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Best time to visit Catalonia

The best time to visit Catalonia is when the wildflowers and fragrant herbs carpet the landscapes in May to early June. You'll miss the summer's furious heat and holidaying crowds, with the weather ideal for walking, cycling and sightseeing. There's winter sun here too though along the Mediterranean coast - while the mountains change from cool summer retreats to activity filled winter wonderlands.

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Best time to visit Catalonia

temperature & rainfall

Walkers and cyclists will appreciate the cool of late spring. Even in midsummer, the Mediterranean and Pyrenees provide refreshing breezes, meaning it is not as insufferable as arid Andalucia. Catalonia is also a fantastic place for winter sun, without the bitter cold of central Spain or the rainclouds of the northwest. Autumn too is pleasant, without the summer heat or crowds. The constant winds at this time are ideal for wind and kite surfers; rainfall can occur at any time, though, so do bring a waterproof.

When to visit Catalonia & when not to

a month by month guide

January is one of the coldest months to visit the Pyrenees and inland areas of Catalonia but if you’re looking for winter sports you should be more than happy right through until mid-April.

Closer to the Catalonian coast temperatures aren’t too bad and as February and March progress, walkers and cyclists will find crisp and clear conditions for getting out and about.

April and May are ideal for walking holiday makers and city sightseers with the added bonus of fewer crowds at the beach if you fancy an afternoon dip.

June is one of the best times to visit Catalonia if you’re looking for sunshine without the crowds however, as the summer holidays hit in July and August the heat can be unbearable and some cycling and walking tour ops will shut up shop and wait until the milder climes of September.

October is without the crowds and also with a little less heat and a bit more wind and rain but don’t be put off, particularly if you’re a fan of kite surfing or wild and woolly strolls.

A waterproof is advisable throughout the year in Catalonia, especially towards the end of the year as November and December signal the end of the autumn foliage and the start of the winter season.

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If you'd like to chat about Catalonia or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Rosy & team.

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Best time to visit Catalonia

responsibletravel.com recommends

Vivian, from our supplier Cycle Catalan, shares her best time to visit Catalonia:

“Personally speaking, the best time to visit Catalonia is late spring. May and June are absolutely fantastic, and September to early October. July and August can be very hot and August is very busy. To really enjoy a cycling and walking holiday, I would say that May in particular is lovely as we have so many wild flowers. That’s a really nice time for walking. We give people a flower factsheet and a wild flower book so that they can identify all the wildlife and flowers when they’re on their walks. We don’t actually offer walking holidays in July and August because it is so hot. But we do offer cycling from April to early November; most of the time it’s fine, but I would avoid an activity holiday in August if you can.”

Festivals & events in Catalonia

Our cultural pick from the Catalonia calendar

Did you know about...?

The human castles: Forget flamenco and bullfighting, cultural events here are uniquely Catalonian, and are growing in popularity. Castells are precarious human towers which can be as high as ten people – with a tiny child on top, holding four fingers in the air to represent the Catalan flag. UNESCO recognised the castells in 2010 as “intangible cultural heritage”, and you can see these terrifying towers at festivals throughout the region – particularly in Tarragona – from June to October. You’re also likely to come across sardanas, the Catalan dance performed in a circle at most local village fiestas throughout the summer months

Photo credits: [Snow trek: Monitotxi] [Wild flowers: Angela Llop] [Human castles: DavNava]

Written by Vicki Brown

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