Shuut….. don’t tell everyone, but October is surely one of the best month to discover Barcelona. Perfect weather, less visitors & discount prices are a perfect mix to escape the chilly Nothern Europe climate (not to say rainy!).
Get a boost of sunny Vitamine D for a few days and enjoy the energy of our city: the National Geographic described Barcelona as one of the liveliest tourist destinations in Europe, Barcelona arguably eclipses Madrid as a showcase for the arts, music and cutting-edge design. Not to forget the sea & sandy beaches 
Want to know more! Here is our list…
1. THE WEATHER: 30 days long Indian summer
Hurry up!!! It’s a 1 month Indian summer which blesses us. Today, we have 32 degrees with a perfect sun, beaches crowded with people and surfers enjoying small waves (see our pictures). Tshirts and dresses are gonna be your main clothes pieces! So prepare for a climate shock when passing the Barcelona airport doors!
Barcelona, October 11th 2011
2. BEACH BARS: Barcelona last Mojito
The bars on the Barcelona beaches (called Chiringuito) will close on October 20th. This is your last chance to enjoy a cold Mojito with your feet in the sand.
The most well known area is the Barceloneta, a heaven for sun & seafood amateurs. Many restaurants and bars are still open. If there are too many people on the beach, simply take a 10 min walk in direction of the new Hotel W. Just in front is a public beach heaven opened this year with a few bars/restaurants. The sand is appreciated by locals as it is whiter & thinner. Just close your eyes and you’ll have this Caribbean feeling! I recommend the Mama Rosa Beach restaurant offering the thinest pizzas ever (the roman way!). Olives are served to welcome you and they are truly the best I’ve ever eaten (these big and crocky olives).
Too many people visiting me in Barcelona says paellas are better in their respective country restaurants! So true… this national plate became a tourist trap and quality is mostly very disappointing. Check my previous post for the BARCELONA BEST PAËLLA GUIDE.
3. DISCOUNT PRICES: Pay less to see more
There are no major European holidays during October, so enjoy discounts to get cheap airfares tickets and accommodation.
Vueling, Easyjet & Ryanair are offering plane tickets deals to Barcelona. The trip is worth just to see the new “airplane shaped” airport opened in 2009 and build by worldwide famous catalan architect Ricardo Bofil. To compare in one click all the major airplane companies: Edreams is an excellent comparative search engine.
I just checked our website and saw the GRACIA HOLIDAY apartment with swimming pool in Barcelona center at a -40% markup for this coming week (from 28€ pppn).
Visit our discount page to check our holiday apartments Barcelona best deals.
4. OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES: Sweating not included
After the the heat during summer, the city is now at a perfect temperature to discover its main touristic spots. Here are some recommendations for outside activities:
> A stroll on the famous Rambla and take a picture with the most creatively dressed living statues;
> Take a walk in the Gaudi’s Park Guell to listen to local artists;
> Admire the view of Barcelona from the Casa Mila rooftop;
> Picknick with locals at Park de la Ciutadella;
> Shopping tour around the Passeig de Gracia for reduced prices on famous spanish brands (Zara, Mango, Bershka…). Prices can be -30% cheaper than in other coutries;
> Take the old fashioned funicular all the way to the top of Tibidado, Barcelonas highest view point;
> Visit the Sagrada Familia, Gaudis masterpiece. It is said to be the only cathedral still in construction in the world. Tip! How to avoid the queue to buy your Sagrada Familia ticket (waiting time can be up to 2 hours!!!).
> While visiting Montjuic and it’s castle, have a drink at this hidden bar: La Caseta . A wonderful view to the sea. They offer a barbecue menue and a DJ often plays chillout music. Peaceful moments!
> Rent a bike to ride around the city. Barcelona is not very steep so it’s very easy to bike around. Our friends at Budget bikes will give you a -3€ discount if your come from us;
> Take a guided Walking tour to get a better idea of Barcelona. Different themes include El Modernismo, The Witch tour, The Middle age…
The famous Ramblas in October
5. OPEN AIR BARS/CLUBS CLOSINGS: Party under the stars
Famous all over the world for its vibrant movida, Barcelona offers plenty of clubs and parties to choose from. The temperatures cool down during the night, but there are still a few parties to enjoy outside. The beach bars on the sea front offer a large terraces. OPIUM MAR often host some of the best known DJ’s as David Guetta, Martin Solveig, Eric Morillo… You can have a drink prior to clubs at CDLC or SHOKO for beautiful people socializing.
A terrace with a view at Barcelona Port Olympic
If you did not rent a holiday apartment with terrace, why not go to a hotel terrace for a drink! The Hotel Pulitzer, located just by the Plaza Catalunya, offers the beautifully designed bar “Visit Up” on the rooftop terrace accessible even if you do not sleep at the hotel. Every Wednesday and Thursdays live Concerts or DJ sessions (Jazz, Bossanova, Soul).
Hotel Pulizer terrace in Barcelona center
>> OCTOBER 2011: OUR SELECTED EVENTS <<
14/10: EL PRIVILEGE OPENING PARTY
The Ibiza based biggest club in the world is opening in Barcelona his first worldwide franchise.
14/10: SITGES ZOMBIE WALK
It’s a fun highlight of the Sitges Film Festival. Participation is free and there is also a free Zombie make-up zone. After the walk there will be a free Zombie party and a concert on the beach.
20/10 > 01/11: BARCELONA INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
Over 80 concerts of world class performers, taking place in 15 different venues of Bcn. For the first time the Jazz Festival will collaborate with the legendary italian “Umbria Jazz Festival”.
20>23/10: RIBERMÚSICA
A lively and varied program of music events will animate the trendy Born district.
20/10: YELLE CONCERT
On their Safari Disco Tour 2011 the french pop band Yell makes a stage in Barcelona, at “Razzmatazz 2″.
22>23/10: 48H OPEN HOUSE BCN 2011 (web in catalan)
At its second edition in Barcelona, this architectural event started in London in 1992 and took place to many other cities including New York, Tel Aviv, Dublin… Open doors for 160 buildings of all kinds and shape, some of which are usually closed to the public. Some buildings are open only a few hours, so check the visiting time on the web! Free admission.
23/10: THE KOOKS CONCERT
The band will perform at Razzmatazz.
23/10: MARATÒ DEL MEDITERANNI
27/10>06/11: BARCELONA GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL
31/10: HALLOWEEN BARCELONA 2011
There are Halloween fancy dress parties at most of Barcelona top clubs like Opium Mar, Shoko, CDLC…
Football fans!
Here is the FCB calendar for the games played at Camp Nou (Barcelona)
15/10: FC BARCELONA vs RACING (Camp Nou Stadium)
19/10: FC BARCELONA vs FC VIKTORIA PLZEÑ (Camp Nou Stadium)
22/10: FC BARCELONA vs SEVILLA (Camp Nou Stadium)
29/10: FC BARCELONA vs RCD MALLORCA (Camp Nou Stadium)
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