A Barcelona street on a wet day, with puddle in foreground and single palm tree silhouetted at the end

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

Take sanctuary in the Sagrada Familia

things to do in barcelona when it rains

Take sanctuary in the Sagrada Familia

Even the grimmest weather can’t dull the spectacle of Antoni Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece and a skip-the-line Sagrada Familia guided tour is a sure way to avoid getting wet whilst being wowed by this sacred wonder.

It has to be worth a few moments with your hood up as you gaze on the soaring spires and endlessly imaginative details of the exterior facades. Then shake off the raindrops, step into the shelter and be awestruck by the light and colour sparkling through the huge stained-glass windows onto the twisted stone forest of the interior.

Learn about the history and hidden symbolism of this UNECO world heritage site from an art-trained guide. Construction began in 1882, was taken over by Gaudi in 1923 and work is forecast to be complete by 2026! Talk about saving something for a rainy day!

 

Explore the Gaudi houses

things to do in barcelona when it rains

Explore the Gaudi houses

If you’ve enjoyed saying howdy to Gaudi, you might want to go in search of more of his modernist marvels? Of Barcelona’s nine UNESCO World Heritage sites, seven of them were designed by Antoni Gaudi - and, if you’re looking to stay dry, the good news is that six of them are inside!

Rather than run between the raindrops on a Gaudi walking tour, maybe hop on (and hop off) a bus, to check out the brightly coloured tiled exterior of Casa Vicens and the undulating facade and twisted chimneys of La Pedrera (sometimes known as Casa Milá). Perhaps most famous is Casa Battló where the exterior appears to be made of bones and the unconventional interior is inspired by marine landscapes and natural forms. 

Whilst Parc Güell is perhaps best saved for a sunny day, you might instead choose to admire the quirky interior of Palau Güell, Gaudi’s earliest work for the same patron, just off La Rambla. You certainly won’t get wet in the ornate brick basement, big enough receive a horse-drawn carriage.

Hit the shops...

things to do in barcelona when it rains

Hit the shops...

When you’ve admired all the architecture, why not immerse yourself in shopping? When the sun’s shining it’s hard to beat Barcelona’s historic boulevards lined with designer stores. But the city’s modern malls and covered markets are an equally fabulous rainy day retail retreat.

Drop by Las Arenas de Barcelona, the old city bull ring, now transformed into a trendy shopping and commercial centre, with shops, restaurants, a cinema and a viewing platform. Or browse the three floors of brand-name stores at the Diagonal Mar Shopping Centre, for everything from fashion and electronics, to sport, design and beauty products. A domed skylight lets in light (but not rain), whilst a kids’ playground and movie theatre mean there’s no rush to get back outside.

Meanwhile, over in the Sant Andreu district, La Maquinista is the largest shopping centre in Catalonia and one of the largest in Spain. Wander between over 240 shops, a massive food-court and a cinema, without worrying about getting wet.

 

...and mooch the markets

things to do in barcelona when it rains

...and mooch the markets

Whatever the weather, La Boqueria - more formally the Mercat de Sant Josep - remains one of the best things to do in Barcelona. Wander happily among 330 stalls piled high with foodie specialities. See, smell and taste exotic fruit, brightly coloured smoothies, blocks of sticky nougat, huge legs of cured ham and a deluge of other delicacies, all under the vaulted ironwork ceiling of this fabulous Art Nouveau building. 

Less well known but no less lovely, the Mercat de Sant Antoni in the Eixample District is also stacked with stalls selling food, clothing and handmade gifts, housed under an intricate octagonal roof. On Sundays the meat, fish and veg are replaced with memorabilia, so don’t miss your chance to pick up bargains among the books, comics, stamps, coins, vintage clothing and hand-crafted jewellery.

Have an art attack...

things to do in barcelona when it rains

Have an art attack...

Rather than get soaked outside, consider soaking up some culture in one of the many art museums in Barcelona. With so many creative geniuses it’s no surprise that the Catalan capital is home to some of the greatest art on the planet - Cubism, Impressionism, Modernism, Surrealism, Street Art - you’ll find it all, for every taste and generation. 

You’ll be in the pink learning about Picasso’s Blue Period, developed in Barcelona - also where he began his career, staged his first exposition and fell in love with his first wife. Take a guided tour of the Picasso museum to learn about his life, processes and most famous works. Or see what you make of the abstract surrealism of Barcelona’s other famous son, Joan Míro, at the Fundacío Joan Miró on Montjüic Hill. 

At the foot of Montjüic you can while away many more hours in the enormous Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC) which boasts over 134,000 works - largely Catalan art, as well as the world’s biggest collection of Romanesque frescoes. Over in the Raval district the Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) showcases more Catalan works from 1945 to the present day. 

For a more global view that’s still up to the minute, drop by the Museu Europeu d’Art Modern (MEAM) (they really love their acronyms in Barcelona art circles!) for a constantly-changing collection of work from living artists - not only paintings but sculpture, concerts, theatre and other experimental pieces. You’ll find even cooler immersive displays and inspiring technology at the eclectic Moco Museum, featuring exhibits by the likes of Banksy, Salvador Dalí, Jeff Koons and Andy Warhol.

Make for a museum

things to do in barcelona when it rains

Make for a museum

And yet the art museums are only a tiny handful of our indoor treasure trove of discovery. There are actually over 80 museums in Barcelona, so, whatever you’re into, there are enough fun, fascinating, weird and wonderful collections to occupy several years’ worth of rainy days!

Towards the top of the table is CosmoCaixa, one of the best science museums in Europe, packed with permanent displays and hands-on workshops to wow the whole family. Where else could you explore an Amazon rainforest, journey through space and time, experiment with heat, sound and electricity, all before lunchtime...? 

Football fans might prefer to kick off with the FC Barcelona - Camp Nou Tour. Imagine the roar of the crowd as you visit the press area, dug out, changing rooms and players’ tunnel, of Europe’s largest stadium.

Much smaller and differently delicious is the Barcelona Chocolate Museum where the history of chocolate and the chance to make your own yummy treats, is every chocoholics dream. 

Meet over 160 famous faces, from modern celebrities to historical heroes at the Museu de Cera (Barcelona Wax Museum) and snap a selfie in carefully curated TV and movie sets. Then, encounter more larger-than-life characters at super quirky La Casa dels Entremesos (Giant Museum). Papiér mâche 'Capgrossos' (big heads), dragons and animals are often seen whirling through the streets at local festivals and, when they’re not on parade, you can see them here - for free.

Barcelona’s infamous Museu de l’Erotica claims to have been set up for educational purposes. Whether you think that’s cool or controversial, it’s your chance to explore how different cultures have been titillated by raunchy and even religious objects dating back to Roman times. 

Or perhaps you’ll get wrapped up in the mummies and other archeological exhibits at the Egyptian museum, catch a cacophony of sound from the 500+ musical instruments at the Museu de la Música or get carried away at the Museu de Carosses Fúnebres (the world’s largest collection of funeral carriages and hearses!). So many to explore, we’ve barely begun...

 

 

Fun without the sun

things to do in barcelona when it rains

Fun without the sun

Last but by no means least in our round up of wet-tertainment are family-friendly attractions that are sure to raise a smile even on the most miserable day.

One solution is to escape to an Escape Room. Rise to the cryptic challenge of Escape Hunt Barcelona and choose from three fiendish games, The Mystery of Gaudí, The Vampiress of Barcelona and The School of Thieves, all available to play in Catalan, Spanish, English and French.

Alternatively, the clue’s in the name at the Big Fun Museum, a quirky indoor experience suitable for big kids as well as little kids! Admire portraits formed from fruit and veg, meet talking flowers in ‘Wonderland’ and get a new sense of perspective in the ‘Giant’s House’. A gigantic ball-pit is surely irresistible to all ages, so dive right on into the enormous ‘dry pool’.

Or, for a wet pool, splash on over to L’Aquarium de Barcelona to come face to fishy face with over 11,000 sharks, rays, octopus and other undersea creatures.

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
Go City Travel Expert

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Sagrada Familia Interior

A monolith to Christianity, the Sagrada Familia is one of Catalonia's most iconic sights. If you're visiting Barcelona, and want to know more about it, read our guide to the brilliance of the Sagrada Familia, including the wonderfully-crafted interior! Image courtesy of Stock Holm/Shutterstock What is the Sagrada Familia To put it simply, La Sagrada Familia is a temple that was designed by world-famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. It was considered his Magnum Opus, but he was unable to finish it before his death more than 100 years ago. To this day, the monument has yet to be finished, with work continuing as you read this very sentence. Probably. Unless you're from the future? In which case, are flying cars any good? We've been waiting a long time for them. The History of the Sagrada Familia The idea for La Sagrada Familia popped into existence in the late 19th century when businessman Josep Bocabella visited the Vatican. It left such an impression on him that he hoped to recreate its magnificence in Barcelona, itself a very Catholic city. So, with his idea and no understanding of architecture, he approached some experienced builders and pitched it to them. Renowned Catalan architect Francisco de Paula del Villar accepted the challenge, and drew up plans for a classicly Gothic monument to Christianity. However, after the crypt was finished, creative disagreements with one of Bocabella's assistants led to him walking away from the project only a year after construction had begun. Then, Bocabella approached Gaudí, who had already made a name for himself in the city. Gaudí accepted, and got to work on redesigning the entire project. Unfortunately, the size and scope of the project would outlive both Bocabella and Gaudí, and damage to the latter's plans due to the Spanish Civil War led to a fifteen-year-long recovery job. Since then, work has restarted, with many famed builders assuming the mantle of lead architect. And after over a century since the project began, it's nearly complete! The Sagrada Familia Interior As soon as you see the Sagrada Familia, you'll understand why it's taken so long to complete. Its massive, intricate spires are quite unlike anything else on Earth. While it towers over nearly everything in the city, Gaudí demanded its tallest spire never supersede Montjuic Hill. A devout Catholic, he felt that no structure should ever exceed that of God's own making. However, once you step inside its magnificent walls, it's like being transported into another world. A breathtaking mix of Gothic sensibilities and Gaudí's love of naturalism, every inch was intricately designed to celebrate the stories and figures of the Bible, as well as Mother Nature. A short glance at the church's massive columns will inevitably evoke thoughts of gazing up at huge tree trunks. Image courtesy of Luciano Mortula - LGM/Shutterstock Given how many colors we see in nature, it's no surprise that Gaudí was quite the fan. Nearly all of his works are dripping in various colors and hues, and the Sagrada Familia is no different. Its massive stained glass windows fill the interior with beautiful mixes of reds, blues, yellows, and greens. Many techniques ensure that light focuses on specific parts of the Sagrada Familia interior. More strongly colored windows sit near the ground, while clearer ones further up, which ensures the impressive ceiling is bathed in light and draws your attention. At different times of day, the placement of the sun will dramatically affect the look of the church's inside, so you may want to visit it at more than one time during the day to see the difference! Then, there's the church's apse - the half-dome that usually sits above the altar. The Sagrada Familia's apse was Gaudí's first port of call after putting his own final flourishes on the half-done crypt. With its gaping windows letting in tons of natural light, grapevine-laden canopy, and its cross-topped altar, it's a magnificent sight and worthy of more than a few snaps. You'll also notice the apse's walls feature angels shedding tears. They must like it too! Seven chapels branch off from the apse, and two spiral staircases wind their way up the façades like two giant stone snails! Speaking of the crypt, you can see how different the original design was when compared to the unique techniques applied throughout the rest of the Sagrada Familia interior! Familiar but no less stunning mosaic floors are laden with vines, roots, and other flora. Even though Gaudí already had a mind for nature in his work, it's likely he used these designs as a jumping-off point when redesigning everything above ground! Gaudí and Bocabella remain the only two people to be buried here, which is appropriate considering their importance to the project. Given its utter brilliance, it's no wonder that the Sagrada Familia is one of Barcelona's most popular tourist destinations. Rather than risk missing out or queuing for hours, why not book a guided tour of this magnificent building and learn all about it from someone a lot more clever than we are! Image courtesy of Alexandros Michailidis/Shutterstock Gaudí's workings up close Unlike his peers, Gaudí preferred creating to-scale models rather than relying on blueprints. What a guy. And that's good for you too, because you can also visit the Sagrada Familia museum and see many of his models up close for yourself! While much of this burnt during the aforementioned civil war, the pieces that were used to restart the project are now contained within the museum. Inside, you'll find models of the spires, many parts of the interior, as well as photos, drawings, and other artifacts from the last 150 years. Well worth a visit, simply for the scale of some of these models, which easily tower above our measly human frames. And that's everything you need to know about the Sagrada Familia interior! Enjoy your stay, and remember to take as many photos as possible!
Dom Bewley
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Things to do in Barcelona with Kids

The children are our future - that's just a cold, hard fact. But what about the present? Well, we have to account for that too. Children very much live in the present, so it's important you make today's vacation one they'll remember forever. And where better way to do that than in the beautiful city of Barcelona! It may not be a huge theme park dedicated to their every whim, but there's plenty for kids to do in Barcelona! From fun education excursions to museums dedicated to fun (really), you'll be surprised at the amount of great stuff there is for you and your little one to experience! But with so much to see and so little time to see it, which are the best things to do with kids in Barcelona? Calm your weeping body, settle down, and focus. We've done all the heavy lifting and collated our list of the very best things to do with kids in Barcelona, so you don't have to. You are very welcome. Including: Underwater exploration Historical city wanders Landmark-laden bus tours 4D fun The literal museum of fun and more! L’Aquàrium de Barcelona Most kids love animals, especially those of the exotic variety they only see on TV or read about in books. So why not make their fantasy a reality at the Barcelona Aquarium? There, they'll have the chance to meet more than 11,000 weird and wonderful underwater critters, pass through the fantastic underwater tunnel where they'll be surrounded by chill sea animals just hanging out, and see live feedings for some of the bigger, spookier sealife. They'll also explore 14 Mediterranean aquariums that contain all types of life found in Barcelona's seas. From seahorses to eels, sharks to rays, there's a world of wonderful wildlife down there for young minds to explore. Easily one of the best things to do in Barcelona with kids! Poble Espanyol de Barcelona If your kid's the type to always ask questions about what life was like, or how people used to live, then this one should answer some of their questions. Poble Espanyol is a world within itself, an open-air architectural museum that recreates much of Barcelona throughout time. This results in 117 buildings, streets, and squares, faithfully recreated from history. You and the little one can gaze up at ancient houses on a residential street, or see a centuries-old monastery up close. Truly a city within the city, it's hard to describe what it is - you really have to see it for yourself. They also have expert craftsmen onsite that sell a variety of authentic knickknacks, as well as a whole gallery of art from some of the city's biggest artists. So why not pick something up for the little one to commemorate your visit? Bus Turístic Tour Barcelona is a city packed with history, outstanding landmarks, and bucket-list locations. And with so much to see, it can be tough fitting all of them around a kid-friendly schedule. So why take a hop-on, hop-off bus tour of Barcelona's greatest hits? For one day, you'll be able to board and get off any Bus Turístic service. That means you have complete freedom to see whatever you want, whenever you want. If your little one's eyes widen as soon as they set eyes on the Sagrada Familia, we wouldn't blame them. Simply hop off, explore the monumental building, and then hop on another bus to the next destination. It's a great way to keep kids engaged without dragging them around every landmark until they're bored to tears. Don't worry, you can thank us later. Gaudí Experiència 4D Gaudí's monumental gifts to the architectural world may stand on their own, but to a little mind, they may not be more than a passing interest. This is especially true when you consider the effect that surrealism and strangeness have had on the children's entertainment industry. Do you actually watch those kids' programs with them? They're weird. Really weird. So your little one may be desensitized to the magnificence of the Sagrada Familia or Park Güell in person. Which is a shame but, what are you going to do? Well, what you will do is take them on an interactive rollercoaster of an experience through Gaudí's work, thanks to Gaudí Experiència 4D! This state-of-the-art interpretation of the main man's masterworks involves moving cinema seats, water effects, and a high-budget thrill ride to transport you into the mind of Gaudí. You'll learn about what influenced his designs. They'll appreciate flying through the air and feeling the ocean breeze on their face. To each their own! Museum of Illusions and Big Fun Museum Next up is a two-for-one special. Two museums, two amazing kid-friendly experiences, and only one ticket required! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Big Fun Museum. This wonderful fun house will see you and your kids shrunk to the size of a bug as you explore a Giant's House. Featuring larger-than-life utensils, apparel, and furniture, you'll have a blast climbing in the giant's massive shoe with them, or tightrope-walking along his teaspoon. Then, at the Museum of Illusions which is a part of the Big Fun Museum, they'll have their minds warped and their eyes deceived by some dastardly tricks of perspective. Featuring giant dinosaurs, huge chasms, and floating spaceships that feel like they're just a touch away, it's one of the best things to do in Barcelona with kids! Barcelona Zoo And finally, let's end this list with more kid-friendly animal fun at Barcelona Zoo! Your little one can go face-to-face with over 2000 animals who call it home. They'll find all their favorite animals within, from lions and tigers to giraffes and elephants. If they lean on the scaly side, make sure to visit the Reptile House so they can meet some weird and wonderful green critters. Plus, there are plenty of hidden opportunities to learn there, thanks to talks from zookeepers, conservationists, and others who work there. There are even live feedings, if your little ones can handle the more grisly stuff! And that's our list of the best things to do in Barcelona with kids!
Dom Bewley

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