Weather in Costa Brava in April

How April compares

April is the 7th warmest month of the year in Costa Brava. Within Spain it is 67th of 87 (Spain in April). Against London's average high of 13.5°C in April, Costa Brava is 4.5°C warmer by day and 4.1°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in April

The typical April day in Costa Brava peaks at 18.0°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 21.6°C or more. Roughly 1 in 143 days top 25°C. Nights average 9.2°C; one night in ten drops to 6.3°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest April day here reached 27.4°C (2011-04-08) and the coldest night 0.8°C (1996-04-04).

Rain in April

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 10 days with 1 mm or more, 73 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest April was 2020 with 233 mm, the driest 2017 with 19 mm. Humidity averages 75%.

Sea temperature in April

The sea averages 14.0°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 13.5°C to 14.8°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (24.8°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 6.2 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 13.1 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:08 and sets about 20:29 local time in mid-April. Average cloud cover is 53%.

Is April a good time to visit Costa Brava?

April is not the strongest month here: mild days and frequent rain. The best months for Costa Brava on our scoring are July, June, August; months averaging 25°C or more: Jun, Jul, Aug.

Comfortable afternoons, but keep a jacket handy

An average high of 18°C makes April better suited to being active outdoors than lying still on the beach. A light top may be enough during a warmer afternoon, but bring a jumper and jacket for shade, cooler spells and evenings. The warmest 10% of days reach at least 21.6°C, so you might get pleasantly warm conditions without summer heat. That is not something to build the whole trip around, though. The coldest 10% of nights fall to 6.3°C or below, making warm layers particularly useful if you plan to sit outside after dark.

Plan around showers, not guaranteed sunshine

Rain is a meaningful part of the April trade-off: about 10 days have measurable rainfall, so a waterproof jacket deserves space in your bag. Keep outdoor plans movable rather than relying on a particular day staying dry. There are about 6.2 hours of sunshine within 13.1 hours of daylight, leaving scope for bright spells without promising clear skies throughout your stay. A rainy day need not mean rain all day, but it is sensible to have an indoor alternative. April works best if you can accept weather interruptions; it is less convincing if dependable sunshine is the main reason for travelling.

Treat the coast as somewhere to walk, not to swim

The sea is the clearest reason to manage beach expectations. At an average of 14°C, it is cold rather than merely refreshing, and the year-to-year range of 14°C to 15°C offers little prospect of a comfortably warm swim. You can still use dry, mild spells for time beside the water, but pack with walking and sitting in layers in mind. Do not assume a warmer afternoon will make the sea feel inviting. If your holiday depends on relaxed swimming and prolonged beach time, April is a poor fit; if swimming is optional, the mild air is much easier to work with.