Visit Barcelona in September is just perfect.
First of all, the hot summer temperatures are starting to drop.
Another advantage is that Barcelona's main festival takes place at the end of the month.
Of course, the city has many other surprises in store for you.
We talk about it in detail in this article.
Follow the guide!
Barcelona in September: article summary
What's the weather like in Barcelona in September?
It's the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. Although summer temperatures may last through the first few days of September, in general, you'll be enjoying very pleasant weather in Barcelona in September.
If I advise you to bring something warm, you can also take lighter clothes for your daytime visits. Indeed, the weather remains mild in Barcelona during this period.
The city's various festivals
Spending September in Barcelona also means taking advantage of the city's many festivals. Towards the end of the month, you'll enjoy the city's biggest festival: la Mercè. Let's take a closer look.
La Mercè Festival
The festival that dominates all festivals in Barcelona takes place at the end of September. If you happen to be visiting Barcelona, you won't want to miss it, as there are a number of events taking place in every corner of the city. It's a fantastic opportunity to see world-famous Catalan traditions such as the castellers or giant parades.
What are we celebrating?
This festival is the feast day of Our Lady of Mercy (La Mercè), who became patron saint of Barcelona in the XVIIᵉ century. If you'd like to find out more about this event, I suggest you visit read the article I wrote on this subject. Here you'll find key dates and locations for the main traditional activities.
Poble Nou Major Festival
Poble Nou is probably the best neighborhood in Barcelona. I'm sure you'll love the atmosphere of Poble Nou. There are not one, but two festivals a year. The Spring Festival in May and the principal in September.
Poble Nou was nicknamed "the Catalan Manchester" due to the large number of factories in the area at the end of the XIXᵉ century. Only a few chimneys remain as a reminder of this period. Nowadays, many of these former industrial structures have been transformed into artists' and designers' studios. The latter open their doors to the general public for this special week. An excellent opportunity to discover creativity and new talent in Barcelona.
During the festival, expect parades, castellers, music and dance until the wee hours of the morning. At the height of the festivities, you can take part in the castell de focs, a spectacular fireworks display on the beach at 10 pm.
La Barceloneta Major Festival
Celebrating their patron saint, the Archangel Saint-Michel, the Festival de la Barceloneta takes place every year around September 29. This traditional fishing district is famous for for its seafood restaurants by the sea.
In addition to the usual Catalan traditions, you can enjoy a concert of Habaneras. These are the songs that immigrants returning from Cuba brought back to Catalonia. The best thing to do at these concerts is to enjoy the music with a glass of ron cremat. This is a special mixed drink made from rum, sugar, coffee beans, cinnamon and species that is burned for a few minutes and served hot.
Children are sure to enjoy the cercavila del canó. On the Saturday of the festival, a Napoleonic French general strolls through the streets of Barceloneta firing a cannon. This tradition began over 100 years ago and is still going strong today.. The cannon may be noisy, but this event is a children's favourite because the artillery piece shoots candy into the air!
Catalonia's national holiday: La Diada
It's more of a political event, and one you're sure to encounter if you visit Barcelona on September 11. Catalonia's national holiday, also known simply as La Diadamourns the loss of medieval Catalan institutions on this day in 1714. Obviously, it's not a party, but a commemoration.
The Diada begins the night before with a procession of people carrying torches and offering flowers at the Fossar de les Moreres. The following day, further flower offerings take place at the statue of Rafael Casanova, the commander-in-chief during the battle that took place in the XVIIIᵉ century. However, the event itself is the early evening demonstration, which starts at the symbolic hour of 5:14pm.
Museums and parks
Of course, you can also visit the various museums and parks on offer in September. During this period, there are fewer tourists and you can enjoy the city to the full.
I recommend you go to the Sagrada Familia a must-see in Barcelona. Before you visit, it's a good idea to book your tickets online. You'll benefit from special security features and save precious time on your visits.
You can also visit the various works created by Gaudi, such as the casa Mila or the casa Batllo.
Finally, if you're looking for a bit of peace and quiet, I recommend a visit to one of the city's parks. My favorite is the Montjuïc park. From here, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the whole of Barcelona.
Visiting Barcelona in September is an exceptional experience, whether on your own or with your family. The weather is milder and all the attractions are still accessible. A perfect time to visit the city.
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