Map
8 ideas, picked for these days
A snow weekend in the Pallars, three hours from Manresa
Espot Esquí and Port Ainé usually close the season at the end of Holy Week if the snow holds, and spring brings soft pistes and long days. Rutes Pirineus usually runs a snowshoe outing to Sant Maurici in early April: check the dates.
A getaway to Rupit and the Collsacabra cliffs
In April the Collsacabra is green and the Salt de Sallent runs with the winter's water. Rupit fills at midday on Easter holidays: sleep there and do the cliffs early, before the cars go up.
Ripoll: two monasteries and a greenway
The Santíssim Misteri of Sant Joan de les Abadesses, a wooden Descent from the Cross of 1251, has seven near life-size figures around Christ: it is the Passion that the Ripollès keeps. The church is a parish church and at Easter there are services: arrive early.
Montserrat: flat path and mató
The Escolania sings in the basilica during Holy Week and takes its holidays the week that begins on Easter Monday. If you want to hear it, go up beforehand; and arrive early in any case, as on Easter holidays the rack railway is full.
Cerdanya: the Tosa by gondola and the Puigcerdà lake
As long as La Molina stays open, the cable car takes pedestrians up to the Tosa d'Alp, at 2,537 metres, with the last solid snow of the season. If Holy Week falls late and the resort has already closed, do just the afternoon at Puigcerdà lake.
Garraf: coves and rice by the sea
It is the first sunny long weekend for going down to the sea without the summer crowds: the huts beach is still quiet and the Camí de les Costes, without shade, is pleasant to walk in April. El Chiringuito does not close at midday, but book a table.
Vic: square, cured meats and inn
It is the plan for the rainy day that Easter often brings: arcaded square, museum and cathedral under cover. The Museum of Medieval Art opens on Sunday morning and Sert's cathedral reopens in the afternoon, with the nave free.
Sitges: seafront promenade and rice
From April the Cau Ferrat and Maricel extend their hours until seven, and the promenade already has sunny terraces. Watch out for Easter Monday: the Sitges museums close every Monday, so visit them on Sunday.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is Maundy Thursday a holiday in Catalonia?
No. In Catalonia the holidays are Good Friday and Easter Monday; Thursday is a working day.
Is there snow at Easter?
It depends on the date and the winter. If it falls in March, almost always; if it falls at the end of April, many resorts have already closed. Check their closing calendar the week before.
Where can you see the Passion near Manresa?
In Olesa de Montserrat and Esparreguera, which spread their performances between March and April. Buy your ticket on their websites.
What is open on Easter Monday?
Montserrat, yes, although the Escolania begins its holidays that day. The Sitges museums, no: they close every Monday.