5 Things to do in April

1. Mones de Pasqua

Treat yourself to a mona de Pasqua, or at least do some window-shopping. The equivalent of the Easter egg, the chocolate mona is typically given to children by their godparents. They take all sorts of elaborate forms, from a classic egg to football players, trains and castles. All the city’s pastisseríes will proudly display their own mones, but for real local classics, take a peek in the window of Escribà (Gran Via 546 and La Rambla 83).

2. Buy a book and a rose

Celebrate the patron saint of Catalunya, Sant Jordi, and UNESCO World Book Day on April 23rd—a floral and literary festa, when people give books or roses to loved ones. Wherever you are in the city, the pavements will be filled with books and roses, but to really soak up the festive atmosphere take a stroll down Rambla de Catalunya, red rose in hand.

3. Get lost!

For a fun Sunday outing, take the green line up to Mundet and pay a visit to Barcelona’s oldest garden, the 18th-century Parc Laberint d’Horta. Formerly a royal estate, you’ll find lush foliage, streams, ponds and many architectural influences, from Moorish to Neoclassical and Romantic. The highlight is the central maze, made of a series of two-metre high hedges. Race your friends (or your children) to the centre.

4. Learn about the city’s dark side…

Enough of chocolate, books and roses! Why not really get to know the city in all its sordid details, by taking the Barcelona Nocturna y Criminal tour? The route is available in Spanish and Catalan and takes participants down the Ramblas to discover the most gory and fascinating crimes of the past 200 years. Tours cost €14. See www.cultruta.com for details.

5. Handmade Festival

Get crafty at the second edition of the Handmade Festival which will host over 100 workshops, master classes, tasting sessions, exhibitions and concerts, plus a huge range of articles and materials from more than 250 exhibitors. The festival is divided into six sections: sewing, paper, cookery, DIY and gardening, handmade weddings, and mini-handmade, where children can try their hand at a host of creative activities. From bookbinding to bread making and urban gardening to Aztec weaving, there’s something here for everyone to get their hands on. April 24th-25th, Fira de Barcelona. See handmadefestivalbcn.com for details.