No products in the basket.
Do you know what’s the less crowded side of Barcelona? The sea! And here’s the best things you can do in the summer in Barcelona for a perfect vacation.
If you plan to visit Barcelona soon and you feel a bit overwhelmed by the crowds, don’t panic: you can still enjoy summer in Barcelona, you just need to stay close to the sea.
Table of Contents
10 Best Things to Do in Summer in Barcelona
Go to the beach!
Have you ever been to Barcelona if you haven’t been to the beach? I don’t think so!
Summer in Barcelona can get really, really warm. And there’s no better way to celebrate it than sunbathing by the beach or having a dip in the Mediterranean Sea!
These are, in my humble opinion after a few visits to Barcelona, the best beaches to visit:
- Barceloneta beach
- Mar Bella beach
- Bogatell beach
Sunset sailing experience
If I could only choose one thing to do in Barcelona, this would be it. There’s no better way to end the day, nothing as magical as sailing during golden hour with your friends, with a lovely view of Barcelona skyline and celebrating with drinks. It’s the best thing you can do in Barcelona in the summer. Plus, there’s a high chance to spot dolphins!
Other great options are taking the public boat “Las Golondrinas” or even renting your own boat.
Cofradía de Pescadors
This is for the ones who are looking for more. For the ones that seek to learn about traditions and daily life from the locals, he ones committed to be a more responsible traveler.
I took this tour to the Fishermen’s Guild in Barcelona. We learned about their traditions and visited the oldest lighthouse in Barcelona – now reconverted into a tower clock. We got to learn about how our daily habits and our waste make an impact on these people’s jobs and the fishies, and finally, how to eat fish in a more sustainable way. Plus, this tour ends with a seafood tasting experience.
Have dinner by the beach
Needless to say, Spanish food is delicious. And if you’re visiting in summer, you need to taste the typical paella and fideuá.
The restaurants by the beach I can genuinely recommend are Xup Xup at Barceloneta Beach and L’escamarlà at Bogatell Beach. You can’t go wrong!
A rooftop with a view
One of the best rooftops in Barcelona is pretty close to the sea, at the History Museum of Catalonia: you can access the rooftop for free if you just want to take some pictures, but I highly recommend it for sunset drinks.
Other rooftops that are well worth a visit are Hotel Ayre Roselló for its incredible view to Sagrada Familia and Barceló Raval for its 360º views.
Water activities
As I was saying at the beginning of this post, the sea is the lesser crowded side of Barcelona! You can enjoy the city highlights from a different perspective if you decide to give a go to some water activities.
Some of the best water activities you can do during your summer trip to Barcelona:
- Sup / Paddle Board
- Kayak
- Parasailing
Barcelona from the sky
I haven’t experienced this just yet, but it’s high on my plans for my next visit to Barcelona. Imagine having a bird view of the beautiful Barcelona: I can’t imagine a better place for a helicopter ride.
Getaway from the city
Everybody loves Barcelona. It’s pretty and unique, but it’s all year round packed with tourists.
One of the best things you can do – especially during summer – is adding a day tour or a short escape to one of the neighboring Mediterranean villages: there are so many and they all have something that worths a visit, especially during summer.
Some of the best options are Cadaqués, Sitges, Calella de Palafrugell, Roses and Blanes.
Music festivals
Summer means holidays, warmer temperatures and music, too!
Barcelona is home to some of the best music festivals in Spain (and the world!). Here the ones you shouldn’t miss:
- Primavera Sound (30th May – 1st June)
- Sónar (18-20th June)
- Cruilla (3-6th July)
- BBF (13th July)
- Tomorrowland (28th July)
Dance till dawn!
Stay in a room with a view
If you feel like splurging on something during your trip to Barcelona, search no more: imagine waking up with this view! You cannot stay closer to the beach than staying at W Barcelona.
I don’t recommend staying at Airbnb in Barcelona as this has caused many gentrification problems.
If you’ve liked this post, pin it for later!
Your posts always have so much wanderlust ! Barcelona is definitely on my list for 2019!
Calella is not the same than Calella de Palafrugell!
I never said it was the same 🙂
Beautiful. And another option for a neighborhood to stay in. We had planned on staying on Las Ramblas. But, I see El Born and the W on Barceloneta may be better options. Hopefully, we will get there next Spring Break.
I personally love Passeig de Gracia and Eixample area! I hope you enjoy Barcelona next year!