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Alexander Meddings
Verified writer
GUIDED TOURFrom €55.00
Barcelona Tipsy Tour
Averaging only 55 days of rainfall each year, Barcelona is blessed with a temperate Mediterranean climate. But it’s not immune from spells of heavy rain, especially during the cold season. And while you’re bound to get wonderful weather most year-round, your trip could coincide with one of those rare rainy days, which especially fall around those colder autumn months.
But don’t get down in the dumps if the heavens start to open. Barcelona is still an awesome place to spend time, even on a rainy day!
To help you find some fun things to do in the city during those rare rainy days, here are some useful recommendations to consider for what to do on a rainy day in Barcelona.
Indulge your inner geek at CosmoCaixa
Winner of the European Museum of the Year Award (2021), CosmoCaixa is among the most stimulating, mind-blowing attractions in Barcelona, and a great place to visit on a rainy day.
CosmoCaixa’s permanent and temporary exhibitions are great for science geeks. Its most distinctive attractions include the interactive permanent exhibition The Universe Gallery, where visitors learn all about the cosmos and its evolution from the Big Bang to the present day. An interactive experience beginning with the creation of the cosmos and going on to explore the evolution of the species and the innermost workings of the human brain.
Another must-visit exhibition on a rainy day in Barcelona is the aptly-named Flooded Forest, which recreates the Amazon’s ecosystem inside a 1,000 m2 greenhouse and is home to piranhas, crocodiles and other animal and plant species typical of the area. Make sure to check out the Geological Wall as well to explore seven vast sections of genuine rock that allow us to interpret the world’s geology.
Tickets cost just €6 through the official site (or on the door) or are available as part of a multi-day pass.
Immerse yourself in architecture at Gaudi’s Palau Güell
Located just steps from Las Ramblas in the trendy Raval district, Güell Palace (or more commonly, Palau Güell) is one of the first major works of Barcelona’s most famous architect: Antoni Gaudi. Commissioned by his main patron, Eusebi Güell, for his private residence, the palace became part of Barcelona’s World Fair held in 1888.
It is acclaimed for its innovative use of space, light, and materials and draws great inspiration from Eastern culture and the Islamic history of Spain, which gives the ensemble a rather oriental feel. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Palau Güell is a must-see attraction of Barcelona’s architectural history point and has to be seen with your own eyes to be believed.
Tickets are regularly available and cost just €12 with an audioguide, so you can stroll over – or get a taxi if it’s pouring – and immerse yourself in some truly mesmerising architecture.
Shop until you drop at Las Arenas
Magnificently transformed from a former bullfighting arena, Las Arenas offers plenty of shopping and cinematic experiences for a rainy day in Barcelona.
There’s something for everyone among its more than 100 shops. Fashionistas can check out Spanish fashion house Desigual while comic-book geeks should check out Ecc Comics. Oh, and if you’ve got kids in tow, they’ll love Reino toy shop!
If you’re looking for an immersive experience that’s a little bit out of the ordinary while visiting Las Arenas, check out IKONO Barcelona (11 am – 10 pm). Its kooky exhibits are perfect for the Instagram age, and are great fun to browse for couples and small groups.
Treat your tastebuds to Catalan wine-tasting
Few Mediterranean regions produce wine like Catalonia. Its warm climate, varied soil types and dramatic landscapes bring us such wines as Cava and Vi Negre, enjoyed locally and widely exported for broader consumption.
If you’re looking for things to do in Barcelona on a rainy day, why not treat yourself to some wine-tasting? We love the Venetian-inspired Zona D’Ombra, which combines a Catalan selection of wines with the intimacy and cicchetti (small-snack) culture of a Venetian wine bar. But there are plenty of brilliant wine bars dispersed throughout the city. Check out this list for a failsafe list of Barcelona’s wine bars.
Worship at the altar of football at Barcelona’s Camp Nou
Few sights are so satisfying as watching a team of overpaid international athletes slip around a sodden pitch for 90 minutes, and fewer teams can be relied on to put in a performance like FC Barcelona.
FC Barcelona is a global sporting icon, having won many titles and been the poaching ground of a certain Lionel Messi. Check out La Liga’s schedule to see if there’s a game on and get your tickets here through the official site for matches, stadium tours and more.
Head to the MACBA
The MACBA – the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona – is one of the best museums in the city. It is a tremendous place to spend your time and gives you a wonderful examination of the history of Barcelona and Catalunya. One thing to note, though, is that this museum is not for the faint of heart: it wears the often challenging history of Catalunya on its sleeve, so be prepared to be shocked.
It will ask you to think about what you are looking at as much as anything, making this a spectacular place to spend your time if you want to enjoy a more provocative form of artistic entertainment. There will almost certainly be something here for everyone, especially if you are the kind of person who enjoys art exhibitions that make you look beyond the aesthetics itself.
Visit the Barcelona Aquarium
Water is on your mind given that rainy day in Barcelona, so why not make the most of that water association and visit the Barcelona Aquarium?
Something as simple as a trip to this part of the city can allow you to see some amazing sea life up close. This includes everything from penguins and turtles to sea horses and stingrays. You should have no problem seeing some wonderful sights and sounds by coming to this part of the city. The aquarium can boast as many as 450 different species of marine life, making it the largest display of Mediterranean sea life that you will find anywhere in the world.
This is the place to start for those who love to see what goes on below the sea!
Try Out an Escape Room
Escape rooms are becoming increasingly popular across major European cities, and Barcelona is no different. Barcelona boasts many great escape room events, built around trying to escape from rooms that feel authentic to the Barcelona skyline. From rooms inspired by Gaudi architecture to rooms inspired by Barcelona’s old Roman history, there is much to do for you and your team to escape.
That can add a bit of extra drama to an otherwise dreary, rainy day in Barcelona. If you are looking for a way to inject a bit of fun and imagination into your stay in the city, then an Escape Rooms challenge is one of the latest trends gaining a lot of interest among locals and tourists alike. Put your deduction skills to the test and see if you can escape with the highest score of the day!
Taste your way through Barcelona on a Tipsy Tapas Tour!
If you are heading off to Barcelona, even on a rainy day, you can find a great experience to enjoy. However, if you are unsure where to begin using the above list, check out our Barcelona Tours!
Our Barcelona Tipsy Tour is the best way to meet fun fellow travellers while trying a range of traditional drinks and learning about the city’s darker history. Our Tipsy Tapas Tour combines the best of Barcelona’s cuisine and wine on an indulgent boozy food tour around some of our favourite bars. For something traditional but insightful, check out our Barcelona Walking Tour (and the reviews of those who loved it!)
