The month of July is unquestionably the best time to visit Barcelona. Summer is a good time for visitors to travel since the days are longer, and one can spend most of their time in the seaside town. With the sun shining hard up until 7 PM, summer gives you a lot of time to explore Barcelona’s various attractions.
While the beach is a must-visit, it is not the end-all-be-all of summer in Barcelona. Want to experience fantastic sights, sounds, and tastes on your vacation? This city has all that and more! You’ll be walking down Las Ramblas in no time as you take in its wonderful ambience.
There are also tons of free concerts going on that are definitely worth checking out. Make the most of the free concerts like the Musica and Parcs festivals which are held in open-air venues throughout the city from June to August. Spend summer kicking back under the Mediterranean sun with your whole family and enjoy all those free concerts!
Whether you want to explore the city’s streets or beat the heat in an air-conditioned environment, here are some things you need to know before travelling to Barcelona in July. I know you’re excited, but first, let’s quickly unveil today’s deep dive.
Let’s get started.
What is Barcelona like in July?
July is an excellent month to visit Barcelona due to the near-perfect weather for sunbathing and aquatic sports.
The summer months in Barcelona are quite lively for a plethora of reasons. This time of year is commonly when most festivals take place. This means that one can enjoy a range of musical events as well as theatre performances all within the city’s limits. Although it often becomes very hot during July, the weather is still enjoyable and desirable to most people because it rarely rains, and there are not many days with extreme temperatures.
Whether you want to lounge in a vast park or walk through the city’s charming alleys, July in Barcelona will leave you with warm and bright memories.
Barcelona Travel Restrictions
As of June 7, anybody who has had all recommended vaccinations is eligible to enter Spain for vacation without evidence of a negative Covid test, even if they are travelling from countries classified as ‘risk’ countries.
South Africa, Brazil, and India, on the other hand, are excluded from this restriction. Spain has also banned flights and arrivals from Brazil and South Africa until at least July 20.
Travellers from the majority of European Union and Schengen Area countries and Australia, China, South Korea, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, Israel, Japan, and Thailand are also permitted to visit Spain without vaccination.
As of July 2, visitors from the United Kingdom must provide vaccination documentation or a negative Covid test 48 hours before arrival.
For the time being, Spain remains on the UK’s “amber list”, which indicates that non-essential travel from the UK to Spain is not advised.
What to do in Barcelona in July?
From Gaud to Messi, from towering architecture to human-built structures, from visiting the sea to indulging in fresh food, Barcelona’s must-do list is as long as its sunny days.
It may be tricky to decide where to go and what to see with so many amazing sights. To assist ye, we’ve compiled this list of things you can do in Barcelona this July based on our personal experiences and some insider recommendations.
Sunset in Barcelona
Sunset is a part of daily life in Barcelona. Well, it’s no doubt that Barcelona is one of the most photogenic cities on the planet – especially at sunset.
With all of Barcelona’s natural beauty, it’s no surprise that the European city has some of the most beautiful sunset spots in the world.
Barcelona brings you a special kind of magic that you have to experience for yourself. Whether you find yourself in the mountain of Montjuic or the hilly areas of Park Güell, the moment the sun begins to set, you are immediately taken aback by the sheer beauty of one of God’s most fantastic masterpieces, the sunset.
Here, we’ve rounded up a few of our personal favorite sunset spots.
- Castillo de Montjuic
- W Barcelona
- Carmel Bunkers
- Park Guell
- Tibidabo
- Las Arenas
- Park Güell
Barcelona July Festivities
Although Barcelona’s festivities and cultural events can be long and spanning several months, festivities in Barcelona are a lot of fun!
There are performers like David Guetta, Pitbull, and Afrojack. The festival is held outside of the city, so it’s also quite refreshing to be in Barcelona at this time of the year. Attendees enjoy performances from big-name bands like Lana Del Rey, Foo Fighters, The Neighbourhood, and many other artists in different genres.
There are some popular activities held during these festivities as well! There are art and activity stations where participants can experiment with different mediums throughout the day – from chocolate tasting, wine tasting to cooking workshops.
Here we’ve listed our top 5 festivities you can attend during the month of July:
- Festival Cruilla
Cruilla Fest is a free and annual music festival aiming to connect the community in Barcelona’s most diverse neighborhoods. The festival takes place at the epic concrete jungle on the edge of the city that goes by the name Parc del Forum, and it showcases a wide range of musical genres such as flamenco, klezmer, reggae, jazz, and many more.
Dates: July 8-10
Prices: EURO45 (one-day show) to EURO145.00 (full 3-day pass).
For more information, contact the official site of Cruilla.
- Cap Roig Festival
Cap Roig Festival is the oldest free and open-air event in Spain. It takes place annually every summer in the center of Barcelona at the Gardens of Cap Roig, in Calella de Palafrugell.
Go to the coast an hour to the Costa Brava and experience the Med’s best botanical gardens before checking out international artists across various genres.
This year 2021 version includes:
- July 23rd: Pablo Lopez
- July 24th: Raphael
- July 31st: Juan Diego Florez
Price: EURO20 to EURO 375. The price depends on the artist.
For additional information on the Cap Roig Festival, visit here.
- La Boqueria Market
Located on Las Ramblas, this market is arguably one of Europe’s best open-air markets stocked with fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat for sale just waiting to be bought!
- Outdoor Concert Series
Exciting things to see and experience are nothing short of spectacular! There are so many different types of activities, events, and activities that take place during the evening. You’ll be surprised at the things that you didn’t expect when you walk in – just like life! It is always something new after every turnaround!
The concert series takes place on weekdays from May through October during this time period. It’s an outdoor public performance that only lasts a few hours from 7-9 pm or later. Some artists who performed in this event include Sting, Kool & the Gang, Beach Boys, the Cranberries, Patti Smith, and more.
Price: EURO18 to EURO440.00
More info here.
Head to the Beach
The beaches of Barcelona are both beautiful and full of life during the summer months. The area has a lot to offer, offering locals and tourists alike the summer experience they’ve been waiting for. With endless hours of sunshine, it’s no wonder this is one of the most popular destinations for locals and tourists alike who love the beach! Although it’s located in a large city, you’ll never feel too crowded at the beach. The water is clean and welcoming. You will definitely enjoy yourself with activities and food that you love or try something new.
Here, we’ve rounded up a few of our personal favorite beach spots.
- Barceloneta Beach
- Ocata Beach
- Bogatell Beach
- Mar Bella Beach
- Nova Icaria Beach
The best beaches, in my opinion, are Bogatell, Nova Icaria and Mar Bella. Bogatell is a beach that offers a calming atmosphere. It’s close to Barceloneta. You can enjoy the sea there and play with the waves. Nova Icaria Beach is just 15 minutes away from Ocata Beach, which has great views of both the city and the ocean. Mar Bella is just by La Boqueria Market, one of my favorite parts of Barcelona.
Transport and Tourist Cards
Barcelona is a spirited city full of life. The bus, metro and tram systems are great for getting around the city. You will be able to travel from point A to point B for a reasonable price.
The T-10 tourist card will save you discounts on public transport tickets (tram, bus and metro) while traversing from Destination A to Destination B in Barcelona and offer you discounts at museums, shops, and other tourist sites.
The Barcelona Bus Turístic provides visitors with an introductory tour of the city’s highlights while riding an open-top double-decker sightseeing bus through Barcelona’s most famous neighborhoods.
Advice Before You Start Your Travels in Barcelona
- Check How’s The Weather Will Be
It’s good to watch the weather forecast before you go on a trip to take necessary precautions. For example, if it is raining, you might want to wear boots and an umbrella, so you’re not caught off guard.
- Buy Your Attraction Tickets Online Before You Arrive
You would want to wish to visit Sagrada Familia, and of course, it is a wonderful option. However, you should realize that you have a very long queue to purchase your ticket to Sagrada Familia. We advise buying tickets online to avoid the long wait.
- Always Keep An Eye On Your Belongings
Barcelona is a fantastic place to visit, but the huge disadvantage is the theft. You should take care of your belongings better than ever before because you never know what could happen. The city has many pickpocketers, and they’re on the lookout for tourists who are not paying attention to their belongings.
- Try And Not Carry A Lot Of Cash With You
There should be no need to carry a lot of cash with you. Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and is one of the richest regions in the world. The city is different from a city in other parts of Spain because it has an advanced infrastructure and abundant resources. You should be good to find all kinds of places that provide accepted credit cards and cashless options.
Regardless of where you find yourself in Barcelona, be sure to take a moment, breathe in, stop, and enjoy this extraordinary city at your own speed. There are so many things that you’ll enjoy that we’re sure we could explore the city for years and still not experience it all.
If you’ve never been to Barcelona, we recommend planning a little over a week to see the different parts of the city and just be able to take in as much as possible.
