Spain
Barcelona
Catalan capital; stay 3 nights for Gaudí, markets and tapas. We have mapped 5 sights, 1 activity and 1 outdoor spot here, each with a reason to go.
- Places
- 10
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- May – Jun, Sep
- Warmest month
- July
- Coolest month
- January
- Wettest month
- October
5 See · 1 Do · 1 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink
Barcelona, Girona & the Costa Brava
from our route notes
32°C / 89°F avg high
14°C / 56°F avg high
about 70 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Barcelona
10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
5 sights worth building a day around across Eixample, Gràcia and Sant Pere.
Photo: Canaan · CC BY-SA 4.0SeeSagrada Família
Gaudí's basilica under construction since 1882, with forest-like columns and stained glass.
Tip Morning light hits the east-facing windows best.
Photo: ChristianSchd · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: essetefano · CC BY 3.0SeePark Güell
Hillside park of mosaic terraces and Gaudí structures overlooking the city.
Tip Timed tickets; the monumental zone is ticketed.
Photo: Ralf Roletschek · GFDL 1.2SeePalau de la Música Catalana
Modernist concert hall with a stained-glass skylight; tours or concerts.
Tip A concert ticket often costs about the same as a tour.
Photo: uayebt · CC BY 2.0SeePicasso Museum
Large collection of Picasso's early work in medieval palaces.
Tip Free on Thursday evenings with booking.
Do
1 activity for when the group wants to do more than look in Ciutat Vella.
Photo: Llull · CC BY-SA 2.0
Outdoors
1 outdoor spot for fresh air in El Carmel.
Photo: Laura V. G. · GoogleOutdoorsBunkers del Carmel
Civil War anti-aircraft site on Turó de la Rovira with a 360° city view.
Tip Bring water; no shops at the top.
Eat
Where we would book a table in Barcelona in El Raval.
Photo: Didier Descouens · CC BY-SA 4.0EatLa Boqueria
Covered market off La Rambla; eat at counter bars like El Quim.
Tip Head to the back stalls; front ones target tourists.
Photo: Bar Cañete · GoogleEatBar Cañete
Counter-seating tapas bar near La Rambla serving classic and seasonal plates.
Tip Book a counter seat.
Drink
Our picks for a drink in Barcelona in El Born.
Photo: El Xampanyet · GoogleDrinkEl Xampanyet
Tiled cava bar near the Picasso Museum, busy since the 1920s.
Tip Order house cava and anchovies.
How to fit Barcelona into a trip
Barcelona is stop 1 of 4 on our Barcelona, Girona & the Costa Brava route. Follow it as-is or lift Barcelona into your own plan.
Stop 1 of 4
Barcelona, Girona & the Costa Brava
Gaudí, medieval Girona and rocky coves
- Trip length
- 9 days
- Best season
- May – Jun, Sep
- Pace
- easy
- Next: Girona
Getting here and onward
- Barcelona to GironaGirona is about 85 km / 53 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Barcelona month by month
Average daily highs run from 14°C / 56°F in January to 32°C / 89°F in July. October is the wettest month, with about 70 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan14° / 56°F average high
- Feb15° / 58°F average high
- Mar18° / 64°F average high
- Apr20° / 69°F average high
- May24° / 76°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jun29° / 84°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jul32° / 89°F average high
- Aug31° / 88°F average high
- Sep27° / 81°F average high, in our recommended season
- Oct23° / 74°F average high
- Nov18° / 64°F average high
- Dec14° / 57°F average high
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Barcelona weather and the best time to visit →
Near Barcelona
4 other destinations from our guides within about 400 km (249 mi), measured in a straight line.
Barcelona questions, answered
How many days do you need in Barcelona?
Our route notes suggest 3 nights in Barcelona. On our Barcelona, Girona & the Costa Brava route it is stop 1 of 4 in a 9-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 14 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Barcelona best known for?
Catalan capital; stay 3 nights for Gaudí, markets and tapas. Standouts on our list: Sagrada Família (Gaudí's basilica under construction since 1882, with forest-like columns and stained glass); Casa Batlló (Gaudí-remodeled townhouse with a bone-like facade and a dragon-back roof); Park Güell (Hillside park of mosaic terraces and Gaudí structures overlooking the city).
When is the best time to visit Barcelona?
Our Barcelona, Girona & the Costa Brava route is best May – Jun, Sep. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (32°C / 89°F), the coolest in January (14°C / 56°F) and the most rain in October (about 70 mm).
What are the best things to do in Barcelona?
Start with Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, Park Güell, Gothic Quarter and Palau de la Música Catalana. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 5 sights, 1 activity, 1 outdoor spot, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café.
Where should a group eat in Barcelona?
Our picks: La Boqueria (El Raval); Bar Cañete (El Raval). Head to the back stalls; front ones target tourists (La Boqueria).
What is near Barcelona?
The closest destinations in our guides are Girona (about 85 km / 53 mi), Calella de Palafrugell (about 101 km / 63 mi) and Cadaqués (about 136 km / 84 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan Barcelona with your crew
Open the Barcelona, Girona & the Costa Brava route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.
Plan around Barcelona
- Spain travel hub
- Best Restaurants in Spain 25 places
- Best Bars & Cafés in Spain 16 places
- Top Things to Do in Spain 58 places
- Best Outdoor Spots in Spain 10 places
- Barcelona weather by month