Visiting Barcelona in June
Your guide to summer in the city…
By Duncan Rhodes 
Pack your beach towel and shades, it’s officially summertime in Barcelona! From enjoying classic sights like Park Guell in the sunshine, to more adventurous activities like kayaking on the Costa Brava, there’s never a better time to visit the Catalan capital. Several music festivals sound up this month as well!
June is undoubtedly my favourite month to be in Barcelona. The long balmy evenings spent in parks or beaches, the street terraces full of folks chattering over drawn-out dinners and drinks, the nights spent at hedonistic music festivals dancing to blips and beats, and the fact that the whole summer lies ahead of us!
Naturally, it’s a great time to be a tourist too, just before the real mayhem and somewhat sticky temperatures of July and August cling to the city. On this page, I’ll highlight some of the key events happening, from local fiestas and international festivals, plus I’ll suggest some of the best things to do this time of year, when water sports become popular and some great day trip options open up… including to the stunning Costa Brava.
Before we get started, let’s look at what to expect from the weather and answer some other frequently asked questions about visiting Barcelona in June.
What’s the Weather Like in June?
Before we continue, we answer all your weather-related questions…
Is it hot in Barcelona in June?
The average high temperature during June is 25 degrees Celsius, whilst the average low is 18 degrees, making June lovely and warm, while rarely getting to sweltering heights. It will be warm enough for the beach most days, and by evening you should be sit outside in just a T-shirt or light sweater.
Can you swim in Barcelona in June?
The sea temperature makes a big jump this time of year, rising from average temperature of around 18 degrees in May to 21.5 degrees Celsius in June. That’s easily warm enough to take a dip.
What are the chances of rain?
Apparently there an average of 8 rainy days in June… that seems an awful lot more than I can ever remember seeing! But it might be the case that these are just relatively short summer showers. In any case, maybe squeeze that anorak into your hand luggage just in case and have a back up plan for rain.
What should I pack for June?
I would expect to spend most days in shorts and T-shirt, but some light trousers/pants, and an extra thin layer or two will come in handy in case it gets a little fresher than expected at night. Comfortable footwear is a must of course (check out the Espadrilles Workshop below if you don’t have any!), plus you’ll want your beachwear and maybe a small portable umbrella for weathering the odd shower.
Festivals & Things To Do
What to do in Barcelona this June? Here’s some inspiration…
1. Party at Sonar Festival
One of the world’s biggest electronic music festivals, attending Sonar is a rite of passage in Barcelona. Split into three Sonar by Day events (Thurs, Fri and Sat) and two Sonar by Night events (Fri and Sat night), this is an epic rave to the latest in global electronica. As always, there’s a mix of legendary artists, like AIR, Floating Points and Richie Hawtin, arriving in 2024, complemented by the coolest new DJs on the scene. The day parties take place in Fira Montjuic in Barcelona, although the night parties are slightly out of town at Fira Europa. If you can’t get/afford tickets just keep an eye out for the numerous Sonar Off parties that take place this week of the year (unofficial parties for poor people, such as Barcelona Life editors!).
sonar.es
2. Visit Park Guell by Ebike
A great way to discover the life and legacy of the architect Antoni Gaudi is by whizzing around the city on an electric bike. Gaudi Bike Tours offer small group daily tours from €39 to all his UNESCO-listed buildings in the centre of town, but for something even more special sign up for their private Gaudi Legacy Tour with tickets to Park Guell. After first exploring La Sagrada Familia, you’ll ride up to the Gracia district on an electric bike all the way to the stunning Park Guell gardens, where you’ll visit the park’s Monumental Zone and its many scenic features. This private tour costs €99 p.p., and includes ebike rental, Park Guell ticket, as well as a drink on the rooftop of a luxury 5-star hotel, with panoramic vistas over the city centre.
3. Sea Kayaking on the Costa Brava
Cool off from the summer heat by splashing around on this active day trip that leaves Barcelona daily from May to September. You’ll take a minibus up the coast to the breathtaking bays and coves of the Costa Brava. Craggy cliffs, sweet-scented pine forests and clear turquoise and emerald waters make this one of Catalonia’s most beautiful areas, and getting on the kayaks is the best way to explore the coastline. You can even swim and snorkel in some of the caves. There’s a 6 hour and a small group 8 hour day trip, the latter of which allows extra time on the water and would be my favourite option, budget permitting. Both tend to sell out most days, so don’t hang around!
4. Learn to Cook Paella (and Eat It!)
Whatever you do, don’t buy a cheap paella on Las Ramblas, it probably came straight out of the microwave. Nope, sign up instead for this culinary class and you’ll learn the secrets of cooking Spain’s most iconic dish, which is still served up on Sundays to families from every corner of the country. Depending on your dietary requirements you can cook a classic seafood paella or a vegetarian one… it’s all about infusing the rice with the flavour! The most popular class in Barcelona can be booked on Get Your Guide and takes place in a kitchen big enough for 28 people, and also includes tour of La Boqueria market and jugs of sangria. For something a bit more exclusive ask for our Spanish cooking class, where you cook paella and three other dishes with wine.
5. Make Your Own Pair of Espadrilles!
Now that the beach weather has arrived you’re going to need some beach footwear! The espadrille is Spain’s world famous rope-soled sandal, first popularised by Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso and still warn today by the likes of Nathalie Portman and Kate Middleton. Sturdy but comfortable, they’re perfect casual-wear for treading over sand and stone, or even summer walks in the city. During this fun workshop in the Gothic Quarter you get to make your own personalised pair of the sandals, using your choice of materials, techniques and colours. The instructors are super friendly, and you also get some refreshments to keep you going! The class takes place every day at 10am and costs just €99 (which is actually cheaper than buying a new pair of espadrilles!).
SPECIAL ‘AMIGOS’ DISCOUNT: We made friends with the espadrilles folks and they offered our readers a special €15 discount when you book the activity on their website, using this link. The discount is applied when you reach the checkout page.
6. Marvel at the Works of Gaudi
We’ve already mentioned Park Guell, and an electric bike tour that takes you to all the UNESCO-listed sites, but you might want to consider getting entry tickets as well to some of these top sights: namely Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, Casa Batllo and Casa Vicens. Check out our feature length article on Gaudi, where you can read up on the architect’s many Barcelona works and buy skip-the-line tickets. You might even want to consider investing in one of the value-for-money tourist cards on the market.
7. Magic Nights at Casa Batllo
One cool and original way to see some of Gaudi is with a rooftop concert at the Casa Batllo mansion. Jazzy refrains, warm summer nights and a glass of Cava… a great option for couples looking for a bit of romance when in Barcelona! The ticket also includes an evening tour of the mansion itself, and prices start at €69 per person.
8. Combine Sailing & Wine Tasting!
Definitely one of the coolest things you can do in Barcelona right now is take a sailing trip up the coast to the designated wine region of Alella. This small production zone boasts several family-run vineyards, all with enviable views out to sea. The chance to sip Catalan wines on a sun-kissed terrace with a coastal breeze is not to be missed! You can book the experience on Get Your Guide, or if you’re more adventurous you can even cycle via e-bike to the wineries and sail back to Barcelona. In which case click here.
9. Hit the Beach…
Perhaps with a new set of espadrilles (see above), it’s time to make your way to one of Barcelona’s many city beaches. The most famous is Barceloneta and it runs from the sail-shaped W-Hotel all the way down to Port Olimpic. It’s a really fun place to hang out, with people roller-blading, playing beach tennis, doing crossfit, skateboarding, paddle-boarding on the Mediterranean or kicking back at one of the many chiringuitos or bars / restaurants on the promenade. Other cool beaches are Nova Icaria and Bogatell, while you could take a day trip out of town to the likes of Sitges.
10. Celebrate Sant Joan (23rd June)
The one day you don’t want to head to the beach is the 24th June, which is the feast day of Sant Joan (St. John in English, or Sant Juan in the rest of Spain). The reason being is that on the night of the 23rd, the longest night of the year in Barcelona, tens of thousands of people will descend on the city beaches to drink, dance and be merry. All good fun, but they do leave a helluva mess which takes a while for the city officials to clear up (by the afternoon you should be fine!). The number of firecrackers and even fireworks let off by drunk teenagers is a slight worry, for those of a nervous disposition, but if that doesn’t phase you then grab a carton of supermarket sangria or head to a beach bar to join in the fiesta.
11. See a Flamenco Show!
If this is your first time in Spain, or you’ve never seen live flamenco before, you should really sign up for a show. The art form is bombastic, tragic and life-affirming at the same time, and there are at least half a dozen great tablaos where you can catch a show. We’ve previewed some of the best ones right here. If in doubt, Tablao Flamenco Cordobes is a fantastic choice on Las Ramblas.
12. Guitar BCN Festival
What used to be a month-long fiesta of guitar music every June is now more of year-round roster of fantastic musicians rocking the Catalan capital. If you are here in June 2024 though, you can catch concerts by Caravan Palace, Andres Calamaro or the Philip Glass Ensemble. Just check the official website for details.
13. Watch the Spanish Grand Prix (23rd June)!
The Circuit de Catalunya is a favourite with British race drivers – Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Nigel Mansell and Jackie Stewart have all enjoyed success here. British F1 fans love it too! If you’re flying over to enjoy the fun, check our guide to attending the race, with tips on getting to and from Montmelo, and hotel options. The best place to buy tickets is usually P1 Travel.
Keep Reading…
If trip extends into July, then check out our post about the weather, festivals and events in this midsummer month!
Meanwhile, the activities presented here are just a small sample of epic things to do in the city, so check our full list to ensure you make the most of your stay in the sensational Catalan capital.
About the Author
Duncan established Barcelona Life in 2009, whilst freelancing for the likes of Conde Nast, The Guardian, Easyjet Magazine, CNN Traveller and many more. From interviews with Ferran Adria to revealing the secrets of the city’s poetry brothels, he knows the city inside out… and shares all his best tips right here.