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Seasons

The Barcelona summer is a very pleasant time between June and September and also happens to be the months where most visitors go to this city. The average high temperature sits at a warm 28°C in July and August. June and September experience a slightly cooler temperature of 20°C and even colder nights, so plan accordingly! Though Barcelona is actually quite a bit colder than other Mediterranean cities, it also experiences some very high temperatures - the highest so far reach 38.6°C. Due to the possibilities of such spikes in temperature, it may seem somewhat daunting to try and pack or predict for such weather. Although, many people do not really complain when there is an increase in temperature, most go and enjoy it to its fullest - such as visiting the beach. On the topic of beaches, sea temperatures have a pleasant 25°C average, making the water perfect for dipping into. One thing to keep in mind though is that there are strong winds during the summer here. Along with this, September - although it is classed as a warm summer month - is also in fact the wettest month of the year.

Moving onto the autumn which is felt in October and November, it begins with warm weather and an increase in rainfall. However, these conditions do not last long. Soon the temperatures begin to drop to about 21°C average during the day and 12°C throughout October, and in November the temperature continues to drop to between 17°C and 8°C, which is quite a change.

With the incoming winter, the temperatures only continue to drop. Winter begins in December and lasts until February. However thanks to the overall Mediterranean climate, the winters are usually quite mild. The lowest temperatures are felt in December when they drop to between 13°C and 4°C. The amount of sunlight seen each day is restricted to around four hours, which seem surprisingly little. However you need to take into account that you may experience days on end of grey, cold and wet weather, and then suddenly be blessed with a short blast of sunshine. As always though, winter is followed by its neighbouring season, which begins to warm up Barcelona once again.

Of course this season is spring. Spring if from March till May which is when the average high temperatures climb from 16°C in March to 20°C in May. This season is also pretty wet, almost as wet as autumn but not quite to the same extent. The nights are still pretty cool but are warming with every day that passes, and the hours of sunlight seen a day are also increasing.

Climate influences

The main climate influences on this city are the westerly winds that come from the Atlantic, and the topography of the region. The city is located on top of a plateau which is slightly elevated than the surrounding landscape. These two factors combined - the winds and the topography - work together and result in cooler temperatures and an increase in precipitation. The fact that it is also a coastal city boosts these cooler winds that are experienced.

Best time to visit?

If you are travelling from a region that is generally cooler than Barcelona, then hypothetically any time of the year will suit you. Barcelona really has a lot to offer all around the year. On the other hand, if you are from somewhere general warmer than Barcelona, you should probably stick to visiting during the summer months when it is warmer.

So once you have decided WHEN to visit, it is then time to start planning WHAT you want to do once you arrive. One way to experience Barcelona (which may be better fit to the warmer months) is to discover it by foot. Walking tours are very easy to find and join, or if you would prefer to explore by yourself, just grab a map and begin the adventure. If you do not like walking long distances (or just don't enjoy walking) then it is also possible to see the city by bike. Personally, I find it quite freeing to explore new places by either walking or cycling - I mean, why spend money visiting a new city or country and then spend your time inside cars? Feels rather counter-productive. If you do choose to explore Barcelona this way, one of the advised routes to take is to follow the footsteps of Picasso, who spent his early years here.

Then again, depending on which season you choose to visit in, you may be faced with rainfall - which makes it slightly less fun to explore the city by foot or bike, or do anything outside. Worry not! There are also plenty of indoor activities to experience in this huge city. For example, there are several magnificent churches in Barcelona with absolutely gorgeous architecture which cannot be seen anywhere else. One building that is a must-see in this city is the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia. This is a huge cathedral that was begun to be built in 1882, but never saw completion, still to this day.

These are but a few examples of what you can do with your time in Barcelona, there are still thousands of other things to do, see and explore in this city, and it's all waiting for you.