Summer and Barcelona make a perfect couple: the sea breeze relieves the heat, ice creams taste—literally—divine, and the streets pulse with the energy of thousands of plans that can’t fit in a single suitcase.
So, if you’ve been thinking about escaping to the Catalan capital, have summer vacation, and don’t know where to start or aren’t sure if it’s a good idea to do it in summer, get comfortable and let us tell you why Barcelona in summer is still a great choice.
When you know everything that summer in Barcelona has to offer, you’ll already have your ticket booked, your accommodation reserved, and probably an extra slot in your schedule to stay longer than planned.
There's No Shortage of Activities in Barcelona in Summer
Start your Barcelona route by visiting some of its museums. The must-sees are the Picasso Museum, with five Gothic temples, and the MNAC, to discover a thousand years of Catalan art.
You also have to walk along Passeig de Gràcia, a true modernist runway where La Pedrera and Casa Batlló compete in ingenuity and volume to catch your attention among boutiques of international brands and elegant cafes.
There’s no excuse not to stroll through Parc de la Ciutadella; in this green lung, you’ll find shade, pleasant temperatures, and live music from street artists.
Is it too hot to explore the city? Go to a beach. The famous Barceloneta is the liveliest, but if you’re looking for calmer waters, hop on the commuter train to Ocata.
And if one day you feel like swapping your towel for grass, remember that Barcelona boasts a great catalog of public pools at affordable prices. The star is the Can Dragó Lake, the largest outdoor pool in the city and the grassy oasis in Nou Barris; and if you want something more central, you’ll find the lake of Parc de la Creueta del Coll, which doesn’t disappoint either.
Events Galore throughout the City
Most summer tourist destinations depend on the sun, but Barcelona in summer doesn’t care because it also goes crazy with musical plans and parties everywhere.
A marathon of jazz, soul, electronic, and flamenco that occupies legendary clubs in the city like Jamboree, Moog, or Los Tarantos from April to late September, although its peak is in mid-August.
In 2025, it hosts concerts from April 5 to September 27, so you’ll have more than a hundred gigs to enjoy summer in Barcelona.
When August 15 arrives, the Gràcia neighborhood transforms for an entire week: neighborhood associations compete for the best-decorated street with ideas ranging from Amazonian jungles to science fiction universes, and every corner hosts free concerts, human towers, and vermouth stalls.
The Festa Major de Gràcia 2025 runs from August 15 to 21.
Sants Festival
Also in August, the Festa Major de Sants is celebrated, with rumba stages, concerts, fire runs that light up the sky, and popular paellas in the city squares. It’s a less known and touristy festivity than those in the Gràcia neighborhood, but it lacks nothing.
Open-air Cinema
If you’re into the seventh art, wait for the evening to fall and take the funicular up to the castle esplanade to enjoy an open-air cinema session at Sala Montjuïc. There are screenings on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from late June to early August. It’s an incredible plan to end at least one of your summer days in Barcelona, don’t you think?
Want an Excuse to Stay until September?
In early September, it’s time for the National Day of Catalonia, a celebration with parades, floral offerings, human towers, and cultural activities spread across Arc de Triomf and Parc de la Ciutadella.
And if between festivals you’re still looking for things to do in Barcelona in summer, remember that July and August also host events like the Grec, the Cruïlla, or the Alma Festival concerts in Poble Espanyol, in case your schedule needed more action.
Flavorful Plans to Enjoy Summer in Barcelona
Looking to escape the heat without giving up the essence of the city? Start with a pistachio or pineapple-basil ice cream in one of the most famous squares of Gracia. Although… when the thermometer rises more than usual, nothing competes with the iced—and slightly slushy—horchata from Planelles Donat; pair it with a fartón and you’ll have a scandalously good snack or light meal.
And if that’s not enough, go to the Eixample neighborhood and order freshly made gazpacho or salmorejo in one of its restaurants or, better yet, head to the Boqueria Market to enjoy a refreshing and delicious freshly harvested fruit juice.
If you’re looking for something more chic, our recommendation is to visit Hammock Juice Station, where açai, mango, and mint smoothies are enjoyed while swinging in a hammock, literally.
Barcelona is the Ideal City to Spend the Summer
You came thinking that the city was just beaches and sangria, and you’ve just discovered an almost infinite catalog of plans and things to do in Barcelona during summer. Here you can find great plans throughout the year: there’s an event agenda capable of satisfying music lovers, art enthusiasts, and seekers of popular festivals.
So, listen to your traveler’s instinct and book your trip to the Ciudad Condal now. For accommodation, forget about endless searches and a thousand open tabs. On our website awaits a carefully curated selection of apartments, lofts and studios with everything you need: good location, flexible cancellation, and a local team available 24/7.
Are you booking yours now and coming to enjoy the summer in Barcelona?