Editor: Irina
A bright and diverse country attracts tourists to its borders throughout the year - both in summer and winter it has something to surprise holidaymakers. One of such wonders of Spain is Barcelona - a city of art, contrasts and love. We have been here 4 times already! And we will definitely come again 🙂
So, you are going to the homeland of Antoni Gaudi's masterpieces - for what time of year should you plan your tour? The answer to the question of when to go to Spain (Barcelona) best depends on the purpose of your trip - relaxing beach holidays, exploring cultural heritage or conquering shopping routes have their preferred seasons. So, the best time for excursions in Spain is "golden autumn" and spring - at this time of the year there is a comfortable warm temperature, without obvious heat, a fairly long daylight hours. The beach season at the sea starts from mid-June and lasts until mid-September.
Advice: if you choose when to fly to Spain is the most profitable, you should pay attention to the off-season - the lowest prices for air tickets from Moscow (direct flight) are set in November, January and February. Hotel booking is also quite cheap during this period. We advise you to search either on RoomGuru (hotels and hostels) or on Airbnb (apartments).
Beach season in Spain. Weather in Barcelona
So, if your goal is to soak up the gentle waves of the Mediterranean Sea, let's figure out when the season starts and ends? In general, the weather in Spain is very friendly for tourists, but it has its own nuances depending on the month and region of the holiday. So in the popular Costa Brava resort in the northern Mediterranean coast, the sea warms up a little later than in southern Spain; the swimming season in the hot Canary Islands lasts all year round. Accordingly, you can go here even in winter (December-January).
The hospitable Catalan coast begins to receive tourists from the middle of the month of May. The beach season in Barcelona traditionally ends in the 20th of September (timed to coincide with the celebrations of the famous La Mercé festival). Let's take a closer look at the holiday season: beginning and end, weather conditions and nuances of vacation by month.
Barcelona Monthly Weather
Horta Labyrinth in Barcelona. The photo is deceiving, these walls are taller than a person 🙂
May
Weather in Barcelona in May 2021 pleases with warm temperatures and clear sun, short rains are possible. The last month of spring is the optimal time for a trip to the capital of Catalonia for those who do not like heat - the air temperature reaches +19 ... + 23 ° С at noon. The tourist season is beginning, but the influx of tourists is still not so great. Therefore, May is our favorite month to visit Barcelona.
June
Weather in June in Barcelona 2021 warmer than in May, even hot days happen - real summer comes to the city. The average air temperature during the day is + 24 ° С, the sea warms up and becomes comfortable for swimming.
July August
It is very hot in Barcelona in July and August - the temperature reaches 30-degree marks, there is practically no rain. During this period, the beach season in Spain reaches its peak and is characterized by a large influx of tourists.
September
Weather in Barcelona in September 2021 - from the beginning of September to about mid-October, the velvet season begins in Barcelona: the scorching sun and the August heat are replaced by moderate warm weather. It does rain - but great Barcelona has a lot to do in bad weather!
October
Weather in Barcelona in October 2021 is already unpredictable - relatively warm days alternate with times of bad weather. The average air temperature is + 22 ° C, at night it drops to +13. A trip to the Catalan capital in mid-autumn gives you the opportunity to save money - vacation prices are cheaper than in the summer months and September.
In winter
What weather conditions does winter Spain meet? Winter climate in Barcelona quite comfortable, the temperature is kept at around 12-15 degrees, while it is sunny and practically without precipitation. In December, the city transforms for the New Year holidays; many colorful festivals and interesting events take place in January-February.
Sea temperature in Barcelona
The average sea temperature in Barcelona varies from month to month. At the beginning of the swimming season, in late May and early July, the water temperature is + 21 ° C and gradually warms up to +23. The warmest, most comfortable for prolonged swimming, the sea becomes in July and August - the water warms up to + 26 ° C. By the end of September, the water gets cooler by a couple of degrees, but it is still great for a beach holiday.
In October, the swimming season declines - by the end of the month the sea cools down to +20 ° C, the rainy season begins. From November to March in Barcelona, the low season - the water is cold and unsuitable for swimming, the wind rises on the sea. But do we remember that at this time you can go to the Canary Islands? 🙂
Detailed information about the water temperature now, for the next 10-14 days, can be found on thematic forums and portals. Well, or just type in "Barcelona sea temperature" in Google 🙂
Where is the best vacation in Spain?
View of Barcelona from Park Guell
Spain is an interesting country with a rich culture, traditions and great opportunities for an active, excursion, beach holiday. Connoisseurs of history will be interested in large cities - Barcelona, Seville, Madrid, Toledo. Here you can wander through the old streets of the Old Town, visit museums and exhibitions of famous artists, see with your own eyes a bullfight and take part in colorful local festivals. Fans of parties and nightlife are attracted by the legendary Ibiza, which has won a reputation as a world center of youth culture.
Where is the best on the sea in Spain?
Rocky Costa Brava, near Lloret de Mar
Sunny beaches in Spain are considered to be some of the best in Europe. The Mediterranean climate, comfortable sandy beaches, a developed industry of recreation and entertainment contribute to a large flow of tourists. The resort areas of the Costa Brava, Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol are very popular. Vacationers with children choose the family resorts of the Costa Dorada, Mallorca, hospitable Tenerife - the island of eternal spring.
Reviews of experienced tourists will help to determine where and when it is better to have a rest in Spain. However, it is reliably known: in order to combine beach and cultural holidays, go to the capital of Catalonia - Barcelona 🙂
Climate in Spain
The climate of Spain practically throughout the country has a mild Mediterranean character with dry hot summers and sunny warm winters. Thanks to favorable weather conditions, you can relax in the homeland of Carmen and flamenco in any season. But still, the average temperatures in Spain vary by month, depending on the regions.
Spain in summer
Despite the high temperatures, summer is the most popular time of the year to visit Spain. If you do not like an excessively hot climate and heat, we recommend planning a trip in June - the thermometer, as a rule, does not rise above 24-25 ° C, you can combine a beach vacation with sightseeing. In July-August, the temperature goes off scale to 30-35 ° C, especially in the southern regions of the country - a trip to Barcelona or to the north of the country, where temperatures are more comfortable, would be a good choice.
Spain in spring
They don't swim in Barcelona in May yet, but all the locals spend their weekends on the beach
Spring is a great season to visit Spain and Barcelona in particular, a time of colorful holidays and spectacular festivals. Spain in March is a good and economical option for a sightseeing tour.Due to the fact that the air temperature is still very low for sunbathing, the rest will be cheaper than in the high season. Nevertheless, some southern islands are ready to receive tourists for a beach holiday in the first month of spring. April, like March, is good for cultural and educational leisure - clear weather, lack of excitement allow you to truly feel the atmosphere of this original country. Spain in May (towards the end of the month) opens the swimming season.
Spain in autumn
The weather in September is warm and clear, the August heat subsides - the so-called velvet season begins. Barcelona's beaches are emptying, and the city's entertainment scene, on the other hand, is gaining momentum. October is still warm, but the end of the month is the rainy season. The weather in Barcelona in November can bring surprises in the form of rainfall and wind.
Spain in winter
The weather in winter is mild, comfortable temperature, and an abundance of sunny days. In December, Barcelona will give holidaymakers vivid emotions, the magic of New Year's and Christmas moods.
In January, in addition to festive fairs and folk festivals, bright flamenco festivals are held. Winter Spain will delight shopping lovers with an abundance of cool winter sales.
When is it cheaper to go to Spain?
The high season in Spain lasts from late June to mid-September and ends with the La Mercé festival. At this time, the highest prices for rest are noted. If you are planning to visit Barcelona or another Spanish resort and at the same time save money, you should plan your trip during the low season, which falls from November to April. The advantages of the holiday are the absence of intrusive crowds of tourists, mild weather and attractive prices for the tour.
You can relax on the sea and not overpay for a ticket at the end of the tourist season in September - the water is still warm and suitable for swimming, there is no searing heat - which will be a big plus if you are traveling with a child.
- You can buy an inexpensive tour on Travelata
- Find suitable flights on Aviasales
- Save on housing - on Airbnb (here are not hotels, but apartments + a discount of up to 4000 rubles for the first booking)
Season of discounts and sales in Spain. Shopping in Barcelona
Shopping in Spain deserves special attention, many tourists rush to this country just for this. Modern Barcelona is a real mecca for notorious shopaholics, comparable to the possibilities of Madrid, Paris or Milan. The summer season of discounts in Spain is considered the longest in European countries, lasts from July to early September. You can save from 20 to 70%. The second wave of discounts falls on the winter-spring season.
Shopping centers and outlets near Barcelona
If you are on holiday in Barcelona, you will not have a dilemma of what to bring from Spain - craft fairs, flea markets and souvenir shops offer a rich variety of curious national souvenirs.
The most popular outlet in Barcelona is the famous La Roca Village, where you can buy inexpensive collectible items from fashion shows, shoes and clothes from last season's collections, jewelry, handbags and other accessories. The Barcelona Shopping Line buses run especially for tourists, going around almost all the iconic shopping centers and outlets in Barcelona in one route.
Where else to go to enjoy shopping in Barcelona? Shopping centers El Corte Ingles, Pedralbes Center, Maremagnum. In the vicinity of the city, a 15-minute drive away, you can visit the large Viladecans outlet.
Sale dates in Spain
Global sales in Barcelona, as well as almost everywhere in Europe, take place 2 times a year. We bring to your attention the dates of the season 2021:
- In summer - from July 1 to August 31;
- In winter - from January 7 to March 6.
If you are planning on shopping, it makes sense to visit outlets in the first weeks of sales in Barcelona - by the end of the discount season, the range of goods decreases significantly.
When is the best time to go to Spain? Undoubtedly, this is a hospitable country, interesting to travel regardless of the season. Still, the choice of the optimal tour time depends only on you and the purposes of your trip. 🙂 We love spring Barcelona - when you can walk the streets all day long, there is no hot sun and crowds of tourists. Although we were also in July, catching the sales season and buying a lot of things.