Your Complete Month on Month Guide for the Best Time to Visit Barcelona | Seasons, Things to do, Travel Tips
In Barcelona, the streets share pleasantries with the tourists! A warm and welcoming abode for explorers and wanderers, Barcelona is full of vivacity. With elegant architecture, intriguing museums and beautiful beaches - Barcelona is the perfect getaway. Every month has something unique to offer travelers in Barcelona. From special festivals and vibrant events that celebrate the essence of Spanish culture, each month is overflowing with exciting things to do in Barcelona. Here's a complete guide to all you can do in Barcelona across each month. Pick your favorite time of the year and head to this dazzling city!
What's the Best Time to Visit Barcelona?
Best Months for Staying Outdoors in Barcelona: April to July, September to November
Best Months for Sightseeing & Museum Hopping: April, May, September, and October
Best Months for Honeymooners: April, May, September and October
Best Months for Budget Travelers: November, December, January and February
Best Months for Shopaholics: Late January and February
High Season
May to September
What to Expect:
- Barcelona in high season sees huge tourist crowds and long lines at queues.
- The weather is warm and balmy making it a great time to go swimming at the beach.
- This is a good time to experience outdoor events since the sun is out till 9 PM.
Shoulder Season
March to April and September to October
What to Expect:
- The weather is mild and pleasant during shoulder season.
- There are fewer crowds and more budget deals for hotels and flights.
- It's the perfect time for travelers looking for a relaxed vacation.
Low Season
November to Early March
What to Expect:
- Temperatures dip as winter makes an appearance in Barcelona.
- The sea becomes cold so don't expect to go swimming.
- You'll find lots of Christmas markets and festivities all around Barcelona.
Seasons in Barcelona
Spring
Average Temperature: Mar 9°-16°C | Apr 11°-18°C | May 14°-21°C
Spring in Barcelona is spread across the months of March, April, and May. With cold winds gushing and showers sprinkled here and there, Spring is the best time to visit Barcelona. Spend your time in Barcelona visiting landmark attractions, drinking good Cerveza (beer) and devouring delicious food.
Travel Tips: In spring, bring layers of clothing that you can wear/take off during the course of the day and carry an umbrella for unexpected showers.
Summer
Average Temperature: June 18°-26°C | July 21°-27°C | August 22°-27°C
The months of June, July, and August bring with them ample sunshine and warmth. These warm Summer months are ideal to head out to the beaches in Barcelona. Grab your Horchata, a staple drink for Summer days made with Tiger Nut and enjoy your vacation.
Travel Tips: Check out free outdoor concerts like Musica Als Parcs that takes place across parks in Barcelona.
Autumn
Average Temperature: September 17°-26°C | October 17°-23°C | November 12°-18°C
Autumn brings plentiful rain in Barcelona through September, October, and November. While it's warm in September, temperatures begin to steadily fall towards November as winter slowly begins to set in. Remember to check out the Oktoberfest filled with exciting activities, traditional food and lots of live music.
Travel Tips: Don’t forget to pack your rain essentials like raincoats, boots, and an umbrella for a visit to Barcelona in Autumn.
Winter
Average Temperature: December 9°-15°C | January 9°-15°C | February 8°-15°C
Winter brings chilly sea air to Barcelona along with joyous Christmas festivities! Surround yourself with Christmas markets, light and decorations and delicious, traditional food Barcelona truly transforms into a Winter Wonderland during these months. But don't worry, the sun still shines throughout, making it perfect for sight-seeing!
Travel Tips: Don't forget to check out the traditional Christmas markets which are the highlight of Barcelona during winter.
Best Time to Visit Barcelona: Month on Month Guide
January
Average Temperature: 9° to 15 °C
January is the coldest month in Barcelona but it still gets a fair share of sunshine. The filtered sun rays will make roaming around in Barcelona a memorable experience.
Things to do: Visit landmark attractions like Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, Casa Vicens and visit the famous Christmas markets.
Travel Tips: Bring your shopping list along as city-wide sales start from 7th January.
Barcelona in January Guide
February
Average Temperature: 10 to 15 °C
With bright sun and grey clouds, Barcelona in February is a treat. Crowds are fewer in February since it is right after the holiday season.
Things to do: Chinese New Year is a colorful event with dragons and lions celebrate every year at the Arc De Triomf. Strolling through Park Guell in the cool weather is also a wonderful experience.
Travel Tips: Swimming in the sea may not be possible in February, since the water temperature can be as low as 13℃.
Barcelona in February Guide
March
Average Temperature: 15° to 20°C
As winter gives way to Spring, in March, Barcelona prepares to host tourists from all over the world. The city calls upon every beer fan to attend its Barcelona Beer Festival which has samples from over 450 beer brands.
Things to do: Head to a pub or nightclub to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on 17 March and enjoy the nightlife in Barcelona.
Travel Tips: March is jam-packed with events and activities, so keep your dates open to and choose events as you learn more about local cultures and beliefs.
Barcelona in March Guide
April
Average Temperature: 12° to 18 °C
With winters officially over for the Catalonian Capital, tourists can enjoy sunny days exploring Barcelona in April. The season brings refreshing showers to the city.
Things to do: Join Easter celebrations that take place across the city and visit landmark attractions like Sagrada Familia, Casa Vicens, Casa Mila.
Travel Tips: Since April is the spring season in Barcelona, make sure you visit the public parks to watch the blooming flowers.
Barcelona in April Guide
May
Average Temperature: 16° to 22 °C
May brings the bright, sunny days to Barcelona making it perfect for sight-seeing and spending a leisurely time at the beach.
Things to do: Attend major events like the F1 Grand Prix or the Primavera Sound Festival.
Travel Tips: Museums in Barcelona stay open till late at night on 18 May which is International Museums Day.
Barcelona in May Guide
June
Average Temperature: 22° to 32°C
Clear blue skies, sunshine and beaches will welcome you to Barcelona in June. Spend days at the beach and evenings on quaint rooftops to enjoy stunning views of the city in June.
Things to do: Attend concerts and shows as part of the Jardines Pedralbes (starts on 7 June) which is a music festival.
Travel Tips: Do carry outdoor summer accessories such as hats, sunglasses, flip flops, scarves, and stoles to protect yourself from the sun.
Barcelona in June Guide
July
Average Temperature: 24° to 33 °C
Summer is at its peak in July. Plan to spend most of your days at the beach getting the perfect tan lines. With tank tops and shorts, enjoy the many outdoor events that happen in July.
Things to do: Attend Rock Fest Barcelona and the Barcelona Beach festival.
Travel Tips: Book all your tickets online to avoid overwhelming lines at popular landmarks like the Sagrada Familia.
Barcelona in July Guide
August
Average Temperature: 24° to 30 °C
August is the height of the tourist season, and the city is bustling. As the temperature rises, more people opt for nights out in Barcelona, revealing a very appealing aspect of Barcelona.
Things to do: August hosts the biggest carnival in Barcelona - La Fiesta Mayor De Gracia with streets festooned with ribbons and flowers.
Travel Tips: If you're heading out to nightclubs remember to check if the nightclub has a specific dress code since many do in Barcelona
Barcelona in August Guide
September
Average Temperature: 17° to 26 °C
September is off-season in Barcelona which means there are fewer crowds. The temperature is still good to visit beaches that are far less populated as compared to the summer months. The humidity of the summer months starts declining considerably and the weather is perfect for sightseeing.
Things to do: September is your chance to see Catalan traditions and culture during the La Merce Festival.
Travel Tips: A lot of locals get the day off on National Day of Catalonia that happens on 9 September and head to Barcelona making it unusually crowded for September.
Barcelona in September Guide
October
Average Temperature: 14° to 22 °C
Summer is officially over but October is a great time to visit Barcelona because the city sees pleasant weather making evenings and late nights a lot more fun. It is also off-season, so no annoying touristy crowds and lower airfares and accommodation!
Things to do: Visit landmark attractions like Casa Batllo, Sagrada Familia and many of Gaudi's other attractions.
Travel Tips: October makes for a great time to remain outdoors so you can plan a guided tour on foot to discover local heritage hotspots in the city.
November
Average Temperature: 12° to 16 °C
November is an exciting month across Europe and especially in Barcelona. Christmas is right around the corner and the air is filled with a festive spirit for you to bask in.
Things to do: If you enjoy music, attend the Barcelona Jazz festival that has concerts across Barcelona.
Travel Tips: November 1 is All Saints Day, many shops and establishments may be closed.
Barcelona in November Guide
December
Average Temperature: 12° to 16 °C
Expect gorgeous Christmas markets, colorful decorations and lights all around Barcelona in December. The Christmas spirit fills the air and you will get a chance to be a part of a traditional Spanish Christmas.
Things to do: Go ice-skating at Plaça de Catalunya that becomes a giant ice skating rink in December, Ring in the New Year in Barcelona with grand celebrations.
Travel Tips: December 6 is Constitution Day in Spain so a lot of locals get the day off and head to Barcelona making it unusually crowded for December.
Barcelona in December GuideKnow More About the Best Time to Visit Barcelona
The best time to visit Barcelona is between May-June when the weather is warm but not too hot and there a range of festivals and events for you to enjoy.
May-September is high season in Barcelona when you will find the most number of tourists.
July and August are the warmest months, with average temperatures around 28–29 °C
January and February are the coldest months, with average temperatures around 15 °C during the day and 9 °C at night.
October sees the most amount of rain in Barcelona.
April, May, September, and October are the best months to go sight-seeing in Barcelona.
Barcelona is least crowded during the shoulder seasons of March - April and September - October.
During the shoulder season (March - April and September - October) and low season (November - Early March) you will get the best budget deals in Barcelona. Book your Barcelona attractions tickets online for the best deals.
The warmest and best months for swimming in the sea are July, August and September.
Visit landmark attractions, check out free outdoor concerts like Musica Als Parcs that takes place across parks in Barcelona, go to the beach and enjoy the warm, balmy weather.
Visit Christmas markets, go ice-skating and try the delicious Christmas food in Barcelona in Winter.
Visit the many gardens and parks in Barcelona to witness beautiful flowers in bloom. Head to landmark attractions or simply relax at the beach in Barcelona in Spring.
Head to popular attractions like Sagrada Familia and Casa Batllo, lounge at the beach or attend one of many events in Barcelona in Autumn.
The best time to visit Barcelona with kids is during the shoulder season (March - April and September - October) when the weather is pleasant and there are a fewer crowds so it is easier to handle children.
Couples would enjoy some along time as they stroll through the major landmarks so the best to visit Barcelona would be the shoulder season (March - April and September - October) or the low season (November - Early March) when the crowds are less.
The best time to visit Barcelona while travelling solo would be during the shoulder season (March - April and September - October) to avoid huge crowds and get major discounts on hotels and flights.
Late January and February is the best time to visit Barcelona for shopping. All the major sales in Barcelona begin in January.