Barcelona’s charm is not only linked to Summer. When temperatures cool down, shadows lengthen and crowds thin out, the beautiful Catalan city seems to give the best of itself to please the most curious and less hurried tourists. Here the 10 reasons to choose Barcelona in autumn.
Mild climate
From October to December, the average temperature ranges between 9 and 20 degrees. Days are pleasantly warm and evenings cool. It is still possible, at least in October, to walk and sunbathe on the beautiful waterfront, where the atmosphere is alive and cheerful, full of bars, cafes and restaurants.
Tranquillity
Barcelona is known to be extremely popular with tourists, who come in droves and flock to visit the major sites. In Autumn you can admire in tranquility the extraordinary unfinished Temple of the Sagrada Familia and the Picasso Museum, stroll the Rambla boulevards or visit Art Nouveau masterpieces.
Foliage in the parks
Stunning views of the foliage, that wonderful time when the leaves change color and turn on red, can be enjoyed in the many parks of the city: from the Parc de la Ciutadella to Parc Güell, decorated by Gaudi’s works; from Montjuïc’s Botanical Gardens to Pedralbes Gardens and the Horta Park Gardens, featuring a neoclassical and a romantic garden as well as a maze of cypress trees in a magical and mysterious atmosphere. A must to complete the day, on a Friday or Saturday Autumn night, is the show of the Magic Fountain of Montjuic, where the water flows to the rhythm of the music while constantly changing color.
Festivals
In October, La Rambla boulevards gets even more lively for the Festa Major in celebration of the patron saint on October 7. The famous architecture festival 48H Open House BCN takes place in the same month, with free guided tours to many historic buildings in the city. And then there are Swab, a contemporary art fair where galleries exhibit emerging artists from around the world, the International Boat Show and many other events to cater for various interests. All good opportunities to dance the sardana, a traditional Catalan circle dance, on Sunday morning in front of the Cathedral!
Museums
If you run into a chilly and dreary day, nothing better than to take refuge in a museum, of which Barcelona is very rich. From the History Museum of Catalonia, illustrating 2,000 years of Catalan art to the Museum of Contemporary Art, housed in the stunning building designed by Richard Meier; from the Picasso Museum to the Joan Miró Foundation to the Art Nouveau Museum, there is plenty to choose from.
Gastronomy
The two largest food markets in the city are definitely worth a visit: the Boqueria and Santa Caterina Market. The stalls spill over with fruits and vegetables, sausages, cheeses, meats and the best Spanish hams, shellfish, fish and seasonal products: chestnuts, mushrooms, tangerines. The most important gastronomic event is the Mercat de Mercats in the third weekend of October, when the Avenida de la Catedral is filled with stalls where you can taste the local specialties and wines. Do not miss the castanyes (roasted chestnuts), the hot sweet potatoes and panellets (almond cookies), to eat with cava, the local version of champagne. And if it’s really cold, the ideal is a cup of thick hot chocolate accompanied by churros, fried dough-pastries sprinkled with sugar!
Music
In addition to a show of the typical Spanish dance, the flamenco, a show at the Palau de la Musica, the auditorium in pure Art Nouveau style, is highly recommended. Music lovers should not miss Barcelona’s two biggest music festivals: the World Music Festival, a mix of musical cultures, in October, and the Barcelona International Jazz Festival, a prestigious event that celebrates all jazz genres in many locations, in November/December.
Movida and tapas
The Catalan capital offers a wide range of bars, restaurants and clubs with all kinds of music. The evening starts late, with a dinner at 11 pm, and continues with the ritual bar hopping, the so-called ir de copas. The main nightlife districts are the Gothic Quarter, Olimpic Port and the area above the Diagonal between Carrer Balmes and Carrer Casanova. Tapas bars open before the restaurants, around 7 pm, offering an unlimited choice of bites stuck with toothpicks (their number amounts to the bill), along with a glass of Txacoli, sparkling white wine, vermouth or homemade caña, draft beer.
Books and movies
Three famous Spanish writers stage their stories in Barcelona: Manuel Vázquez Moltalbán, Alicia Giménez Bartlett and Carlos Ruiz Zafón. To follow in the tracks of detective Pepe Carvalho, police inspector Petra Delicado, or look for the atmospheres of The Shadow of the Wind, as well as the locations of All About My Mother (Pedro Almodóvar) or Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Woody Allen), the cooler months are definitely to be preferred.
Hotel Duquesa de Cardona
Located in the heart of Barcelona, facing the harbor and a short walk from Las Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter, the hotel is housed in a former palace of the sixteenth century, renovated in 1850 and restored as a luxury hotel in 2003. The noble parts the building and the restaurant retain the spirit and style of the original building combined with modern furnishings. From its large roof terrace – solarium you can enjoy magnificent views of the harbor, the Barceloneta district and the Olympic Port. A wide gastronomic selection of designer tapas, a selection of dishes cooked on the grill and the cocktails offered by the Terrace Bar complete an unforgettable experience for the five senses. 59 rooms. Wi-fi. Rate for the double room from € 180.00 per night (without breakfast). www.hduquesadecardona.com
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