Barcelona is one of Spain’s most popular travel destinations. From June to August, the capital city of Catalonia is filled with tourists enjoying their summer holidays and exploring the city that is famous for attractions such as La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell and the Montjuïc Magic Fountain.
September is a fantastic time of year to visit Barcelona, as the busyness of the peak travel season will have died down and it will be much easier to find places to stay and book cheaper transport to this part of Spain. The weather in Barcelona in late September remains pretty warm and sunny, so it’s the ideal place to enjoy the end of Europe’s summer weather and make the most of all the outdoor things to see and do.
If you’re planning a trip to Barcelona in September, or the surrounding area of Catalonia, here’s our guide to everything you need to know to plan your trip.
Barcelona Weather in September
Despite being the first month of the autumn season, the weather forecast in Barcelona in September promises relatively hot and sunny conditions. This summer weather is one of the main reasons why so many travellers visit this part of Spain during the month to make the most of the warm temperatures and extended sunshine.
The average temperature in Barcelona in September is 21°C, reaching highs of 26°C which offers perfect weather for spending time at the beach or enjoying outdoor activities around the city and beyond. The average low temperature is 17°C, with this cooler weather happening mostly in the evenings and early mornings as the month draws on.
You can expect an average of eight hours of sunshine a day in Catalonia and Barcelona in September and the UV index will be high throughout the month. Make sure to pack sunscreen and try to stay out of the sun in the middle of the day when it’s really hot, opting for shady areas or attractions with air conditioning.
There is an average of 5 days of rain in September in Catalonia, which is a more common feature of the weather in Barcelona at the end of September. Between 75mm and 100mm of rain falls over the month, but showers are unlikely to last for very long, so you can plan to spend a lot of your time outdoors if you’re visiting the region in September.
The coast of Barcelona is famous for its beaches, so you’ll be pleased to hear that the average sea temperature in September is 24°C. This is definitely still warm enough for swimming, especially on days when the sun is out in full force.
Festivals and Events in Barcelona and Catalonia in September
When it comes to what’s on in Barcelona in September, you can look forward to quite an exciting month. There are a couple of annual events that offer brilliant insight into the city and region’s culture, and further afield, Catalonia has several other exciting festivals taking place, which we’ve also included here if you fancy travelling outside of Barcelona.
Festivals
Grape Harvest Festival, Poboleda
On the first weekend of September each year, the village of Poboleda hosts its annual Grape Harvest Festival to celebrate the area’s winemaking tradition and the old-fashioned techniques that were used in the past. Visitors can not only sample plenty of wine from around the region, but also take part in traditional grape harvesting and grape treading.
FiraTàrrega
FiraTàrrega is an international festival of performing arts that is held every year in Tàrrega, usually over the second weekend of September. The programme aims to offer attendees insight into all the different disciplines involved in the performing arts in the country, with a focus on highlighting how street arts and the performing arts are a tool of social change and education.
Mercat de Música Viva de Vic
The Mercat de Música Viva de Vic is a music festival held in the second week of September in the city of Vic. It’s a four-day festival featuring performances from Catalan and international professionals but also includes workshops, presentations and lectures for musical professionals to expand their knowledge and be inspired by others.
Festa Major of Poblenou
The Festa Major of Poblenou is an annual festival that often occurs in the first half of September in the Barcelona neighbourhood of Poblenou. Events range from parades to performances and competitions, along with the traditional correfoc (fire runs) and fireworks.
Fiestas de Santa Tecla
For something a little further south, there is the Santa Tecla festival in Tarragona. The festival takes place every year from mid to late September and sees the city of Tarragona come to life with activities, dancing and celebrations. One unique activity is the ‘Correfoc’ where locals dress up as mythical animals such as dragons. Read more about the Santa Tecla festival here.
Holidays
11th September – La Diada Nacional de Catalunya
The 11th of September is the National Day of Catalonia, first marked as a national holiday in Catalonia in 1886. It commemorates the day that Catalan troops were defeated in 1714 at the end of the Spanish War of Succession, and is now both a celebration of Catalonian culture and heritage and a chance for pro-independence to voice their opinions.
‘La Diada’ is usually celebrated with parades and demonstrations in larger towns and cities around Catalonia, as well as more festive markets and live entertainment to mark the occasion.
24th September – La Mercè
La Mercè is an annual festival that is held on the 24th of September to celebrate the Patron Saint of Barcelona, Mare de Deu de la Mercè. It’s seen as one of the final events of the summer season in the region and is celebrated over several days with a large program of events and activities that always end with live music and a fireworks display in the city centre.
The Best Places to Visit in Barcelona in September
Barcelona is a sprawling city, so there are a lot of choices when it comes to deciding where you’re going to visit during your September holiday. Here are some of our top recommendations for the month.
Parc del Laberint d’Horta
Barcelona has several lovely parks dotted around the city that are ideal for lazy afternoons in the September sunshine. But if you’re looking for something a little off the beaten track, the Parc del Laberint d’Horta should be top of your list of places to visit.
Located in the Horta-Guinardó district of the city, the Parc del Laberint d’Horta was designed in 1792 and is famous for being Barcelona’s oldest garden. Spread over 55 hectares in total, nine hectares have been developed into landscaped gardens in a neoclassical style. Visitors can also admire the exterior of the estate owner’s family mansion, which still shows traces of 14th-century architecture.
The highlight of this park is the labyrinth you’ll find in one of the gardens, populated by statues of characters from Greek mythology. It’s the perfect place to come and spend a peaceful afternoon if you want to escape the typical tourist traps of Barcelona.
The Gothic Quarter
Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter is perhaps one of the most famous areas in the city. It’s for this reason that we recommend you pay the neighbourhood a visit if you’re on holiday in September, as you’ll be able to enjoy walking around in the mild weather without getting caught up in too many crowds.
Barrio Gotico is home to a lot of impressive 19th and 20th-century architecture, including the historic Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia. But there’s plenty to be admired alongside the most impressive feats of architecture, so keep your eyes peeled as you stumble across pretty little squares and admire embellishments and ornate details on the sides of buildings.
Montserrat
If you’re looking for recommendations of what to do in Barcelona in September when you’re staying in the city for a week or more, we definitely recommend that you take at least one day trip. The surrounding region of Catalonia is one of the most scenic and the most interesting parts of the country, and places like the Montserrat mountain range are only a short journey from the city.
The mountains of Montserrat are lovely to explore when the weather in Barcelona in September is dry and mild, but a highlight of this area is the Santa Maria de Montserrat monastery. Some people visit this site as a religious pilgrimage, but whatever your motivations, it’s a stunning location that you can explore either on foot, on a cable car or on a funicular railway.
The Best Things to Do in Barcelona in September
With so many different activities and attractions on offer, it can be hard to decide what to do in Barcelona in September. Here are our top three recommendations.
Spend Time at the Beach
Number one on the list of things to do in Barcelona in September is to spend time at one of the city’s beaches. Nine different beaches cover five kilometres of coastline, offering ample space to enjoy the September sunshine and make the most of the last of the summer weather during your trip.
Barceloneta Beach is the best-known spot and has plenty of facilities and nearby places to eat, but if you’re looking for a quieter atmosphere then Nova Icària Beach or Llevant Beach are great choices. Whether you’re topping up your tan in the afternoon or watching the sunset to finish your day, the average weather in Barcelona in September means that you’re likely to have at least one day with the perfect conditions for the beach.
Go for a Hike
On days when the temperature isn’t quite so high, another great thing to do in Barcelona in September is to take yourself on a hike. The Serra de Collserola Natural Park is the closest national park to the city and is a really popular area for locals and tourists to go to enjoy a green space where they can find some peace and quiet amongst nature.
There are plenty of established hiking trails around the Serra de Collserola Natural Park, as well as the option to travel up the mountain on a funicular railway and then walk back down on foot.
Visit a Vineyard
The grape harvesting season begins in Catalonia in September, which means that this is an excellent time of year to visit a vineyard or try wine tasting. You can either sample the region’s produce at a wine bar in Barcelona or travel outside of the city to see where the product is made.
Alta Alella is one of the closest vineyards to Barcelona and is an ideal place to plan a wine-tasting day trip. If you’re willing to travel further, Penedes is world-famous for its Cava, Conca de Barbera is more of an off-the-beaten-track destination perfect for real wine enthusiasts, and the Priorat region is best known for its red varieties.
Barcelona in September FAQs
Is September a good month to go to Barcelona?
September is a great month to visit Barcelona and the surrounding region of Catalonia because it’s the start of the off-season for tourism in the country. You can still enjoy relatively hot weather, but the crowds around the city will be much smaller and you won’t have to fight for space or queue for ages at Barcelona’s most popular attractions.
What is the temperature in Barcelona in September?
The temperature in Barcelona in September ranges from about 17°C to 26°C, so average temperatures are very comfortable to be out and about exploring the city and surrounding area. It will be warmer towards the start of the month and start to cool down the most in the evenings as October approaches, but many travellers still enjoy plenty of warm weather.
Is Barcelona hot in September?
The average high temperature in Barcelona is 26ºC in September, which isn’t uncomfortably hot but will feel pretty warm if you are outdoors in direct sunlight for a long time. However, average temperatures tend to drop down to around 17°C in the evenings and early mornings, so the heat is much more bearable than in the summer months.
How should I dress in Barcelona in September?
The weather in Barcelona and Catalonia in September is still relatively summery, so we recommend that you dress in lightweight clothing and pack layers that you can don in the evenings when the temperature gets cooler. There is a small chance of rain during the month so you may want to pack a light waterproof jacket or umbrella, but you’ll get a lot more use out of your sunglasses and sunhat during your stay.
Summary
Visiting popular travel destinations like Barcelona is usually more enjoyable when you travel outside of the peak tourist season, offering better value for money and also a more authentic atmosphere to explore the city in. Thanks to the range of cultural festivals and events, hot weather and lack of rain, September is one of the best months to visit Barcelona and enjoy all of the city’s best attractions without too many crowds.
If you’d like to plan an unforgettable trip to Barcelona in September, Barcelona Inside and Out is a specialist tour company that offers unique and local experiences to help travellers see an authentic side of the country. Take a look at our Barcelona city breaks or get in touch to find out more about what we offer.