9 Top things to do in Barcelona in Summer - Joses Travel Tales

Barcelona is blessed with a fantastic Mediterranean climate and it is no surprise that the Catalan city is a favorite summer destination for tourists in Europe. In this blog post titled 9 Top things to do in Barcelona in Summer, I am sharing some of the best things to do in Barcelona in the summer. We are pretty darn sure that this article will be helpful if you are visiting Barcelona in summer or just checking out for things to do in Barcelona in June.

What is the best time to visit Barcelona ?

After living in Barcelona for more than 2.5 years, i can rightly guide you on the best season to visit Barcelona. The most ideal time would be during Early summer and Fall time. So we are talking about May to June and anytime from September to October. During these months, the weather is perfect and it is not very crowded. High Season in Barcelona runs from May to Early September. And the hottest months are July and August. This is the time when the tourists are spilling out of every nook and corner of the city.

9 Top things to do in Barcelona in Summer

If you are visiting Barcelona in Summer, then here are some of the top things to do whilst in the city.

Go to beach

Barcelona is home to some amazing beaches and what better time than summer to bask in the sunshine. Slather on some sunscreen and spend your time enjoying the Spanish sol. Few beaches we recommend are Platja de Gava also known as Gava Beach , Badalona beach and Casteldelfels beach . However if you have the luxury of time, then we recommend you do a quick trip to Costa Brava and explore the beautiful calas. We love Costa Brava for its spectacular scenery, comprising of unspoilt rocky coves and stunning beaches. You can take a local bus, hire a car or even hop onto a train to reach Costa Brava. Few beaches we recommend in Costa Brava are Cala Pola, Cala de Aiguablava, Cala de Sa Tuna, Tamariu, Cala Futadera.

Try chilled Gazpacho and Salmorejo

Both of these are Spanish cold soups and taste heavenly especially in the scorching summer. These drinks are super refreshing when devoured in the hottest months and whats best is that they are super healthy as its a blend of natural ingredients such as tomatoes, virgin olive oil, cucumber, salt etc .There are several versions available for you to try at any local restaurant or supermarket. However, If you fancy making them at home, then here you go! I am sharing a Salmorejo recipe that I recently tried. It was delish!

Magic Nights at Casa Batlló

If you want to treat yourself to something spectacular this summer, then do visit the Magic Nights concert at Casa Batlló .If you have been following me on Instagram, then you know that i was recently invited to the Magic Nights Event REVIEWED HERE. In my opinion, its one of the best things to do in Barcelona in summer. You can look up the event and make your booking on the Musement website. Musement is a fantastic website that i recommend to all blog readers. There is something for everyone. Do not forget to check it out.

Shopping during Rebaixes

If you have a penchant for shopping, then watch out for the Rebaixes (sales) that happens during the summer months. The sale starts during the last week of June and runs until late August. Its the best time to stock up on clothes and accessories from popular Spanish brands such as Zara and Mango. We recommend the outlet mall at La Roca Village if are looking at splurging on big brands. If you do not have a car, then we recommend you use the La Roca Shopping Bus. Maremagnum Mall located next to the port is a fantastic choice if you are planning to go shopping on a Sunday in Barcelona.

Horchata

This drink can easily be tagged as the The Ultimate Summer drink. It is a sweet, milky and nutty drink that is best had chilled on a hot summer day. We have tried Horchata at many places in Barcelona but nothing stands close to the one sold by Sirvent. Its a tiny store tucked in Eixample neighborhood of the city and has been around since 1920. Now Sirvent has grown and there are several outlets spread across the city. Sirvent is very busy and full of tourists and locals so you can expect a waiting time. Do not forget to take the token as soon as you arrive! Another place that serves great Horchata in Barcelona is El Tío Che.

Go camping

Summer is the best time to go hiking in the mountains and then unwind in a campsite. There are several camping sites along the coast going towards Blanes. A few camp sites we recommend are Tres Estrellas in Gava, Els Pins in Pineda and Camping Barcelona in Mataro. If you are looking for a cabin, then it would be best to make your reservations in advance as camping culture is very popular during summers and all rooms get sold out pretty quick. Another option would be to rent the site and pitch your own tent. The second option is definitely a lot cheaper and more fun if you have that streak of adventure in you!

Picnic at a local Park and Laberint d'Horta Park.

There are so many beautiful parks in Barcelona where one can go and enjoy a nice sunny day with a little picnic. Our favourites are Laberint d'Horta Park and Parc de la Ciutadella . You can easily spend about half a day in either of these places . Entry to Parc de la Ciutadella is FREE on all days and entry to Laberint d'Horta Park is free on Wednesdays and Sundays. What makes Laberint d'Horta Park special is that it is Barcelona's oldest garden and it has a well manicured maze with several twists and turns for visitors to get lost in -something fun for people of all ages !

Barbeque at Picnic El Pol

Summer is hands down the best to light up the grill and enjoy some juicy kebabs and sausages that are seared in a yummy marinade. If you are looking for the best Barbecue sites in Barcelona, then Pícnic El Pol is definitely something that I would recommend. The property is huge, full of lush greenery with ample parking space and not very far from Barcelona. It is well maintained and definitely a wonderful place to spend the summer in Barcelona with kids. If you want something more easily accessible, then I suggest Parc de la Trinidad , you just need to hop onto Metro L1 to get there.

Music Festival

Honestly I am not the right person to talk about this as it is not my cup of tea But if you are a party animal and love music festivals, then i can guarantee you that you will love Barcelona. This city will not disappoint. Just google Music Festival Barcelona and you will be shocked to see the results. Primavera, Sonar and what not! Options galore. In the past I have had friends who have made trips to Barcelona in summer solely with the intention of participating in these music concerts. I have not been to one yet and doubt if i will ever go.

Hope you enjoyed this blog post on 9 Top things to do in Barcelona in Summer . We have shared our favorite outdoor activities to do in Barcelona when the sun is out and shining bright.

Do share this article with your friends or family who would like to explore Barcelona in summer.

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This is a travel and food blog by Vini & Jose, a fun indian couple who are absoloute travel junkies. They have visited 27 countries so far and look forward to creating many more memories across the globe. Through this space ,they would like to share their travel stories and adventures with the rest of the world and also inspire their readers to set out and explore those paths less travelled.