Things to do in Barcelona in Summer

UPDATED DECEMBER 2024
By Dom Bewley
Barcelona summer events

The flowers have long since bloomed, the days have gotten longer, and that lovely yellow ball in the sky shows its face a lot more often. Yes, that's right, the season of summer is upon us - time to ditch the between clothes and go full shorts and skirts. And, as you humans often do in summer, you'll likely be planning your vacation. Well, where better to plan your sunny stay than stunning Barcelona? It's brimming with fascinating culture, great food, and a wealth of summertime fun to experience. So, what events await you in Barcelona this summer? This is our list of the best things to do in Barcelona in summer.

Featuring:

  • Walking Tours
  • Beaches
  • Parks
  • Music Festivals
  • Summer Events

 

Take a Walking Tour

Given the amount of culture you'll find in the city, why not pair it with the warm weather by taking a walking tour? It's the best way to fill the brain with knowledge while filling the body with that sweet vitamin d. Walking tours are some of the best events you can find in the summer, and there's plenty to choose from! Given Gaudi's prominence in Barcelona, entire walking tours are dedicated to his work. You could also take a tour of the Ancient Market district and sample some delicious morsels while you're at it.

Alternatively, find out about Barcelona's rich history on a tour of Old Town and the Gothic Quarter. Did you know you can trace the city's history all the way back to the Romans? If you didn't, it's time to take this tour! Or, if you're looking for something a little more spooky, explore Barcelona's grittier past with a walking tour of Raval. It's not for the faint of heart, mind you, with haunted orphanages, vampire houses, and an abandoned hospital all part of the trip. And finally, if you're looking to escape the sun after a scorching day, check out the Picasso Museum Tour, which explores one of the world's most famous artists, his history, and the inspiration for his thought-provoking pieces.

 

Hit the Beach

For many of us, summers mean one thing - a trip to the beach! Nothing quite beats the perfect mix of sand, sea, and sky. Thankfully, Barcelona has the beach lovers covered, offering a wide selection of options depending on your preference. There's Barceloneta, the city's most famous beach, for those who like to add a little fiesta to your seaside siesta. Or, if you're looking for a more relaxing lounge on the sand, try Mar Bella, which also offers a host of watersports for you to try out.

Want a good mix of both? Sant Sebastia is just for you; its footfall pales in comparison to Barceloneta, but you'll find a host of bars and restaurants to explore. There are even kid-friendly beaches like Nova Icaria that provide ping pong, volleyball, and beach tennis to keep those little ones busy. Plus, the zoo is just a stone's throw away. There are even more to choose from, so find one that suits you and get beaching!

 

Explore a Park

Of course, in the likely event that summer is here, one of the best ways to make the most of it in Barcelona is to go for a nice walk. And where better to stretch those legs than at a park? They're the best place to escape the busy city life, and Barcelona has tons on offer. For the culturally-minded, there's Park Guell, which Gaudi himself designed. If you've never seen his designs in person, why not do so under the sun? For the more adventurous of you, there's Horta Labyrinth Park with its colossal maze.

Or, if you want to cool off a bit, head to Ciutadella Park and see the magnificent fountains and water features. Built on a 19th Century military outpost, there's plenty of old architecture to find and places to grab a bite if you need to refuel. Or, for a more fancy stroll, head over to Pedralbes Gardens, situated in the palace of the same name. Since the Spanish royal family moved out in the 1930s, the imperial gardens have been open to the public. Mesmerizing. Barcelona has many green spaces that demand exploring, so see which takes your fancy, grab a hamper with some snacks and refreshments, and head out!

 

Check out a Music Festival

Some of the best events you can attend in summer are music festivals and, thankfully, Barcelona has plenty of those too! The city's most famous one is arguably Primavera Sound, which caters to many different music listeners. Featuring an eclectic mix of rock, pop, rap, blues, and more in between, it's a great one to check out if variety is your spice of choice. Check out Primavera Sound from 2-12 June.

Or, if you prefer your beats sequenced and your melodies electronic, there's Sonar Festival. Known across Europe as one of the best electronic festivals around, Sonar is a must-visit for the shape-throwers among you. From 16-18 June, you'll have the chance to see some of the world's biggest DJs spin the best tunes, attend workshops and explore visual art shows. It's not just about the music; it's about creativity too.

And, finally, head over to the imperial gardens in Jardins Pedralbes for an open-air music festival that mixes up-and-coming artists with radio mainstays. Not only will you appreciate the tunes, but you'll also appreciate the surrounding gardens!

 

Attend a Summer Event

Let's round this list with some of Barcelona's best summer events! Every June, the city's Pride festival brings good vibes and the party spirit. Expect live performances, exhibitions, and, of course, the parade.

Corpus Christi is a 600-year-old festival that brings religious spectacle to Barcelona every year. Attendees will see processions of giant religious figures and mythical Catalan animals.

Or, spend your Summer Solstice in the city with Nit de Sant Joan! Fireworks, picnics, music, and partying through the night. What more could you want?

And that's our list of the best events to see in Barcelona this summer! Whatever you do, make sure you pack a big bottle of sunscreen and some water to stay hydrated!

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Wide view of Barcelona showing the curve of the bay and the lights of the city as golden evening falls
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Things to do at Night in Barcelona

You’ve roamed La Rambla, gazed at Gaudi’s masterpieces, marvelled at the markets and basked on the beach. But Barcelona keeps on buzzing long after the sun goes down. After all, since the Spaniards traditionally don’t eat their evening meal until late, even small children are used to staying up until midnight. So, if you’re wondering what to do at night in Barcelona, wonder no more. For families, foodies or funksters...whether you’re looking for cocktails, clubs, culture or kids’ stuff, let us shed light on what to do after dark in Catalonia’s cosmopolitan capital...including: • Evening tasting tour • Gaudi buildings at night • See the sunset • Sala Montjüic outdoor cinema • Evening family fun • Get a flamenco fix • Cocktails, clubs and rooftop bars Whether you’re partying all night or exploring all day, choosing an All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass is the easiest way to sightsee and save. Enjoy planning your next adventure - with Go City. Grab a Barcelona pass and save while you sightsee!
Jo Cooke
The Palau Nacional viewed from the Magic Fountain
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Free Things to do in Barcelona

Any trip to Barcelona is bound to be jam-packed with sightseeing, cultural activities and all the fresh Catalan cuisine you can stomach. While that’s exactly what many consider to be the best way to experience the city, it isn’t always too kind on the wallet. For those that are more budget-minded or would simply like to complete their itinerary with some cheaper and more laid-back activities, the city can still deliver. There are plenty of free things to do in Barcelona for just about every type of visitor. Parks Galore For a city as metropolitan and bustling as Barcelona, it’s surprising just how many open green spaces it manages to sneak in. Well over a dozen parks are dotted throughout, ranging from small dog parks to many-hectares-large social spots. Park Güell By far the most renowned and popular of Barcelona’s attractions is Park Güell. Second only to the Sagrada Familia in terms of the sheer volume of visitors it receives each day, Park Güell is most well known for its interior Monumental Zone designed by modernist architect Antoni Gaudi. While you will need to pay to book a visit to the Monumental Zone, this area constitutes just a tiny portion of the park as a whole. If you don’t mind missing it, you can very easily sink a couple of hours of your day into exploring or relaxing in the rest of the park. Ciutadella Park Offering over 17 hectares of green space, Ciutadella Park is the largest park in Barcelona, and it does plenty with that space. It’s so large, in fact, that it houses not only the Barcelona Zoo and its more than 2,000 resident animals, but also the Parliament of Catalonia. A number of street performers, dancers and musicians are often dotted throughout the park, adding to its relaxed and jovial atmosphere. Take a chance to sit back and relax, watch the rowboats go by on the lake, explore the space’s many monuments and take a selfie with the park’s very own wooly mammoth. Montjuïc Park For the very best views over the city, get yourself over to Montjuïc Park. This hill to the south of the city is jam-packed with some of Barcelona’s best attractions, and is also simply a fantastic place to relax with a panoramic view of the Catalan capital. Entry to the park by foot is entirely free, and you’ll be able to take all the time you need to explore the likes of Montjuïc Castle, the Magic Fountain and the Olympic Ring. There is also a cable car to take you directly to the top of the hill by the castle, but you will of course need to pay for this. Museums Barcelona is a city brimming with culture, and it’s no coincidence that it also hosts a great many museums for visitors to explore. While it’s no secret that many of Barcelona’s museums charge fairly hefty admission, many offer free entry on the first Sunday of each month, and often at select times throughout the week. The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya is housed within the beautiful Palau Nacional and exhibits hundreds of thousands of visual art pieces from throughout the Catalonia region, dating back as far as a thousand years. As the biggest and most important museum in Barcelona, the MNAC typically charges admission, but can be visited for free on Saturday afternoons. The Museu Picasso offers the most complete collection of the surrealist Spanish artist’s paintings in the world. Thursday evenings will allow you to view the more than 4,000 pieces free of charge. Montjuïc Castle sits atop Montjuïc Mountain and originally served as a military fortress, dating back to 1640. The castle is now open for visitors to explore its halls, and offers free entry every Sunday evening. Gothic Quarter The Gothic Quarter of Barcelona offers a labyrinth of medieval streets in which you’ll find all manner of attractions, quaint restaurants and local retailers. While this area may house some of the pricier pastimes of the city, it also offers many of the best free things to do in Barcelona. Perhaps one of the biggest selling points of the Barri Gòtic is its wide selection of charming squares. The likes of Plaça Reial, Plaça Prim and Plaça Sant Felip Neri offer relaxed and open spaces to sit and socialize, often along with a handful of cafés and restaurants to grab a coffee or a bite to eat. These cobbled alleyways also house some of Barcelona’s most notable historic sites. You can visit the Barcelona Cathedral and Basílica de Santa Maria for free between certain times each day. The Jewish Quarter at the heart of the Gothic Quarter is an entire fragment of history in itself, offering some of the most gorgeous architecture in the area. If that isn’t quite enough to sate your historical hunger, then you can also retrace Barcelona’s ancient Roman past. Walk the perimeter of the old city wall, visit the remains of the Roman aqueduct and necropolis and explore the impressive remaining columns of the Temple of Augustus. Wrapping Up While the aforementioned attractions may be considered some of the best budget-friendly ways to pass your time, they are by no means the only free things to do in Barcelona. Throughout the year, there are always a number of events, workshops, gigs, exhibitions and tours on offer free of charge for any who may be interested. As bustling and metropolitan as Barcelona may be, it doesn’t have to be reserved only for those with the cash to splash on every single attraction. The more savvy, budget-minded traveler can fill their itinerary with all manner of rewarding activities without having to spend a penny more than their flights, accommodation and meal costs.
Robert Heaney
Firework display over the Font Magica de Montjuïc on New Year's Eve
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Barcelona in January

When planning a trip to Barcelona, your mind likely goes straight to summer, when the city sees its peak tourism. However, should you find yourself looking to take a trip in winter, you may see a side to the Catalan capital that most outsiders rarely do. Barcelona in January may be quieter than during the rest of the year, but that makes it a fantastic time to see the city in its most authentic state. What's more, should you be partial to a party or two, there's plenty of festivity to get you through the month. Tourism in January So long as you’re prepared to pack a raincoat and put your ideas of a beach holiday on the backburner, visiting Barcelona in January may prove a real treat. Throughout the wee months of the new year, the city sees its lowest rates of tourism, which for the most part should work very much in your favor. In the absence of the bustling droves of summer tourists, Barcelona is as tranquil as it gets come January. That means those choosing to visit in this period will get the pick of the litter when it comes to hotels, with the added benefit of comparatively lower prices. What that also means for you in your winter wanderlust is that you’ll get to experience everything that the city has to offer without much hassle at all. With fewer crowds, you won’t have to book attractions as early as you might in summer, with some often even available to book on the day. Take yourself on a tour of Barcelona’s attractions without having to fight for the sights. Bask in the awe-inspiring architecture of the Sagrada Familia, and explore the city’s ancient markets like a local. And if you’re an early riser, why not catch the sunrise over at Park Güell, too? That isn’t to say Barcelona is devoid of any tourism throughout this period, though. On the contrary, there’s often still a very healthy buzz to the city around this time. In place of the usual tourist crowds, you’ll find many more locals frequenting bars and restaurants in the center than most other times of the year, giving the city a real authentic buzz. Ski Season With the local ski season in full swing, a good portion of visitors to Barcelona in January are naturally there to take advantage of its prime location. With as many as 14 fantastic alpine resorts within a few hours’ drive from the city, Barcelona serves as a perfect hub for skiing enthusiasts. Take a day or two to gear up before a week's trip to one of the nearby resorts, or embrace the best of both worlds in skiing through the day and returning to Barcelona in the evening. New Year’s Eve Right from the get-go, both visitors and locals to Barcelona come together to see in the new year in style. Known as as Nochevieja in Spanish, New Year’s Eve celebrations take place throughout the city, with the most notable celebration taking place on Plaça d'Espanya by the Font Magica on Montjuïc, complete with the obligatory countdown and firework display. In the leadup to the countdown, one of the biggest parties takes place at the Poble Español close by, offering various different music zones for fans of all genres. Up to a thousand people typically come from the world over to party until dawn. Down in the city, many others still gather on Plaça Catalunya, often with a bottle of Cava in hand. At the stroke of midnight, many will then collectively throw their bottles into the street in celebration – much to the dismay of those who have to clean up in the morning! Kings’ Day The rest of January isn’t without its fair share of festivity either. Right away, just as the streets have been cleared up after New Year’s Eve, the city celebrates Kings’ Day. In tribute to the day that the Three Kings visited the baby Jesus in Bethlehem, Barcelona welcomes their ceremonial arrival on the evening of 5 January. The Three Kings arrive by boat before beginning their annual procession through the streets of Barcelona. Traditionally, children in Spain write letters to the kings in place of Santa Claus, and on Kings’ Day they receive their gifts. If you happen to be visiting around Kings’ Day, be sure to catch the parade and take part in some of the many local festivities. Locals are likely to be throwing parties, and stores and bakeries will be full of festive sweet treats to try out, such as Tortells de Reis, or Kings’ Cakes. La Festa dels Tres Tombs Kids and animal lovers alike are bound to get a kick out of this Catalan celebration. The Festa Major de Sant Antoni is celebrated on 17 January in honor of Saint Anthony, who was said to have used his healing capabilities to save a number of animals. On the first Saturday following this feast, La Festa dels Tres Tombs sees a procession of animals such as horses and donkeys parade through the streets around the Escola Pia de Sant Antoni. Alongside the parade, you can also expect to find the streets lined with stalls selling various treats and local crafts. Wrapping Up Barcelona in January may not typically top everyone’s bucket list, but that doesn’t mean you should rule it out. The beginning of the new year is a perfect time to experience all that the heart of Catalonia has to offer without having to battle the summer crowds. Whether you’re an avid skier, a fiend for festivities or simply want to see Barcelona at its most tranquil, January is a fantastic time to plan a visit. Just be sure to pack for the weather!
Robert Heaney

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