. Whether you’re passing through for a couple days or looking to take a weekend city break, two days in Barcelona should be plenty of time to see a good portion of what the city has to offer. Covering everything from the city’s stunning architecture to its complex history, we’ve put together our own suggested itinerary to take you on a whirlwind tour of the beloved Catalan capital. The itinerary below includes a mix of sightseeing, museums and shopping destinations. Feel free to take suggestions as inspiration and mix-and-match them with the attractions and activities that most interest you. Use the suggested visit timings to help decide how best to lay out your trip. Day 1 - Sightseeing What better way to acquaint yourself with Barcelona than by packing your first day full of the city’s best sights? As a city famous for its mix of gothic and modernist architecture along with the unique labyrinthine design of its streets, it’s only fitting that you get a taste of these right away. Park Güell – One of renowned modernist architect Antoni Gaudí’s most famous works, this park is most well-known for its central Monumental Zone. From the mosaic salamander at its entrance to the sea serpent bench encircling the main terrace, this eccentric space is a perfect place to start your day. Recommended visit: 1h – 2h Sagrada Familia – The Belle of Barcelona’s ball, this yet unfinished basilica is truly a sight to behold. Take some time to explore the rich architectural mastery of this UNESCO World Heritage Site on your own, or book onto a guided tour for a full insight into the site’s artistic, cultural and historic significance. Recommended visit: 1h – 1h30 Avinguda Diagonal – One of Barcelona’s most popular and important streets, Avinguda Diagonal runs diagonally through the city, cutting it in two. A vast array of stores and restaurants are dotted throughout the length of the avenue. Recommended visit: 45m Casa Milà – Also known as La Pedrera (‘the stone quarry’), this modernist building was the final residence designed by renowned architect Antoni Gaudí. As per its nickname, it’s most famous for its rough-hewn exterior façade, somewhat resembling an open stone quarry. Recommended visit: 15m – 1h30 Casa Batlló, Casa Amatller and Casa Lleó i Morera – This trio of modernist buildings are widely considered the most important on Barcelona’s famous Illa de la Discòrdia, or ‘Block of Discord’. Showcasing the masterpieces of Barcelona’s prominent modernist architects Antoni Gaudi, Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Lluís Domènech i Montaner, these buildings are eccentric in design both inside and out. Recommended visit: 15m – 2h Plaça de Catalunya – Considered to be Barcelona’s city centre and the meeting point of both the old and modern city, this square is a favorite for social gatherings thanks to its wealth of shopping outlets and restaurants. Recommended visit: 15m – 2h La Rambla – Perhaps the city’s most famous street, La Rambla spans from Plaça de Catalunya all the way to the Columbus Monument on the seafront. You’ll find a vast array of streetside cafés and souvenir stands across the length of the street. Recommended visit: 30m – 2h Mercat de la Boqueria – Often considered one of the best markets in the world, this historical market houses all sorts of fresh, local produce along with stands to get yourself a hearty lunch while on the go. Recommended visit: 45m Plaça Reial – Particularly popular in the evening, this square is home to a whole host of bars, restaurants and some of Barcelona’s most famous nightclubs. Why not finish your day here with a fresh dish of Catalan cuisine and a glass or two of the local region’s renowned wines? Recommended visit: As long as you want Day 2 – Culture Your second day in Barcelona – should you choose to follow our itinerary – will take you on a cultural tour of the city and the local region. If art, music and history are up your alley, then the following are sure to give you a real kick. Palau de la Musica Catalana – A true marvel of modernist architecture, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has been host to a magnificent array of musical performances since 1908. Bask in its colorful exterior from outside, book onto a guided tour of the venue, or even attend one of its legendary musical performances for yourself. Recommended visit: 1h – 3h Gothic Quarter – Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter sits immediately north of La Rambla and houses some of the city’s best sights. It’s worth spending a decent period of time here to explore everything the historic streets have to offer. Recommended visit: 2h Barcelona Cathedral – Known officially as the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, this immense structure is a case study in Gothic Revival architecture. It’s expertly-crafted neo-Gothic façade makes way to a somewhat more unassuming yet nevertheless still imposing interior common to traditional Catalan churches. Recommended visit: 30m – 1h30 Museu d'Història de Barcelona – If you’re a history buff visiting Barcelona, this should be your trip’s Mecca. As the name might suggest, the MUHBA will take you on a tour of key points throughout the city’s history, from as recent as the Spanish Civil War to as far back as prehistory. Recommended visit: 3h – 5h Museu Picasso – Housing over 4,000 of Pablo Picasso’s works, this museum possesses one of the world’s most complete collections of the famous Spanish artist’s paintings. Recommended visit: 2h Carrer de Salomó ben Adret – At the heart of the Gothic quarter, this street is replete with charming bars, restaurants and cafés. A perfect rest stop to draw a close to your whirlwind trip. Recommended visit: As long as you want Getting Around Our recommended attractions are listed in such an order to allow you to easily walk from one to the other, though most are also within short walking distance of transport hubs should you prefer to take public transport. Alternatively, a Bus Turístic will also allow you to hop on and off along a similar route while offering an audio commentary of the sights along the way.
Robert Heaney
Waterfall feature in front of the Palau Nacional
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Barcelona in April

Springtime is thought by many to be the best time to visit Barcelona. With the city still slumbering somewhat in the absence of peak-season tourists, its streets and attractions are usually relatively quiet and uncrowded. Throw in temperatures averaging between 50°F and 65°F alongside near-constant sunlight, and you can be certain a trip to Barcelona in April is sure to be a pleasant one. Tourism in April April serves as somewhat of a transition month for Barcelona as far as tourism concerned. It marks the boundary between the low-season winter and early spring months and the shoulder-season months leading up to summer. With that, tourism rates tend to rise gradually throughout the month. This is what makes the spring season ideal for many visitors. While the city has yet to be bombarded by the waves of summer tourists, there are still plenty of people around to give Barcelona its trademark buzz. You’re sure to be able to visit your attractions and restaurants of choice without too much hassle, but you can also depend on the nightlife to be booming. Take this opportunity to take a casual tour of Gaudí’s masterpieces, not last of all the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell. Walk in the footsteps of soccer legends at Camp Nou. Take a quiet stroll through Barcelona’s many famous markets, or sit back and enjoy a whirlwind tour of the city’s best attractions atop a Bus Turístic. Easter Weekend While Easter Sunday may sometimes fall at the end of March, it’s typically considered an April celebration. And as such, it serves as one of the best reasons to visit Barcelona in April. Visitors are welcome to join the locals in celebrating the long weekend and attending the many processions and masses taking place throughout the city. Throughout Semana Santa, or Holy Week, the streets tend to be thriving with festivity. Alongside the religious processions, many retailers, chocolate stores and bakeries will be stocked up on festive treats and various types of Easter fare. Just be sure to note that the Friday and Monday either side of Easter Sunday are public holidays, meaning many stores, bars and restaurants are likely to be closed. However, businesses will still typically operate under regular weekend hours on Saturday and Sunday. Fira per la Terra (Earth Festival) Held in conjunction with Earth Day, celebrated globally on April 22, Barcelona hosts la Fira per la Terra, or the Earth Festival. Spread across two days, the event sees locals and visitors alike come together in Parc Central de Nou Barris in celebration of the little green planet we call our home The eco-fair typically offers an open market, live music and a host of environment-focused talks and events. Many stalls will showcase environmentally friendly products, whether locally produced, recycled, ecological or all of the above, in an effort to encourage attendees to live a more sustainable lifestyle. There’s often quite the atmosphere throughout the festival, with attendees all sharing in their common passion to fight climate change and protect the environment. For those more activism-oriented or any visitors simply interested in attending a very wholesome event, this is not a festival to be missed! Diada de Sant Jordi (Saint George’s Day) Spain loves both its saints and its feast days, so the calendar is packed full of religious holidays and festivals throughout the year. Barcelona is no stranger to its own celebrations and, in many ways, likes to take each event up a step. So it should come as no surprise that the patron saint of Catalonia, Sant Jordi, is honored in a very big way indeed. The Diada de Sant Jordi is not a public holiday, so the vast majority of stores and restaurants will remain open. And that’s just as well, because it’s also Catalonia’s answer to Valentine’s Day. Sometimes referred to as the Book and Rose Day, it’s customary for locals to gift each other – you guessed it – books and roses. While the exchange of roses is an internationally recognized gesture of love, the swapping of books serves as a celebration of culture. On this day, La Rambla and its adjoining streets can typically be found lined with stalls offering all manner of books and flowers. While the books at these stalls will typically be offered in a wide array of languages, the city takes this opportunity to encourage the protection and promotion of the Catalan language in particular. This annual festival continues to bring well-deserved international attention to Catalan authors and publishers, and typically sees a massive boost in their output. It’s no coincidence that April 23 is also host to World Book Day – it was this exact festival that led the UNESCO General Assembly to declare it so! When visiting Barcelona in April, book lovers and couples alike should make their way to La Rambla to share in the city’s celebration of love and culture. Feria de Abril (April Fair) While the more famous Feria de Abril is held each year in Seville, Barcelona’s own celebration can easily hold a candle to its bigger brother. Typically held in Parc del Forum for around a week at the end of April, the festival offers a range of activities for all ages, often alongside live music and performances. For younger visitors and families, the event offers a fairground area housing the obligatory Ferris wheel alongside various other rides, game stalls, food stands and similar amusements. The other side of the fair is composed of the casetas, a host of marquee tents housing various organizations, political parties, merchants and food stands. The largest caseta, Caseta de la Fecac, is run by the event’s organizers and offers a series of free events and concerts by top artists and performers from around the country. If you’re in Barcelona in April and enjoy the atmosphere of a classic fair, be sure to pencil the Feria de Abril into your itinerary. Wrapping Up For many, Barcelona in April is nothing short of idyllic. With just enough crowds to give the city its renowned bustling atmosphere without clogging up the top attractions, visitors can be sure they’ll be getting the very best of both worlds. And with such engaging events taking place throughout the month, there’s certainly no shortage of festivity. Whether you’re looking for a quieter time to explore the city’s famous architecture, an opportunity to stroll through its many famous parks in pleasant weather or simply the chance to let loose in the evening, April could be the perfect time to plan your trip to Barcelona.
Robert Heaney
barcelona neighborhoods
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Where To Stay in Barcelona

If you're planning a vacation in Barcelona, you may already have a pretty good idea of what to expect. Delicious food, warm temperatures, and heaps of wonderful Mediterranean architecture bring millions to the city every year. But where are the best places to stay in Barcelona? Well, we've committed to key research just for you. So read on, and find out where is the best place for you to stay in Barcelona! Including: Plaza de Catalunya Barri Gotic El Raval El Born Eixample and more!   Plaza de Catalunya If you want to be in the thick of the Catalan capital, then look for a place in Plaza de Catalunya. Right in the center of Barcelona, it gives you a great jumping-off point to travel from as you explore. You'll be surrounded by high street shops, markets, coffee houses, places to eat, and things to do, so really, it's the perfect place to set up a basecamp if you've never visited Barcelona before. La Boqueria, one of Barcelona's best and oldest markets, is a short walk away, so if you're staying in an Airbnb and you need fresh food, it should be your first port of call every morning. And museums like MACBA, or Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona, are right around the corner   Gothic Quarter Looking for something a little older with a touch more atmosphere? Barcelona's Gothic Quarter is, predictably, one of the oldest parts of the city. Wandering its streets, you'll see untouched architecture that dates back to the Middle Ages. It's a more old-school, slapdash approach to city planning you won't find in many other tourist cities. You'll find plenty of markets here, as well as local restaurants and family-owned stores. A far cry from Plaza de Catalunya's high-street affair, but you'll find things in the Gothic Quarter you won't find anywhere else on Earth. As far as things to do, Güell Palace, one of Gaudi's earliest buildings, is right nearby. So go look at it, take pictures aplenty, and bask in its brilliance.   El Raval The city's multicultural heart, El Raval is one of the most fun districts in the city. Brimming with bars, clubs, and live music, if you want the full Catalonian experience, not many places do it better. Fresh food lovers or general deal-seekers should go check out Mercat de Sant Antoni for all their bartering needs. And, if the language barrier isn't an issue, there are also a slew of theaters putting on myriad shows for you to enjoy. Photo-lovers also owe it to themselves to snap a pic of the famous El Gat de Botero, an enormous bronze cat statue by revered artist Fernando Botero.   El Born What was once home to the ruling classes of old Barcelona has now blossomed into a lively neighborhood while still keeping much of the architectural splendor of the past. Alongside all the history, you'll find local shops and restaurants that'll open their doors to you. As for entertainment, you're a bit spoiled for choice here. Besides the numerous local art galleries, you can also visit the likes of the Picasso Museum and see some of the world-famous painter's works, or go for something more modern thanks to the Moco Museum, which showcases eye-opening modern art from Banksy and other genre heavyweights. If you want a taste of local life with a few extra frills, El Born has got you covered.   Eixample Right off of Plaza de Catalunya, you'll find Eixample, one of Barcelona's more bustling neighborhoods. One of the city's biggest districts, you'll find plenty of touristy delights within its formidable borders. While it contains more restaurants, bars, and cafes than you'll visit in a lifetime, its crowning jewels are perhaps two of Gaudi's most famous works, Casa Battló and La Sagrada Familia. The mind-blowing buildings are two of the city's biggest tourist attractions, so prepare to queue if you do visit. Besides all that, you'll find the city's biggest flea market, called Mercat Els Encants, where you can pick up pretty much anything. And you'll be a short walk from La Ciutadella Park. If you fancy it, take a Segway tour of the park to see the sights in a more unusual fashion!   Passeig de Gracia One of the fancier parts of the city, Passeig de Gracia is Barcelona's very own mini-Manhattan. Grand old mansions, opulent shopping, and designer-draped denizens are all on display. If you wish to mimic the class of the locals, you'll have plenty of opportunities to, thanks to the myriad designer stores and luxury labels on offer. And, for the culture vultures, check out the Placa de Catalunya, a beautiful central square full of sculptures, and another of Gaudi's famed works, La Pedera.   La Barceloneta Want a little sand and sea with your stay? Why not pitch your tent around La Barceloneta, the city's seaside district? Of course, the highlight of the neighborhood is undoubtedly Barceloneta Beach. It's the city's most popular beach for a reason, thanks to its proximity to the city center, a load of seaside bars and restaurants selling fresh fish, and the many watersports people can take part in. In fact, other than the Museu d'Historia de Catalunya, where you can learn all about the city's rich and long history, nearly everything else is beach or ocean-related. However, given how close the city's amenities are, it's still more than worthwhile to stay there and simply travel into the heart of Barcelona when you want to see and do touristy things. After all, nothing quite beats a sea view in the morning!   La Vila Olímpica And finally, we end our recommendations for where to stay in Barcelona with a more modern site. La Vila Olímpica was once the Olympic Village during the 1992 Barcelona Games, but has since evolved into its very own neighborhood, with bars, restaurants, and beaches ripe for a vacation destination! A stone's throw from the Barceloneta seaside, while many consider it to be part of that neighborhood, it's developed something of its own identity in the decades since the Olympics. With its goldilocks placement between the beach and the city center, it could be the perfect place to set up your basecamp! And you'll hardly say no to the amenities on your doorstep either! And those are our recommendations of where to stay in Barcelona! If you need a good choice of accommodation then you can browse hotels in Barcelona for a range of hotel options in the city.
Dom Bewley

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