The ultimate guide to visiting Barcelona in January

Visiting Barcelona in January means you’ll have one of the world’s most photogenic cities almost entirely to yourself. You might not spend your vacation sunbathing, but Barcelona exudes a unique charm in the cooler months.

Take a deep dive into Gaudí’s extraordinary architecture as you explore the whimsical Casa Vicens and the still-unfinished Sagrada Familia Cathedral. See your high school art class come to life in the Picasso Museum, then round out the evening with tapas and drinks at a flamenco performance. This is your insider guide to discovering the best things to do in Barcelona in January.

Why go to Barcelona in January?

The weather is cool but not bitterly cold

While temperatures aren’t exactly balmy, Barcelona’s Mediterranean climate is still warmer and sunnier during the winter months than many other parts of Europe. Because the number of visitors peaks during the hotter summer months, you’ll have easier access to Barcelona’s top attractions (without the queues).

You can find great accommodations and flights at bargain prices

Another perk of visiting Barcelona in January is that you can score amazing low-season deals on flights and accommodations for significantly less than you’d pay during the peak season. This is especially true if you wait until at least the second week of January to avoid overlapping with Christmas and New Year’s travelers.

You’ll enjoy great shopping deals, thanks to rebajas

One of the best things to do in January in Barcelona is to shop ’til you drop. The rebajas de invierno (winter sales) pop up all over Barcelona around January 7th and last throughout the month, offering significant discounts on apparel, cosmetics, electronics, and household items.

January offers cultural festivals that are uniquely Catalan

Catalonia’s capital boasts two defining cultural events in January: the Cavalcada de Reis (Three Kings Parade) on January 5th and the Festa dels Tres Tombs (Festival of the Three Rounds) on January 17th. The first event is an evening parade featuring colorful floats and costumed characters tossing candy to children, while the other is in honor of St. Anthony, the patron saint of animals, and includes an elegant procession of horse-drawn carriages through the medieval city streets.

You can combine visiting Barcelona with a skiing or snowboarding trip

If you can’t decide between the beach and the mountains, you can enjoy the best of both worlds in Barcelona in January. The nearby Pyrenees mountains are a popular day trip from Barcelona. You can then go tri-country and ski or snowboard at popular resorts in Spain, Andorra, or France.

What’s the weather like in Barcelona in January?

Barcelona weather in January typically features cool days and chilly evenings, with an average of eight hours of sunshine each day. Rainy days are relatively rare, and you should see plenty of sunshine to counteract the crisp air. Daytime temperatures are ideal for outdoor activities as long as you’re wearing a light jacket. Evening temperatures do drop off a bit, so you’ll want to pack a warm coat, a scarf, and a pair of gloves for any nighttime excursions.

• Average day temperature: 61 F (16 C)
• Average night temperature: 50 F (10 C)
• Average days of rain: 5 days
• Average days of sun: 14 days

Top things to do in Barcelona in January

1. Take a tour of Sagrada Familia Cathedral

Perhaps Gaudí’s greatest masterpiece and the most recognizable landmark in Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia Cathedral welcomes a whopping 4.7 million visitors annually. With fewer crowds during the wintertime, you’ll be able to slow down and savor the details of this architectural wonder, from the marble columns carved as trees and branches to the subterranean crypt where Antoni Gaudí himself rests. Other highlights of this cultural icon include the three distinctly themed Faith, Love, and Hope entrances, the oversized and brightly colored stained glass windows, and the fanciful spires that resemble a fairytale castle.

Address

Carrer de Mallorca, 401, L’Eixample, 08013 Barcelona, Spain.

Opening hours

Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–7:00 PM

Saturday, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM

Sunday, 10:30 AM-7:00 PM

2. Get your art fix at the Picasso Museum

Get to know one of the world’s most revered painters at the Picasso Museum, tucked away in a narrow alley in the historic neighborhood of El Born. The museum boasts over 4,000 original pieces from the revolutionary painter, including some of his most famous works like “Harlequin,” “Woman With a Bonnet,” and “Portrait of Jaime Sabartes.” Special exhibits also house melancholic pieces from Picasso’s Blue Period, as well as drawings and sculptures from his early years as a developing artist. After your art tour, stay nice and warm in one of El Born’s quaint coffee shops or modern wine bars.

Address

Carrer de Montcada, 15-23, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.

Opening hours

Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 AM-7:00 PM

Closed Monday

3. Step inside the stunning Palau de la Música Catalana

Constructed in just three years from 1905 to 1908, the jaw-dropping Palau de la Música Catalana (Palace of Catalan Music) is the crowning achievement of Catalan modernista architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Its innovative steel-framed structure was the first of its kind, allowing the addition of gilded sculptures, opulent stained glass, colorful mosaics, and intricate ironwork. Walking into this “palace” is like walking into a gigantic, magical music box, setting it apart even in a city where every building feels like an architectural treasure. Both guided and self-guided tours are available during the day, while evenings are reserved for live orchestra, opera, and choir performances.

Address

C/ Palau de la Música, 4-6, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.

Opening hours

Open for tours daily 9:00 AM-3:30 PM.

Performance dates and times vary.

4. Learn to cook paella or make craft cocktails

On a chilly winter day, one of the best things to do in Barcelona in January is to warm up inside a cozy kitchen. As one of the world’s greatest culinary cities, there’s an endless array of cooking classes, cocktail-making classes, and wine tastings to choose from. Select fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and straight-off-the-boat seafood from vendors inside La Boqueria Market, then learn how to combine them into a delicious paella. You could also sign up for a class with a master mixologist to learn how to create delicious craft cocktails or spend an evening with a sommelier learning about Spanish wines (all accompanied by a healthy serving of tapas, of course).

5. Enjoy a nighttime flamenco performance

The lively art of flamenco dancing is a spectacular blend of Romani, Islamic, and Andalusian cultures, with roots reaching back to the 9th century. Flamenco is an intensely emotional style of dance, featuring fast rhythmic stomping with elegant movements of the arms, hands, and fingers. Performers often wear brightly colored costumes and sing passionately while playing the guitar, tambourines, and wooden castanets. Flamenco performances in Barcelona range from small, intimate shows in the Gothic Quarter to large Broadway-style productions that include tapas, dinner, and drinks.