Barcelona in the Fall (Events, Festivals & Attractions to Visit)
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Visiting Barcelona in the fall is one of the best times to visit for so many reasons. After we’ve visited the city a few times in October now, we knew that we had to create a guide sharing the best tips for visiting during the Autumn.
You’ll find some of the best things to do in Barcelona in October including tips for visiting for Halloween. Some of the activities are great for visiting anytime of the year in Barcelona but we found that Barcelona is a particularly great time for visiting as it is much quieter for tourists.
There are lots of different events to enjoy in Barcelona during October so it is a perfect place to visit. Imagine wandering around Barcelona with the sun still warm on your face breathing in the Autumn air… perfection!
Is October a good time to visit Barcelona?
In short, yes, October is an excellent time to visit Barcelona and we would highly recommend trying to plan your city break around this time.
If you’re still not convinced then we’ve shared just a few reasons below as to why you should visit Barcelona in the fall.
1. Less tourists
October is generally a much quieter time to visit Barcelona. Unsurprisingly, Barcelona is busy pretty much all year round but we have found that Barcelona in the fall tends to be much quieter especially compared to the Summer months.
Due to this, you’ll find that you won’t be queuing for as long at some of the popular tourist attractions such as La Sagrada Familia or Casa Batllo. If you’ve been to Barcelona before then you will know all too well how busy Gaudi’s buildings in particular can get.
Another perk of visiting Barcelona in the fall and there being less tourists is that if you’re wanting to snap some great photos for Instagram then you will have less chance of people walking in front of your shot. With that in mind, if you’re looking for some captions for your Barcelona Instagram photos then we’ve got you covered!
The only exception being that Barcelona is particularly busy over the Halloween period so you may find that there are few more tourists around this time. However, if you’re planning to visit Barcelona for Halloween then this is part of it’s charm and it creates a really vibrant, fun atmosphere, especially if you’re looking to party the night away!
2. Plenty of exciting events
When you’re visiting Barcelona in October, there are plenty of different events and activities that you can enjoy which you otherwise wouldn’t have seen during different times of year in Barcelona.
As we mentioned in the last point, Barcelona is particularly busy around the Halloween period and there is certainly a reason for that! The city will come to life at night with locals and tourists alike dressed up in their Halloween gear looking to party the night away.
Other events that you can look forward to in October are the Mercat de Mercats where you will be able to taste lots of delicious local food, the 48 hour open house festival and the international fantasy film festival.
We’ve shared lots more details on the events that you can look forward to in Barcelona during October in our events & festivals section. We have shared plenty of details about the events, any fees you may need to pay and tips for visiting below.
3. Comfortable temperatures
During the Summer, Barcelona can become stifling with the hot sun beaming down on you and swarms of crowds, you may want to consider heading off during the cooler temperatures.
This is one of the best perks for visiting Barcelona during the fall as you will still get plenty of warm sun but it won’t be overwhelming as you’re trying to climb up the Carmel bunkers or wait to enter Casa Batllo.
When you’re visiting Barcelona in October, during the day you will get around 23 degrees / 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit so it will be plenty warm for you to wander around.
Even though it is Autumn in Barcelona, you will find that the weather is still warm enough to visit the beach. This is one of the best reasons for visiting Barcelona in the fall so that you can explore comfortably.
Barcelona Weather in October
As we mentioned in the last point, October is a great time to visit Barcelona. You can experience comfortable temperatures whilst you’re exploring and not feel too overwhelmed with the heat.
Generally speaking you can expect the temperatures for Barcelona in October to reach highs of around 23 degrees / 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit and lows of around 17 degrees / 62.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
You’ll find that the temperatures in Barcelona are much more comfortable and you will be able to do some sightseeing a lot more easily. When you’re wandering around, the last thing you want is to be sweating from the stifling heat.
This is why we feel that October is one of the best times to visit Barcelona because you will get to do plenty of sightseeing without being slowed down by the heat.
10 Best Things to do in Barcelona in October
October is a wonderful time to visit Barcelona which we’ve already established but there are also a lot of incredible sights that you need to see during October.
As we mentioned, during the Autumn, Barcelona is not as busy with tourists (except Halloween). For this reason, we’ve created some of the best things you need to do in Barcelona when it is much quieter.
We’ve included some of the best tourist attractions to visit in Barcelona during October below. If you’re looking for specific festivals and events that run in Barcelona during October then you can find all this in the section underneath.
1. Visit Parc de Ciutadella
When you’re visiting Barcelona in October, you want to spend some time relaxing in Parc de Ciutadella. The weather is very pleasant in October so you’ll want to take some time relaxing as the sun beams down on you.
Even though Parc de Ciutadella is often very busy, it is still much quieter than during the Summer. If you’re visiting Barcelona as a couple then you may want to pack a blanket and a picnic to enjoy the sights with your loved one!
2. Experience Camp Nou
October is the perfect time to take a visit to Camp Nou as the football season will be half-way through. Whether you’re a regular football fan or not, you should take some time to visit Camp Nou.
At the time of writing this, the incredible stadium is under construction and should be completed at the end of 2024. This is to be ready for the football season in 2025/2026.
However, the stadium is still open for tours at this time. If you’re set to visit Barcelona this year and have no plans to visit again then you will still want to take a tour of Camp Nou.
However, if you feel that you may end up having another trip to Barcelona again then you may want to skip Camp Nou until after the construction is complete. You will then get to see the refurbished Camp Nou and appreciate it even more.
3. Wander around Parc Guell
When the weather in Barcelona is at a comfortable temperature, this is a perfect opportunity to visit Parc Guell. During the Summer months, Parc Guell is overcrowded and with the sun beaming on you, it can also be stifling.
This is one of the main reasons why we recommend visiting Parc Guell during October. The temperatures are a lot cooler and the park is not as busy so it will be easier to sightsee. We would still recommend visiting early in the morning to avoid tourists.
PARC GUELL TOURS
- Barcelona Parc Guell Admission Ticket
- Barcelona Parc Guell Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access
- Sagrada Familia with Towers & Parc Guell Skip-the-Line Tour
4. Party for Halloween
If you’re visiting Barcelona during Halloween then you absolutely need to party the night away at one of the epic bars and clubs within Barcelona.
When Amy visited Barcelona for the first time, she arrived on Halloween and the city was alive with a vibrant atmosphere. Barcelona for Halloween is really good fun so you absolutely should find a good party to go to.
If you’re visiting Barcelona with a group of friends or even solo then you will want to find one of the best parties to go to in Barcelona. There are even Halloween boat cruises that you can go on too!
It can get quite busy on Halloween so we recommend heading out into the city early so that you can enjoy the evening before it gets too crowded.
Alternatively, we’ve popped below some recommendations of awesome things to do on Halloween in Barcelona instead of just heading to a bar or club!
BEST HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES IN BARCELONA
5. Visit Montserrat
Honestly, no matter what time of year you’re visiting, Montserrat is always a great day trip from Barcelona. If you love panoramic views, scenic walks and culture then this is definitely one of the best things to do in Barcelona for you.
It is really easy to get from Barcelona to Montserrat whether you choose to go on an organised day trip or use the train to guide yourself there.
Once you’re up in the mountains, you will be greeted with spectacular views of the mountain and the sights below. You will have a chance to visit the Monastery and learn more about Montserrat. It really is a great day out and you will enjoy a ride on either the cable car or rack train and the views of the mountains rushing past you.
There are a lot of different tours for visiting Barcelona including wine and food tasting tours of Catalonia. We’ve included some of our favourite tours below so that you can pick what is best for you! If you’re up for a challenge then why not consider hiking to Montserrat instead?!
BEST MONTSERRAT TOURS
- Guided Tour to the Monastery of Montserrat: Hiking with Panoramic Views
- Discover the 10 Hermitages of Montserrat with Personal Photographer
- Montserrat, Girona & Costa Brava Guided Day Tour From Barcelona
- Montserrat Monastery & Hiking Experience from Barcelona
- Montserrat Afternoon Tour with Cog-Wheel Train from Barcelona
6. Street Food Tour
When you’re visiting Barcelona in October, you will find that eating roasted chestnuts is a very popular delicacy during the fall. However, all year round, you will get to enjoy delicious tapas dishes and paella in particular.
The Spanish cuisine is one of the most flavoursome that you can try which is why we recommend going on a street food tour whilst you’re visiting Barcelona in October.
You can choose between tipsy tapas tours, paella tours and even different cooking classes so that you can really get involved and learn more about the Spanish culture.
BEST STREET FOOD TOURS IN BARCELONA
- The Typical Catalan Spanish Market Lunch in Barcelona
- Barcelona: 3.5 hour Tapas Food Tasting Tour
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals
- Barcelona Secret Food Tour
7. See La Sagrada Familia
One of the main reasons that most people visit Barcelona is to see the infamous La Sagrada Familia in person. This incredible work of art has been drawing tourists from all around the world for year.
We especially recommend visiting La Sagrada Familia during October in Barcelona as it is slightly quieter for tourists visiting. Due to this, you will find that you’re not waiting in queues for as long as if you were visiting Barcelona during the Summer.
Regardless of what time of year you’re visiting Barcelona, we would still recommend purchasing a skip-the-line ticket for La Sagrada Familia. Even during the quieter months, it is still a very busy attraction so you will want to make the most of your time in Barcelona.
If you’re not too fussed about going inside the church then you should still take a visit to view it from the outside. You can do this for most of Gaudi’s buildings and the best part is that this is a completely free thing to do in Barcelona.
Alternatively, there are a lot of combined tours that will take you around Gaudi’s buildings and also include skip-the-line tickets too. We’ve popped some recommendations below for you on some of the best value for money tours in Barcelona.
8. Visit La Pedrera at Night
When you’re sightseeing in a new destination, you often find that there is so much to do during the day but unless you’re bar-hopping at night, there is not as much to do.
Barcelona is the complete opposite with this and there are still some attractions that are open for you to visit at night. La Pedrera (Casa Mila) is a great example of this and we would recommend visiting it at night to see it from a unique perspective.
Between 09:00pm – 11:00pm, La Pedrera is lit up with stunning lights showing Gaudi’s phenomenal work in all of its glory!
9. Free Walking Tour
For us, no matter where we’re visiting, we try to take part in one of the free walking tours so that we can get to know the city quickly with a local guiding you.
There really is no better way to learn about Barcelona and October is a perfect time to do this. As the temperatures are much cooler, you won’t find it as difficult to keep up with the tour in the blistering heat.
There are a few different walking tours that you can take part in whilst you’re in Barcelona. We recommend both of the free walking tours run by Sandemans. The free tour of Barcelona is perfect for first-time visitors to the city and to learn more about Barcelona itself.
Alternatively, if you’ve visited Barcelona before or you have a strong interest in architecture then you would want to take part in the free Gaudi & Modernism tour.
No matter which free tour you choose, they are a great way to explore the city and learn more about what makes Barcelona worth visiting.
10. Carmel Bunkers
If you’re looking for stunning viewpoints then you will want to take a visit to the Carmel Bunkers. From here, you will get some gorgeous views of Barcelona’s cityscape and admire the beauty of it all.
For any couples or groups of friends that are travelling to Barcelona you may want to pack a picnic to take to the bunkers with you. There’s nothing better than eating some delicious food with a beautiful view!
This is actually one of our favourite things to do in Barcelona so we wholeheartedly recommend you visiting this viewpoint before leaving Barcelona!
Festivals & Events in Barcelona in October
We mentioned at the start of this article that there are a lot of awesome festivals and events to visit whilst you’re in Barcelona during the fall.
Halloween is not the only celebration that you should visit in Barcelona during October. We’ve popped details below on some of the coolest events in Barcelona during October and information for the events and festivals!
Halloween
We’ll start off with the most obvious event that you need to celebrate whilst you’re visiting Barcelona in October. Barcelona is a really awesome place to visit on Halloween especially if you’re travelling with a group of friends.
There are a lot of different bars and clubs where you can dress up and party the night away in Barcelona. However, there are also some more unique ways to spend Halloween within Barcelona. We’ve popped some recommendations below for some more unique ways to spend Halloween in the city.
Date: 31st October
La Castanyada
Also on the 31st October is a Catalonian festival called La Castanyada which celebrates the end of the summer. Traditionally, locals will feast on chestnuts (castanyes) and marzipan cookies (panellets).
This is a really unique experience for you to enjoy whilst you’re in Barcelona and a unique way to celebrate the end of the Summer. I know that we in the UK are usually celebrating the end of the winter so it’s interesting to see a culture celebrate the opposite!
On the 1st November, All Saints Day is celebrated which is used to remember loved ones. If you’re still in Barcelona for All Saints Day then you may like to visit a church and light a candle in remembrance for your own loved ones.
Date: 31st October
Oktoberfest
Even though Oktoberfest is traditionally celebrated in Germany, it has become a popular celebration across Europe. Most people resonate Oktoberfest with beer but these only became customary around 100 years ago.
Originally, the celebration originated from the Royal Wedding in 1810 which lasted 5 days! Can you imagine partying for 5 days straight?!
In Barcelona & Catalonia, you will be able to celebrate this infamous festival in loads of different locations. Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple or with friends, you definitely want to take part in this festival.
Dates: 3rd – 20th October 2024
Sitges Film Festival
This infamous festival is held in the Sitges province of Barcelona and one of the most unique things to do when you’re visiting Barcelona as a tourist.
There are a few different locations across Sitges that show different horror, sci-fi and fantasy films during this time. This is a really fun thing to do and there are lots of different activities to spruce things up during the festival!
In particular, a lot of people take part in the Zombie Walk every year. Even if you don’t take part in the walk yourself, it is still worth going to see the zombies line the street on this walk!
The times, dates and locations change every year so it is worth keeping up with the details for Sitges Film Festival here!
Dates: 3rd – 13th October 2024
Tast a la Rambla
For any foodies, this is a festival that you need to attend whilst you’re in Barcelona. Down Las Ramblas, restaurants will offer their favourite dishes in the form of tapas for locals and tourists.
The streets are usually buzzing with everyone enjoying the different aromas wafting down Las Ramblas. Usually this festival runs around the first weekend of October so if you’re visiting during this time then you will want to take a trip down Las Ramblas to enjoy this delicious festival.
Date: First Weekend of October
Festes del Roser
Known as the flower festival of Barcelona, this is truly one of the most beautiful times to visit Barcelona as there will be flowers everywhere!
Similar to the food festival, this also takes place down Las Ramblas and the street will be pumping with tourists and locals taking part in the activities!
Date: First Week of October
Baum Festival
Baum Fest, otherwise known as the Barcelona Art & Movement Festival which is honestly one of the coolest events out of this list in our opinion.
With tattoo expos, bike competitions, music, displays of extreme sports such as parkour and calisthenics as well as dance battles. There is a little something for everyone here!
Not just that but families are also welcome to attend with different workshops available for children too.
We missed this festival by just a few days last year so this is something that we’ve added to our Barcelona bucket list for the next time we visit!
The full schedule of musicians and events during the BAUM Fest has not been released just yet for 2024. Keep up to date with the latest news by following the BAUM Fest website.
Dates: 4th, 5th & 6th October 2024
Mercat de Mercats
This festival is another delight for any foodies out there or people like us that just want to have something to sink their teeth into.
The date for Mercat de Mercats in 2024 has not yet been confirmed but it does usually run in October. You will be able to wander around this large market and choose from an array of delicious foods to try.
Locals attend this festival every year to try new food, shop for fresh groceries and socialist with other locals.
Keep up to date with the latest Mercat de Mercats news here!
Date: TBC
48h Open House
This is a really fun event that a few cities take part in around the world. This is where doors that are usually closed are open to the public to take a peek inside.
If you’ve ever wondered what is inside a certain building then this is the festival you need to attend. We have a very similar event in Edinburgh too where even buildings for parliament are open to the public too.
If you’re visiting during the same time of the open house then you have a great advantage over most other tourists that visited Barcelona outside of October.
Dates: 26th – 27th October 2024
Viu Montjuic
This event has only been running for a few years but it has been a great success with tourists and locals.
No matter what time of year you’re visiting, Montjuic Mountain and Montjuic Park are worth visiting especially as you’ll get some spectacular views of the city. Not just that but you can also ride the cable car to the top of the mountain which is a popular attraction for tourists.
During October, Montjuic Park hosts a range of activities and events for tourists and locals to take part in. Last year there was an array of exhibitions, performances and concerts for people to enjoy.
At the moment, there is not a confirmed date or schedule for the event but they will get released later on this year where we will update this page.
Dates: TBC
Voll-Damm Jazz Festival
Dive in for a cultural experience by visiting the Voll-Damm Jazz Festival in Barcelona during October. With a variety of different performances, this is a great experience for you to enjoy on your visit to Barcelona.
The festival runs in different venues throughout Barcelona so you will need to check the schedule once it has been released to decide who you would like to go and see.
You will need to purchase tickets individually for each performance so if you’re on a budget, you will not want to visit them all. However, there are a lot of smaller-scale performances that are perfect for anyone visiting on a budget.
Dates: TBC
So… Should You Visit Barcelona in the Fall?
As we mentioned, Barcelona is an awesome place to visit during the fall and has plenty of activity to keep you occupied.
One of the main highlights is that the weather is a little bit cooler which makes sightseeing much more comfortable. As a result of this, you will find that there are much less tourists than during the Summer so you will be able to explore a bit more peacefully.
There are lots of different events that take place during October in Barcelona in particular so you will definitely want to try and tie in with one of these. For us, we absolutely need to go back to Barcelona in October to visit the BAUM festival.
No matter what interests you, there are events and festivals in Barcelona during October that will keep everyone happy and occupied!
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