What to do in Barcelona in September: Montserrat, Soccer Games, & More

Barcelona in September is positively magical. As summer tourist crowds clear out and locals return from vacation, the city begins to retain more of the authentic charm that enamors so many. Weather-wise, sunny days and pleasantly cool nights help add to its appeal. And if you’re still not sure why we love Barcelona in September so much, consider the major holidays and festivals taking place around town—the Catalan capital parties nonstop all month long.

Ready to see for yourself? Here’s what you need to do in Barcelona in September this year.

Celebrate La Mercè

If you came to Barcelona to party, save the date for La Mercè.

Arguably one of the biggest festivals of the year, this celebration—honoring Barcelona’s patron saint—has humble roots. What started as a simple religious parade has snowballed into a massive multi-day event celebrating the city and its culture.

If you’re lucky enough to be in town during La Mercè, it’s safe to say that you’ll never be bored. Colorful parades and free concerts are everywhere, making this one of the most fun ways to immerse yourself in local culture.

Experience the National Day of Catalonia

Catalan pride is on full display throughout Barcelona in September. The month plays host to the National Day of Catalonia, known as La Diada in Catalan.

Even if you haven’t experienced La Diada for yourself, you’ve likely seen it represented in the media. Every year, press outlets from around the world descend on Barcelona to cover the massive parades and demonstrations in favor of Catalan independence, the most famous being that which takes place at the Fossar de les Moreres monument in the Born neighborhood.

Fun fact: Believe it or not, La Diada actually commemorates a defeat. The event is held in honor of the fall of Barcelona in 1714 during the War of the Spanish Succession.

Take a day trip

With such beautiful weather this time of year, it would practically be a crime to not get out and explore.

Barcelona’s picturesque location between rugged mountains and pristine coastline cements its status as one of the most beautiful places in Europe. Beyond city limits, you’ll find that the entire Catalan region offers an abundance of stunning destinations that are easily accessible from Barcelona on public transportation.

September is an especially great month to go to the beach as tourism slows down and temperatures remain high. Mountainous areas also cool off a bit by September and day trips to places like Montserrat are perfect this time of year.

Related Reading: Top Day Trips from Barcelona

Marvel at the wonders of aviation at Festa al Cel

At the Festa al Cel, acrobatic planes whiz high above Catalan skies in a show-stopping display of excellence.

This annual air show brings together aviation enthusiasts and curious visitors alike, giving them a spectacle to remember. As one of the coolest events taking place near Barcelona in September, the air show brings together fascinating historic planes, military and fighter jets, and so much more. Come check out some of the best pilots in the world doing what they do best at the event at the airport in Lleida, just a quick trip away from Barcelona.

See a soccer game

If you’re a sports lover, you can’t visit Barcelona without checking out a F.C. Barcelona game at Camp Nou.

The season is just getting started in September, so it’s an exciting time for Barça fans. Don’t sweat it if you can’t make it to the stadium, though. There are plenty of bars around town that will undoubtedly give you an authentic enough experience as you watch the game on the small screen surrounded by passionate locals.

This blog post was originally posted on August 28, 2014, and was updated on January 11, 2023.

Explore two icons of Catalan heritage—the Montserrat Monastery and cava—in one perfectly planned day on our Montserrat & Cava Winery Tour: Day Trip from Barcelona with Lunch.