This blog post was originally posted on September 17, 2014 and was updated on January 11, 2023.
After the bustling summer months draw to a close, it’s time to relax and enjoy Barcelona in October. Weather-wise, it’s the best of both worlds, with pleasant, mild temperatures and plenty of sunny days. You’ll want to spend hours relaxing on a sunny terrace, complete with good food and drinks and even better company.
But if you’d rather get out and about, the Catalan capital offers a rich cultural agenda all month long. No matter what you’re in the mood to do, there’s something happening in Barcelona in October that you’re sure to love.
Check out the 48H Open House BCN
With art nouveau buildings scattered in between grand historic masterpieces, Barcelona is an architecture lover’s dream come true. And there’s no better way to experience the city’s architectural wonders than by visiting during 48H Open House.
Over the course of two days, nearly all of Barcelona’s iconic monuments and buildings open for free. That’s right—you won’t need to spend a single euro cent to experience the magic of modernist masterpieces like Sant Pau, or discover one of Catalonia’s greatest artists at the Fundació Joan Miró.
In many cases, you’ll even get to take free guided visits led by established architects. If you’ll be visiting Barcelona in October, you can’t miss this unforgettable opportunity to experience the best of the city’s architecture.
Enjoy the fall foliage
Mediterranean metropolis Barcelona might not be at the top of your list when you think of falling leaves or rich autumnal colors. Trust us, though—you can still get your fall fix while you’re here!
Take a relaxing stroll to Ciutadella Park right in the heart of the city center. It’s a haven of tranquility in the middle of bustling Barcelona, where beautiful fall colors come to life. When you get hungry, head to one of the street vendors selling roasted chestnuts for a perfect seasonal snack.
In the meantime, if you really want to marvel at the beauty of Barcelona in October, head up to one of the city’s emblematic lookout points. We’re especially partial to Montjuïc and Guinardó Park (home to some fascinating anti air raid bunkers from the Spanish Civil War). They check all the important boxes: nature, history and culture, and jaw-dropping views!
Head up Parc Güell for golden-toned views of Barcelona in the fall.
Wine and dine
The only hard part about going out to eat in Barcelona is deciding where.
With century-old Catalan taverns standing beside trendy new gastropubs, it’s an entire gastronomic world within a city. And as high season draws to a close in October, there’s no better time to experience local cuisine.
Our suggestion: immerse yourself in local culture and start off with an aperitif of vermouth. Then, head to an emblematic tapas bar to experience Barcelona’s dining scene at its best: exquisite Catalan food and wine in a time-honored, authentic locale with the chatter of locals serving as background noise.
Be a part of Festes del Roser
Despite the pickpockets and tourist traps that unfortunately characterize Barcelona’s most notorious street today, La Rambla actually has a rich and vibrant history. In fact, the area even has its own patron saint!
If you’re visiting Barcelona in October, stop by La Rambla on or around the 7th for the Festes del Roser. It’s arguably the only time of year that La Rambla retains a significantly traditional, authentic feel as locals celebrate the holiday with various activities and events. Many of the structures along the famous street decorate their façades with stunning floral displays in honor of the festival.
As a bonus, many nearby museums and buildings such as the Liceu Opera House, the Erotic Museum, the Wax Museum and the Palau Güell drop admission fees.
Attend the famous Sitges Film Festival
We love visiting Sitges as a relaxing day trip from Barcelona at any time of year. However, film buffs visiting Barcelona in October definitely need to make the pilgrimage down to the quieter seaside town for the Sitges Film Festival.
Come enjoy highly acclaimed films from all over the world at one of the best festivals of its kind. It stands out as the top fantasy film festival in the world and draws big names every year. You might even spot a celebrity or two!
