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Best time to visit Barcelona: month by month
Short answer
May, June, September and early October are ideal: highs of 22–27°C and a warm sea without the worst crowds. July and August are hot and humid at about 29°C and very busy. Winter is mild (13–16°C) and cheap, but too cool for the beach.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 13°C | 4°C | 3 | low |
| Feb | 15°C | 6°C | 6 | medium |
| Mar | 16°C | 8°C | 7 | medium |
| Apr | 18°C | 10°C | 7 | high |
| May | 22°C | 14°C | 8 | high |
| Jun | 27°C | 19°C | 6 | very high |
| Jul | 29°C | 22°C | 5 | very high |
| Aug | 29°C | 22°C | 5 | very high |
| Sep | 26°C | 19°C | 9 | high |
| Oct | 23°C | 15°C | 7 | high |
| Nov | 18°C | 10°C | 8 | medium |
| Dec | 16°C | 6°C | 4 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs rise from about 16°C in March and 18°C in April to 22°C in May, with lows of 8–14°C and only 7–8 rainy days a month. Easter week is busy.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Highs of 27°C in June and 29°C in July and August, warm nights of 19–22°C and few rainy days (5–6). Beaches and sights are very crowded.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September (26°C) still has warm sea but is the wettest month with about 9 rainy days, often as short storms; October is about 23°C and November 18°C.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Mild and fairly dry: highs of 13–16°C, lows of 4–6°C. Good for sightseeing and the cheapest time, with calçots in season from about January.
Events worth planning around
- Sant Jordi on 23 April, when the streets fill with stalls selling books and roses
- Primavera Sound music festival (late May or early June)
- Sant Joan on the night of 23 June, with fireworks and bonfires on the beaches
- Festa Major de Gràcia (mid-August), with decorated streets in Gràcia
- La Mercè, the city's biggest festival, around 24 September, with human towers (castells) and fire runs (correfocs)
When to avoid
July and August are the most crowded and humid months and the most expensive for hotels. Avoid the dates of Mobile World Congress (late February or early March) unless you are attending, as hotel prices spike.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Barcelona?
June or September: highs of 26–27°C, a warm sea and long days, with slightly smaller crowds than July and August.
Can you swim in Barcelona in October?
Often yes in early October, with highs around 23°C and the sea still fairly warm; by November it is too cool for most people.
When is Barcelona cheapest?
November to February, avoiding Christmas, New Year and the Mobile World Congress week.