The Best Time of Year for Visiting Barcelona

(Pic credit The Hammock Hombre)

The beautiful Spanish city of Barcelona is known for its awe-inspiring art and architecture, shopping, cuisine and, of course, 300 days of sunshine! If you’ve been wondering when you should visit to experience everything this city has to offer, let us help! While there’s really no “bad” time to visit Barcelona, choosing when you book your luxury villa for your stay in the city should really depend on what you’re looking for:

• Do you want to avoid the touristy times, or join in on the fun?
• Are you looking to dive into Spain’s culture and history?            
• Or, do you just want to relax in some peace and quiet while getting away from it all?

No matter what you’re looking for, you can find it in Barcelona. So, here are the best times of the year to visit, based on what you’re looking to get out of your trip!

If You Want to Explore Barcelona’s Art, Architecture, History and Culture…

Avoid visiting during the summer months and around any major Christian holidays, like Easter or Christmas. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself stuck under the hot Spanish sun in (somewhat) ridiculously long lines waiting to get into attractions like the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia. Keep in mind that most of the city’s top attractions are outside, so if you aren’t a fan of the heat, look into visiting during the Spring season from May to June. These months are warm, but not as hot as other times of the year. April sees more frequent rain though, which may keep you from doing some of the things you want to do; but, in general, this season sees a much smaller tourist crowd than the rest of the year. That means a more relaxing, easy-going vacation for you!

If You Are Looking for a Romantic Bargain Vacation…

Visit Barcelona in the Winter, from November to March! This is the slower-paced low season in Barcelona, so you won’t see as many tourists out and about. You will, however, experience cooler temperatures and more frequent rain, so outside sightseeing and explorations will need to be put on hold for another time. But, if you and a loved one want some peace and relaxation with an affordable getaway, this is the time! Prices drop exponentially in the low season, and you won’t find yourself struggling to find space for some alone time (which gets even better when you have your own private villa to return home to at the end of the day!). So, take advantage of Barcelona’s romantic atmosphere over a cup of café con leche to keep you warm as you cozy up together by the fireplace looking out at the beauty of this historic city.

If You Want to Be in the Middle of It All…

Book your vacation for some time between late Spring and early Autumn. This time of the year is the best for festivals in Barcelona, with Primavera Sound (the world’s largest indie and alternative music festival) in May or June, the Festa Mayor de Gracia (a nine-day event!)  in August and the Festes de la Merce (a fiesta that lasts for four days, honoring the city’s patron!) in September. The only downside is, of course, that large festivals attract larger crowds. But, if you’re comfortable being elbow-to-elbow and want the thrill of a true Spanish experience, this is the time for you!

General Tips for Booking Your Barcelona Vacation

If you’re still trying to decide what you want to do when you get there, consider these two important questions:

1. Do you want to avoid tourists?
2. How important is weather?

Simply knowing the answers to these two things will help you make a decision of when you should visit Barcelona, so you can plan everything from there! So here are some quick bullet points with these two considerations in mind:

• Barcelona’s summer (July to August) is hot, sticky and packed with tourists! It’s a great time for the beaches, but the introvert might find that they aren’t enjoying their Spain experience as much as they could be.
• Mid-March through April and mid-September through October can get you’re the best of everything, with some awesome festivals but thinner crowds. The weather will be comfortable, not too hot but definitely not cold either, and prices will still be affordable so you may be able to enjoy more of the attractions around the city!
• The Winter months (November to March) in Barcelona are pretty mild compared to other cities in Spain. While you won’t be going to the beach and will probably need to wear a coat on most days, you’ll benefit from fewer tourists so you can enjoy a more genuine Spain experience!