12 Things to do in Barcelona in September

September is one of my favourite months in Barcelona. The tourist crowds from August have disappeared, the nights are a bit cooler, and the sea is still warm. Barcelona in September also includes two of the biggest local holidays that come with lots of events and traditions. Here are 12 things to do in Barcelona in September, with 2019 event dates:

1. La Mercè

La Mercè, celebrating the patron saint of Barcelona, dominates the month of September in the city. September 24th is a local holiday, and activities typically happen in the week leading up to this day. Highlights traditionally include a big Castellers (human pyramids) competition, the “Correfoc” (see picture above), where people dressed up as devils and monsters dance through the streets with fireworks, and a giant parade with giant costumes made out of paper maché.

La Mercè 2019 will happen from the 20th to the 24th of September, and the program is out on their website.

2. Barcelona Acció Musical

A sister event to La Merce, BAM is a music festival running on the same dates as La Mercè. It focuses on new and emerging artists from dance, electronic, rock and pop, with a mix of local and International artists. Over 40 groups are set to play this year in different open air locations across the city.

Entry is free, making this a great budget event for music aficionados! The program can be found here.

3. Go for a sunset sail

For a different view of the Barcelona skyline, and to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a few hours, go for a sailing trip. As the sun sets a bit earlier in September, sunset is a great time to enjoy the water. Bonus: the sea is still warm enough for a swim! There are plenty of boat tour operators in Port Olimpic and Port Veill, with anything from jazz cruises and party boats to small private yachts.

4. Experience La Diada, the Catalan national day

La Diada on September 11th is Catalonia´s national day, commemorating the fall of Barcelona during the War of the Spanish succession in 1714. In the past few years, this day has become more political, and there is a big independence march planned on Avenida Diagonal. In the evening, there is usually a concert at Arc de Triomf.

5. Take a day trip to a beach town

With the summer crowds thinning out and the weather getting a bit cooler, September is the perfect time for a day trip to one of the beach towns nearby. For a low cost half day escape, check out Montgat Nord, easily reachable by train (line R1) with your T-10 metro ticket. For a full day of beaches, restaurants and shopping, Sitges is a great destination.

If you´ve got an entire weekend or don´t mind a longer drive, head up to the beautiful towns on the Costa Brava. Llafranc, Begur and Cadaqués are my favourites.

6. Go for a picnic in the park

Barcelona in September is the perfect time and place for a picnic in the park. Grab a bottle of wine from a local wine shop and get some jamón, bread, cheese and olives at La Boquería or your neighborhood´s local market, and head to the park for a picnic.

Park de la Ciutadella is probably Barcelona´s most favourite park, but there are also great picnic spots at Poblenou Park next to the beach or at the Park del Labirint d’Horta, where you can try your luck at finding the center of the Parks´s hedge maze.

7. See a football game at Camp Nou

Barcelona is home to one of the most famous football clubs in the world, FC Barcelona. La Liga will be in full swing in September, and you can catch two home games at the famous Camp Nou stadium. In 2019, there will be a game against Valencia on September 14th and a game against Villareal on September 25th. Tickets can be bought directly via the club´s website.

If you can´t make it to one of those matches but want to experience Camp Nou, you can go for a stadium tour. If tickets are sold out, it´s also a great local experience to watch the matches in a bar with other fans.

8. Go hiking around Barcelona

September temperatures are perfect to go hiking in Barcelona and the surrounding areas. One of my favourite hikes is the coastal path from Sitges to Vilanova, along beaches, a couple of small coves, and with great tapas and seafood in both towns for a pre- and post-hike snack.

Both towns also have a direct train connection to Barcelona, so getting there and back is easy. Don´t forget to pack a light rain jacket, as September does have quite a few rain showers.

Don´t fancy hiking along the beach? Montserrat monastery is also a popular hiking destination, with guided tours offered by many tour operators in the city.

9. Experience Cava and Wine in Penedès

September is grape harvest season in Penedès, one of Catalonia´s biggest wine and cava (sparkling wine) regions. There’s a big choice of activities, from hiking and cycling tours through the vineyards to wine tastings and even workshops where you can create your own cava.

The website of Vilafranca Tourism has a great overview of activities on offer.

10. Go for rooftop cocktails

With good weather almost all year round, Barcelona has a great selection of rooftop bars and restaurants. They´re hugely popular with both locals and travelers. Whether you´re looking for a cocktail by the pool for a warm afternoon, or a rooftop cocktail and dinner with a nice view, you´ll find a rooftop terrace in Barcelona to suit your mood. Barcelona Navigator has a great review of Barcelona´s rooftop terraces.

11. Party at a Festa Major

If you can´t make it to La Mercè, there are a couple of other neighborhood festivals, “Festa Majors”, happening in Barcelona in September where you can soak up local culture like Castellers and feast on local food.

Poblenou celebrates its Festa Major from the 6th to the 15th of September. Barceloneta´s Festa Major is at the end of September around the 29th.

12. Barcelona in September rainy day option: Create your own Gaudí style mosaic

On a rainy day, Barcelona can become a different city. Many of the highlights of the city are a bit weather dependent. Barcelona´s many museums are the obvious option for a rainy day (check out the Picasso museum), alongside a visit to the inside of La Sagrada Familia. But if you´ve had enough of sightseeing, try your skills at mosaic making.

The local style of mosaic is called “Trencadís” and uses broken pieces of tile or glass to create creative masterpieces. There are quite a few workshops now on offer around the city, where you can create a mosaic picture frame, drink coaster or storage box. They´re great activities for a rainy afternoon that will have you making your very own, unique Barcelona souvenir.