What to Do in Barcelona in September: Montserrat, Soccer, & More

Barcelona in September is positively magical. As summer tourist crowds clear out and locals return from vacation, the city begins to retain more of the authentic charm that enamors so many. Weather-wise, sunny days and pleasantly cool nights help add to its appeal.

And if you’re still not sure why we love Barcelona in September so much, consider the major holidays and festivals taking place around town—the Catalan capital parties nonstop all month long.

Ready to see for yourself? Here’s what you need to do in Barcelona in September.

A group of people in Barcelona eating tapas and cheering with glasses of vermouth.
It’s always a great time of year to indulge in some vermouth!

Celebrate La Mercè

If you came to Barcelona to party, save the date for La Mercè.

Arguably one of the biggest festivals of the year, this celebration—honoring Barcelona’s patron saint—has humble roots. What started as a simple religious parade has snowballed into a massive multi-day event celebrating the city and its culture.

If you’re lucky enough to be in town during La Mercè, it’s safe to say that you’ll never be bored. Colorful parades and free concerts are everywhere, making this one of the most fun ways to immerse yourself in local culture.

Gegants, or giant figures, parade through a crowd in Catalunya
It wouldn’t be a festival without Barcelona’s famous giants! Photo credit: Mike McBey

Experience the National Day of Catalonia

Catalan pride is on full display throughout Barcelona in September. The month plays host to the National Day of Catalonia, known as La Diada in Catalan.

Even if you haven’t experienced La Diada for yourself, you’ve likely seen it represented in the media. Every year, press outlets from around the world descend on Barcelona to cover the massive parades and demonstrations in favor of Catalan independence, the most famous being that which takes place at the Fossar de les Moreres monument in the Born neighborhood.

Fun fact: Believe it or not, La Diada actually commemorates a defeat. The event is held in honor of the fall of Barcelona in 1714 during the War of the Spanish Succession.

A large group of people celebrating La Diada in Catalan in Barcelona in September.
If you’re in Barcelona in September, participating in La Diada is a must. Photo credit: Medol

Take a day trip

With such beautiful weather this time of year, it would practically be a crime to not get out and explore.

Barcelona’s picturesque location between rugged mountains and pristine coastline cements its status as one of the most beautiful places in Europe. Beyond city limits, you’ll find that the entire Catalan region offers an abundance of stunning destinations that are easily accessible from Barcelona on public transportation, making day trips easy.

September is an especially great month to go to the beach as tourism slows down and temperatures remain high. Mountainous areas also cool off a bit by September and day trips to places like Montserrat are perfect this time of year.

A group of people walking through a sunny vineyard.
A day trip to wine—or cava!—country is always a good idea.

Marvel at the wonders of aviation at Festa al Cel

At the Festa al Cel, acrobatic planes whiz high above Catalan skies in a show-stopping display of excellence.

This annual air show brings together aviation enthusiasts and curious visitors alike, giving them a spectacle to remember. As one of the coolest events taking place near Barcelona in September, the air show brings together fascinating historic planes, military and fighter jets, and so much more.

Come check out some of the best pilots in the world doing what they do best at the event at the airport in Lleida, just a quick trip away from Barcelona.

Air crafts in formation painting the sky with different colors for Festa al Cel in Barcelona in September.
Festa al Cel is a family-friendly activity that everyone will enjoy. Photo credit: CésarOP

See a soccer game

If you’re a sports lover, you can’t visit Barcelona without checking out a F.C. Barcelona game at Camp Nou.

The season is just getting started in September, so it’s an exciting time for Barça fans. Don’t sweat it if you can’t make it to the stadium, though. There are plenty of bars around town that will undoubtedly give you an authentic enough experience as you watch the game on the small screen surrounded by passionate locals.

Barcelona football stadium Camp Nou at night with bright lights and tons of fans filling the seats
Camp Nou is Barcelona’s largest stadium. Photo credit: Xeno Meienberg

Update Notice: This post was updated on September 20, 2024.

Explore two icons of Catalan heritage—the Montserrat Monastery and cava—in one perfectly planned day on our Montserrat & Cava Winery Tour: Day Trip from Barcelona with Lunch.

6 Comment

  1. Lola says
    August 13, 2018 at 2:18 pm

    Take a day trip… it is the best idea
    Thanks for your perfect post!

    1. Devour Tours says
      August 13, 2018 at 4:49 pm

      Thank you Lola!

  2. Emma Obrey says
    August 29, 2019 at 3:38 pm

    That’s just perfect itinerary for a Barcelonatrip! being a big fan of Spain myself I wanna to explore it all! And your travel resource is really helpful!

    1. Devour Tours says
      September 2, 2019 at 5:09 pm

      Glad you found it useful, Emma! We hope to see you the next time you’re in Spain!

  3. Gemma says
    September 11, 2019 at 1:21 pm

    I’m so excited to visit Barcelona next week! Thank-you for providing so much information through your website and doing so in a positive manner. It is easy to become bitter when your city attracts to many (obnoxious) tourists- it’s why I don’t visit Amsterdam anymore, even though I am Dutch. Luckily, there are plenty of lovely cities in the vicinity. I will be sure to explore the Catalonia just the same 🙂 Do you have any tips on where to learn basic Spanish sentences?

    1. Devour Tours says
      September 17, 2019 at 9:04 am

      Thanks for reading, Gemma! It’s so important to be aware of responsible tourism practices, so it sounds like you’re already starting off on the right foot!
      Here are some basic Spanish phrases for traveling: https://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/learn/spanish/spanish-tips/spanish-travel-phrases
      And here’s a post we wrote with some similar phrases in Catalan: https://devourbarcelonafoodtours.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-catalan/
      We hope this helps—enjoy Barcelona and Catalonia!

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