5 good reasons to travel to Barcelona in September or October
in September or October is extremely pleasant: the armies of tourists have left the city and it’s sunny without being suffocating. It’s also the perfect time to re-centre yourself and relax to welcome the Autumn!
1. Perfect weather for touring
In September-October, the weather is warm, and the sun still shines but the temperature makes tourism more pleasant. It’s therefore the perfect time to stroll through the streets for hours and come face to face with some of Barcelona’ wonders of architecture and urbanism.
- Good idea: Book a private tour with an approved guide who will show you all the best parts of the city. And since it’s Autumn, why not take a bike tour, to get back in shape?
2. Festivals
11th of September: Catalonia day
On the 11th of September 1714, Barcelona fell to the Bourbons after 14 months of siege, and the Catalan institutions were eradicated. Curiously this is the event that the Catalan people have chosen to celebrate since 1980 and the 11th of September became a national holiday (also called La Diada).
It’s a holiday where you will see numerous demonstrations in the street: reivindications of an independent Catalonia, music, traditional dances in the Parc de la Ciutadella, free concerts on the Plaça de Catalunya and in front of the Arc de Triomf, and the doors are open to the parliament and the seat of Catalan government.
24th of September: la Mercè
The 24th of September is the festival of la Mercè, the patron saint of Barcelona. The festivities last several days and are punctuated by concerts, parades, fireworks and Catalan traditions.
31st of October: Castanyada
The Castanyada (chestnut festival) is celebrated on the night of the 31st of October. It involves an All Saints Day meal during which Catalan people eat sweet potatoes, warm chestnuts, panellets (see our article on Catalan specialties) and preserved fruits, while drinking moscatell, a sort of muscatel. The following day, many vendors sell warm chestnuts in the streets.
3. A walk through Montjuïc
Montjuïc is an unmissable site where you can find culture, sport and architecture, all in one place! It offers a unique opportunity to take a pleasant stroll while enjoying a hub of art and architecture that includes the Miró Foundation, the National Art Museum of Catalonia and the Caixaforum.
Its gardens also hide architectural marvels such as the Pavilion Mies van der Rohe, or the Castle of Monjuïc, a military fortress built in the seventeenth century.
- If you want more information, you can check out our article on Montjuïc park.
- The park is also home to the Montjuic cable car, which provides spectacular views of the city!
4. Detox in vegetarian restaurants
September means good resolutions! To kickstart your body after the summer there’s nothing like vegetarian restaurants to get off on the right foot and fill up on energy.
5. Spas for getting pampered in
To be totally reinvigorated, finish with a spa session. You deserve it!
If you’re looking for a cosy spa then Rituels d’orient will make you very happy. The price isn’t the cheapest but for personalised attention and a sense of privacy, it is worth it.
If you’re on a smaller budget, head to Aire de Barcelona for their vast bathing area with salt water, heated and cool polls, jacuzzi and hammam. Then you can choose from the massages or treatments on offer. You must book ahead.
Whichever one you go for, you will certainly have a very nice time, as they are both excellent spas.
