Visiting Barcelona in July
Time to have fun in the sun…
By Duncan Rhodes 
July is all about living life outdoors, as locals and travellers alike take to the street terraces to eat and drink, hit the beach and splash around in the Mediterranean. Even the cinema takes place outside this time of year…
By the time July rolls around, every day feels like a holiday in Barcelona. The Passeig de Joan de Borbo is packed with scantily-clad folks making their way to and from Barceloneta beach; curious travellers wander the back streets of El Gotico, popping into a mixture of high brow museums and boutique shops and ateliers; and locals and foreigners alike hustle in the hope of finding a free table on a street terrace (in the shade please camarero, it’s scorchio out!).
Adding to the vacation vibe are several great street festivals, like the Festa Major de Raval and that of Poble Sec too, and the epic music fest that is Cruilla, which always attracts some international giants to perform at the Parc del Forum.
The Mediterranean is nice and warm this time of year as well, making it a great month for water sports, such as sailing, sea kayaking and SUP… or you could just flop in a comedy inflatable unicorn lilo… we promise we won’t judge!
As with all our monthly guides, from January to December, we’ll talk you through some of the best events and make some suggestions to help you make the most of your summer visit.
But before we get going, let’s preview the weather and answer some other frequently asked questions about visiting Barcelona in July.
What’s the Weather Like in July?
Here’s our meteorological report for July. Spoiler alert: yes, it’s gonna be hot!
Is it hot in Barcelona in July?
The average high temperature during July is 29 degrees Celsius, whilst the average low is 23 degrees, making July reliably warm, even in the evenings. Indeed, nights get sticky this time of the year so be sure to book a hotel or apartment with air-con.
What are the sea temperatures in July?
The average sea temperature is 24 degrees Celsius, meaning even frioleros can take a bath at this time of the year.
What are the chances of rain?
The chances of rain ruining your vacation are extremely low… there are just 1 or 2 days of rain in July, and these are likely to be storms / showers, not constant drizzle.
What should I pack for July?
Some factor 50 should be the first thing in your suitcase, while you will need very little in the way of long sleeves / trousers or extra layers, although bear in mind some interiors will be cool thanks to air-conditioning (not many though, Barcelona doesn’t go large on A/C!). Light comfortable clothing and plenty of beachwear should be the mainstay of your luggage.
Best Things To Do This July!
Here’s our hot list of inspiration for the Barcelona summertime:
1. E-Bike Photo Highlights Tour
No need to get sweaty on a regular bike tour, the sleek Italian-designed electric bicycles of Ocean Bikes will do all the work for you. They have two great tour itineraries but for newcomers I’d recommend the Barcelona Photo Highlights Tour that introduces you to the insanely creative world of Antoni Gaudi and his architecture and also passes over Montjuic, a coastal hill with fantastic views over Barcelona and home to the Olympic Ring. There’s also time to cruise by Barceloneta beach. Check out their website for more info.
2. Visit the Costa Brava!
I’d struggle to name anywhere I love as much as the Costa Brava. The name means ‘Wild Coast’ and the rugged headlands create sensational coves and bays, with emerald waters to die for. What’s more, there are dozens of beautiful towns and villages along the coast, that runs between Barcelona and France. Unfortunately the area is hard to visit without a car, and probably the best way is via an organised tour. There are several cool ones on Get Your Guide, but if I had to recommend one in particular it would be this combined Girona and Costa Brava tour that also includes hotel pick up. Meanwhile, this similar tour focuses on exclusively the beach towns and gives you more beach time.
…Or Kayak on the Costa Brava!
Another way to enjoy the craggy cliffs, sweet-scented pine forests and clear turquoise waters of the Costa Brava is on a kayaking day tour from Barcelona, where you can enjoy it all while splashing in the sea. There’s a 6 hour and 8 hour day trip on Get Your Guide, both with great reviews.
3. MOCO Museum
If you need to avoid the midday sun, you could do far worse than whiling away an hour or two at this temple to modern art. On display are works by legends such as Andy Warhol, Banksy, Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Marina Abramovic. Conveniently located in the medieval Born district, MOCO is found on the same street at the Picasso Museum, so you could even do a one-two combo cultural punch!
4. Try the Casa Vicens
If you fancy checking out some of Gaudi’s breathtaking architecture, but are keen to stay clear of the crowds, then Casa Vicens is a great choice, as this charming mansion is not quite as well known as the Casa Milo and Batllo but just as beautiful (it is included in his UNESCO-listed buildings). One of his earliest works, it contains many of the hallmarks of Modernista architecture such as ceramic decorations, wrought ironwork and Arabic influences. Tickets are available via Get Your Guide.
5. Splash Around on a Boat Party
If you came to Barcelona to party, then undoubtedly the best place to do it is on one of these fiestas on the Mediterranean that take place Weds to Sunday in July. There’s sunshine, DJs, cervezas, sangria, paella and a chance to take a dip in the sea (depending on which option you choose!). Tickets do sell out fast, so book in advance if you can.
6. Spanish Cooking Class
There are a few different cooking classes available in Barcelona, but this one for €79 hits the sweet spot of being affordable, hands-on and with great reviews. The experience starts with a trip to the world-famous Boqueria market to pick up the freshest possible ingredients with which to make a legendary Spanish paella. A good paella takes time (the rice has to absorb all the flavours!) but don’t worry, there’s tapas, wine and sangria to keep you going!
7. Take a Boutique Wine Tour
With all the talk of Gaudi, tapas restaurants, city beaches and Montserrat, sometimes it gets overlooked that Barcelona is surrounded by a wine country, with the picturesque Penedes region less than an hour away by car or train. For an unforgettable day in the vineyards consider this 6-hour excursion that takes you to two boutique wineries and includes 7 wine and cava tastings, homemade tapas and even a ride in a 4×4 vehicle through the vine plantations. The tour is pretty incredible value at €109.99 per person, including luxury transport to and from the city.
8. Cruilla Festival
One of Barcelona’s three music festivals, along with Primavera Sound and Sonar, Cruilla takes place in early to mid-July each year and brings international artists of all persuasions to the epic Parc del Forum arena. This wide open concrete space is the perfect festival grounds to rock out to the likes of Placebo, Offspring, Alt-J, Franz Ferdinand and Sigur Ross (to mention the 2023 headliners), while dozens more famous bands and DJs, playing everything from world music to electronic, will keep the party going over four hazy summer days. You can buy day tickets or 2, 3, or 4 day passes on the official website.
9. Festival Jardins Pedralbes
If just the thought of attending the likes of Sonar festival make your knees go a little unsteady, then there’s a rather more refined music festival taking place this month. The Festival Jardins Pedralbes is more of a series of concerts than an actual festival, but they play out in the open air, under the long summer evenings. The line up is aimed squarely at mum and dad, but hey I wouldn’t mind going to see Chris Isaak, Bastille, Soft Cell or Goran Bregović and the Balkan Paradise Orchestra. In 2023 the festival moved from Pedralbes park to Poble Espanyol village. Check the website for more info.
10. PRIDE Barcelona
Barcelona’s PRIDE festival is a celebration of diversity and the fight for dignity, respect and acceptance for LGBTQ rights, while also being a lot of fun. The main event takes place 14th and 15th July in 2023, but for an entire week they’ll be concerts, DJ performances, shows, workshops, markets and other cultural events. Many folks will travel from around Spain and further abroad to be here, so expect the nightlife to be lively during this time of the year, especially around the so-called ‘Gayample‘ district. Check the festival website for a full programme.
11. Sala Montjuic
In July, Barcelona’s cinephiles eschew the claustrophobic atmosphere of your everyday auditorium and make their way up Montjuic mountain for their monthly dosage of the silver screen. That’s because this time of the year the Sala Montjuic festival screens three stylish films a week, usually starting late in June and running until early August. It’s hard to beat the romance of watching a cult hit on a picnic blanket (or deckchair) under the stars, and if you get there early there’s also a concert preceding the movie. Check their website for this year’s schedule.
12. Festes Majors (Raval & Poble Sec)
Every district in Barcelona has it’s own festa major (grand fiesta) when local residents of all ages take to the street to party. Two of the biggest and best are the Festa Major de Raval and Festa Major de Poblesec, both of which take place in mid-July, with Raval’s edition typically starting one week earlier than Poble Sec’s. Finding reliable info on the events’ poorly-maintained websites and social media channels is next to impossible… but attending is easy. Just rock up to the barrio and follow your ears to the nearest stage for live bands and DJs, from early evening until the early hours.
13. Enjoy the Summer Nightlife!
Barcelona enjoys a pretty wild nightlife year-round, but for sure summer is the best time to visit for nightowls. The beach terraces of the nightclubs on the Port Olimpic are all heaving June through to mid-September, while you can also set sail on an epic boat party this time of year, or sign up for a flirty pub crawl or VIP Nightlife Tour. If you haven’t got the funds for fancy cocktails in upmarket clubs, there are plenty of street fiestas and you can enjoy a cheeky can of beer or two on the beach (technically illegal, but hardly strictly enforced!).
14. Head to the Beach
One of the beauties of visiting Barcelona is that you can combine all the excitement of a city trip with the benefits of a typical beach holiday! Ok the Catalan capital’s urban beaches don’t offer virgin sands or much peace and quiet, but for energy and atmosphere they’re as good as anything Rio has to offer and the water quality is decent most days. If you need a break from the sun, a scattering of chiringuitos (beach bars) offer cocktails and grub… quality and service may vary, but the views and vibe are hard to beat.
15. Make Your Own Beach Sandals!
Talking about beaches, brings us nicely to the ultimate Spanish beachwear accessory: the espadrille. These humble sandals were first popularised by Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso and still warn today by the likes of Nathalie Portman and various Hollywood A-listers…. plus Barcelona Life staff! We got ours at a fun workshop in the Gothic Quarter where you get to personalise your pair of espadrilles, using your choice of materials, techniques and colours. The instructors are super friendly, and some Cava and snacks turns the whole event into a bit of party. The class takes place every day at 10am and costs just €89 (which is actually cheaper than the shoes themselves!). Email us on info@barcelona-life.com and we’ll put you in direct touch with the organisers.
Keep Reading…
This list you’ve found is but a small sample of epic things to do in the city, so check our full list to ensure you make the most of your stay in the sensational Catalan capital.
About the Author
Duncan established Barcelona Life in 2009, whilst freelancing for the likes of Conde Nast, The Guardian, Easyjet Magazine, CNN Traveller and many more. From interviews with Ferran Adria to revealing the secrets of the city’s poetry brothels, he knows the city inside out… and shares all his best tips right here.