Best season to visit Barcelona: insights to help you decide

Barcelona is without a doubt one of the most pleasant cities to visit in Europe at any time of the year. Unlike other cities such as Paris, London or Berlin, its mild climate makes the cold in winter bearable enough to enjoy plenty of life in its historical streets, and in summer the high temperatures attract thousands of tourists to its beaches. Therefore, knowing the best time to travel to Barcelona has more to do with the type of trip you want to have. Here are some clues to help make the decision.

Summer (June, July and August)

Ideal for beach and party lovers

If you’re travelling to Barcelona to enjoy its beaches and fun in the sun, and you don’t mind the heat (in recent years temperatures can reach over 30ºC) or the crowds, the best time to go is July or August.

Despite the fact that there are festivities all year round in the city, activities take off exponentially in summer months. You’ll find outdoor events such as open-air cinemas, nightclubs on hotel terraces with views of the sea and beaches, concerts in parks and festivals such as Grec or Sónar. What’s more, one of Barcelona’s most popular festivals takes place in August: the festes de Gràcia, which gathers thousands of people and hosts extravagant activities such as the street decoration contest with original works of art like enchanted forests, pirate ships, spaceships and much more

Weather in Barcelona in Summer

Autumn (September, October and November)

Ideal for enjoying peace and calm and weather that is still warm

September and October are perfect months for those who want to enjoy pleasant weather (on All Saints’ Day, many years there are still beach lovers taking advantage of the fact that the water is somewhat warmer than in autumn) without running into large crowds of people or the high-season prices for accommodations..

As there are fewer tourists, you can take advantage of guided tours that are more peaceful and thus make the most of your stay in the city.

They are ideal months for eating outdoors, thanks to the more moderate temperatures than in summer, and the sun that is still the shining bright. As such, many visitors still fill the terraces to taste local products.

FROM €39!Enjoy an outdoor gourmet tasting in autumn

If you want to taste the best local products without having to find a spot for tapas on a busy terrace, PicnicBCN offers you the chance to enjoy a gourmet picnic in some of the most emblematic places of the city, such as the Parc de la Ciutadella or the Beach of Barceloneta. Choose your menu and surprise your companion!

Choose my picnic

Weather in Barcelona in Autumn

Winter (December, January and February)

Ideal to visit the highlights without queues and high prices

Winter is the best season to travel to Barcelona if you want to enjoy lower prices in accommodation (€50-60 in mid-range hotels and €90 in high-end hotels) and minimum queues in most main points of interest (the Sagrada Familia, the Park Güell, the Ramblas, etc.)

Although some days the temperatures can be somewhat low, the sun usually shines during the day, making life on the street much more pleasant than in other European and even Mediterranean cities.

In addition, December in Barcelona offers endearing local traditions, such as the Santa Llúcia nativity fair in front of La Catedral, and January is the beginning of seasonal sales, where you can find exciting discounts lasting until the end of February..

Weather in Barcelona in Winter

Spring (March, April and May)

Spring is the best time to travel to Barcelona if you want to find reasonable accommodation prices (except for Easter), few crowds and even some beach time, although the water is usually colder than in autumn.

Although the weather is still changing during this season, if the sun forecast is good, you can enjoy a spectacular trip. In addition, you can get acquainted with the wonderful tradition of Sant Jordi, on April 23, which is the Catalan equivalent of Valentine’s Day. The streets of the city centre fill with people, especially La Rambla, with vendors selling books and roses to give to your partner.

FROM €39! Celebrate with your soulmate in a very special way

If you want to celebrate a very special Sant Jordi with your significant other in Barcelona, or just want to enjoy your trip to Barcelona in the spring with a romantic outdoor plan, PicnicBCN makes it easy for you. We’ll bring your picnic tasting of gourmet products from Barcelona to the most emblematic places of the city. Choose a bouquet of flowers and leave your partner speechless!

Choose my picnic

Weather in Barcelona in Spring