Discover what to do in September in Barcelona in 2026: La Mercè, Extreme Barcelona, La Setmana del Llibre, neighborhood festivals, concerts, and art. Check how to get there by metro, bus, and Barcelona Bus Turístic. Hola Barcelona takes you there!
September is one of the best months to discover Barcelona. Temperatures are milder, outdoor activities are still very enjoyable, and the city fills up with festivals, culture, music, and gastronomy.
If you are wondering what to do in September in Barcelona, here are 8 plans to make the most of late summer and move easily between different areas of the city.
1. La Mercè 2026: Barcelona's Grand Festival
From September 23 to 27, Barcelona celebrates La Mercè with concerts, popular culture, street shows, and activities spread across different neighborhoods. It is the major festive event of September and a great opportunity to discover the city with an exceptionally lively atmosphere.
How to get there:
Check the official program to find out the various locations. If you want to attend activities in different neighborhoods, the Hola Barcelona Travel Card you unlimited public transport trips during its validity period.
2. Extreme Barcelona: Urban Sports at Parc del Fòrum
From September 4 to 6, Parc del Fòrum hosts the 18th edition of Extreme Barcelona. More than 500 athletes will participate in urban sports competitions and exhibitions, with free general admission.
How to get there:
Metro: El Maresme | Fòrum (L4).
Bus: H16, V33, 136.
Barcelona Bus Turístic: Fòrum stop (Red Route).
3. Discover Barcelona with Barcelona Bus Turístic
September is an ideal time to sit on the top deck and discover Barcelona under milder temperatures. With the Hop-on Hop-off system, you can get on and off at your own pace and combine routes, monuments, neighborhoods, beaches, and activities.
How to get there:
Metro: Catalunya (L1, L3).
If you want a panoramic way to move between the main points of interest, the Barcelona Bus Turístic is especially practical for concentrating several visits into a single day.
4. Barcelona Gallery Weekend: A Route Through Contemporary Art
From September 17 to 20, 25 galleries in Barcelona and L'Hospitalet participate in the 12th edition of Barcelona Gallery Weekend. The program includes exhibitions, visits, and free activities to discover contemporary art while touring different areas of the city.
How to get there:
It will depend on the gallery you visit; if you plan to visit several in a single day, the Hola Barcelona Travel Card is a convenient option to connect different areas of Barcelona by metro, bus, and Zone 1 trains.
5. La Setmana del Llibre en Català (Catalan Book Week)
From September 18 to 27, Passeig de Lluís Companys hosts the 44th edition of La Setmana del Llibre en Català. For ten days, you will find publishers, authors, activities, and a wide selection of books and magazines in Catalan.
How to get there:
Metro: Arc de Triomf (L1), Urquinaona (L1, L4).
Bus: 19, 39, 51, 120, H16, V19.
Barcelona Bus Turístic: Arc de Triomf - Estació Barcelona Nord stop (Red Route).
6. Poblenou Neighborhood Festival
From September 10 to 20, Poblenou celebrates its main neighborhood festival with popular culture, concerts, parades, fire runs (correfocs), and activities spread across the district. It is a great time to discover a more local side of Barcelona and combine festivity with a seaside stroll.
How to get there:
Metro: Poblenou (L4), Llacuna (L4).
Bus: H14, V25, V27, 6.
Barcelona Bus Turístic: Poblenou stop (Red Route), followed by a short walk to the various event venues.
The Hola Barcelona Travel Card lets you move comfortably between the city center, Poblenou, and other neighborhoods without having to buy a single ticket for every leg of the journey.
7. Terra i Gust: Sustainable Gastronomy at Ciutadella Park
From September 25 to 27, Passeig dels Til·lers in Ciutadella Park hosts a new edition of Terra i Gust as part of La Mercè's schedule. It is a perfect plan to discover food offerings based on local, sustainable products.
How to get there:
Metro: Arc de Triomf (L1), Ciutadella | Vila Olímpica (L4).
Bus: H16, V19, 19.
Barcelona Bus Turístic: Arc de Triomf - Estació Barcelona Nord stop (Red Route), with a walk to Ciutadella Park.
8. Festa per la Llibertat: Music for La Diada
On September 11, Passeig de Lluís Companys once again becomes a highlight of Catalonia's National Day (La Diada), featuring the Festa per la Llibertat and live concerts around the Arc de Triomf. It is an ideal plan to combine live music with the special Diada atmosphere in Barcelona.
How to get there:
Metro: Arc de Triomf (L1), Urquinaona (L1, L4).
Bus: 19, 39, 51, 120, H16, V19.
Barcelona Bus Turístic: Arc de Triomf - Estació Barcelona Nord stop (Red Route).
What to Do in September in Barcelona
During September, many events and plans are scattered between the city center, the coast, Poblenou, Montjuïc, and other districts. Therefore, planning how you move around will help you make the most of your time.
The Hola Barcelona Travel Card is an exceptionally practical option if you plan to visit multiple spots each day. It grants unlimited journeys for 24, 48, 72, 96, or 120 consecutive hours on the metro, TMB bus network, NitBus, FGC, tram, and Rodalies trains within Zone 1, as well as the metro ride between the airport and Barcelona.
Whatever your plans are, September is one of the best times to go out, explore new neighborhoods, and enjoy Barcelona right up to the last day of summer. Hola Barcelona takes you there!
