Best time to visit Catalonia

May-early June is the best time to visit Catalonia; spring brings carpets of flowers and the heady scent of wild herbs underfoot
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.

Barcelona Weather Chart

 
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
6
13
42
FEB
6
14
36
MAR
7
15
47
APR
9
17
50
MAY
12
20
52
JUN
16
24
38
JUL
19
27
23
AUG
19
27
53
SEP
17
25
73
OCT
13
21
86
NOV
9
17
58
DEC
6
14
50

When to visit Catalonia & when not to

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.

Our top trip

Catalonia walking & food tour, Spain

Catalonia walking & food tour, Spain

Enjoy varied landscapes & sample local food & wine.

From €1037 to €1106 7 days ex flights
Tailor made:
Late availability for September, October, November. This trip can be tailor made between 01 Apr - 30 Jun & 08 Sep - 05 Nov to suit you and can be adapted to suit your interests, budget and requirements as necessary
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Catalonia or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.

Responsible Travel 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

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
Written by Vicki Brown
Photo credits: [Page banner: Samu] [Buttercups: ikeofspain] [Flowers: Angela Llop] [Human Towers: DavNava]