The sea temperature at Barcelona today is 21.8 °C (71 °F) – cold to refreshing water, better for a short swim. The usual October average is 22.6 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has cooled from 25.8 °C to 21.8 °C. Swimmable from June to November, when the sea averages 18 °C or more. Source: Sea Temp Map (seatempmap.com) – NASA MUR satellite data and the Copernicus Marine sea forecast.
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13.7°C / 56.6°F | 14.2°C / 57.6°F | 14.8°C / 58.6°F |
| February | 13.2°C / 55.8°F | 13.5°C / 56.2°F | 13.7°C / 56.7°F |
| March | 13.4°C / 56.1°F | 13.7°C / 56.7°F | 14.2°C / 57.6°F |
| April | 14.0°C / 57.3°F | 14.8°C / 58.7°F | 15.4°C / 59.8°F |
| May | 16.8°C / 62.2°F | 17.9°C / 64.2°F | 18.5°C / 65.4°F |
| June | 21.9°C / 71.3°F | 22.6°C / 72.8°F | 23.7°C / 74.6°F |
| July | 24.9°C / 76.8°F | 25.9°C / 78.6°F | 26.8°C / 80.3°F |
| August | 25.7°C / 78.2°F | 27.0°C / 80.5°F | 27.7°C / 81.9°F |
| September | 25.1°C / 77.2°F | 25.5°C / 77.9°F | 26.3°C / 79.3°F |
| October | 22.0°C / 71.6°F | 22.6°C / 72.6°F | 23.3°C / 73.9°F |
| November | 17.0°C / 62.6°F | 18.4°C / 65.1°F | 19.5°C / 67.1°F |
| December | 15.2°C / 59.4°F | 15.7°C / 60.2°F | 16.3°C / 61.3°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6.6°C / 43.8°F | 8.9°C / 48.1°F | 12.8°C / 55.1°F |
| February | 8.1°C / 46.6°F | 10.5°C / 50.8°F | 14.2°C / 57.5°F |
| March | 9.6°C / 49.2°F | 11.9°C / 53.4°F | 14.7°C / 58.4°F |
| April | 10.9°C / 51.5°F | 13.8°C / 56.8°F | 16.6°C / 61.9°F |
| May | 14.2°C / 57.5°F | 17.3°C / 63.2°F | 20.1°C / 68.1°F |
| June | 19.4°C / 66.8°F | 22.5°C / 72.6°F | 25.2°C / 77.3°F |
| July | 21.8°C / 71.2°F | 24.9°C / 76.8°F | 27.5°C / 81.5°F |
| August | 22.4°C / 72.3°F | 25.2°C / 77.4°F | 28.0°C / 82.4°F |
| September | 19.5°C / 67.0°F | 21.8°C / 71.2°F | 24.4°C / 75.9°F |
| October | 16.6°C / 61.8°F | 18.7°C / 65.6°F | 21.4°C / 70.6°F |
| November | 11.8°C / 53.3°F | 13.7°C / 56.6°F | 16.5°C / 61.8°F |
| December | 8.7°C / 47.6°F | 10.6°C / 51.1°F | 14.0°C / 57.2°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
Barcelona holidays
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and Spain's second-largest city, a Mediterranean port known for the buildings of Antoni Gaudí and for city beaches that begin a short walk from the old town. The seafront was rebuilt for the 1992 Olympic Games, which turned an industrial shore into beaches, promenades and the Port Olímpic marina.
Beaches
Barceloneta, beside the old fishermen's quarter of the same name, is a lively beach and the closest to the Gothic Quarter; Sant Sebastià at its southern end sits below the sail-shaped W hotel. Further north-east, Nova Icària and Bogatell are wider and calmer, with breakwaters that suit children, and part of Mar Bella is set aside for naturists. Much of the sand was brought in when the shore was rebuilt, and lifeguards watch the beaches through the summer.
Things to do
Gaudí's Sagrada Família basilica, under construction since 1882, and Park Güell both sell timed tickets that are worth booking ahead. Casa Batlló and Casa Milà, known as La Pedrera, stand a few blocks apart on Passeig de Gràcia. The lanes of the Gothic Quarter lead down to La Rambla and the Boqueria market. On Montjuïc hill, a cable car climbs to the castle, the Magic Fountain plays below the national art museum, and Poble Espanyol gathers copies of buildings from all over Spain. Families head for the aquarium in Port Vell, and football fans for FC Barcelona's stadium, Camp Nou.
Weather and best time to visit
At Barcelona the sea stays above 20 °C / 68 °F from June to October.
Barcelona's summers are warm and humid, and in July and August the beaches and main sights are at their most crowded. Late spring and September are quieter, although the city's biggest street festival, La Mercè, fills the centre in late September. Autumn can bring short, heavy downpours.
Hotels and where to stay
Barceloneta and the Port Olímpic area put the beach on the doorstep, and Poblenou behind Bogatell is quieter and more local. The Eixample grid is the base for Gaudí's houses and for shopping, while the Gothic Quarter and El Born keep the old town's bars and restaurants within walking distance.
Signature hotels: W Barcelona (Sant Sebastià) · Hotel Arts Barcelona (Port Olímpic)
Airport and getting there
Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat airport (BCN) lies about 15 km south-west of the centre; the Aerobús runs to Plaça de Catalunya in about 35 minutes. Metro line L9 Sud serves both terminals, and R2 Nord trains leave from T2. High-speed trains link Barcelona Sants with Madrid in about two and a half hours and continue to France, and ferries sail from the port to Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza.