Things to Do in Zaragoza in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Zaragoza
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Spring weather hits a sweet spot - daytime temperatures around 20°C (68°F) make walking the city genuinely pleasant, especially for the 3-4 km (1.9-2.5 mile) routes between major sites like the Basilica del Pilar and La Seo Cathedral without overheating
- Semana Santa (Holy Week) transforms the entire city into a living museum - you'll witness centuries-old processions with elaborate floats and drumming brotherhoods that locals actually participate in, not tourist performances. The atmosphere in the Casco Viejo during evening processions is something you can't experience any other time of year
- Restaurant terraces reopen after winter and locals flood outdoor spaces - this is when Zaragoza's social life moves outside. You'll find the best people-watching at Plaza del Pilar and Plaza Santa Marta from around 2pm onwards, when temperatures peak and everyone's having their sobremesa
- Tourist crowds haven't hit summer levels yet - major sites like the Aljafería Palace see roughly 40% fewer visitors than July-August, meaning you can actually appreciate the Mudéjar architecture without fighting through tour groups. Book tickets online 2-3 days ahead instead of the 2-week advance needed in peak summer
Considerations
- April weather in Zaragoza is genuinely unpredictable - you might get 25°C (77°F) sunshine one day and 12°C (54°F) with drizzle the next. The Cierzo wind can drop the feels-like temperature by 5-8°C (9-14°F) instantly, which catches visitors off guard when they're dressed for the forecast high
- Semana Santa means accommodation prices spike 30-50% during Holy Week itself, typically the week before Easter Sunday. If your dates overlap with processions, book hotels at least 6-8 weeks ahead or you'll pay premium rates for mediocre options in outer neighborhoods
- Rain happens on about 10 days this month, usually as brief showers rather than all-day downpours, but the timing is random enough that you'll want indoor backup plans. Museums close on Mondays, so if it rains then, your options shrink considerably
Best Activities in April
Mudéjar Architecture Walking Routes
April weather is ideal for the 5-6 km (3.1-3.7 mile) walking circuit connecting Zaragoza's UNESCO World Heritage Mudéjar sites. Morning temperatures around 12-15°C (54-59°F) are perfect for the uphill walk to San Pablo Church, and you'll avoid the 35°C+ (95°F+) heat that makes summer walking brutal. The golden-hour light around 7:30-8:30pm in April makes the brick towers of La Seo and the Aljafería Palace photograph beautifully. Most tourists stick to the Basilica del Pilar, so sites like the Magdalena Church remain relatively quiet.
Ebro River Cycling Routes
The riverside bike paths extend roughly 20 km (12.4 miles) through the city, and April is when locals return to cycling after winter. Temperatures stay comfortable even at midday, and the plane trees along the Paseo Echegaray y Caballero are starting to leaf out. The section from Parque del Agua to the Stone Bridge gives you views of the Basilica without the crowds on the plaza itself. Rain tends to clear quickly on the exposed riverbank, and the paths drain well.
Tapas Route in El Tubo District
April marks the transition to outdoor terrace season, and El Tubo's narrow streets create natural windbreaks when the Cierzo blows. This is when you'll find locals doing the traditional tapeo, moving between bars for small plates and cañas. Spring ingredients like espárragos de Aragón (local asparagus) and alcachofas (artichokes) appear on menus now. The evening timing shifts later as days lengthen - prime tapas hours run 8:30-11pm instead of winter's 7:30-9:30pm window.
Goya Museum and Art Gallery Circuit
Perfect backup for the 10 rainy days you'll likely encounter. The Museo Goya houses the most complete private collection of Goya's work, and April sees fewer school groups than May-June. The IAACC Pablo Serrano contemporary art museum is a 15-minute walk away, and combined visits take 3-4 hours. The climate-controlled galleries offer relief when outdoor temperatures swing unpredictably or the Cierzo makes walking unpleasant.
Moncayo Natural Park Day Trips
The 2,314 m (7,592 ft) Moncayo peak still has snow on top in early April, creating dramatic scenery as lower elevations green up. This is ideal hiking weather - cool enough at altitude to stay comfortable but warm enough that lower trails around 800-1,200 m (2,625-3,937 ft) are snow-free. The beech forests start leafing out mid-month. Located 85 km (53 miles) southwest of Zaragoza, it's reachable in 90 minutes by car.
Wine Tasting in Campo de Borja Region
April marks the start of bodega tourism season in the nearby Campo de Borja wine region, famous for old-vine Garnacha. Vineyards are 50-60 km (31-37 miles) west of the city, and spring weather makes the drive through rolling countryside pleasant. Wineries are less crowded than summer months, and many offer tours showing the pruning and early growth stage of vines. The region's medieval villages like Borja provide atmospheric lunch stops.
April Events & Festivals
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
Zaragoza's Holy Week processions rank among Spain's most authentic, with 16 different brotherhoods parading elaborate pasos (floats) through the old town. The drumming brotherhoods create a haunting soundtrack that echoes off stone buildings in the Casco Viejo. Unlike tourist-heavy Seville, this is genuinely local - you'll see three generations of families participating. The main processions run from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday, with the most impressive on Good Friday evening starting around 7pm from various churches and converging at Plaza del Pilar.
Día de San Jorge (Aragon Day)
April 23rd is Aragon's national day and a major celebration in Zaragoza. The tradition involves men giving women roses and women giving men books, filling Plaza del Pilar with flower and book stalls. Street performances, concerts, and open-air activities run throughout the day. Restaurants offer special menus featuring Aragonese dishes. It's a public holiday in Aragon, so many shops close but cultural sites stay open with extended hours.