Summertime is approaching to hospitable Barcelona and is beginning to fill the sunny beaches with holidaymakers, increasing the number of curious tourists at historical sights and delighting with the aromas of seasonal fruits. In May, the capital of Catalonia opens the holiday season — welcome to sunny Spain! In this article, Kidpassage tried to understand what is good to holiday in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe at this time of year.
Holidays in Barcelona in May: pros and cons
Barcelona in May is beautiful: sunny, fresh, not hot. The sea is still cool, but tourists usually open the swimming season by the end of the month. Reviews about holidays in Barcelona in May are enthusiastic, so you can safely go on a family trip with kids, a romantic trip with a loved one or have a fun adventure with friends during the May holidays. What are the pros of travelling in May?
- Air temperature. Towards the end of the month, it rises to +26°C, but the average is around +21°C. Walks can be organised for the whole day.
- Most days in May are sunny, making outdoor excursions comfortable and photos stunning. You can also plan a trip to the beach for a beautiful May tan.
- Fresh fruit will delight mums and kids, as May is the season for strawberries, apples, Japanese medlar, cherries, apricots and nectarines. And adults will not refuse the fragrant local fruit.
- The number of tourists has not yet reached its maximum — the high season will begin next month, so the beaches are relatively free, although crowds of tourists in museums and near attractions are not uncommon.
There are almost no disadvantages to travelling in late spring. However, the weather can be a bit inconsistent: high humidity, temperature drop, or cool winds blow. But all these minor troubles are eliminated quickly. If you dream of extended bathing in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, postpone your trip for another month — after all, the water is still quite cool.
It is also worth noting that the number of tourists in the city increases many times during the first days of May. If you are not a fan of noisy crowds, it is better to postpone your trip to the post-holiday period.
The weather in Barcelona in May
The weather from May to June is summer-like, with infrequent rain but high humidity. By the end of the month, the thermometer can reach +27°C, encouraging tourists to open the beach season.
Walking through parks and shady boulevards is a must for soaking up the atmosphere of Spain, and the sun is beckoning on Barcelona's beaches.
While the weather in early May still keeps the thermometer at +18°C - +20°C, the temperature in Barcelona in mid-May is between +20°C - +22°C. When going for evening walks, bring a light jacket, as the temperature at night is 3 to 5 degrees cooler. The weather in Barcelona at the end of May resembles summer weather and can even be hot, making you want to sit in a street café in the shade of trees and drink a cool lemonade. It is also worth noting that the daylight hours increase from 14 to 15 towards the end of the period.
Air and water temperature
Barcelona's Mediterranean climate consistently provides high humidity in May and warmth. With nighttime temperatures dropping by a few degrees, the average temperature in Barcelona in May is around +16°C.
Air temperature in Barcelona in May
Daytime temperatures throughout the month fluctuate between +16°C and +24°C, giving an average of around +21°C. The average night temperature is around +15°C, so evening walks will still be chilly.
Sea temperature in Barcelona in May
The sea off the coast of the Catalan capital at the end of the month warms up to the coveted +20°C and lures the first daring swimmers into its waters. The water temperature in early May is +17°C - +18°C and is not favourable for swimming.
Precipitation
There are few rainy days this month — 4 - 5, but high humidity is often observed. Precipitation is about 30 mm (less than in April and June). So an umbrella can be helpful, but the rains are not long and are usually soon replaced by sunshine. Also, in May, there are still occasional rains and thunderstorms.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
There are about 5 to 6 cloudy or rainy days in May, with more than two weeks of sunshine and the rest with variable cloudiness. Sunny Barcelona lives up to its title and awaits you under azure skies.
Beach Holidays
At the end of May, the sunny, sometimes even hot, weather allows you to bring back a beautiful tan from your trip. The total length of Barcelona's beaches is more than 4 kilometres, but all of them are crowded in season. In May, tourists are just starting to fill the sandy shores of the Mediterranean Sea, so you will find a place to lie on the warm sand.
Barceloneta Beach is one of the oldest, most extensive, cleanest, and most popular beaches in Catalonia. It has volleyball courts, ping-pong tables, children's playgrounds, and a library. Restaurants nearby will treat you to national dishes and refreshing drinks. So, for a holiday with children, this place is ideal.
Tour Holidays
No matter how many times you visit Barcelona, it will never cease to amaze and impress you. Just look at Antoni Gaudi's houses and the famous Sagrada Familia! The weather at the end of spring will not prevent you from enjoying these sights, but rather, on the contrary — it will call you to the streets of the ancient city, opening up new fabulous pictures of life in modern Catalonia. So, put your favourite comfy sneakers or sandals on and go for the experience!
Casa Milà. Barcelona residents initially disliked this Antoni Gaudi creation and called it a quarry because of its uneven façade, unusual balcony lattices and bulky appearance. This architectural monument is also a residential house. The great architect has developed several innovations: the natural ventilation system is made so that the residents do not need air conditioners, and there are simply no load-bearing walls in the building. The roof of the building deserves special attention. Unusual columns resembling either the heads of guards or bizarre mushrooms, staircases, and observation decks will impress you and be remembered for a long time.
Orta Labyrinth. Barcelona's ancient botanical gardens are ideal for a stroll in early May, with fountains, waterfalls, rare plants and the park's real pride, the labyrinth. The 750-metre-long walls and arches of cypress foliage will make children and adults alike want to stroll through it.
It is said that in order not to get lost and guarantee to pass it, you should always turn to the right, but having a plan for the park is more reliable. There are few visitors here — to preserve nature, the number of visitors is limited to 750 people at a time.
Plan a walk through the labyrinth on Wednesday or Sunday — on these days, you can visit the park for free.
Plaza de España. Located at the foot of the Montjuïc mountain and is a special pride of Barcelonans. The square appeared in the city to open the International Exhibition of 1929. It is decorated with two Venetian columns 47 metres high and a beautiful fountain with sculptures designed by one of Gaudi's pupils. The square connects several of the city's main streets and leads to another pride of the inhabitants — the National Museum of Art of Catalonia. So a stroll through the main square of the Catalan capital in the middle of May should be in the plans of any tourist.
National Palace. Directly from the Plaza de España, you will enter the National Museum in the palace. The weather at the end of May can be pretty hot, so a visit to the museum will come in handy after a long walk around the square. You can get acquainted with Renaissance, Baroque, Gothic and Romanesque works here. There is also a department of Catalan numismatics, medals and coinage, a library of art history, engravings and drawings, and a photography department, which opened in 1996.
Holidays, events and festivals
The festive mood in this city never leaves: it is always hospitable, offering fun and delicious food. But if you add to this the festivities in Barcelona in May, then fun is guaranteed. At the end of spring, the Catalan capital delights visitors with music and films.
In the second half of May, Barcelona welcomes film lovers to the Docs Barcelona documentary film festival.
The annual event lasts about 10 days and includes not only the screening of the competition entries in several cinemas in the city but also meetings with the main characters of the films, master classes, tastings and, of course, the awarding of the best works. So, you have an excellent opportunity to become a participant in a cultural event on an international scale.
The Primavera Sound music festival occurs at the end of May and the beginning of June. The music venue is located on the territory of the Forum exhibition hall so that the event's guests are surrounded by the sea from almost all sides, allowing the opportunity to combine musical holidays with beach ones.
Here, you can see famous bands' performances, modern and alternative music representatives, and beginners. Participation in this event usually gives a good start so that you can watch the rise of future stars of musical Olympus.
Shopping
It's no secret that Barcelona is one of the top ten most stylish cities in the world, and it's practically perfect for shopping enthusiasts. After all, the assortment here is enormous, the prices are lower than in other European cities, and the shopping area is five kilometres long and includes most shops, with a free shuttle bus running along it.
There are no discounts in shopping centres in May; they are possible only in outlet stores. In the most famous of them — La Roca Village — you will find about a hundred boutiques and will be able to make bargain purchases.
You can get to the shopping village by bus from Plaça Catalunya.
Shopping centres are offering new collections for the Spring-Summer season this month, allowing visitors to own the most relevant clothing and accessories.
Cost of vacation
Tourist activity in May increases, with people coming here for the May holidays, music festivals and beach holidays. Accordingly, the prices in Barcelona in May do not stand still, but slightly increase.
Airfares
Air Companies raise air ticket prices by 10% to 15% compared to the previous month. But they are still lower than in summer, during the high season. To save money, book your tickets in advance so that airlines can offer you good discounts.
Package Tours
Hotel rooms are also gradually filling up with tourists, and the prices of tours are also getting higher. You can save money by booking a hotel room in advance. Tour operators will also offer discounts if you buy a package tour several months in advance.
Food
The slices of fresh seasonal fruit can always be bought at the local market for €3 per cup. Local delicacies like jamon or sausages cost between €40 and €100 per kilo. A snack in any fast food café will cost around €7, local paella can be had for €12, and the popular tapas can be eaten in speciality eateries for €1.5-2 per piece.
- Prices in Barcelona for Food in Restaurants, Cafes and Supermarkets
- Spanish Food: 48 Must-Try Dishes in Spain
Tips for travellers with children
May is ideal for a family holiday with children: comfortable warmth, relatively free beaches, entertainment for all tastes, and low prices. Holidays are equally suitable for babies and older children.
It is nice to stroll along a boulevard or park with a pram, resting in small, cosy cafes that are not too crowded with tourists yet.
With school-aged children, you can go to Park Güell, the Zoo, Tibidado Amusement Park, the Aquarium and, on a hot day, Barceloneta Beach, equipped with playgrounds. Book your tour and tickets in advance and embark on a beautiful family trip to Catalonia's magical, sunny capital.
What makes a holiday perfect? A pre-planned trip, a good mood and the place you are going to. Barcelona in May will provide you with unforgettable impressions and emotions. So stock up on comfortable shoes, a light jacket in case of a spring breeze and set off to discover this city. We hope that Kidpassage's recommendations will help your trip to be perfect.
