Easter Weekend - A Part of 'Semana Santa' in Barcelona

Page Content

Easter Weekend 29 March 2024 - 01 April 2024

The period known as 'Semana Santa' (Holy Week) is important in Spain. During Easter week Catholics celebrate the period with various ceremonies, masses and processions.

However, as with the rest of the world, Easter in Spain is no longer just about religion. It is a lovely time to be in the city, as the streets are filled with people enjoying the long weekend, the windows of chocolate shops and patisseries are piled with treats and Spring is in the air.

Be warned that, due to the fact that the weekend is a Spanish holiday many facilities will not be open on the Friday and the Monday of the weekend.

In this article I will provide details of what is open during Easter weekend, what activities are available and what you should look out for if you are visiting during this period.

A Guide to the Days of Semana Santa

The Santa Maria Church

Good Friday ( 29 March)

This is the Friday before Easter Sunday. It is a public holiday in Spain. You will find that a large majority of the shops are closed. Many of the bars and restaurants will also be closed. There are processions throughout the day. As a general guide make your way to Barcelona Cathedral from 16:00 to 23:00 where there will be processions and activities occurring in the square outside the Cathedral.

Do not confuse Barcelona Cathedral for the Gaudí Sagrada Família otherwise you would be in the wrong location for the centre of the Easter activities. The Sagrada Família is not a cathedral but a Basilica.

Map showing location of Barcelona Cathedral in relation to the nearest metro stops.

= Metro Stops

= Hotel

Easter Saturday (30 March)

Easter Saturday is not a public holiday, so everything runs as normal. The shops and markets are open and are busy with people getting stocked up for the next three days.

Easter Sunday (31 March)

Easter Sunday, like every other Sunday in Barcelona, most of the shops are closed. Many of the restaurants are also closed, however many will be open to serve those enjoying family holiday meals. There are many masses and religious processions occurring throughout the day. Once again make your way to Barcelona Cathedral which is the centre of all the activities.

Easter Monday (01 April)

Easter Monday is a public holiday. The large majority of shops and restaurants are closed.

For specific information regarding what restaurants will be open over the Easter period check our page: Restaurants opened during Easter in Barcelona

Masses and Processions During Semana Santa

Semana Santa Notices

The Easter period gives rise to various religious ceremonies and processions in Barcelona. If you are in the city for this period and would like to attend one of these it is best to go to the church closest to you for information. You will find that most churches contain information boards displaying details of events taking place.

Some of the larger churches and the cathedral will have masses with choirs and processions ending at their location. Barcelona's cathedral is located close to the top of the Ramblas. Its details are provided below.

Santa Esglesia Catedral Basilica de Barcelona
Plaça de la Seu
08002 Barcelona, España.

Tel: +34 93 342 8262

How to get to Santa Esglesia Catedral Basilica de Barcelona

Metro: Jaume I (Yellow Line, L4)

Hop on hop off sightseeing tourist bus stop

Nearest stop for Santa Esglesia Catedral Basilica de Barcelona is "Catedral - Gòtic" with the "hop on hop off" sightseeing bus

Public bus

Via Laietana / Plaça Ramon Berenguer: 45, V15, V17

Car parking

Car parking near Santa Esglesia Catedral Basilica de Barcelona (Barcelona Cathedral)

Luggage Storage

Click here to learn more about locker facility in this area

Opening Hours (on Public Holidays):

Entrance €14.00 with a guide:
Tuesday - Sunday: 11:00 - 13:00

Chocolate Museum (Museu de la Xocolata)

Barcelona's Chocolate Museum

Barcelona has a long tradition of producing and consuming sumptuous quality chocolate. No time of year celebrates chocolate more than Easter, making it an exceptionally good time to be in Barcelona. Chocolate shops and patisseries display chocolate sculptures of varying degrees of intricacy and creativity. And nowhere is this better displayed than in the Museu de la Xocolata (Chocolate Museum) in the El Born area.

People Queuing at the Museum

This museum is always popular, but during the days of Semana Santa, a queue forms down the street. There are a few special courses available during the Easter period, but in general, there is the same display that is on show all year round.

One of the highlights of the museum trip is the entrance ticket. In true Willy Wonka style, the 'golden ticket' itself is a bar of chocolate. This is helpful when walking around a museum of chocolate sculptures - without it I may have been tempted to break into one of the display cases!

A Chocolate Version of Gaudí's Famous Dragon

The Chocolate Ticket

The museum comprises a short history of chocolate and various sculptures made from chocolate - everything from the Sagrada Família to Hello Kitty are there. There is also a section with changing temporary exhibitions - on my visit it was a Barcelona FC themed display.

The children's enthusiasm is infectious as they run from life sized chocolate footballer to chocolate Asterix scene. The shop and café at the end of the tour provide an opportunity to buy some quality chocolate gifts or simply sip on one of their thick hot chocolates.

Prices:
Over 7 years old: €6.00
Under 7 years old: Free

Opening Times:
Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 - 19:00
Sunday: 10:00 - 15:00
Public Holiday: 10:00 - 15:00

The Museum Shop

Museu de la Xocolata
Carrer Comerç, 36
08003 Barcelona, España.

How to get to Museu de la Xocolata

Metro: Arc de Triomf (Red Line, L1)

Hop on hop off sightseeing tourist bus stop

Nearest stop for Museu de la Xocolata is "El Born - Ciutadella - Zoo" with the "hop on hop off" sightseeing bus

Car parking

Car parking near Museu de La Xocolata

Tel: +34 93 268 7878

Website: Chocolate Museum

All in all, Semana Santa is a lovely time to be in the city of Barcelona. With two bank holidays in a row spirits are high and there is a sense of occasion amongst the local community. However, do remember that this is not a normal weekend in Barcelona; if you are planning on hitting the shops or trying out lots of different restaurants it may be a safer bet to come on a normal weekend.

Did you know you can enjoy unlimited travel on public transport for 2, 3, 4 or 5 days? See for free top attractions in Barcelona and get a 10% discount for other attractions which you wish to visit? Barcelona Essentials Pass Sagrada Familia entance tickets Park Guell entance tickets Unlimited public transport (metro, TMB buses, tram, regional & urban railways, Montjuïc funicular) Transport from / to Airport 10% discount on other attractions Audio guide with maps Click to learn more