Summer is approaching, the days are longer, and the scent of vacations is in the air… Have you already planned your summer? If you’re thinking of spending a few days in the Catalan capital, in this post, we’ll tell you what to do in Barcelona during the summer so you can make the most of it. Keep reading!
A tour of the best swimming pools
Despite its proximity to the beach, or perhaps because of it, Barcelona boasts some of the most spectacular swimming pools in Spain. Take note!
- Montjuïc Municipal Pool: the best views of the city while you take a refreshing dip. Doesn’t it sound appealing?
- Can Dragó Lake: the largest pool in the capital and a huge grassy area to sunbathe with family, friends, or simply enjoy some solitude.
- Forum Bathing Area: halfway between the beach and a pool, perfect if you enjoy saltwater but dislike the sand.
Having a drink at the beach bars
There’s no better plan for the evening than taking a relaxing stroll along the beach before settling down at a beach bar to let the hours pass by and enjoy the sunset, the sea breeze, and the soothing sound of the waves, music, and conversations.
In Barcelona, you’ll find beach bars of all kinds: for dancing and cocktails, for lunch or dinner, classic and family-friendly ones, or Instagrammable designer spots… We could provide you with a list of the best ones, but our recommendation is to try them out until you find your favorite: you’ll discover true gems.
Getting wet at Barcelona’s beaches
Although some may dismiss urban beaches, there is no doubt that Barcelona offers magnificent beaches where you can sunbathe, take a stroll, and go for a swim. Generally clean and well-maintained, Barcelona’s beaches are a major attraction for both tourists and locals.
- La Barceloneta: With its 422 meters in length, it is the most famous beach in the city. It offers a wide range of services such as parking, showers, restrooms, playgrounds, sports areas, and rental of umbrellas and lounge chairs, among others.
- San Sebastián Beach: Barcelona residents and tourists mingle along the 660 meters of San Sebastián Beach, which includes a nudist area and a gay-friendly section.
- Levante Beach: The newest beach in Barcelona, spanning 375 meters, provides all the services you need for a comfortable and enjoyable day, including umbrella and lounge chair rentals, parking, lifeguard service, and sports areas.
- Forum Bathing Area: We mentioned it before because it lies halfway between a pool and a beach. This space covers 375 meters, where the sea has been transformed into a shallow pool using cleverly arranged concrete blocks.
Enjoying outdoor cinema
If there’s something that is enjoyable in summer, it’s watching a good movie outdoors after dusk when the heat subsides and the nearby sea breeze provides the perfect background murmur. The people of Barcelona know this well, and that’s why various outdoor film screenings are organized during the summer, such as Cinema Lliure a la Platja, at San Sebastián Beach, Sala Montjuïc, or the annual screening at the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion. It’s a must-see!
Visiting the best artisan ice cream shops
When the heat becomes intense, our bodies crave a little ice cream to help combat the scorching Catalan summer, which shows no mercy. Fortunately, Barcelona is a city with a tradition of ice cream making, as evidenced by the hundreds of artisan ice cream shops that increasingly populate the streets of the city. We don’t recommend a particular one: let your senses guide you when choosing, and you’ll surely make the right choice!
Indulging in exquisite rice dishes
That’s right, you don’t have to travel to Valencia to enjoy a mouthwatering rice dish. In Barcelona, you’ll find numerous high-quality rice restaurants, but since we’re in summer, we recommend trying one of the beach bars in Barceloneta. The food, the atmosphere, the view of the sea, enjoying time with friends… Can you think of a better summer?
Exploring marine life at the Aquarium
This is a fantastic plan for those scorching days when walking through the streets can be a bit exhausting, especially if you’re visiting Barcelona with children. The Barcelona Aquarium boasts hosting over 11,000 specimens from more than 450 different marine species. Don’t miss the Oceanarium, an 80-meter-long tunnel that runs beneath the habitat of sharks, rays, and moray eels. You’ll love it!
Admiring the sunset from Tibidabo
If there’s a mainstream plan for summer nights in Barcelona, it’s going up the Tibidabo mountain to admire the sunset, which paints the city’s panorama in ochre and golden hues, offering one of the most beautiful views that Barcelona has to offer. Our advice? Prepare a small picnic with a bottle of wine, a cheese board, and some Catalan cured meats to elevate the experience from sensational to sublime.
Attending the best flamenco show
There’s something you can’t miss in Barcelona, regardless of the time of year you visit the city: experiencing an authentic flamenco show. If you also want to explore one of the most representative buildings of the Catalan capital, book your tickets for one of the performances offered by Gran Gala Flamenco at the Palau de la Música Catalana, a UNESCO World Heritage site, or at the Teatro Poliorama, which has witnessed significant historical events. Join us to discover it!
