Fall in Barcelona: Best Things to Do in Autumn

Fall is a wonderful—arguably the best—time to visit Barcelona. The summer heat has (finally) said adéu and more comfortable temperatures have arrived. Beyond that, Barcelona is packed full of things to do in autumn—Catalans love their festivals. Whether you’re looking to relax or fill your days with sightseeing, this fall Barcelona guide has your back. Here’s fall in Barcelona with a guide to weather, what to wear, and the best things to do in Barcelona in autumn.

How is the weather in Barcelona in October & November?

Fall makes its way to Barcelona the end of September. Usually around a week or two after the official first day of fall, the temperature begins to drop and you’ll find the weather in Barcelona to be quite pleasant.

Barcelona October weather: October brings on windier, cooler weather. The weather averages between 26°C/78°F to 13°C/ 55°F. Usually the day is comfortable and sunny and the nights are much more crisp and breezy.

A typical October day could see a high of 22°C and a low 14°C (72°F to 57°F).

Barcelona November weather: November will bring on cooler and cloudier weather than October, but days of sunshine are still normal. The weather in November can usually go between 8°C to 18°C (48°F to 64°F).

A typical November day in Barcelona could have a high of 17° and a low of 10°C (63°F to 50°F).

What to wear in Barcelona in fall?

What to wear in Barcelona can vary month to month, but the main idea is to think in layers for fall. Dress for maximum comfort, warmth, and style. When the sun is out, it might be too hot for a jacket or cardigan, so try to wear something you’ll be comfortable in without the extra layer. A scarf usually helps complete a look.

First, let’s look at October. Here’s what to wear in Barcelona in October.

• Cardigan
• Short sleeved shirt
• Scarf
• Jeans
• Sneakers

OR

• Light jacket (something like this)
• Light long-sleeved shirt
• Skirt with tights
• Booties (I love these ones for a cool Barcelona outfit)

Now, let’s look at November. Here’s what to wear in Barcelona in November.

• Puffer jacket
• Sweater dress
• Tights or leggings
• booties
• Headband for ear warmth (I prefer a soft, 100% wool like this)

OR

• Long coat that covers your butt
• Turtleneck sweater
• Jeans
• Sneakers
• Scarf to cover ears or give extra warmth

Bonus tip: You’ll see locals really bundling up. It seems Catalans prefer to dress by month and not necessarily by weather. If you want to really fit in, wear a long puffer coat, boots, and a scarf when it’s sunny and 65 (20°C) xD

Fall in Barcelona Look Book

Visiting Barcelona in Fall, you’ll see all sorts of styes. But if you want to blend in with the locals, layer up! Barcelona locals are very unlikely to bounce around in sun dresses once October has arrived. Of course, if sun dresses are your thing, don’t let us stop you! However, if you’re looking for some Barcelona fall outfit inspo, keep reading. 🙂

Best things to do in Barcelona in fall

Fall is easily one of the best seasons to visit Barcelona. The city feels beautiful and inviting, and is a much-needed relief after the heat of July and August. Plus, with tons of festivals, fantastic museums, and sites to see there are so many ways to spend a weekend in Barcelona in autumn. Here’s the best things to do in Barcelona in fall.

Indulge in churros in Barcelona.

Churros are a big deal here in Barcelona, especially when the temperature starts to drop. Locals and tourists alike will queue up for delicious deep-fried dough and chocolate sauce!

Neighborhoods like the Gothic Quarter and Raval are home to several of the city’s finest xurrerias Barcelona has to offer.

Granja M. Viader is a classic choice nestled in the Raval neighborhood. It flaunts an old cafe style with seating options and a traditional aesthetic.

Located on a quaint street, arrive early in the evening to Xurreria Dels Bans Nous because the queue gets long, but the wait will be well worth it when you receive those perfect churros and extra thick hot chocolate. However, there are several more xurrerias along this street. 🙂

There’s also an unassuming place for churros in Gracia. It’s called Xurreria Trebol and it’s right off the Diagonal metro at the very bottom of Gracia (see my Gracia coffee guide here!)

Munch on chestnuts and sweet potatoes on the streets of Barcelona this fall.

Catalans don’t really celebrate Halloween but they do celebrate La Castanyada. It’s one of Catalonia’s most famous festivals and, like Halloween, it’s celebrated every year on October 31st.

La Castanyada (Chestnut Time) is tradition consisting of eating chestnuts, sweet potatoes and panellets, a small almond and sugar sweet of different flavors like pine nuts, almonds, chocolate, coconut, etc. Catalans enjoy family time while munching on these treats with sweet wine.

If you’re a kiddo in Barcelona, La Castanyera will come to visit your school. She’s an elderly lady who comes bearing chestnuts in your woven basket. (Usually it’s just a teacher dressed up, but it’s cute and fun for the kids.)

Pro tip: Keep your eyes peeled throughout October and November for chestnut vendors set up throughout the city. Here you can buy freshly roasted chestnuts and potatoes to munch on while you explore.

See the best places in Barcelona with fewer crowds.

A major pro for fall in Barcelona is fewer tourists. This means you can enjoy popular attractions like the Barcelona Cathedral, Casa Batlló, and Sagrada Familia without the summer crowd. Nonetheless, it is still helpful to book some of the most popular places to visit in Barcelona in advance. There is limited availability at places like Parc Guell and Sagrada Familia, so save your spot in advance. Tap here to save your spot at Parc Guell and here for Sagrada Familia using Get Your Guide.

Don’t forget to check out some of my favorite Barcelona hidden gems.

Explore Barcelona’s coffee scene.

When the weather starts to get cooler hitting up a Barcelona coffee shop is the thing to do. You’ll find unique spots full of greenery, eclectic hole in the walls, and lively cafes full of laptops and chit-chatting. There are plenty of wonderful specialty coffee shops dotted throughout the city, but check out my guide to the best coffee in Barcelona.

Celebrate Oktoberfest Barcelona style.

Yep, Barcelona seems to have a great appreciation for this Bavarian tradition. Every year, thousands gather up over a few weekends to sip beer, eat traditional Bavarian food, and clink their glasses while they sing and dance under a tent. It ususally runs for a couple of weeks and attracts thousands of visitors annually.

It’s no Munich, but it’s still plenty of fun and a great thing to do in Barcelona in September and October. If you can’t make it to Germany, take advantage of your trip to Barcelona in autumn and enjoy Spanish-German-style Oktoberfest!

Check out Barcelona Oktoberfest here.

Celebrate Barcelona’s La Mercè in late September.

If you’re visiting Barcelona in September, time it right to arrive for the first official days of fall and you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find Barcelona is its festival prime. Street festivals, fire runs, music, and human towers await. Just wait.

The Barcelona La Mercè Festival lasts around 5 days honoring Mare de Deu de la Mercè, the Patron Saint of Barcelona. It first took place in 1902 as a symbol of bidding goodbye to summer and welcoming in the cooler months of autumn.

Check out Barcelona’s English comedy scene.

Escape the rain or chilly breeze and get your laugh on at a Barcelona comedy show. The comedy scene in Barcelona is very active with shows practically every night.

English comedy shows are scattered across the city, so no matter if you want to stay near your accommodation in Barcelona, you’ll probably be able to find something!

Plus, this is a great way to meet other foreign locals and enjoy one of the best things to do in Barcelona during fall!

Check out my complete list of Barcelona’s best English comedy shows or go to English Comedy in Barcelona on Instagram for up to date shows.,

Visit Montjuïc for pretty views.

For some greenery and amazing views of Barcelona in fall, head to the hill named Montjuïc. Here you’ll find coastal and cityscape views from various lookout points as well as gardens like Jardins de Mossèn Costa i Llobera (essentially the cactus park) and the serentiy of Jardins de Laribal. See my guide on the best parks in Barcelona here.

Take a Barcelona day trip.

One of the best things to do in Bacelona in fall is take a day trip to one of the nearby villages or towns. There’s so much nature and old-world vilalges to see in Catalunya. From the azure waters of Costa Brava ot the medieval village of Vic toward the mountains, Barcelona day trips will add some spice to your vacation and help you see more of this picturesque region. See my guide on the best Barcelona day trips here!

READ MORE: Free Things to do in Barcelona

Where to Stay in Barcelona

Looking for the best hotels in Barelona? These accommodation options will make your fall trip to Barcelona one for the books.

Budget friendly hotel in Barcelona

If you want to stay centrally but don’t want to spend too much on a hotel in Barcelona this autumn BUT still want to have an amazing stay, check out Chic & Basic Velvet in Eixample just above the trendy Sant Antoni neighborhood. It’s a good area with lots of cafes and restaurants and is easily walkable to some city sites like Placa Catalunya, Placa Espanya, and MACBA. Another popular and budget-friednly option is the Andante Hotel in the lively Raval neighborhood.

4-star hotel in Barcelona

If you’re happy to spend a little bit more on your stay in Barcelona this fall, I would recommend Yurbban Passage Hotel & Spa. It’s in a fabulous, well-connected location and even has a spa and a fun rooftop with a small pool and sweeping views of Barcelona’s skyline.

5-star hotel in Barcelona

Want to splurge? Barcelona has some INCREDIBLE luxury hotels. Check out Mercer Hotel in the picturesque Gothic Quarter. It’s a small luxury boutique hotel with a rooftop pool, cocktail bar, and a stunning ambiance. Another 5-star option is ME Barcelona with Placa Catalunya and Sagrada Familia views from the stylish rooftop pool. It has a very cosmopolitan and urban vibe with amazing rooms, many of which have private terraces.