You might automatically assume that Summer is the best time to visit Barcelona. Well I would say leave summer to the steaming tourists and read on for my tips and hints as to when to visit.
Barcelona is Spain, and Spain means sun, right? Well, that’s not strictly true, but Barcelona does generally enjoy sunny weather from May to October. The current drought problem in Barcelona just goes to show you how little it rains here. For me the best months, weather wise are June and September. July is too busy to be able to see anything without never-ending queues and August is stiflingly hot – the locals all disappear, and it really is too hot and humid to enjoy anything but the beach – which is fight for your towel-space!
So I have a few other tips for times to visit which you may not have considered.
1. Sant Jordi – 23rd April. If your visit co-incides with this day, then you’ll see Barcelona in all its colours. The patron saint of Barcelona is Sant George (Sant Jordi) and with nationalism so big over here it’s a huge event. Everyone decorates their balcony with the Catalan flag, and it’s tradition for men to give a rose to their wife/girlfriend/both and for the women to give a book to their other half. The rose is said to represent the blood of the dragon slain by Saint George, and the book co-incides with Spain’s most famous writer, Miguel Cervantes (Don Quixote de la Mancha), who died on the same day. The city is full of book stalls, free concerts and people walking around with roses. A wonderful day to witness.
2. Sonar Music Festival (usually 3rd week of June). This electronic music festival is a great time to visit the city. Exams have just finished at uni, and the sun has been kicking in for a few weeks, so it’s just like the start of the summer (even though it hasn’t officially arrived yet). The city is buzzing with a mix of nationalities coming to experience the sights and sounds of the festival, which is still managing to stay unique and original despite over 10 years of shows.
3. Sant Joan. Night of 23rd2/4th June. Shakespeare called it Midsummer’s night, but it also co-incides with Saint John’s day. This is a real party time, and is the equivalent in the UK of bonfire night/U.S like 4th July. Fireworks galore and everyone goes out for “la berbena” or the all night fiesta. Barceloneta beach fills with bonfires and singing and it’s a good job that the next day is a public holiday!
4. 24th September. La Mercè festival. The patron saint of Barcelona is Our Lady of Mercy, and during the week of La Mercè festival, the city fills with free concerts, festival activities, parades (including the famed “correfoc” or fire-run through the streets of the gothic quarter), and general mardi-gras style behaviour!
