What to do in July in Barcelona
The hot summer months are finally here and if you’re spending July in Barcelona, you’ll not be short of things to do. It’s time to spend long days at the beach, take to the street terraces to enjoy an aperitif in the sun, and even watch your favourite movies outdoors. By the time July rolls around, every day feels like a holiday in Barcelona – We’ll talk you through some of the best events and make some suggestions to help you make the most of this time of year.
What to do in July in Barcelona?
Pride Month
Pride and LGBTI celebration is very important in Barcelona, with the local town of Sitges being one of the gay capitals of Europe, so there are many events that take place in both June and July in Barcelona to honour the community. There are an array of events known as “Neighbourhood Pride”, organised by Barcelona’s LGBTI Centre and the Catalan Platform of LGBTI Organisations. The events consist of over 100 art-related events and activities including concerts, storytelling exhibitions, guided walks, drag workshops, and more. See the full programme of events here.
July in Barcelona: Festas
Adding to the vacation vibe are several great street festivals, like the Festa Major. From human towers to giants, to traditional Catalan and Spanish music, the street and neighbourhood festivals in Barcelona are no exception. Most taking place in late summer and fall, a signature Festa Major in Barcelona is hosted by each neighbourhood for its residents. Each Festa Major in Barcelona is unique and definitely worth experiencing.
- Festa Major Poble Sec, Festa Major del Raval
- Free of charge
- July
- Several locations
During the summer months, Barcelona hosts several open-air cinema festivals and it’s the perfect way to spend more time outdoors with your friends and family. In some of the most beautiful locations across Barcelona, you can watch up-and-coming films from around the world. Check out some of the best open-air film festivals in Barcelona via the link below!
- Depending on the festival
- July-September
- Several locations
July in Barcelona: Music & Culture
Free museum days
Barcelona is a cultural treasure trove, and in 2025, there are plenty of opportunities to explore its vibrant museum scene for free. Many of the city’s top museums, such as the Picasso Museum, MACBA, and MNAC, offer free entry on specific days—like the first Sunday of each month, Sunday afternoons, or Thursday evenings.
Additionally, some museums such as El Born CCM and La Virreina Centre de la Imatge are always free. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, take advantage of these free museum days to discover Barcelona’s rich artistic and historical heritage without spending a cent. You will find more information via the link below.
Music festivals
One of the biggest parts of Spanish and Catalonian culture is the importance of music! From traditional folk and jazz and classical music to more current genres like EDM, reggaeton and mainstream pop, music festivals in Barcelona host a plethora of options for music-lovers of all tastes and preferences. We’ve created a list of all of the most prominent music festivals in Barcelona, such as ‘Sonar Festival’ and ‘Primavera Sound’, in the blog below.
- Alma Festival, Les Nits de Barcelona, Barcelona Beach Festival, Cruïlla Festival, Clàssica a la Platja
- Depending on the festival
- July
- Several locations
Grec Festival 2025
The 49th Barcelona Grec Festival, one of Europe’s leading festivals of music, circus, dance and theatre, is back on 26th June – 4th August. The festival will take place predominantly at the infamous ‘Teatre Grec’, but you can catch performances at a multitude of venues across the city. Featuring the very best of Barcelona’s local talent and also a strong international lineup with a dominant female presence, the variety is endless.
- Depends on the event
- 26th June-4th August
- Teatre Grec
- More info
Art exhibitions
There are a few must-see exhibitions continuing into the month of July:
- Moco Museum’s permanent Banksy collection showcases the elusive street artist’s provocative works
- Palau Martorell’s Fernando Botero retrospective (running until 20th July 2025) presents the master’s exuberant forms through his most famous paintings and sculptures
- Espai Inmersa’s immersive “TITANIC: The Official Exhibition” (closing 28th September 2025) offers visitors a comprehensive journey through the famous ship’s history, featuring 200 salvaged original artifacts, faithful replicas, and virtual reality experiences of the wreck—from construction to tragic sinking.
July in Barcelona: Other Events
Experimental Photo Festival
Are you an art and photography fan looking for something to do in July in Barcelona? Experimental Photo Festival is the perfect event for you. Experimental Photo Festival is a nonprofit organization that promotes creativity, freedom, and equality in the form of experimental photography. The festival is open to people of all levels of photography. The festival consists of workshops, exhibition, conferences, and more. The goal is to create a safe space where everyone can show their artwork and photography.
- 75-200 (depending on ticket type)
- 23rd-27th July
- More info
Other activities to do in July
Flea Markets
With the summer months comes outdoor flea market season. The largest second-hand and vintage market in Barcelona, ‘El Flea’ takes place in July every Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00 in front of the Museu Marítim. There is also ‘Fleadonia’, another large flea market that takes place in July in Barcelona.
- Every Sunday in July
- More info
Visit the Costa Brava
Tucked away in the northeastern corner of Catalonia, it stretches from the French border all the way to the ‘Costa Brava gateway’ of Blanes. The area is quite hard to visit without a car, but it is fairly inexpensive to hire a car or there’s the option to book an organised tour. With a treasure trove of fishing villages and lively seaside towns, the Costa Brava, aka the ‘Wild Coast’, has so much to offer.
Montserrat Day Trip
One peaceful way to enjoy July in Barcelona is a day trip to the multi-peaked mountain range, Montserrat. A cogwheel train carries visitors up the scenic mountainside to a mediaeval monastery, the Benedictine Monastery Santa Maria de Montserrat. This day trip entails locally-led tours about the history of Montserrat Abbey, followed by optional wine tastings, tapas, and lunch at a winery. Those looking to relax or deepen their understanding of Catalan tradition will enjoy their experience at Montserrat.
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