What could be better than Barcelona? Only Barcelona in September! It's already behind the heat, the influx of tourists and crazy summer prices — ahead are warm days, walks, excursions and swimming in the sea. This combination of pleasures is only possible in September. If you are faced with choosing when to go to the capital of Catalonia with your child, plan your trip for the first month of autumn, and you will not be disappointed.
Holidays in Barcelona in September: pros and cons
Reviews about holidays in Barcelona in September usually abound in praise. Everyone praises what impressed him, but there are objective benefits that are important for all tourists:
- in September, the heat typical of July-August subsides — spend time with children in the fresh air;
- the sea remains warm in summer — swim, enjoying the prolonged summer;
- the weather allows you to sunbathe and go on excursions — choose what you prefer;
- some tourists are leaving due to the end of their holidays — take the opportunity to walk rather than push through the streets;
- in September, Barcelona has two major festivals — take advantage of the street parties.
Still, there are disadvantages of travelling in September. Find out about them in advance to be fully prepared:
- prices for flights and accommodation are reduced slightly and sometimes even exceed August's. The way out is to book tickets and hotel rooms in advance and choose a cheap hotel on the outskirts of Barcelona;
- the flow of tourists becomes less, but crowds still gather near the main attractions. The solution is to buy entrance tickets online in advance;
- the weather in Barcelona in September is unstable — it can be hot and cold with rain. The way out is to plan your programme according to the weather forecast, as there are plenty of options for recreation in the Catalan capital.
The weather in Barcelona in September
The beginning of autumn in Barcelona marks the end of the tiring summer heat. With the sweltering August behind us, the glorious velvet season begins: the average air temperature is +25.8°C, and the average water temperature is +24.3°C. In this weather, you can walk the streets, wander through museums, pick out souvenirs or laze on the beach.
The weather in early September is usually warm and sunny, and only the first chill of autumn arrives towards the end of the month. However, what Barcelona's weather lacks in October and September is stability. The first half of autumn can be clear, overcast, and even rainy. Check out our Tour Holidays section for ideas of things to do in case of rain.
Air and water temperature
Barcelona's Mediterranean climate is generous with warmth from May to September. But those who dream of excursions and sea bathing are in for a bit of a quest — finding a time when it's not hot, but the sea is still warm. In May-June, it is pleasant to sunbathe but cold to swim. The sea is luxuriously warm in July-August, but the heat drives from the beach under air conditioners. But the first month of autumn meets the conditions of the quest: the temperature in Barcelona in September is favourable for all types of recreation.
Air temperature in Barcelona in September
What is "pleasant autumn warmth" by Barcelona's standards? It's +26°C on thermometers during the day and only +17°C at night. By comparison, temperatures in Seville now do not fall below +32°C. Daytime temperatures in Barcelona can range from +32°C to +20°C, and both the beginning and end of September can be hot and cool. But even with the fluctuations, daytime temperatures in Barcelona in mid-September stay at +22-26°C, with nighttime temperatures at +17-22°C.
Sea temperature in Barcelona in September
During the summer, the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Barcelona warms up to +26°C. To catch such warm water and swim between excursions, come on holiday at the beginning of September. By the middle of the month, the water temperature drops to +23-24°C, and by the end of September — to +22°C.
Precipitation
September rains are not uncommon in Barcelona. On average, there are up to 9 rainy days per month, with 55.6 mm of rainfall.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
Although autumn in the Mediterranean is not without its cloudy days, Barcelona enjoys clear weather for most of September. The skies are grey for an average of 4 days a month, with one more day of cloudy weather. The chance of bad weather in Barcelona at the end of September is higher than at the beginning of the month.
Walks and activities
September is a great time for tourists dreaming of Barcelona. The summer heat is gone; you can devote maximum time to walking tours and gazing at architectural masterpieces.
The best time for excursions and outdoor activities is early to mid-September.
Here's what you can offer children to keep them interested and excited:
- go around the city in an open double-decker tourist bus and listen to a story about the main sights;
- see examples of Antoni Gaudi's daring fantasy — Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Casa Battlo, gingerbread houses of the Güell Park;
- stroll along the Rambla, watching street performers, picking out souvenirs and eating churros in small cafés;
- spend the whole day on Montjuïc Hill to see the ancient fortress, walk in the botanical gardens, see the entire country in the Spanish Village and catch a performance of the Magic Fountain;
- try out all the rides in the park on the Tibidabo Hill;
- visit Barcelona zoo;
- take your breath away at Illa Illa Fantasia Water Park, where all the slides and pools are open-air;
- marvel at the silence in the Orta Labyrinth Park, wander through the labyrinth and have a picnic on the lakeside.
Alternatively, with kids, you can walk around in one of Barcelona's parks, such as Ciutadella Park or the Parc de Collserola, one of the largest urban parks in the world.
Tour Holidays
At the end of September, the weather is often cloudy and rainy, and this is the best time to plan a visit to museums. So where to go with kids? The list is impressive:
- CosmoCaixa science museum with space for experiments and educational games;
- Aquarium, one of the largest in Europe, with a vast collection of sea creatures and an interactive Explora zone;
- Maritime Museum, where you can get inside an ancient sailing ship and learn how sailors lived;
- Barcelona Football Club Museum, which includes a tour of the sports locker room, journalist's area and Barça's official stadium;
- Wax museum with special rooms for children;
- El Rey de la Magia museum, theatre and magic shop, where you can get a working magic wand and magic kits;
- Blau Museum of Natural Sciences with a "Science Nest" area for preschoolers;
- National Museum of Art of Catalonia, which houses original works by Velázquez, Rubens, and El Greco (free admission for children under 16);
- Egyptian Museum with a collection of ancient papyri, postmortem masks of pharaohs and even a model of a tomb;
- Picasso Museum, with 3,800 works by the artist on display (children under 18 have free admission).
They are not all the museums: plan a trip for at least a week to see even more of Barcelona's attractions.
Tip: buy one of Barcelona's discount city cards (Barcelona Card or Barcelona Pass) in advance. There are several types of them, with a different list of included discounts and free visits to certain museums and exhibitions. In any case, if you spend your time actively and visit excursions and museums, such a card will not only do you good but also save your travelling budget.
Beach holidays
If the beginning of September is sunny and hot, relax on the beach for an hour or two. Barcelona's sandy beaches are well-equipped and have been awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness and convenient facilities. However, even in September, they are full of holidaymakers, so we recommend sunbathing with children on the quiet Nova Icaria beach near Ciutadella Park. Although crowded, Barceloneta Beach is also good and has playgrounds for children.
Holidays, events and festivals
Tourists stunned by the ordinary yet dressy, fun-loving Barcelona can't even imagine what a festivity looks like in this city. La Mercè is one of the most bustling festivals at the end of September. It is dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy (Virgen de la Mercè), who locals believe once saved the town from locusts.
The festival lasts a whole week: witness a fire procession with a special programme for children, a parade of giants, the building of castellers — "living towers" made of people and other exciting events.
.jpg)
Another holiday in Barcelona in September, which is interesting for tourists to visit, is the Day of Catalonia. It is celebrated on the 11th of September. The first half of the day is reserved for demonstrations and political actions, but the second half — for the entertainment programme. At this time, many souvenirs with Catalan symbols are sold on the streets.
Avid football fans will find the matches of FC Barcelona, which start in mid-August, to be the main event. We recommend finding the dates when Barça will play at their official stadium, Camp Nou, and seeing real football in person.
Cost of vacation
September in Spain is a full-fledged part of the high season, and therefore, don't expect prices in Barcelona to drop in September.
Airfares
A ticket to Barcelona in September is only 5-7% cheaper than in August. In October, the price drops slightly. Prices reach a minimum in November and soar by 20-25% during Christmas. You can save money only if you book your flight tickets well in advance or if you search for a connecting route.
Accommodations
Hotel prices in September may be higher than in August. The average price for a room in a 3* hotel is €150, in a luxury hotel — €250. It is slightly more expensive than the cost of hotels in Madrid (€90-€210) and significantly more costly than in Valencia (€70-€170).
To save money on a hotel, book a suitable room in advance or consider an apartment.
Note that you can also stay in the suburbs of Barcelona: the cost of rooms in hotels in small towns is 30-45% lower than in the capital of Catalonia.
Package Tours
Prices for package tours during September as compared to August decrease insignificantly, by no more than 5%. You can buy the same tour in October for 13-14% cheaper.
Food
Breakfast in a café in Barcelona is €5-€8 per person, lunch in an inexpensive restaurant — about €12-€15, dinner with alcohol — minimum €25. In Madrid, a similar meal will cost the same, in Valencia — €3-€5 cheaper. Prices for fruit and vegetables are slightly lower than in August.
- Prices in Barcelona for Food in Restaurants, Cafes and Supermarkets
- Spanish Food: 48 Must-Try Dishes in Spain
Transport
A single journey on public transport will cost you just over €2. The Hola BCN travel card makes travelling cheaper. You can use it to travel unlimitedly on all types of transportation within the city.
The cost varies depending on the validity period of the card. Children under four years of age travel free of charge. The basic taxi fee is €2.55, and the kilometre price is €1.23. For standing and waiting time, €24.68 is charged per hour. It is the average cost of a taxi in the whole of Spain. Rates are usually higher on weekends and public holidays.
Excursions
The cost of tickets to museums and entertainment centres, as well as the cost of individual excursions, doesn't depend much on the season. Also, the price of a tour by tourist bus is 26 euros for adults and about €15 for children.
Shopping
September is not a good month for those who want to save money on shopping. Summer sales stop at the end of August. But for those who follow all the latest fashion trends, September is the perfect time to buy the latest from popular brands. Fashion boutiques in Barcelona in September are packed with assortments and sizes.
Choosing a date for travelling
Before looking at the calendar, consider how you want to spend your time in Barcelona. If you're travelling with a schoolchild and want to visit all the museums, you can choose the second half of September — you'll also have the chance to go to the La Mersa Festival.
With pre-schoolers, it's better to go in the middle of the month: there's a better chance that the weather will be favourable for walks and entertainment. If you want to catch some beach time, choose early September for your trip.
The thought of travelling to Barcelona is tempting. To avoid the hassle of putting together a sightseeing programme, use Kidpassage's museums and family entertainment list in Barcelona. All you have to do is enjoy the excursions.
