Barcelona in September: What's the weather like?

Shoulder-season September sees Barcelona transition from summer to early fall, with warm temperatures and slightly cooler evenings in comparison with the preceding peak-season summer months. Though you may experience occasional rain, it’s a wonderful time to appreciate the city’s beaches and top cultural attractions in less-crowded conditions. So, if you’re in the market for a fabulous early fall vacation in the creative capital of Catalunya, read on for detail on the weather in Barcelona in September, along with tips on how to plan your perfect vacation.

Is September a good time to visit Barcelona?

We’ll let you in on a secret. In our view, along with May and early June, September is one of the best months to visit Barcelona. 

And the reasons? First up, the weather in Barcelona in September remains pleasingly warm, offering perfect conditions for beach vacations and culture-oriented trips that involve lots of outdoor sightseeing.

Secondly, as the intense heat of summer subsides, so too do the big crowds, which — in our opinion — is all the better for experiencing the city in more authentic style, free from the long lines and hampering crowds that flock here through summer.

September is shoulder season, though, so don’t expect to have beaches and bars to yourself. 

Rather, visiting Barcelona in September means you’ll get to enjoy a rewarding balance of fine weather, and a lively, but not overwhelmingly busy vibe, along with some of Barcelona’s most significant cultural events — more on those below.

Still undecided? While there are plenty of tempting reasons to visit Barcelona, you might want to weigh up whether to visit Madrid or Barcelona first. 

Alternatively, if you fancy experiencing five of Spain’s most remarkable cities — Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Granada and Valencia — without the hassle of planning, take a look at our customisable Iconic Cities of Spain trip before talking to our local experts to kickstart curating your dream trip.

Sunshine, average temperatures and rainfall in September

September in Barcelona sees the city transition to fall, with an average low temperature range of 60°F to 65°F (16°C to 19°C), rising to typical highs of 75°F to 80°F (24°C to 27°C).

While sunshine shrinks from the 9-10 hours seen in July and August, you’ll still get to enjoy up to eight hours of sun a day.

For comparison, the low-season winter month of January sees just 4-5 hours of sunlight a day.

In addition, though September heralds slightly more rain than the summer months, it usually comes in the form of brief showers or thunderstorms, amounting to around 2.0-2.4 inches (50-60 mm) through the month.

For context, August sees Barcelona experience a mere 1.0 to 1.5 inches (25 to 40 mm) of rainfall, while October — Barcelona’s wettest month — typically experiences around 2.8 to 3.2 inches (70 to 80 mm).

Want wider context on the weather? Read up on the weather in Spain in September, and the best time to go to Spain.

And, if you’re not set on Spain, discover some of the best places to travel in September.

What about the crowds and cost?

September is part of Barcelona’s shoulder season, which means crowds are pretty moderate. 

While plenty of tourists still visit to soak up the last of summer, crowds are much lighter than they are during the peak season months of July and August, especially toward the end of the September.

Hand in hand with the diminishing tourist numbers, travel costs also drop off in September, though remain higher than they are during winter and early spring.

If you’re looking to save more bucks, book early, and consider visiting from later September into October.

Traveling on a budget? Read up on Barca’s best things to do for FREE around the year.

Traveling beyond Barcelona? Find out about fab free things to do in Madrid, and discover the best places to visit in Europe on a budget.

What to do in Barcelona in September

Alongside enjoying iconic attractions like Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Montjuïc and La Rambla, read on for a run-down of the best things do in Barcelona in September, which also remains a wonderful month to hit the beach in town, or on day trips to Sitges.

Editor's tip: searching for your ideal European beach vacation? Read up on the best beaches in Spain.

Experience La Mercè Festival

Held in late September in honor of the city’s patron saint, La Mare de Déu de la Mercè, La Mercè is Barcelona’s largest annual festival.

Held over several days in late September, it features firework displays, giant puppet parades, castellers (human towers), correfocs (fire runs), concerts, and street performances. 

Attend the buzzing Barcelona Acció Musical Festival 

Held alongside the La Mercè celebrations, the BAM Festival (Barcelona Acció Musical) showcases independent and alternative music from around the world. 

It takes place in various venues and outdoor locations across the city, and events are free to attend.

Enjoy Festa Major de Poblenou

Held in early/mid-September, the Festa Major de Poblenou is a neighborhood festival that takes place in the Poblenou district.

A more intimate local experience than La Mercè, it features street parties and concerts that showcasing Catalan culture and cuisine.

Celebrate the National Day of Catalonia

September 11th sees Catalonia celebrate the Diada Nacional de Catalunya , which commemorates the fall of Barcelona during the War of Spanish Succession in 1714. 

It’s marked by political demonstrations, cultural events, and concerts throughout the city, particularly around Plaça de Catalunya.

Enjoy al fresco dining

September’s mild evenings are ideal for dining outdoors, and appreciating the best tapas bars in Barcelona in more leisurely, authentic style i.e. smaller crowds are more conducive to lingering longer.

La Boqueria market is also a must-visit for foodies.

Editors tip: not to detract you from Barcelona, but if you’re into Spanish food in a big way, our culinary experience in Seville has been curated to make your mouth water.

Plan your trip to Barcelona in September

Sold on vacationing in Barcelona in September? The following tips will come in handy as you plan your perfect trip.

First up, if you’re not actually keen on the process of planning, why not check out our customisable Spain itineraries?

With a local expert on hand to curate your perfect itinerary, book every last detail, and provide support while you’re away, you’ll get to skip the stress of planning, leaving you with more time to focus on what really matters. Namely, counting down the days to your vacation.

Secondly, dive into our guide to how to plan a trip to Spain. It covers everything from deciding where to go and how long you need, to how to get there, and where to stay.

On that subject, a key part of planning any trip is figuring out where to stay according to your tastes and budget. 

So, whether you’re looking for a family-friendly district (hello, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi), or want to be close to night life (in which case consider bedding down in Poble Sec), you’d be wise to read up on the best places to stay in Barcelona.

Lastly, for in-depth expert advice on what to see and do in Barcelona — and where to eat, sleep, drink and shop — get hold of a copy of The Rough Guide to Barcelona, with a handy pocket guide available for shorter trips.