The 10 Best Things to Do in Barcelona This Fall

Fall in Barcelona can only mean one thing: the return of soccer season and with it the most beloved team in Catalunya – FC Barcelona. Even if you’re not a big fan of soccer or even sports in general, there is nothing quite like watching a live game at Camp Nou with some 99,000 other spectators singing in an incoherent mix of Spanish and Catalan. While tickets may be a bit on the expensive side for the budget traveler, it’s a quintessential Barcelona experience.

One of the best things about Spain in the fall is the smell of chestnuts (castañas) and sweet potatoes (boniatos) roasting on an open fire. Okay, it might not exactly be an open fire, but you can find this traditional treat on any number of street corners in Barcelona for a low price. Cracking hot chestnuts and adding them to a warm sweet potato can be tricky at first, but it’s worth the effort once you’re indulging in this snack that’s best enjoyed in the chilly fall air.

Halloween may be considered American in origin, but its popularity is spreading throughout the world and this fall, one of the best places to celebrate is at the PortAventura amusement park just outside Barcelona. From September 26th to November 15th this year you can experience all the thrills of the usual attractions plus the added chills of monsters and haunted rides. Costumes are optional, fun is guaranteed.

The Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (or CCCB) is a vibrant arts space in the heart of the city. There are plenty of galleries and museums in Barcelona worth visiting, but the CCCB never fails to feel fresh in its programming. A range of temporary exhibits run all year round, with prices starting at just €6 and plenty of free admission or reduced cost policies on offer too. This one is perfect for when the autumnal weather is at its worst – simply while away the afternoon taking in some of the most riveting works of art in one of the world’s great art cities.

Opened officially in 2011, the Turó de la Rovira located high above the city is just one of many sites that make up the Museu d’Història de Barcelona (MUHBA). This mirador with a 360˚ view of the city make it one of the most popular spots to take in the sprawling streets of Barcelona and watch the sunset.

Every fall the city welcomes its annual Voll-Damm Festival Internacional de Jazz de Barcelona with always-incredible line-ups at venues throughout the entire city. Usually beginning in September or October, artists to have played at the festival include Diana Krall, Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn, Paula Rojo, Iron & Wine, Chucho Valdés, and many, many more. Venues range from L’Auditori to the Palau de la Música Catalana and various other spaces, both indoors and out.

Fira Barcelona is an institution that has been hosting trade shows, conventions, and exhibitions at its two Barcelona locations since the 1930’s with subjects ranging from weddings to economics to construction. The fall calendar can include everything from the Barcelona Tattoo Expo to the Manga Fair. Both draw thousands of fans to the city every year and it’s a great place to spend a few hours or the entire weekend.

Taking place in October, in the lead-up to Halloween, the Sitges Film Festival is the world’s best fantasy film festival. What began in 1968 as the 1st International Week of Fantasy and Horror Movies has exploded into the highly-anticipated event it is today with visitors from around the world coming to view dozens of movies in this small beach town. With films ranging from just a few minutes long to full-length features, this festival is sure to please every type of movie-goer.

If history, architecture, and design are what you seek in your travels, then the 48h Open House Barcelona weekend-long event is exactly what you’ve been looking for. Taking place every October, this event opens 150 doors to those who have purchased a passport, as well as personalized itineraries based on interests, activities and conferences throughout the weekend. This behind-the-scenes look at buildings and homes in Barcelona that are usually closed to the public began in 2010 and is still going strong in its 6th year thanks to the architects, designers, and volunteers who continue to help plan and organize the event.

Park Güell is one the most famous attractions in Barcelona, so there’s nothing original about adding Antoni Gaudí’s outdoor architectural playground to the list. What makes a visit in fall so special – beyond the autumnal colours that embellish the park – is that the crowds are so much smaller. In summer this place is heaving with tourists, which isn’t exactly ideal for an afternoon stroll in a park. Visiting during fall allows you to soak up the scenery that little bit slower, with a little bit more peace and quiet. Bliss. Recommended by Gethin Morgan.