The Ultimate Guide To Visiting Barcelona In Autumn

Warm, breezy, sometimes cloudy, but always vibrant with plenty to see and do, autumn in Barcelona must be experienced to be believed. Use our ultimate guide to visiting Spain’s cultural capital at this wonderful time of year to find out about seasonal activities and events, the top events, local traditions, typical weather, what to pack, and more. Discover everything Barcelona has to offer in autumn:

• Things to do 
• Outdoor activities 
• Indoor things to do in Barcelona
• Barcelona nightlife in autumn
• What to pack for autumn in Barcelona
• What you can’t do in autumn
• Where to stay in Barcelona

Things to Do In Autumn

“Boring” is one word that can never be used to describe Barcelona. Check out these incredible things to do in Barcelona in October and November:

Oktoberfest Barcelona - every October: A Bavarian tradition comes to Barcelona! Enjoy live polka bands, DJs, food, festivities, and beer, of course! The Oktoberfest event hosts a best-dressed competition, so bring your lederhosen along if you have any tucked away in your wardrobe.

Sitges Film Festival - every October: Held in a picturesque beachside town an easy distance from Barcelona, the Sitges Film Festival is dedicated to fantasy and horror films and is one of the highlights of the autumn calendar. In addition to taking in a few screenings, you can also enjoy the annual Zombie Walk.

48H Open House Barcelona - 22-23 October: Barcelona’s edition of a worldwide event, 48H Open House is a celebration of the city’s fascinating architecture. Gain access to buildings that are usually closed to the public, such as the Casa de l’Ardiaca (city archives), the Gothic Quarter’s palaces, and the Arc de Triomf.

El Día de Todos los Santos - 1 November: Also known as All Saints Day, this religious festival is a public holiday in Spain and one of the cultural highlights of autumn in Barcelona. Wander the city streets while snacking on small round almond cakes called “panellets” or toasted chestnuts known as “castanyas” and admiring the many floral displays for sale.

L'Alternativa Barcelona Independent Film Festival - 18 November – 4 December: Enjoy an incredible variety of independent films at the 29^th edition of this world-renowned festival.

La Sagrada Familia: Approximately 3 million people visit Gaudi’s ethereal basilica annually. Given the smaller crowds of Barcelona in October and November, autumn’s a great time of year to explore this iconic church. Every detail of the building is significant, we recommend taking the guided tour to enjoy all this church has to offer.  

Hours: October: Monday – Saturday from 9am to 7pm, Sundays from 10.30am to 7pm.

November: Monday – Saturday from 9am to 6pm, Sundays from 10.30am to 6pm.

Casa Mila: Also known as La Pedrera, Casa Mila is one of Gaudi’s most famous Modernista buildings. Tour Casa Mila during the day and take in the Paths of Abstraction exhibition,  showcasing works by famous abstract artists, or take an evening tour and enjoy an audio-visual show on the roof.

Monday – Sunday and holidays: 9:00am to 8:30 pm.

Sessions night tours: 9pm to 11pm.

Palau de la Música Catalana: There are two ways to see the stunning Palau de la Música Catalana – take a guided tour or attend a performance such as the Bizet opera Carmen (12 October).

Tours: 10am to 3.30pm.

La Rambla: Lined with interesting shops and great restaurants, and known for buskers, La Rambla is Barcelona’s most famous street. Stroll along it and soak up the many sights and sounds.

Outdoor Activities to Do In Autumn

The pleasant days of autumn in Barcelona are perfect for outdoor activities. Here are a few of our top picks:

Take a bike tour of the city: Join a bike tour or hire a bicycle and set off to explore the city by yourself. Barcelona’s mostly flat, and there are plenty of bike lanes, so cycling’s a pleasure.

Go on a short hike to Monserrat: A famous monastery in a breathtaking mountain range, Monserrat is one of the most popular day trips from Barcelona. Explore the area and see the monastery on a short hike.

Snap pics on a walking photo tour: Walking a city is one of the best ways to explore and since Barcelona is one of the most Instagrammable cities on earth. A walking tour is a perfect way to capture lasting memories and get to know everything the city has to offer.

Enjoy a wine tasting tour of the Priorat region: Explore Catalonia’s best wine-producing region on a tour that also lets you sample some of the local produce.

Watch football at Camp Nou: The 99,000-seater stadium is home to FC Barcelona and well worth a visit. Go on a guided tour of the stadium or, better yet, get tickets and watch the famous team in action..

Hike the Seven Waterfalls route: Put your walking boots on and head to Campdevànol near Girona to hike the beautiful 9km route that takes you past seven picturesque waterfalls. 

Hike through La Carretera de les Aigües: Go on a 10km hike along a mountain just outside the city to enjoy autumn colours and terrific views.

Indoor Things to Do In Barcelona

Strong winds and storms are a feature of autumn in Barcelona, but don’t let that get you down. There are plenty of indoor things to do in the city. Check out a few of our favourites:

Enjoy a flamenco show: Intricate guitar work and passionate dancing is the heart and soul of flamenco. Experience the energy for yourself at one of the city’s many flamenco shows. Tablao Cordobes on La Rambla is one of the best venues.

Take a Spanish cooking class: Indulge in a hands-on educational experience by taking a Spanish cooking class. Learn how to prepare paella, tapas, or a host of other national and regional dishes.

Go on a food tour of Sant Antoni market: Sample the delicacies and beverages available at this recently refurbished historic food market on one of the many foodie tours available.

Head to the Dali Museum in Girona: Hop on a minibus tour to the nearby mediaeval town of Girona and immerse yourself in the works of the surrealist master at the Dali Museum.

Visit the Picasso Museum: Explore 3,500 of Pablo Picasso’s works at the fascinating Picasso Museum.

See a show at a theatre: Barcelona’s many theatres offer a variety of shows, usually in Spanish or Catalan. A few to check out include El Gran Teatre Del Liceu, Coliseum Theatre, Tivoli Theatre, and El Molino (the city’s answer to Paris’ Moulin Rouge).

Go shopping: Cold, wet, and windy days in Barcelona are perfect for shopping for souvenirs and gifts. Head to amazing shopping areas such as Passeig de Gràcia, Carrer de la Princesa and Carrer de l’Argenteria, Plaza de Catalunya, and El Raval.

Barcelona Nightlife In Autumn

Locals are what could be described as night owls, so you’ll have no problem enjoying the nightlife while in Barcelona in October and November. As lunch is usually eaten between 1.30/2pm and 3pm, most people eat dinner at 9/9.30pm. That said, many restaurants open for dinner around 8pm. As a result, most restaurants close anywhere between 11pm and midnight. Many bars close around 3am, while nightclubs stay open until 6am.

Where to eat in Barcelona

If you’re looking for the best areas for restaurants for dinner, check out the Sant Antoni neighbourhood’s Carrer del Parliament, the Gracia neighbourhood north of Eixample, Carrer d’Enric Granados in Eixample, the Barceloneta neighbourhood (great for seafood), and Poble Sec, a neighbourhood at the foot of Montjuic. When it comes to bars and clubs, head to La Rambla, the Gothic Quarter, El Born, El Raval, Eixample, Gracia, Poble Sec, and Port Olimpic (if beach clubs are your thing).

What to Pack For Autumn In Barcelona

The typical weather of autumn in Barcelona is warm and cloudy. Barcelona in September and October can usually see stormy winds and thick clouds, while November sees a number of rainy days. September has an average maximum temperature of 25 °C/77 °F and an average minimum temperature of 8 °C/65 °F. Temperatures start dropping more noticeably in October, which has an average maximum temperature of 21 °C/70 °F and an average minimum temperature of 14 °C/58 °F. There’s a stark difference when it comes to November, however, as the month has an average maximum temperature of 16.5 °C/62 °F and an average minimum temperature of 10 °C/51 °F.

When packing for your trip, remember the following words: seasonal, and comfortable. That said, dressing like a local means dressing comfortably for the seasonal mood. Barcelona in September is warm enough for you to get away with shorts and a short-sleeved shirt, t-shirt, or strappy top, sandals, and comfortable walking shoes (especially if you plan on doing a lot of walking), with a few dressier items and a jacket or fashionable cardigan or jumper for evenings (remember dressier options if you plan on going to good restaurants or the theatre).

October calls for trousers or jeans, and short-sleeve or long-sleeve shirts made from lighter fabrics (the days in early October can still be quite warm). You’ll also want a medium-weight jumper or jacket for mornings and evenings when it can be chilly. November’s cooler temperatures require trousers or jeans, warm tights, medium-weight jackets, jumpers, or coats, and a scarf.

What Can’t You Do In Autumn

BAutumn’s windy and stormy weather, as well as temperatures that continue to drop as the season progresses, means you won’t be able to do some activities that you can enjoy in summer. Among them are going to the beach and swimming. You’ll also find that the many summer festivals and open-air events come to an end, with All Saints Day on 1 November being one of the few exceptions.

The often-blustery weather also makes it difficult to enjoy activities that are still available, such as exploring Park Güell and the Carmel Bunkers. It’s good to remember that some attractions, such as the Tibidabo amusement park have limited operating hours in autumn – it’s only open on weekends and public holidays.

Where to Stay In Barcelona

Whether you’ve enjoyed a long day of exploring the city, or a once in a lifetime experience at an FC Barcelona match, it’s good to know you’ve got a comfortable bed waiting for you at your home from home. Capri by Fraser Barcelona offers everything you need to relax and enjoy your time in the historic city.

Located in the Sant Marti neighbourhood close to town, we’re part of the 22@Barcelona business and innovation district, which is a mere 15 minutes from the Sagrada Familia Basilica. The serviced apartments in our chic, modern hotel have fully equipped kitchenettes, as well as relaxing living, dining, and sleeping spaces. You’ll also find a fully equipped gym, an on-site restaurant serving breakfast and lunch, a lobby bar, and an on-site laundrette. Choose Capri by Fraser Barcelona when you want to experience autumn in Barcelona.