Things to do in Barcelona

Celebrate Sant Jordi with books and flowers

Everyone knows about Valentine’s Day, but here in Catalonia, Cupid takes a backseat to Sant Jordi, or St. George. Every year on his feast day—April 23—Catalans show their love by exchanging gifts, usually roses and books.

But wait—why books? The reason is actually pretty fascinating. Two of the greatest literary minds in history—William Shakespeare and Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes (of Don Quijote fame)—both died on this date in 1616.

Even if you’re traveling without a significant other in tow, you can still take part in the fun. Local bookstores set up sidewalk stands throughout the city offering special deals, and famous authors have even been known to show up for book signings on this day.

Visit the south of Spain without leaving Barcelona

Yes, you read that right. The iconic Seville fair is far and away one of the top springtime events taking place in Spain, drawing more than 1 million people over the course of the week. If you’d like to get in on the fun but your travel plans don’t coincide, no worries—Barcelona throws its very own Feria de Abril every year as well.

Given the Catalan people’s proud cultural heritage, it might come as a surprise that one of the top things to do in Barcelona in April is so deeply tied to a very Spanish celebration. It all started in the early 1970s, when a group of Andalusian transplants in the Catalan capital decided to revive their favorite springtime tradition in their new home, and the Feria de Abril de Catalunya was born.

The event takes place at Parc del Forum and features everything we know and love about the Seville fair: the typical tents, or casetas; plenty of amusement park rides; and even the traditional alumbrado, or “lighting up” of the main gate to mark the official start of the fair.

Give back to the earth—and the local community

Here at Devour Barcelona, we’re all about respecting communities—both locally and on a global level. April is Earth Month, and while millions of people acknowledge Earth Day itself on the 22nd, Barcelona gets things started a bit earlier. Two weeks before the big day, locals take to the streets in the Nou Barris neighborhood to celebrate Fira per la Terra.

The event—”Earth Fair” in English—is aptly named given the fascinating array of activities and events that take place. You’ll see bustling outdoor market stalls proudly manned by local artisans, all of whom place an emphasis on creating environmentally friendly products. Additionally, organizations with various environment-focused missions will be around to provide information and educational opportunities. Street performances and activities for guests of all ages will add an artistic flair to the event, but everything is focused around one core value: protecting the earth.

Discover your new favorite movie at the D’A Film Festival

Cinephiles, this one’s for you. Each spring, Barcelona plays host to dozens of directors from all over the world showcasing their talents at the D’A Film Festival. Specializing in contemporary auteur cinema, the event screens films you won’t see anywhere else, and participants range from up-and-coming new talents to internationally established household names.

Entering its tenth edition, this year’s festival promises to be bigger and better than ever. The films already confirmed as of early March include poignant, influential selections from all over the world that deal with key themes affecting modern society. Additionally, several fascinating panels and workshops will help you get the most out of each film in the lineup.

This blog post was originally posted on February 27, 2015 and was updated on January 4, 2023.