The Sagrada Familia and surrounding city blocks viewed from above

Barcelona in October

By Robert Heaney

Following the final few waves of peak-time traffic seen throughout September, Barcelona in October enters into somewhat of a cooldown period. As with spring, fall offers a balance between the city’s renowned bustle and a more genuine, tranquil experience.

Whether you’re looking to experience all of Barcelona’s top attractions off-season or to discover some lesser-visited spots as the weather begins to dip, October can be a fantastic time for just about any type of traveler to visit the Catalan capital.

Tourism in October

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As fall begins to rear its head, Barcelona goes through its second ‘shoulder season’ of the year. Throughout this period, tourism rates fall fairly rapidly from their summertime peak, though remain fairly consistently above the later lull to come over winter.

Just like in May or June, this transitive period is considered by many to be one of the best times to visit the city. It offers the best of both worlds with the maintained buzz of the remaining waves of visitors alongside a somewhat quieter and more authentic side to the city.

As such, just about every type of visitor is sure to get the most out of what they came for, be it Barcelona’s famous nightlife, its celebrated beaches and parks, or its world-renowned sights and attractions.

Weather in October

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Another benefit of Barcelona’s transitive shoulder seasons is its pleasant middle-ground weather. With temperatures averaging between the high-50s and mid-70s, visitors can expect more bearable highs than during peak season and much milder lows than during winter. While rainfall is significantly greater than during summer, it still isn’t typically frequent in October.

This translates to a great opportunity to explore Barcelona’s many parks and beaches without the summertime crowds. For those cooler days, you may want to perch yourself in one of the Gothic Quarter’s charming squares with a hearty cup of coffee or glass of local cava.

Things to Do in October

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Although you can visit the vast majority of Barcelona’s sights throughout the year, October serves as a great chance to see some of the city’s top attractions. Visiting off-season naturally means you can explore the likes of the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell without dealing with quite as large crowds as in summer.

For something a little different, families and animal lovers alike should take the chance to meet the 450+ species of the Barcelona Aquarium, while beer fans might enjoy a tour of the Estrella Damm Brewery, complete with complimentary samples. And if you’re partial to some retail therapy, Barcelona’s many shopping outlets have you covered.

Local & Cultural Events

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Festes del Roser – Also known as the Festa Major de la Rambla, this local festival takes place early in October on Barcelona’s most famous street. Held in honor of Mare de déu del Roser, the Virgin of the Rosary, the event is best characterized by its floral display lining La Rambla and its iconic parade. The Festes del Roser are also host to a variety of performances, concerts, street food stalls, a craft fair and a number of free open house events at some of the area’s top attractions.

BAUM Fest – Welcoming tens of thousands of attendees each year, BAUM Fest is considered a benchmark for urban art and culture in Spain. The event brings together professionals and enthusiasts alike to celebrate and showcase the likes of graffiti, skating, parkour, motorcycles and break dance.

The festival offers an extensive program of activities and performances, including a variety of live concerts in various genres, from jazz and soul to world music. Running alongside the festival, the Barcelona Tattoo Expo also serves as a platform for professional tattoo artists from around the world to exhibit their work.

Independent Barcelona Coffee Festival – Truly an event made for the caffeine addicts among us, the Independent Barcelona Coffee Festival consists of three days dedicated to the craft and consumption of our favorite bean-based brew. The festival brings together industry professionals, from roasters to baristas, and offers a forum for their shared passion for specialty coffee culture.

Sitges Film Festival – Having now run for over half a century, the Sitges Film Festival is considered the most significant fantasy film festival in the world, showcasing the best films in the genre. The event typically runs for a little over a week and offers a varied program of short film and movie screenings, workshops and activities.

One highlight of the festival is the Sitges Zombie Walk, during which attendees receive a zombie make-over and walk a predetermined route through the city in their horde, culminating in a concert at the destination point and a night of zombified partying. Another is the Sitges Wine Festival, which typically runs alongside the film festival and offers everything from local wine sampling to wine-making workshops.

Halloween – While not a strictly Spanish celebration, Halloween is becoming increasingly embraced the world over. Barcelona is no stranger to spooky season in the lead-up to All Saints’ Day on November 1, and is host to all of the hallmarks of Halloween, from trick-or-treating to pumpkin carving to fancy dress.

There are parties and events held throughout the city for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Families can participate in the activities hosted at the Poble Espanyol and the nearby PortAventura World, while many of the city’s top night clubs offer Halloween-themed parties for adults to enjoy after dark.

Wrapping Up

It’s no wonder the fall season is widely dubbed one of the best times to visit Barcelona. Alongside pleasant weather and a bustling, electric atmosphere, the city is also host to a vast array of stellar events for all ages. Whether you’re looking for a buzzing nightlife experience or an insight into the region’s cultural significance, visiting Barcelona in October could be the trip for you.

Robert Heaney
Go City Travel Expert

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A Barcelona street on a wet day, with puddle in foreground and single palm tree silhouetted at the end
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Things to do in Barcelona when it rains

According to the song, ‘the rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain’...but let’s not be silly enough to believe everything we hear in a musical! In fact, the rain in Spain falls mainly in the winter, with rain in Barcelona only on around 90 days a year. On average the temperature in Barcelona is a balmy 61oF (16oC), with the sun shining pretty much year round. But, if you’re unlucky enough to be caught without your poncho de lluvia (that’s rain poncho to you!), don’t despair - a puddleful of fun still awaits you. From fascinating museums to fun family activities, Gaudi architecture to the city aquarium, put your umbrellas up for our low down on what to do on a rainy day in Barcelona, including: • Sagrada Familia • Gaudi buildings • Shops and markets in Barcelona • Art Museums in Barcelona • A few of the 80 Museums in Barcelona • Family fun including the Big Fun Museum and Barcelona Aquarium We hope that’s brought a ray of sunshine to your day. And remember, you can not only stay dry but stay flexible when you pick up an All Inclusive or Explorer Pass - the easy way to sightsee and save - come rain or shine. So grab a Barcelona attraction pass and save while you sightsee!
Jo Cooke
neighborhoods
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Neighborhoods in Barcelona

Visiting Barcelona and want a deeper dive in to the city's many neighborhoods? You've come to the right place. Here, we're running down the best neighborhoods in Barcelona; what makes them tick, what to look out for, and the reasons you should visit! Including: Gràcia El Born Raval Poble-Sec Eixample and more!   Gràcia If you're looking for Barcelona's equivalent to your cool, hip, boho-chic neighborhoods around the world, then Gràcia's your spot. The good news is that it's also a friendly, family-orientated district, if you're bringing the little ones along! Throughout its many winding pedestrian streets, you'll find bars and restaurants galore, where you can pick up a refreshing beverage or some tapas nibbles if you're between attractions. Gràcia is also one of the city's most multicultural areas, so you'll come across all sorts of cuisine, from Italian to American. If you want to pick up any keepsakes or souvenirs, there are a wealth of chic stalls selling pretty much anything you can imagine. And, when the sun goes down, you'll find a brilliant bar scene backed by live performances and good vibes. And culture seekers must absolutely go out and see La Pedrera. If all that sounds like your ideal vacation destination, then Gràcia's one of the best neighborhoods in Barcelona!   El Born This classy area used to be the haunt of the rich upper class in Barcelona back in the day. Now, it's transformed into a trendy neighborhood that hides some of Barcelona's coolest places. It's no wonder, then, that you'll find the appropriately hip Moco Museum in the area. This modern art marvel houses excellent installations and fantastic street art from the likes of Banksy, so it's well worth a visit if you like your art modern and your mind blown! As for amenities, you'll find plenty of hip coffee shops, boutiques, and independent art galleries, if you're in the market for anything specific. And the night life is pretty lively too, so it's a great place to stay until the early hours!   Poblenou Poblenou has one of the most fascinating contrasts in the entire city, thanks to the traditional lower part of the district juxtaposed with the popular, gentrified areas higher up. The latter is about as close as Barcelona gets to their own Silicon Valley, so expect plenty of craft beer pubs, tech startups, and probably some hats and beards. It can be remarkable to walk through both and see the shift as old makes way for new. Plus, the influx of new blood does have its perks. Brunch is a big deal in Poblenou now, and you'll find plenty of places to express your inner brunchy self as you wander the streets.   Raval Raval has a rather colorful history as a den of miscreants and never-do-wells. Think of it as an old-timey pirate district of old. Raval has done much to brush up its image in the decades and centuries since, but if you want to know more about its gritty past, take a walking tour and learn all about it! Nowadays, Raval's cleaner image makes it no less of an exciting neighborhood to visit in Barcelona! The barrio is the hangout of street artists and skaters, so expect to see plenty of graffiti and hear heaps of hippidy hop. It's also somewhat of a cultural hub, thanks to the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (or MACBA) and the Center of Contemporary Culture of Barcelona. On top of all that, you'll find plenty of delightful cafes, bars, and trendy bars to enjoy when the sun goes down. Or while it's still up, because hey, you're on vacation after all.   Sant Antoni This charming neighborhood is named after the famed Sant Antoni Market, which takes center stage in the district. Locals travel from all over the city to sample its food and book offerings, so if you're in the area, why not go and see what all the fuss is about? The market might be the neighborhood's biggest draw, but there's plenty more going on too. Keen eyes and keener explorers will discover quirky cafes, beer-soaked bars, and some hidden gem restaurants with national and international cuisine on offer.   Poble-Sec Poble-Sec is one of Barcelona's most picturesque neighborhoods, thanks to the massive gardens that sit beneath Montjuic Hill. The surrounding residential areas offer the perfect mix of entertainment and entertainment too, thanks to the juxtaposition between the calm Montjuic Park and the bustling theater scene just a stone's throw away. Exploring the streets, you'll find plenty of bars and restaurants to park your buns and refuel, including some expat-owned joints that may cater to your sensibilities if you miss a little slice of home. Many will come for the joys of Montjuic Park, though, and choose to ride the cable car up to the castle. However, a lesser-known site is right nearby. Poble Espanyol is a recreation of Barcelona's streets, town squares, and residences throughout the centuries, all built beside one another. One minute you'll be crossing a medieval town square; the next, you'll wander down a 19th-century lane. It's truly a site to behold, and well worth a visit in you're in the area!   Gothic Quarter The Gothic Quarter, or Barri Gòtic, is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. Remnants of the ancient Roman occupiers remain, alongside medieval buildings and other timeless sights. The whole district oozes an authentic atmosphere you won't find anywhere else in the city. Local pubs and cafes are tucked into nooks and crannies within its maze of untamed cobbled streets. But you won't get stares or odd looks here; it's one of the most welcoming places you'll find. Sightseers will find plenty to snap, party-goers will find plenty to enjoy, and savvy shoppers will find many a deal to be done.   Eixample And finally, we'll end things with Eixample. Full of elegance, opulence, and extravagance, if you're looking for premium designer brands on the pricier side of the shopping aisle, you'll feel right at home in Eixample. Arguably the hub of the LGBTQ community in the city, you'll find a diverse population from all walks of life. You'll find plenty of LGBTQ bars, hostels, and clubs where you can dance the night away, as well as fancy eateries if you need some sustenance before busting a move on the dancefloor. Culturally, you'll find one of the great Gaudí's works here - Casa Batlló. It's an absolute must-visit for any fans of architecture, photo opportunities, or a passing curiosity about the weird and wonderful. And that concludes our guide on neighborhoods in Barcelona!
Dom Bewley
A bird's eye view over Barcelona
Blog

Barcelona in November

With summer having long drawn to a close, the vibrant streets of Barcelona begin to embrace a period of respite from the tourist high season. Barcelona in November is blessed by milder days and cooler nights, with average temperatures flirting between 50 and 68°F. Alongside this cooldown comes a comparable reduction in tourism, though the city remains as vibrant as ever. This, among some of the reasons below, makes fall a fantastic time to visit the sprawling Catalan metropolis.   Barcelona Jazz Festival From the end of October, the Barcelona Jazz Festival typically runs for a little over a month and showcases – you guessed it – all things Jazz. One of the most significant events of its kind in the world, fans of the genre can jive with concerts from both celebrated names and up-and-coming artists. Those looking for just that little bit extra can even attend masterclasses led by titans of the Jazz scene. Film Festivals Galore Cinema lovers can rejoice at the fact that the city also hosts a multitude of film festivals throughout November. Whether you’re a connoisseur of independent movies, world cinema or short films, moviegoers are likely to find something here to whet their appetite. Recurring festivals include L’Alternativa Independent Film Festival, the In-Edit Festival, the Barcelona International Short Film Festival and the Asian Film Festival Barcelona. Note that some of these events may only offer admission to exclusive parties, but they will likely still be widely televised in this case. And wherever these festivals take place, you can be sure of a fantastic local ambience and some great afterparties. Thanksgiving We know – Thanksgiving isn’t a Spanish celebration in any sense, so you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d have to miss out on your visit to Barcelona. However, should you find yourself absent for the celebrations back home, you’re in luck. Seek out your nearest Irish pub, and you’ll be in good company with fellow American expats and tourists for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. If in doubt, Flaherty’s is a particularly popular venue for Americans abroad. Christmas Having seen out both summer and fall, Barcelona begins to prepare for winter and, more specifically, the holiday season. Towards the end of November, visitors will begin to see signs of the Christmas season popping up everywhere. The streets become adorned with lights and decorations, as market stalls begin to open up on seemingly every other street. Selling everything festive from mulled wine to roasted chestnuts alongside local artisan crafts, the Barcelona Christmas markets are truly a magnificent sight to behold. While there’s always a multitude of different markets dotted throughout the city, the largest and most famous market is Fira de Santa Llúcia, which can be found on Avinguda de la Catedral. November is a fantastic time to visit Barcelona. Experience everything the city has to offer without all of the summer crowds, while also engaging in the many local festivities taking place throughout the month. This month marks both a cultural and literal transition, as locals celebrate the passing of summer, enjoy the autumnal produce of fall, and embrace the coming of winter. See it all and save with a Barcelona attraction pass!
Robert Heaney

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