This blog post was originally posted on October 13, 2014, and was updated on January 11, 2023.
November is a great time to visit to visit the Catalan capital. The heat waves of summer are long gone, and locals here in Barcelona are welcoming fall with open arms. From seasonal cultural activities to mouthwatering autumnal foods, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy Barcelona in November. Here’s what’s on our agenda this month—will we see you around?
Indulge in traditional fall foods
The pumpkin spice craze hasn’t quite made it to Spain yet, but that’s okay. You won’t even miss it when you try Barcelona’s traditional fall fare: roasted chestnuts and foil-wrapped sweet potatoes.
Follow the mouthwatering scent to the nearest castanyera, which are on practically every street corner this time of year. Grab a bite and enjoy a leisurely walk around town as you devour your traditional fall treats.
…including our favorite sweet treats!
Speaking of food, you didn’t think we’d forget Spain’s most beloved indulgence, did you? Of course not!
Barcelona in November is prime time for treating yourself to a soul-warming portion of churros con chocolate. Duck into your nearest churrería on a crisp fall morning to enjoy the crispy, fried-to-perfection treats for breakfast, or enjoy them later in the day at merienda for an afternoon snack. Our pick: Granja Dulcinea, a local institution that’s been serving some of the best churros con chocolate in town for nearly 80 years!
Not craving something sweet first thing in the morning? There are plenty of traditional breakfast options, including some savory choices!
Take part in a tasty local tradition
Here in Catalonia, fall is mushroom season.
Foraging for mushrooms is a timeless autumnal pastime and one of the most traditional activities you can experience in Barcelona in November. They usually start to spring up in the forests and hills outside the city after the first fall rains, at which point people venture out into nature to collect the little fungi, known as bolets in Catalan. If you consider yourself a nature lover or are looking for a wholesome family activity, this dose of rural tourism is right up your alley.
Enjoy some smooth sounds
Barcelona is a music lover’s dream come true, with mythical venues such as the modernist Palau de la Música Catalana and the iconic Harlem Jazz Club offering quality entertainment throughout the year. However, if you’re visiting Barcelona in November, these venues and over a dozen more will host legendary acts as part of the Voll-Damm International Jazz Festival of Barcelona.
In this festival, fantastic jazz performances will take place all over the city nearly every day in November. Don’t miss the chance to see some of the biggest names on the jazz scene take the Catalan capital by storm.
Get off the beaten path
Barcelona in November means fewer tourist crowds and a sense of calm tranquility throughout the city. There’s no better place to experience this than in the off-the-beaten-path neighborhood of Gracia.
This charming corner of town was once an entirely separate village and still retails a quaint, small-town feel. Take a day to explore the hidden corners of this lovely local gem as the leaves change colors and flutter to the ground all around you.
