Things to do in Barcelona in May

Are you planning a trip to our beloved city? We are still officially in spring and we still don’t have vacations. However, the summer mood has arrived to Barcelona. We hope you enjoy it with this list of things to do in Barcelona in May. This is our list of things to do in Barcelona in May!

Enjoy one of the best music festival in southern Europe

Year after year, people from all over the world come to this Primavera Sound and its importance keeps growing. Yes, this festival is one of the best things to do in Barcelona in May, because they curate a really wide selection of musical genres and because you’ll discover an amazing music experience.

Some say it is the best festival in southern Europe. You’ll have to come and check if it’s true. This year you can hear Tame Impala, Solange, Cardi B, J Balvin, Rosalía and many others you and me still don’t know about but that will be amazing anyway.

3, 2, 1… the beach season has started!

Crazy people go to the beach in March. Brave ones do so in April and the common people as me think that going to the beach is one of the best things to do in Barcelona in May. The sea is still cold but the beaches are not so crowded as during the months of July or August.

Although in Barcelona we are proud of having urban beaches, perhaps a good plan is going somewhere outside the city. The better quality of the sand and more space makes totally worth it the thirty minutes train commute. My favourite: just head north towards Ocata or El Masnou, which is the NBA player Ricky Rubio’s hometown.

See the spring blossom

If you just happen to like flowers… perhaps this is one of the things to do in Barcelona in May you will enjoy the most. I’m not the greatest aficionado to this flower cultivation but, truth be told, the Barcelona’s International New Rose Competition is a very good occasion to discover an area beyond the thoughts of tourism and even locals.

The dates have not yet been announced, but the contest usually happens during the second or third week of the month. During the “Roses Noves” International Contest, you’ll see a competition to judge who has produced the most awesome rose in the Cervantes Park, in the upper area of the city, close to the university district and not far away from the last metro stop on L3 metro line (the green one), Zona Universitària.

Catch a cable car

While in Barcelona during the month of May, go to the Telefèric del Port if you want a different kind of experience while in the city and enjoy an incredible view. However, note that it’s definitely not advisable for people who are afraid of heights!

The cable car crosses the port from the Torre de San Sebastián in the La Barceloneta beach. It then stops at the Torre de Jaume I and finally reaches the viewpoint Miramar de Montjuic. During the whole journey, you will be seventy meters high.

The project was designed in 1926 by Carles Buigas, Ramón Calçada and Josep M. Roda. They wanted to link the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition with the sea.

The Telefèric del Port was closed during the Civil War, the cables were removed and the towers were transformed into defense strategic places for the port. In 1958, the company Teleféricos de Barcelona S.A. took over the cable car installations, that were reopened in 1963. The cable cars were once again closed in 1995 for renovation works on the two towers San Sebastián and Jaume I.

The tour lasts about ten minutes, and is most definitely one of the greatest things to do in Barcelona in May. The weather is great, because it is not too hot yet since it will still be spring! And, it will be much less crowded! So, enjoy it while it lasts!

Shop at Los Encants flea market

© Oh-barcelona.com

Los Encants is one of the oldest markets of Europe! In this Barcelona charming market, you will find many second-hand items sellers and collectors of unique pieces as well. If you enjoy looking for treasures and finding one-of-a-kind items that are different from conventional shopping, this place is perfect for you! It is open on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 9 am to 8 pm.

Have a picnic at Parc de la Ciutadella

The Parc de la Ciutadella is the greatest park of the city and the locals favorite one to spend a pleasant moment! One can do a lot in a seventeen hectares park!

Located in the neighborhood of Ciutat Vella, you will find many things to do, things to see and activities in this park! The Zoo, the buildings of Catalunya Parlamient, but also a church, a lake and a kiosk, where live music often happens, are found in the Parc de la Ciutadella. The locals love this place, because there are several activities taking place every day all year round! It’s definitely one of the best places to enjoy a picnic with the family in Barcelona during the month of May.

Discover the Barcelona most tourists miss

Most travelers enjoy discovering and exploring the places only locals know about. If you’re one of those people that are always looking for hidden treasures while abroad, check this article. Read this top 5 best streets to see in Barcelona!

Some of the streets that are mentioned in the article are quite famous, but some others are real treasures in the centre of Barcelona that you need to explore! The month of May is perfect for this kind of exploring, because the weather is perfect and the city is less crowded compared to the summer months!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this article and that it has inspired you! My suggestion of some of the greatest things to do in Barcelona in May is now over! If you need further information about anything, don’t hesitate to contact us! I hope to see you soon in our lovely city of Barcelona!