Visiting Barcelona in October
Fun things to do after the summer is over…
By Jessica Bowler 
The beach weather may be over, but it should still be dry and sunny in October, making it the perfect month to not only visit the city’s most popular attractions, but also check out some of these fun events, festivals and activities….
Is October A Good Time to Visit?
Much like visiting Barcelona in September, experiencing the city in October has the twin benefits of a large helping of warm and sunny days and a noticeable slowdown of the summer tourism rush. You’ll have plenty of space to enjoy the city and take in its sights against a backdrop of blue skies and sunshine, and with a little bit of luck you’ll still be able to walk around in a T-shirt.
Despite palatable temperatures however, the beach bars will have packed up and only the brave will fancy a dip in the sea at this time of year. In other words, summer is officially over!
Culturally speaking and there’s plenty to get excited about, be they horror film festivals, jazz shenanigans or the local take on Munich’s Oktoberfest, not to mention all of the city’s many year-round attractions and museums. Keep reading for all these and many more things to do this autumn…
What’s the Weather Like in October?
What’s the weather like in Barcelona during October? Not too shabby is the answer, with an average high of 23 degrees Celsius by day, and average low of 17 degrees by night, meaning you can safely leave your winter jacket at home. There are however six days of rain on average, which makes it one of Barcelona’s wetter months, but still very dry overall (London has 10 rainy days by comparison). Still, best to pack accordingly. On the other hand, cheap umbrellas are sold at hundreds of touristic shops and “Chinese” stores around the city.
18 Great Things To Do in October
Let’s countdown some awesome activities and events for autumn visitors to enjoy…
1. Visit Breathtaking Montserrat
Not too cold, and not too hot, makes this the perfect time of year to make Barcelona’s number one day trip to the sacred Montserrat abbey and mountain. The abbey’s church is the home of the famous Black Madonna statue, as well as the angelic voices of L’Escolania Boys’ Choir. But this is more than a religious pilgrimage, as the jagged mountain range is a natural park of jaw-dropping beauty. Get Your Guide run a number of great tours that leave daily from the city centre. The most popular is this Half Day Tour with Optional Wine Tasting. The tour includes the option to visit a recognised wine region in the afternoon and taste three ecological wines (when you select a date, the various tour options appear. The 9-hr full day option includes multi-course lunch and chance to hear L’Escolania Choir).
Love Wine?
Oenophiles can check out a wide range of wine tour options on Barcelona Life, including private tours with hotel pick up, wine and sailing trips (pictured below) or a city tasting session.
2. Explore Barcelona by Bike…
Barcelona is a city perfect for exploring from the saddle, as it’s flat and dry and has plenty of bike lanes – at least once you get out of the overcrowded Old Town – and October is one of the best months to go for a pedal without dying of heatstroke. Whilst the red and white “Bicing” public network of shared bikes is only available for residents, you’ll find plenty of companies that will rent you a set of pedals, and many more that will show you some of the secrets of the city. Our favourites are the friendly folk at Steel Donkey bike tours!
Prefer An Electric Bike?
If you prefer to pootle around town a sleek Italian e-bike that does half of the hard work for you, then check out Ocean Bikes Barcelona on the Port Olimpic. They run a highlights tour in the morning and a more relaxing alternative tour in the afternoons, always in a small group with experienced and friendly guides.
3. Save Money with a Barcelona Pass
Designed with the first-time visitor in mind, the Barcelona Pass is a wonderful one-stop solution for seeing the city’s unmissable sights with just one ticket purchase… the Barcelona Pass includes tickets to Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and a day on the Barcelona Tourist Bus with city audio guide and currently costs just €85. If that sounds good, pick up yours on Tiqets.com.
4. Feel the Passion of a Flamenco Show!
This gypsy folk song and dance originated in the south of Spain, but has been a mainstay of Barcelona culture ever since Carmen Amaya danced her way out of the Somorrostro shanty town in the 1960s. Most travellers to the Catalan capital want to catch a show during their visit, and arguably the best place to do is Tablao Cordobes, a wonderful Andalusian-style concert venue on Las Ramblas. You can buy your tickets securely via Get Your Guide, using the button below, or for more ideas check out our list of the best places to watch flamenco in town.
2024 ONLY: The America’s Cup Regatta Finals!
For one year only, visitors to Barcelona have the opportunity to watch the finals of the America’s Cup, the world’s most famous sailing regatta, taking place in Oct 2024. Will the Emirates New Zealand team be able to defend their title? Or will a new challenger be crowned king of the sea. You can watch from various fan zones on the shore, or buy tickets to watch the race from a boat.
5. Visit Gaudi’s Casa Mila by Day…
Gaudi’s most famous mansion, sometimes referred to La Pedrera (‘The Quarry’) thanks to its undulating façade, is a highlight for most culture-orientated travellers thanks to its unique architecture, preserved period apartment, and stunning rooftop, ornamented with the architect’s trademark chimneys. You can read more about the roof, interior and buying skip the line tickets for visiting by day.
Or By Night!
Did you know, you can also visit Casa Mila (aka La Pedrera) by night? Sign up for their “La Pedrera Origins” show and you’ll get an evening tour of the mansion, before heading up to the roof for an audiovisual show with a glass of Cava. One of the more original things to do in the Catalan capital!
6. Take a Spanish Cooking Class!
Travel and food are inextricably linked, but what if you could take home some of the flavours of the country you visited and make them part of your life forever!? If that sounds like a grand design, then consider signing up for a cooking class with market visit, where you will learn how to prepare a four course Spanish meal (including paella!) – before, of course, eating it! A great way to learn a new skill and enjoy a local lunch / dinner at the same time. With a max. group size of 12 people the activity is very reasonably priced at €83. Email us on info@barcelona-life.com and we’ll put you in touch with the team!
7. Take a Walking Photo Tour
Explore Barcelona’s back streets, hidden locations and authentic culture, at the same time as improving your skills behind the camera, by signing up for a photo tour with Shutter Kings. In the company of a professional photographer you’ll learn about the exposure triangle, adjusting your aperture, shutter speed and ISO to get the perfect shot. Whether you’re an experienced DSLR owner, or just a keen learner with an iPhone, their experienced guides offer tailored tips for your level and ensure you go home with some stunning photos of Barcelona. You can even hire them to stage a photoshoot with you as the models if you prefer! The light is often softer in autumn, so now is the perfect time of year to get behind, or in front of, the camera.
8. Head to a Halloween Party
While not a local tradition by any stretch of the imagination, Halloween celebrations are increasingly popular in Barcelona. Lots of clubs and bars put on special events, particularly Irish pubs and clubs, that draw in lots of students. Costumes here are decidedly scary rather than sexy, so party supply shops do a roaring trade in fake blood and fangs on the days leading up to the holiday. Once you’ve got your outfit sorted, check out our page on Halloween parties and events, including an awesome ghost hunt that gets organised every year.
9. Sitges Film Festival (3rd-13th)
Sitges is one of our top recommendations for a quick and easy day trip from Barcelona. This pretty beachside town makes the perfect spot to visit anytime, but it’s especially fun in October when it hosts the Sitges Film Festival. The festival specializes in fantasy and horror films, and airs a selection of the best ones and also awards prizes to actors, filmmakers, and films. For movie buffs, it’s a must-do – but even if you’re not into horror flicks it’s worth stopping by just to see the Zombie Walk, where locals dress up in their goriest as per the image above (photo credit Lostium). There’s a special shuttle train from Barcelona to Sitges for the event.
10. Visit Barcelona’s Oktoberfest (3rd-20th)
Say a hearty “proust” to the Barcelona edition of Germany’s famous beer festival which (despite the name) often starts in September and then carries on into the beginning of October. Held in Plaça Espanya at the Fira de Montjuic, the double attraction of free entry and copious amounts of beer to be purchased within its doors lure in a huge amount of people. Best to reserve a table, or get there early, if you want to be sure of getting a spot to knock back those huge steins of bier. Lederhosen optional.
www.oktoberfest-barcelona.es
11. Experience Camp Nou!
*Closed for refurbishment in 2024. Barça will play their home games at Lluis Companys Stadium. You can still visit the FC Barcelona museum however. See below…*
Seating 99,000 people, Camp Nou is one of the largest stadiums in the world. It’s here that some of history’s best footballers have dazzled sports fans and won a dizzying array of trophies in doing so. Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona, Romario, Deco, Brazilian Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Xavi, Iniesta, Neymar and of course Lionel Messi have all donned the famous blue and claret of Barça football team. The famous Camp Nou Experience offers you a tour of the stadium, tunnel and dressing rooms, as well as access to the FC Barcelona Museum (the most visited museum in the city!), so that you can retrace the steps of these footballing giants… for now just the Barça Immersive Tour is available.
Prefer to Watch a Match?
October is usually a great time to catch a game live, as both La Liga and the Champions League should be well under way by now. There are two Champions League home games (vs. Young Boys and Bayern Munich) and one La Liga game (vs. Sevilla) scheduled for October 2024. Best to head to Ticket Compare to compare prices, and buy match tickets.
12. Take a Helicopter, Boat and Walking Tour
Life is short, so maximise your time in Barcelona with this multi-faceted small group tour. First discover the historic Gothic Quarter, on a guided walking tour that introduces you to the La Seu Cathedral, Sant Felip Neri square, the old Jewish Quarter and the picturesque church of Santa Maria del Pi. Then stroll down the tree-lined Ramblas to the Old Port for a ride on a goleta-style boat, with coastal views of the city. Finally you’ll transfer to Barcelona’s heliport for a 6 minute flight for a thrilling perspective over Barceloneta beach district, the Olympic Port, La Sagrada Familia, Torre Glories and other iconic city sights.
13. Enjoy Brunch on a Boat!
This time of year there’s usually plenty of sunshine and calm waters, so why not take advantage of the autumnal weather and enjoy your brunch in the best possible way – on a boat! During this 2 hour sailing tour, you’ll tuck into a light brunch of pastries, sandwiches, fresh fruit and orange juice, with an open bar of vermouths, beers and Catalan Cava. This trip departs at 9:30am and is simply a great way to start the day. For more sailing trips head to our dedicated article.
14. Take a Wine Tour to the Priorat Region
There are 12 official wine regions in Catalonia and the nearest one to Barcelona is the Penedes region – home of Cava producing. However the zone that creates the very best Catalan wines is Priorat, which is second only to Rioja, anywhere in Spain, in terms of prestige. Sign up for this Private Wine-Tasting Tour and you can choose to visit either the Penedes, or for a little bit extra, the Priorat, and your sommelier and guide will pick you up from your hotel by private transfer.
15. Explore El Born on a Food Tour
The iconic Santa Caterina food market is the first point of call of Food Tours Barcelona’s flagship experience. Their Food Market & Tapas Tour introduces you to the mercado‘s traders and produce, before you continue through the narrow streets of Born to various restaurants and bars – in the company of your passionate local guide – sampling some of the tastiest tapas in town. If you’re curious about how Barcelona’s food scene has developed, from market dishes to the molecular cuisine of Ferran Adria, this is the activity for you.
16. Be a VIP for the Night…
If you fancy exploring all that Barcelona’s legendary nightlife has to offer then sign up for this VIP Nightlife Tour that takes you to several of the most happening spots in the city, ending with guestlist entry into arguably the city’s best club: Opium. The tour only runs March to October, so this is your last chance to catch it!
17. Attend the 48 Hour Open House (26-27th)
Part of a series of events all over the world, the 48h Open House is an architecture festival celebrated in cities like New York, Tel Aviv, and Dublin. The cities open up spaces and buildings that aren’t normally accessible to the public. It’s been going on in Barcelona since 2010, and has proved to be a huge hit with the cities residents. Notable buildings you can enter during the festival include the top of Arc de Triomf, the glamorous old palaces of the Gothic Quarter, and the city’s archives room (the Casa de l’Ardiaca).
www.48hopenhousebarcelona.org
18. More Alternative Culture!
Don’t be surprised if you round a corner and suddenly see a square full of people in weird and wonderful outfits on a random day in October. They’re probably just attending one of the conventions held this month in the city, such as BAUM Fest. This fair is a showcase of all things ‘urban culture’, with expos on tattoos, breakdancing, and extreme sports, amongst other activities.
The Rest of Autumn
Right, that’s plenty of tips and ideas to keep you going! And if you’re coming later in autumn then check out our favourite festivals, events and activities for November, as well as what’s going on in December.
Don’t forget to browse our site for hundreds more informative articles, on everything from live music bars and the best day tours to practical stuff like where to store your luggage if you’re staying in an apartment.
About the Author
Jessica was born in England and grew up in California before moving to Seville to study Spanish. She now lives here in Barcelona, where she works in communications, studies for her masters and still finds time to update her award-winning blog Barcelona Blonde – as well as being a regular contributor to Barcelona Life!
Cathy
Hi Jessica, we are coming in for a cruise Oct 31, 2021 and will only have 5-6 hours to explore. Are there any cultural displays ( flamenco dancing or artist displays) by the port? Would it be possible to get into a museum and back to the port in time for loading? Cannot afford to miss the ship! Thank you in advance for your advice.
Daniella
I attended the Magic Fountain show in June, 2019.
It was 60 minutes long.
The crowd was made up of locals and tourists, babies to seniors. The atmosphere was joyful. All genres of music were played, opening with Freddy Mercury and Monserratt Cabale’s (sp?) song “Barcelona”; the crowd was ecstatic!
The fountains, light show and music were terrific and i am really sorry you won’t be seeing it.
Jess
Hi,
I’m travelling to Barcelona for the very first time in late October. I was really looking forward to seeing the magic fountain displays at Montjuic, but from looking at my dates I am there from Sunday till Thursday morning when it is not open then. Is there anything alternative like this on an evening that is worth visiting?
Many thanks,
Jess
Duncan
Hi Jess, the Magic Fountain is fun, but the show is only about 10-15 minutes and is a bit kitsch (if that makes you feel any better!).
You might find Gaudi The Origins Night Show more exclusive and fun, and it includes a night tour of the Casa Mila:
https://www.barcelona-life.com/casa-mila-at-night
For full list of evening activities head here:
https://www.barcelona-life.com/things-to-do-at-night-in-barcelona
Cheers
Duncan
Jess
Thank you Duncan, yes feel better that it is only on for around 15 minutes. That sounds great, I shall check it out! 🙂 Many thanks ~Jess
Diana
Hi Jessica I wanted to go to Barcelona in October and I wanted to attend the beach and enjoy warm weather where I can also get tan isnocyober a good month or is it cold
Duncan
Hi Diana
I would say September is usually the last real month of beach weather, but certainly there will be some nice days in October when you can go down the beach and maybe even swim, but you will need a bit of luck – average temperate highs will be in their low 20s. Overall it’s very nice weather for tourism because it’s not too hot.
Actually I’m just checking the forecast and they are predicting a warmer and drier than average October in 2018, so this might be a good year for autumn sunbathing!
Best
Duncan