Hot, colourful, and never ceasing to amaze, Barcelona welcomes tourists in July with azure skies, sea air, music festivals and local delicacies. Neither adults nor children will be bored here, as you can discover this ancient city endlessly. Our article is dedicated to organising a trip to Barcelona during one of the year's hottest months.
Holidays in Barcelona in July: pros and cons
High temperatures, low rainfall and huge crowds of tourists characterise midsummer in the Catalan capital.
Let's find out what attracts hundreds of thousands of travellers to Barcelona in July.
- The beach season is in full swing. The waters of the Mediterranean Sea near Barcelona warm up to a comfortable +24°C - +25°C, and even more towards the end of the month, making it ideal for a seaside holiday with children.
- The city looks beautiful in summer and makes you fall in love with it at first sight, as confirmed by rave reviews of holidays in Barcelona in July.
- The sales season enters a relatively active phase, and shoppers flock here from all over the world.
However, some disadvantages to travelling now are worth considering, especially if you are planning a family trip with children.
- July is not the best time for walking. Even wide brimmed hats can't save you from the scorching sun. Therefore, you should choose another way to see the sights — a bus tour.
- Being on the beach from 12 to 16 hours is not recommended, especially with babies. The sun at this time is incredibly active, and the possibility of heat stroke is relatively high.
- There are a lot of tourists. This is not a suitable month for a quiet holiday, so if a trip is already planned, be prepared for queues and crowded beaches.
The weather in Barcelona in July
Midsummer is the hottest time of the year, so the weather in July and August is correspondingly hot. Temperatures can reach up to +35°C; given the high humidity, it's not easy to bear the heat. Don't forget to bring a hat and sunscreen and take a break at lunchtime when going to the beach. The weather in early July keeps the daytime temperature at +25°C - +28°C, but it usually drops by 3 - 4 degrees at night. Nighttime temperatures can occasionally drop slightly below +20°C.
The temperature in Barcelona in mid-July rises above +30°C, increasing night-time temperatures accordingly. This is why you should wear a T-shirt, shorts and light sandals when travelling at this time. The weather in Barcelona at the end of July is still hot, so the sun warms up the sea water, increasing its temperature.
Air and water temperature
The hot Spanish summer is due to the Mediterranean climate and never disappoints beach lovers. The average temperature in Barcelona in July is around +25°C, which means that the beaches of the Catalan capital are full of people wanting to refresh themselves in the waves of the Mediterranean Sea.
Air temperature in Barcelona in July
The average daytime temperature in July is around +28°C, and the average nighttime temperature is around +22°C. So, even on an evening stroll, it will be warm, and a windbreaker will hardly be needed. However, there are occasions when the night temperature drops to +16°C - +18°C, so you should not forget about the short-term weather forecast.
Sea temperature in Barcelona in July
At the beginning of the month, the water temperature in the Mediterranean Sea is very comfortable for swimming and ranges from +22°C to +23°C. By the end of the month, the waters off the coast of Barcelona warm up to +25°C, giving particular pleasure to those who love swimming in the warm sea.
Precipitation
Midsummer in Barcelona is rarely rainy. Usually, there are no more than 2 - 3 days with rain, and precipitation is around 27 mm. So, rain at this time is more of a welcome refreshment than a minor nuisance.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
The sun shines almost throughout the month, and there are only 3 - 4 cloudy days, not more. Therefore, sunglasses and sunscreen will come in handy and protect you from unintended sunburns.
Beach Holidays
Numerous beaches of Barcelona with a total length of more than 4 kilometres welcome tourists with cleanliness and warm waves of the Mediterranean Sea. Be prepared for many holidaymakers and lack of free places, especially on the most popular beaches — Barcelonetta or San Sebastian.
The most popular beach for families in Barcelona is Nova Icaria: kids accompanied by their parents and grandparents, comfortable rest, golden sand, clear sea and cleanliness around.
Despite this, the beach is never too noisy or crowded; even holidaymakers without children feel comfortable here. There is a park with children's fitness equipment and play areas nearby, and there is no shortage of restaurants and cosy cafes with local delicacies.
Tour Holidays
You should always plan your holidays according to the weather. And given that mid-summer in Barcelona is a hot time, it is not advisable to take long walks in the open air, except in the evening, when the sun is no longer so scorching.
After all, there are so many must-see places in the capital of Catalonia that a week would not be enough to see them all. Let's offer you our list of the most interesting ones.
Park Güell. Planned by the great Antoni Gaudi, this park has been surprising visitors for about 100 years. So visit this place in early July when it's not so hot. The specially designed system of paths in the park allows you to walk in the shade of trees, and the architectural objects delight with their originality. For example, the vaults of the 86-column hall inscribed on the hillside are decorated with bright blue shards of rose water bottles.
The acoustics are excellent, and musicians often perform here. Children will enjoy the playground right in the park and the fountain. There is also a bookshop, a bar and the Antoni Gaudi Museum.
Barcelona Aquarium. Here, you can hide from the scorching mid-July sun and learn all the secrets of marine life. A special pride of this place is the oceanarium, which passes an 80-metre tunnel. So visitors find themselves on the ocean floor, and the most real stingrays and sharks swim above their heads. There are 35 themed aquariums with more than 6 million litres of water. You can admire the grandeur of this place in the Old Harbour area.
Museum of Modern Art. The modernist building with its glass façade is hard to miss on Plaça dels Àngels, 1 in the Old Town, where you can escape the heat of the day at the end of July. The whitewashed exhibition halls present exhibitions from the second half of the 20th century to the present day. The museum complex also includes the Angel Monastery, now used as additional exhibition space and the Research and Documentation Centre with its thematic library.
Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona. This project was conceived as a hall for classical music concerts and choral singing. Now you can hear Spanish famous music stars and jazz singing. It is also a venue for political conferences and cultural exhibitions. The main decoration of the Palace is its concert hall: a stained-glass ceiling resembling the sky in the form of an inverted dome, mosaic columns, stained-glass compositions on the walls, and sculptures.
Holidays, events and festivals
It is almost impossible to imagine this city without holidays. The temperamental Spaniards, who love music, fun and delicious food, have taken care of their guests' pastime, so there are holidays in Barcelona in July to suit all tastes. The main thing is to bring a good mood, be ready to dance, and have fun with a whole crowd.
For a whole month in the capital of Catalonia, the most colourful festival, "Grec de Barcelona", is held. It takes place on Montjuïc Mountain in an ancient amphitheatre, where the event opens. Participants present circus acts, theatre performances, folklore and other genres, delighting audiences throughout July.
World Peace Forum is very popular and brings together participants from different countries and continents. In mid-July, musical groups compete in dancing and singing, giving the audience a special treat. Also, in mid-July, there is an event that is a favourite with tourists and locals alike — a regatta featuring exclusive models of sailing ships built according to ancient traditions and models with a long history.
Shopping
Sunny Barcelona boasts more than just great beach holidays and stunning architecture. Shopping enthusiasts from all over the world flock here as one of Europe's fashion capitals. This is especially true in July when the summer sale season begins and lasts until the end of summer. Shopping centres and fashion boutiques give significant discounts, offering shoppers a good selection of clothes and accessories.
Pay attention to the opening hours of the shops. From 13.30 to 16.30 is siesta time and most shopping centres are closed. The working day ends around 21.00 - 22.00, Monday to Saturday, and on Sunday, with few exceptions, shopping centres are not open.
July is the perfect time for shopping, as many Spaniards go on holiday in August and some shops close.
Cost of vacation
The most significant influx of tourists in the capital of Catalonia falls in July - August, but given the popularity of this city in any season, prices for holidays in Barcelona in July remain almost at the same level as the previous month, increasing except for 5 - 7%.
Airfares
Airlines have been keeping airfares relatively high since the end of spring, so only a slight rise is expected in July. You can buy cheaper tickets by taking care of your holiday in advance and booking them a few months earlier.
Package Tours
Tour operators also leave the prices at the same level as in June, but July and August are considered to be months of high season, so the price of a hotel room may slightly increase — by 10 - 15%. If you buy a tour in late winter — or early spring, you can save a little money before the price rise starts.
Food
Food prices are virtually unchanged seasonally and remain about the same as in previous months. A breakfast consisting of a coffee and a jamon sandwich will cost around 5 euros, while a coffee and croissant will cost 3-4 euros. In the intense heat, a traditional Spanish cold gazpacho soup is refreshing and will cost you 4-6 euros. Famous tapas with different fillings cost a minimum of 1.5 euros per piece and are very popular here.
- Prices in Barcelona for Food in Restaurants, Cafes and Supermarkets
- Spanish Food: 48 Must-Try Dishes in Spain
Tips for travellers with children
When planning a trip with children in July, you should not forget that it is one of the hottest months of the year, so you can be in the sun only in the morning and evening, at the same time it is better to plan walks with a pram. During the siesta, you should think of something to occupy your child. You should also consider that the number of tourists in the middle of summer is huge, and the holiday can hardly be called quiet and peaceful.
But, if these factors do not scare you, feel free to go to the capital of Catalonia — there is a lot of entertainment for children here: swimming in the sea, water parks, attractions and museums. The main thing is to take care of hats and sunscreen and enjoy your family holiday.
Kidpassage wishes you delightful impressions from your trip and pleasant memories. We hope our recommendations will help you to spend your holiday in the best way and return home rested.
