Barcelona in November: What's the weather like?

November in Barcelona sees the city shift from autumn to winter, with cooler temperatures and more frequent rain in comparison with early fall. That said, the weather in Barcelona — and in Spain more generally — in November is pretty mild, offering comfortable, crowd-free conditions for sightseeing and exploring the city’s glorious green spaces, Gothic grandeur and Gaudi masterpieces, as revealed below.

Is November a good time to visit Barcelona?

If you prefer fewer crowds, milder temperatures, and are looking to cut down travel costs, low-season November can be a good time to visit Barcelona. Just don’t come expecting ideal beach weather. 

While the earlier fall months of September and October are usually pretty warm, November sees the city shift to winter, which means more rainfall and cooler temperatures — more detail on that below.

On the plus side, a number of notable November festivals and events are sure to give your vacation a more authentic flavour — whether you’re passionate about Spanish cuisine, or want to discover Catalan culture and history at a time when locals outnumber tourists.

Still making up your mind? While there’s no shortage of reasons to visit Barcelona, you might want to weigh up whether to visit Madrid or Barcelona first. 

Alternatively, if you fancy experiencing five of Spain’s most remarkable cities — Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Granada and Valencia — without the hassle of planning, take a look at our customisable Iconic Cities of Spain trip before talking to our local experts to kickstart curating your dream trip.

Sunshine, average temperatures and rainfall in November

Heralding a seasonal shift from fall to winter, the weather in Barcelona in November experiences an average low temperature range of 45°F to 50°F (7°C to 10°C), and an average high range of 60°F to 65°F (15°C to 18°C).

If you’re hoping for a spot of sun, the city enjoys around 5-6 hours of sunlight a day in November.

Though this is noticeably less than during the peak season summer months — July, for example, offers 9-10 hours of sunlight a day — it's more than many other northern European destinations at this time of year.

When it comes to rain, note that November is one of Barcelona's wettest months, with rainfall amounting to an average of 2.3 to 3.0 inches (60 to 75 mm).

For comparison, October — the wettest month of the year — experiences around 3.2 inches (80 mm), while July, the driest month, sees around 0.6 inches (15 mm).

In summary, Barcelona in November is mild, with moderate rain typically falling in short showers.

Want wider context on the weather? Read up on the weather in Spain in November, and the best time to go to Spain.

What about the crowds and cost?

November sits in a low season for tourism in Barcelona, which means it’ll be far less crowded than it is during the peak summer months. 

Surely good news if you want get up close to the city’s art and architecture, and aren’t keen on standing in long lines.

In general, flights and accommodation are also more affordable at this time of year, making November an ideal time for budget-conscious travelers. On that subject, if you're hoping to travel for less, read up on Barca’s best things to do for FREE! 

Traveling beyond Barcelona? Find out about fab free things to do in Madrid, and discover the best places to visit in Europe on a budget.

What to do in Barcelona in November

Considering the cooler weather in Barcelona in November — and smaller crowds — it’s a great month to uncover the city’s cultural attractions in more comfortable, immersive style.

In addition, a few special events are on hand to add more than a touch of authenticity to your vacation.

Barcelona International Jazz Festival  

Running from mid-September through to December, November sees the Barcelona International Jazz Festival in full swing.

Featuring international and local artists and all manner of world-class jazz performances at venues across the city, it’s a longstanding highlight of Barcelona's cultural calendar.

Celebrate La Castanyada 

Held on the evening of 31st October and 1st November (All Saint's Day), La Castanyada is a traditional Catalan festival that celebrates the chestnut harvest while also signifying that winter is well and truly on the way.

Expect to see stalls selling castanyes (roasted chestnuts), sweet potatoes, and panellets (small almond-based cakes). 

Savour seasonal Catalan cuisine

Staying on the food theme, while we recommend checking out the best tapas bars in Barcelona whenever you visit, November is a great month to truly appreciate traditional Catalan dishes.

On colder days, the likes of escudella i carn d’olla (a hearty meat stew) followed by crema catalana taste all the more satisfying.

We also recommend booking a food-themed walking tour of the city, and spending time in La Boqueria market.

Editors tip: without wishing to tempt you away from Barcelona, if you’re into Spanish food in a big way, our culinary experience in Seville has been curated to make your mouth water.

Discover Barca’s top attractions in crowd-free conditions

With low-season crowd levels, November is a good month to explore Barcelona’s biggest icons without having to wait in line for hours, and without having to jostle for space.

First up, it’s fair to say Barcelona’s famous La Rambla boulevard can be pretty hellish in the peak summer season months, when it’s super-hot and super-congested. 

Come November though, La Rambla is far less crowded and much cooler — all the better for seeing street performers and enjoying leisurely strolls, with a bounty of bars and shops to duck into when showers strike.

The same is true of meandering Barcelona’s glorious Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic), with Gaudí’s most iconic works — Sagrada Família and Park Güell — also better appreciated when there are fewer fellow tourists to spoil your view.

Mooch around museums and galleries

Given that November is one of the wettest months of the year in Barcelona, it’s the ideal time to include museums and galleries in your vacation itinerary.

Highlights includes the Picasso Museum, and the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC). 

Plan your trip to Barcelona in November

Decided to visit Barcelona in November? Read on for tips that’ll help you plan your perfect trip.

First up, if you’re not actually keen on the process of planning, why not check out our customisable Spain itineraries?

With a local expert on hand to curate your perfect trip, book every last detail, and provide support while you’re away, you’ll get to skip the stress of planning, leaving you with more time to focus on what really matters. Namely, counting down the days to your vacation.

Secondly, dive into our guide to how to plan a trip to Spain. It covers everything from deciding where to go and how long you need, to how to get there, and where to stay.

On that subject, a key part of planning any trip is figuring where to stay according to your tastes and budget. 

So, whether you’re looking for a family-friendly district (hello, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi), or want to be close to night life (in which case consider bedding down in Poble Sec), you’d be wise to read up on the best places to stay in Barcelona.

Lastly, for in-depth expert advice on what to see and do in Barcelona — and where to eat, sleep, drink and shop — get hold of a copy of The Rough Guide to Barcelona, with a handy pocket guide available for shorter trips.