10 Places to go in Barcelona During the Winter
Looking for somewhere to travel during the winter months? Barcelona may be your answer.
Why is Barcelona a good place to travel during the northern hemisphere winters? Because it’s low tourism with mild weather. The best combination.
I studied abroad in Barcelona in 2019 (read about my 9 insider Barcelona travel tips here!) and the average temperature in Barcelona during January was around 50 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and it dropped to the 30’s at night. On a good day, it was sunny and 60!
Therefore, if you are trying to travel in the winter you should consider Barcelona. The weather is chilly but comfortable, places are less crowded, and it’s beautiful no matter what time of year you visit.
So where are some places you can go in Barcelona during the winter? Lets get into it:
Park Guell
Hey, Cheetah sisters! Yes, there was a scene in the Cheetah Girls movie that was filmed at Park Guell. (Among other spots in Barcelona).
This was one of Antoni Gaudi’s creations (stay tuned for many, many more to visit) and it is an extremely beautiful park.
Even in the offseason it is still a must do. Most of Gaudi’s works are in smaller locations, such as Casa Batllo, but Park Guell has more large open spaces. Yes, there are plenty of good photo opportunities!
It is in a more ‘rural’ part of the city, if you will, so its a great way to explore an unusual part of the city. Also, you don’t need to worry about transportation, because there will always be cabs lined up for you.
You have to buy tickets, and you can do so in advance online here!
Casa Batllo
You guessed it! Another one of Gaudi’s works. What is cool about Casa Batllo is it is located right in the heart of the city. It looks very odd among the other more modern buildings, but that is also what makes it so unique.
The tour takes about an hour and you can also choose to do an audio and video reality tour (highly recommend!). The tour takes you all the way up to the roof of the building where there is magnificent views of the city, but let’s face it, the whole building is a view.
The lines sometimes get quite long, so you can also buy tickets in advance here, or you can buy them at the door as I did!
When I visited Casa Batllo in January it was under restoration, so just know that some of the exhibits won’t be featured in their full glory, but it is still amazing!
Sagrada Familia
I swear everyone has heard of the Sagrada Familia, and for good reason. This is also one of Gaudi’s creations. It actually was his very last project, and it isn’t expected to be finished until around 2026!
All of Gaudi’s works are absolutely breathtaking, but the Sagrada Familia takes the cake. It is something you have to see with your own eyes to truly take in all of its beauty. There is an audio tour that takes you around the church so you can fully experience all that it encompasses.
My advice? Take your time walking through. The architecture is stunning, so take your time, you won’t regret it!
Carmel Bunkers
This is not a place that is necessarily on everyone’s bucket list when traveling to Barcelona, but it should be! The bunkers of El Carmel is the highest location in Barcelona, so you can only imagine the views.
Be warned: the locals there are not super fond of tourists! Don’t let that stop you, but just remember to always be respectful.
Spend a few hours there! Have a little picnic and just take in all that Barcelona has to offer. You will be truly mesmerized by the view and it is a great place to take a second and just think about how large the world truly is.
Barcelona Futbol Game
Even if you are not a ‘futbol’ fan, check out a game! Camp Nou is the largest stadium in Europe. It sits almost 100,000 fans, most of which are season ticket holders. Yeah, futbol fans do not mess around.
This is one way to immerse yourself in the Barcelona culture! It was truly amazing to see the fans chanting and cheering their team on with flags, drums, and chants.
If you have never been to a soccer game, take this opportunity and run with it! Before this, I never had an interest in going to this type of game but I am so glad that I did.
Check out more information here!
Chocolate Museum
I was very lucky that one of the professors teaching my study abroad course was the director of the Chocolate Museum in Barcelona. We were able to take a tour of the facility, and even make our own chocolate!
The Chocolate Museum of Barcelona has a rich (pun intended) history and has grown tremendously over the years.
It is a nice stop to make if you are in the area and want to experience some real chocolate. Take a tour and see chocolate sculptures that look too amazing to eat (literally) and learn about the history of chocolate.
Other!
Barcelona is full of cultural and entertaining activities. You probably won’t have to do anything twice! (Unless you want to!)
Not every day of your trip has to be huge ordeal spending hours at a touristy location. Also, there are plenty of museums, shows, and parks where you could spend your time.
Check out the Pablo Picasso Museum, or shop on La Rambla. Sometimes staying close to home and exploring by yourself will lead you to the best experiences.
Most noteworthy is the Cable Car! Take a short ride overlooking the city in a cable car with your friends. I will not lie, finding the station is slightly difficult, but worth it! Another way to enjoy the views of Barcelona.
Most importantly, whatever you decided to do in Barcelona, just remember to have fun and enjoy being in another culture!