Barcelona
Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia in northeast Spain, is the city for Antoni Gaudí's modernist buildings, a medieval old town and a beach within walking distance. Three to four days is enough for a first visit.
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Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, on Spain's northeast coast facing the Mediterranean Sea. It is best known for the work of Antoni Gaudí, including the Sagrada Família, Park Güell and Casa Batlló, built in the Catalan modernist style of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Gaudí's buildings sit in several districts, so expect to cross the city to see most of them.
Beyond Gaudí, the Gothic Quarter is the medieval center, with narrow streets, a cathedral and Roman remains under some of its older buildings. Las Ramblas, a long pedestrian street, runs down toward the port, and Montjuïc hill overlooks the harbor. The city beaches are a walk from the old town. Three to four days suits a first visit. Spring and early autumn are the most comfortable months for walking, while summer is hot and crowded.
Barcelona in five
- Book Sagrada Família and Park GüellBoth sell timed entries online and sell out. Park Güell's monumental zone needs a ticket.
- Airport by Aerobús or trainThe Aerobús reaches Plaça de Catalunya in about 35 minutes. The R2 Nord train serves Terminal 2.
- Watch your bagPickpocketing is common on the metro, on the Rambla and in the old town.
- Budget for the tourist taxCharged per person, per night, and added to the hotel bill.
- Eat lateDinner starts around 9pm, and the best tables fill by 10.
Things to do in Barcelona
See all attractions in Barcelona
Need to know
- Airport
- El Prat (BCN), about 35 min by Aerobús
- Getting around
- Metro and walking; the T-casual 10-ride ticket
- Best base
- Eixample or Gràcia
- Tourist tax
- Per person, per night, added to the bill
- Emergency
- 112
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh13°Low7°Cool, quietJanuaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- FebruaryClear6 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Cool, quietFebruaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Mild, springMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, spring
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Spring, EasterAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, Easter
- MayClear8 rainy daysHigh21°Low15°Warm, sunnyMayClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, sunny
- JuneClear6 rainy daysHigh25°Low20°Beach weatherJuneClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Beach weather
- JulyClear5 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Hot, peak crowdsJulyClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 32 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, peak crowds
- AugustClear7 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Hot, humidAugustClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh25°Low20°Warm sea, mildSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea, mild
- OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh21°Low17°Mild, some rainOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 110 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, some rain
- NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Cool, rainNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, rain
- DecemberClear5 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Cool, lightsDecemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 32 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, lights
Average daily high and low in Barcelona, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: May Primavera Sound · Jun Primavera Sound, Sónar
Right now in Barcelona
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
15
- Feels like
- 15°
- Humidity
- 75%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 23%
Barcelona
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today17°15°23%Monday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 23%.
- Tue16°12°88%Tuesday: Rain. High 16°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Wed17°12°35%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Thu18°12°25%Thursday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Fri21°14°10%Friday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Sat16°11°8%Saturday: Rain. High 16°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sun19°14°35%Sunday: Rain. High 19°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 35%.
Updated 07:09 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Coming up
Every year
- Feb–MarCarnival of Vilanova i la GeltrúSitges, a day trip
- Mar–AprDansa de la MortGirona, a day trip
- May–JunPrimavera SoundBarcelona
- JunSónarBarcelona
Day trips by train
- Montserratabout 1 hour by train and rack railwayA serrated mountain with a monastery and walking trails.Read the guide
- Gironaabout 40 min by high-speed trainA walled old town with a colorful river front.Read the guide
- Sitgesabout 40 min by regional trainA beach town with an old center and a long promenade.Read the guide
Before you go to Barcelona
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Rules for Barcelona, checked
- Spain is in the Schengen Area. Check your entry requirements on the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (exteriores.gob.es) before you fly.
- Non-EU travelers are fingerprinted and photographed at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System (EES). Check the European Commission's EES page for current rules.
- Barcelona charges a tourist tax per person per night, usually added to the hotel bill. Check the current rate on the Barcelona City Council website before you book.
- Barcelona's low emission zone limits which vehicles can enter, based on their environmental label. Check the rules on the Barcelona City Council site before you drive in.
Plan around Barcelona
Regions, rail, entry rules and money
Read the guideMadridThe capital, two and a half hours by train
Read the guideValencia or BarcelonaWhich city fits your trip
Read the guideGironaWalled old town, 40 minutes north
Read the guideMontserratMonastery and trails in a jagged massif
Read the guideTourist taxes in EuropePer-night charges added to hotel bills
Read the guideBarcelona FAQ
How many days do you need in Barcelona?
Three days cover Sagrada Família, Park Güell, the Gothic quarter, the beach and a late dinner. Add a day for Montserrat or Girona.
Do I need to book Sagrada Família in advance?
Yes. Entry is timed and sells out, so book online as soon as your dates are fixed and pick the earliest slot.
Where should I stay in Barcelona for the first time?
Eixample for a central, well-connected base, or Gràcia for quieter streets and late dinners. The Gothic quarter puts you in the old town but is loud at night.
How do I get from Barcelona airport to the center?
The Aerobús reaches Plaça de Catalunya in about 35 minutes, and the R2 Nord train serves Terminal 2. Taxis are the simple option with luggage and a group.
Is Barcelona safe for tourists?
Mostly, but pickpocketing is common on the metro, the Rambla and in the old town. Keep phones and wallets in front pockets and never hang a bag on a chair at a terrace.