Barcelona is a go-to city break destination for those wanting to embrace the culture, architecture, the food and drink scene; as well as the warm Spanish climate.
Barcelona is the perfect city for summer or shoulder season visits, but if you’re looking for more than just the weather, we explore the best time to visit Barcelona and what’s going on in each season.
Summer Season: June – August
Summer is the peak of tourism in Barcelona, when traveller numbers rise and hotel prices soar. The high season sees tourists come in and locals leave, as tourists are coming to enjoy the sun, but also its the peak time for events and festivals in the city.
During June and July, key events such as Primavera Sound, Barcelona Pride, and Rock Fest Barcelona take place in the city; drawing crowds from all over Europe and afar. Outdoor concerts aren’t the only attraction, as during these two months there’s plenty of lively nightlife with open-air dining and beach sports; and Spanish traditional open air events.
During August, further key events take place such as Festa Major de Gracia, but as the heat increases, most tourists arrive during this month to soak up the sun by the pool or at the beach.
Shoulder Season: March – May & September – October
Barcelona is known as a top location during shoulder season for those looking for a quick city break to explore the city in milder temperatures. Sunny days but cool nights during March bring only a few tourists, so hotel prices are moderate.
During Spring of April and May, while showers can occur, the city’s event season starts to ramp up with the Barcelona Beer Festival, Barcelona Open, and the Barcelona International Film Festival. May is also when the weather starts to get a tad warmer, with beach bars opening their doors and gearing up for summer.
It’s claimed that May or October are the best months out of the whole year to visit Barcelona.
Winter Season: November – February
The best months for budget travellers who don’t mind lower temperatures, more frequent rain showers and less sunshine. Through the winter months, Barcelona streets are often empty and the accommodation prices drop dramatically
During November, events start to wrap up the year with Jazz Barcelona, and the celebration of All Saints Day. The cooler days and nights bring the start of the low season, as December brings the festive celebrations of Christmas with more barcelonins back in the city than tourists; which extends into January.
How to choose when to visit Barcelona
If you’re a festival goer or a beach lover, then the summer season is when you should visit Barcelona. For those who want to explore the city, but want a little reprieve from the rain, then shoulder season would be best option. Travelling in May would see some warmer weather, whereas September or October would see semi-warm weather but less tourism due to the end of the peak season.
If you’re not bothered about the rain, events, or anything else and just simply want to tick Barcelona off your bucket list for the cheapest price possible – the winter season is for you, with many airlines offering flights and hotels deals at a fraction of the price.
