When to visit Barcelona

Barcelona is an international destination, with different events taking place all year long. This stylish regional capital rests right next to the Mediterranean, allowing locals and visitors alike to take advantage of the mild seaside temperatures. With a combination of national festivals, like Carnival (a big party in nearby Sitges) and New Year’s Eve fêtes, plus the extra spice of celebrations unique to Barcelona and Catalonia, Gaudí’s city never seems to slumber for long. This section will inform you when to visit Barcelona to get the most from your visit to this beautiful city.

In the spring, the social calendar gets a boost with the Dia de Sant Jordi, celebrating Barcelona’s patron saint. It’s a time for romance, with men giving women roses, and the men receiving a book in return. Come summer, tourists can partake in arts and music festivals, ranging from Sonar, a colourful celebration of electronic music, to the explosive Festival de Sant Joan, replete with dazzling firework displays. Later in the season, the Grec Arts Festival showcases dance, music and theatre all over the city. Autumn brings several festivals, including La Diada (Catalan National day), a sombre day commemorating the siege of Barcelona in 1714 during the War of Spanish Succession, and the subsequent repression of Catalan autonomy. Following national day (Sept. 11th), the much more raucous Festes de la Mercè arrives, with the city pulling out all the stops. Castellers de Barcelona construct human castles while parades of gegants i capgrossos (massive wooden statues with oversized heads) are paraded through the streets, with the crowds cheering them on while trying not to spill their cava (Spanish sparkling wine).

In addition to the local festivals, there are a slew of public holidays. Some are religious in nature, like Good Friday, Easter Monday, the Day of the Immaculate Conception (December 8th) and Christmas Day (December 25th), as well secular holidays, including Labour Day (May 1st) and Columbus Day (October 12th). Regardless of the time of year you visit, never forget the all-important daily siestas, when many shops and public institutions shut their doors from lunchtime until late afternoon. This is a time for locals to get their shopping done and have lunch. The tradition is changing some, as workers don’t want to leave their respective offices so late. Things slow down a bit in the afternoon, but there are still plenty of shops that keep their doors open.

Barcelona is easy to get to, with El Prat airport lying just southwest of the city centre. There are quite a few budget and national carriers running services, like Easyjet and British Airways. Domestic (www.renfe.es) and international train lines (www.eurail.com) also connect the city to the rest of Europe. Coming in by car is always an option, with plenty of motorways leading into Spain and Catalonia.

For more information on the climate, please visit the Barcelona Weather page.