Best time to visit Barcelona
Best time of year to visit Barcelona
May to June and September are deemed to be the best time to visit Barcelona. Balmy weather and slightly fewer tourists make early summer a pleasant time to be in Barcelona. Airfares and temperatures are at their highest from July to August, and it's almost impossible to find good deals. The season is heated up with Sala Montjuic movie screenings and grand sales. You can enjoy swimming in the sea until late September and celebrate La Merce with the locals. October and November see more rains, and that's when Catalan comfort foods like Castanyes i Moniatos are there for you. Christmas and New Year's get more crowded, but Tio de Nadal will keep your mood up! Time from January to April can be labelled 'bargain months' in Barcelona, just don't forget to take a coat with you.
11 THINGS TO DO IN BARCELONA (MAY 13 - MAY 22)
Girona Flower Festival (Temps de Flors)
Houses, decorated with amazing floral arrangements, transform the old city of Girona into an incredible bouquet of landscapes, colors, and beauty
Castells or Human Towers
An amazing tradition of constructing human towers
Beach Season
Barcelona's best beaches are just a few kilometers away from the city centre
Sagrada Familia
Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece is being incarnated by modern architectors and paralelly visited by millions of admirers
Casa Milà (La Pedrera)
This architectural masterpiece is unlike anything else built in the 20th century, the total culmination of Gaudí's boundless imagination
Mediterranean Cruises
Enjoy an award-winning vacation, highlighting picture-perfect coasts, ancient history, and fine cuisine
Spanish Ham (Jamón) with Melon
A simple but beautiful and healthy summer snack
FC Barcelona and Camp Nou
The most exciting matches of the Champions League in the biggest football stadium in Europe
Kitesurfing and Windsurfing
Conquer the wind in the city or explore the coast further
Yachting Season
Barcelona is one of Europe's top sailing destinations
Sardinadas
It's impossible to imagine a holiday without grilled sardines
48 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE
Tarragona Human Towers Competition
out of rangeA spectacular competition of building human towers - something to be seen only in Catalonia
La Merce
out of rangeA signature Barcelona street festival not to be missed
Festa Major de Gràcia
out of rangeCatalan style street party is an unsurpassable fun experience
Noche de San Juan
out of rangeBonfires and songs highlight the celebration of St. John's Eve and summer solstice in Spain
Carnaval de Barcelona
out of rangeCatalan answer to the carnival season is more than fun. It's spectacular!
Rebajas or Sales
out of rangeLook for a bargain at one of Europe's best fashion destinations
Sonar Festival
out of rangeOne of the best electronic music festivals in the world
Fiesta de Santa Eulalia
out of rangeA traditional Catalan street party with giants, dragons, lions and eagles taking part
The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
out of rangeIncredible mix of water, light and music making a great performance
Sitges Fiesta Mayor
out of rangeSitges Fiesta Mayor is one of the most important events of the year featuring a spectacular 30-minute firework display that lights up the Mediterranean
Sitges Carnival
out of rangeThe Sitges Carnival attracts more than 250,000 people to see its bright show and colourful parties, making it one of the most popular carnivals in the world
European Balloon Festival
out of rangeThe best hot-air balloons in the region gather for one week of spectacular flights
Primavera Sound
out of rangeBarcelona's edition of Primavera Sound attracts more and more people from every corner of the world
Calçotada
out of rangeFried onions turned into a culinary masterpiece
Christmas Markets
out of rangeNativity scenes and shopping for gifts are the main highlights of the festive fairs in Barcelona
Halloween
out of rangeWitch Fair, La Castanyada, and tons of other fun events in Barcelona
Barcelona Beer Festival
out of rangeVisit one of the biggest beer events in Europe
New Year's Eve
out of rangeEating 12 grapes, wearing red coloured underwear and preparing a special cake is only a part of the incredible celebration in Spain
La Dansa de la Mort de Verges
out of rangeAn ancient and unique Dance of the Death
L'ou сom Balla or Dancing Egg
out of rangeA peculiar tradition dating back to the 16th century
Barcelona New Year's Eve (Nochevieja)
out of rangeEat 12 grapes by the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc and go partying in a museum
Diada Nacional de Catalunya
out of rangeA very important day for the Catalans
Barcelona Marathon
out of rangeA challenging race through the streets of the most beautiful parts of Barcelona
Semana Santa (Holy Week) & Easter
out of rangeVisit the city during the week of spectacular religious processions and delicious Easter treats
El Caganer
out of rangeAn unusual Catalan tradition—a defecating man in a nativity scene
Grec Festival
unconfirmedSome of the world's best theatrical performances in an ancient Greek amphitheatre under the night sky
Montjuic de Nit
overA great offbeat cultural festival in a beautiful location
Formula 1 Gran Premio De España
out of rangeA spectacular Formula One race, one of the oldest in the world
Three Kings Day
out of rangeEpiphany is a great holiday in Barcelona celebrated by La Cabalgata de Reyes Magos
Dia de Sant Jordi
out of rangeA colorful holiday during the flower bloom season
Sardana
out of rangeA traditional Catalan group dance that could be performed by all people of all ages
Tió de Nadal
out of rangeAn interesting Catalan Christmas tradition—to take care of a log
Gossos d'Atura (Sheep Dog) Competitions
out of rangeAn unusual show of traditional shepperd dogs from all over Spain
Castanyes i Moniatos
out of rangeSweet potato and chestnuts are perfect autumn comfort foods
Torello Carnival (Carnaval de Terra Endins)
out of rangeOne of the wildest festivals in Catalonia
Ball de Bastons
out of rangeAn ancient Catalan tradition—stick dancing
BBF: Barcelona Beach Festival
out of rangeEnjoy an unforgettable chill to the strains of electronic music
Anchovies in Vinegar (Boquerones en Vinagre)
out of rangeIt is especially pleasant to go to the bar on a hot summer day, drink a glass of ice-cold beer and eat Boquerones en Vinagre!
Sopa de Galets
out of rangeA wonderful winter comfort food
Sala Montjuic
out of rangeA romantic night with jazz and movies under the stars
El Bot Salvavides
out of rangeA coastal town of Calafell not far from Barcelona is home to an interesting phenomenon – unsinkable lifeboat
Panellets
out of rangeDelicious sweet pastry served on All Saints Day
Sant Joan's Coca
out of rangeA delicious sweet treat available only during the holiday
Botifarra
out of rangeGrilled sausages are an important food in Catalonia
Mona de Pascua
out of rangeDelicious Easter cakes that are given by godparents to their godchildren
Roscón de Reyes or Kings Cake
out of rangeA traditional round Epiphany cake
La Castanyada
out of rangeA family-oriented holiday to commemorate the dead relatives and celebrate the harvest
Clotxa
out of rangeAn interesting regional farmers' food
