The best time to visit Barcelona, in our opinion, is all year round! Thanks to its gorgeous climate, even in the winter it’s a beautiful city to be in. With mild daytime and nighttime temperatures, you’ll be pushed to find a city so amazingly ideal for a weekend getaway.
However, if your schedule is flexible and you can choose any season of the year to come, we’d have to admit that the best time to visit Barcelona is the summer. From May to October you can enjoy more hours of sunlight; think long summer days that seem to last forever spent relaxing at the beach, refreshing nights with street parties and meals under the stars and, of course, sunrises and sunsets that will take your breath away.
To all this you can add a million and one activities as the city of Barcelona comes alive with summer plans for that suit all tastes, schedules and budgets.
If this sounds like the best time to visit Barcelona to you, keep on reading. Here are 8 summer activities that you won’t be able to resist.
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Celebrate the arrival of summer with fireworks
The night of the 23rd June marks the celebration of Sant Joan and the Summer Solstice, one of the biggest events on the Catalan calendar. If partying on the beach under the lights of the starts and fireworks sounds like your thing, then this is definitely the best time to visit Barcelona for you! Read more about this traditional festivity here.
Hit the city’s beaches
Barcelona is famous for its nine beaches spanning almost 5 km along coastline. So, of course, we think that the best time to visit Barcelona is the summer, as it is when you can truly make the most of these stunning sandy shores from sunrise to sunset. Check out our complete guide to Barcelona beaches for more information when planning your next beach holiday in the city.
Dance until dawn at Barcelona’s Festes Majors
Many of the city’s Festes Majors (city parties) are held during the summer months, making it without a doubt the best time to visit Barcelona. Discover Catalan traditions like correfocs (fire runs) and castellers (human towers) at some of the biggest celebrations of the year in the neighbourhoods of Sants, Poble Sec and the Gothic Quarter. Steeped in tradition and local community, at these festivals you’ll find locals and tourists of all ages enjoying live music, local food, hand-made products and, of course, a good dance! Check out our article on one of the biggest of these events held in August: the Festa Major de Gràcia.
Sing along at a music festival
June until August means one thing for music lovers in Barcelona: it’s festival season, i.e. the best time to visit Barcelona! A favourite among indie fans, Primavera Sound kicks off the summer at Parc del Fòrum. Combining creativity, music and culture, there’s the Sonar Festival bringing electronic music and art to the city. Not forgetting Festival Cruïlla with its eclectic mix of artists from pop legends to classic indie groups and Festival Jardins Pedralbes in a truly magical setting.
Catch your favourite movie at Sala Montjuïc
If you’re in Barcelona in July, you’ll be able to enjoy what is one of the most-awaited events of the summer. Watch classic movies and the newest Oscar-winning films at the outdoor cinema in the grounds of the Montjuïc castle during what is possibly the best time to visit Barcelona. Grab a picnic and a blanket and relax under the stars.
Experience La Mercè (Festa Major de Barcelona)
One of the biggest festivals of the year, La Mercè unites music, culture and art, in this yearly celebration in September, making this month the best time to visit Barcelona. As the summer heat wanes, hit the streets to enjoy a range of free events throughout the city, including live music, workshops for kids and the magical closing ceremony (the Piromusical) in Plaça Espanya. Find out more about the fantastic cultural festival that is La Mercè here.
Have a drink on a rooftop bar or terrace
Bask in the beautiful summer climate on a rooftop with amazing views of the Barcelona cityscape, sea and surrounding mountains or terraces lapped by the waves as the cool sea breeze rustles your hair. Discover our guide to the top 10 bars and terraces to enjoy what we believe is the best time to visit Barcelona!
Bag a bargain at Barcelona’s outdoor markets
Food trucks serving delicious street food, pop-up stalls selling handmade gifts and second-hand clothes, and live music concerts by the newest bands… yes, it’s the best time to visit Barcelona! Discover the city’s summer weekend markets of Palo Alto, Two Market at Nau Bostik, and Fleadonia.
These are just some of the reasons why summer is the best time to visit Barcelona! We’re looking forward to welcoming you here.
Other tips about Barcelona that you will love
- TOP 22 Barcelona apartments by neighbourhood
- Your guide to the best location to stay in Barcelona
- Top 10 most beautiful places in Barcelona to take photos
And remember, If you are planning to visit Barcelona, We’ve got what you need! Long term and short term apartment rentals in Barcelona: Here at BizFlats, we are proud to offer you quality apartments located across Barcelona city: www.bizflats.com
I’d recommend avoiding the height of summer, due to heat and humidity, and especially August, which locals view as vacation-time, when they leave town–and many restaurants close. Bear in mind, air-conditioning is far from universal in Barcelona–remember the Catalan reputation for THRIFT.
Otherwise, all seasons have their advantages: April-May for lovely spring weather, outdoor dining, and beaches. Disadvantage: crowds; it’s high tourist season. September-November is my own favorite, and the tourist crowds have thinned a bit. Even December-March has its points–even fewer foreign tourists–and it’s rarely cold enough for the outdoor dining to shut down.