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Best time to visit

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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.

45 things to do in Barcelona

New Year's Eve

December 31–January 1 Event

Eating 12 grapes, wearing red coloured underwear and preparing a special cake is only a part of the incredible celebration in Spain

Girona Flower Festival (Temps de Flors)

May 10-18, 2025 Event

Houses, decorated with amazing floral arrangements, transform the old city of Girona into an incredible bouquet of landscapes, colors, and beauty

Summer

May–September Weather

Hot and dry summer is perfect for beach activities

Winter

December, January, February Weather

Mild, dry and warm weather is good for sightseeing and short hikes

Primavera Sound

May 29-June 2, 2024 Event

Barcelona's edition of Primavera Sound attracts more and more people from every corner of the world

Noche de San Juan

June 20–June 24 Event

Bonfires and songs highlight the celebration of St. John's Eve and summer solstice in Spain

La Castanyada

October 30–November 1 Event

A family-oriented holiday to commemorate the dead relatives and celebrate the harvest

Diada Nacional de Catalunya

September 11 Event

A very important day for the Catalans

El Caganer

December Activity

An unusual Catalan tradition—a defecating man in a nativity scene

Sonar Festival

June 13-15, 2024 Event

One of the best electronic music festivals in the world

La Merce

September 24, 2025 Event

A signature Barcelona street festival not to be missed

El Bot Salvavides

June–September Activity

A coastal town of Calafell not far from Barcelona is home to an interesting phenomenon – unsinkable lifeboat

Dia de Sant Jordi

April 23 Event

A colorful holiday during the flower bloom season

Fiesta de Santa Eulalia

Around February 12 Event

A traditional Catalan street party with giants, dragons​, lions and eagles taking part

Festa Major de Gràcia

August 15–21, 2024 Event

Catalan style street party is an unsurpassable fun experience

Barcelona Marathon

March 9, 2025 Event

A challenging race through the streets of the most beautiful parts of Barcelona

La Dansa de la Mort de Verges

March 28, 2024 Event

An ancient and unique Dance of the Death

Beach Season

mid-May–mid-October Activity

Barcelona's best beaches are just a few kilometers away from the city centre

Sardana

September 11–September 24 Activity

A traditional Catalan group dance that could be performed by all people of all ages

Mona de Pascua

March 31, 2024 Food

Delicious Easter cakes that are given by godparents to their godchildren

Carnaval de Barcelona

February 8-14, 2024 Event

Catalan answer to the carnival season is more than fun. It's spectacular!

Three Kings Day

January 5–January 6 Event

Epiphany is a great holiday in Barcelona celebrated by La Cabalgata de Reyes Magos

Tió de Nadal

December 8–December 25 Activity

An interesting Catalan Christmas tradition—to take care of a log

Castells or Human Towers

February–July | September–November Activity

An amazing tradition of constructing human towers

The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc

October–April Activity

Incredible mix of water, light and music making a great performance​

Rebajas or Sales in Barcelona

January 7–February 29 | July 1–August 31 Event

Look for a bargain at one of Europe's best fashion destinations

Ball de Bastons

April 23 | June 22 | September 11 | September 24 Event

An ancient Catalan tradition—stick dancing

Calçotada

December–April Food

Fried onions turned into a culinary masterpiece

Tarragona Human Towers Competition

October 5–6, 2024 Event

A spectacular competition of building human towers - something to be seen only in Catalonia

Roscón de Reyes or Kings Cake

January 5–January 6 Food

A traditional round Epiphany cake

Sitges Fiesta Mayor

August 23–24, 2024 Event

Sitges 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

February 25-March 5, 2025 Event

The 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

Sagrada Familia

October–March (all year round) Activity

Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece is being incarnated by modern architectors and paralelly visited by millions of admirers

BBF: Barcelona Beach Festival

July 14, 2024 Event

Enjoy an unforgettable chill to the strains of electronic music

Casa Milà (La Pedrera)

all year round Activity

This architectural masterpiece is unlike anything else built in the 20th century, the total culmination of Gaudí's boundless imagination

Christmas Markets in Barcelona

late November–early January Event

Nativity scenes and shopping for gifts are the main highlights of the festive fairs in Barcelona

Semana Santa (Holy Week) & Easter

March 24–31, 2024 Event

Visit the city during the week of spectacular religious processions and delicious Easter treats

Kitesurfing and Windsurfing

late March–early November Activity

Conquer the wind in the city or explore the coast further

Halloween

late October–early November Event

Witch Fair, La Castanyada, and tons of other fun events in Barcelona

Barcelona New Year's Eve (Nochevieja)

December 31 Event

Eat 12 grapes by the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc and go partying in a museum

Torello Carnival (Carnaval de Terra Endins)

February 8–14, 2024 Event

One of the wildest festivals in Catalonia

Barcelona Beer Festival

March 22-24, 2024 Event

Visit one of the biggest beer events in Europe

Mediterranean Cruises

April–October Activity

Enjoy an award-winning vacation, highlighting picture-perfect coasts, ancient history, and fine cuisine

European Hot-Air Balloon Festival

July 10-14, 2024 Event

The best hot-air balloons in the region gather for one week of spectacular flights

Sitges Film Festival

October 3–13, 2024 Event

Visit one of the world's premier international festivals

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