Barcelona, like much of Spain has been sizzling over the last few months and is currently experiencing the fourth heatwave of the summer so far. Temperatures are hovering around the low 30s, but what makes the Barcelona summers even more difficult to endure is that humidity – the type where you start dripping with sweat minutes after leaving your front door.
Recently it's been around 72 percent humidity here and doing normal every day activities just isn't possible. So what do you do when there's a heatwave in the city and more importantly how do you stay cool?
Go to an outdoor swimming pool
Swimming pools are of course the best way of staying cool, and if you’re not lucky enough to have your own, then there are plenty of city ones you can enjoy. Some of the best outdoor ones are the Municipal pool on Montjuic, the Can Drago Llac, Llac Piscina de la Creueta del Coll and Piscines Bernat Picornell. Most of the others require you to be a member of a gym, but these ones you can pay per swim or even just buy a pack of 10 entries. Be aware, they're popular, so plan your times wisely and arrive early if you want to get a good spot around the side.
Make use of free museum days and times
If it’s simply too hot be outside, museums are the best way to spend a cooling afternoon. They’re entertaining, interesting, and you’ll learn something new each time you go. Best of all, most of them have air-conditioning. Yes, it’s a bit much to pay a lot of money every time you want to stay cool, so make use of the free museum days and times. Most Barcelona museums are free on the first Sunday of the month. The National Museum of Art of Catalonia (MNAC) is free on Saturdays after 3pm, the MACBA is free from 6pm to 8pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and from 4pm on Saturdays. The CCCB is free on Sundays after 3pm. Several other museums have free times too, so all you have to do is look up when they are. Sometimes you'll have to reserve a ticket in advance for these free slots.
Go to an outdoor cinema
If it’s too hot outside during the day, then why not head out in the evening instead? OK, yes, it’s still sweaty, but perhaps not quite as hot, and you won’t get sunburnt. This year there are many outdoor cinemas across the city, and even better some are free or only cost a couple of Euros. The Cine Lluire takes place on the beaches and is free, there’s one at the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion which is very affordable. Mecal Air at the Museu Can Framis is also free. Of course there’s the famous Sala Montjuïc, a paid-for event, as well as the Open-Air Cinema at the Hotel Palace and one at L'illa Diagonal on Thursday nights.
Find a shady park
Barcelona doesn’t have as many green spots as it should, but there are several shady parks that will keep you marginally cooler, providing there’s a breeze. Parc de la Ciutadella is the one everyone knows, but some other great options are Glories Parc, Parc de Cervantes, Jardines de Pedralbes and Parc del Poblenou as they all have grass rather than the usual concrete and trees.
Go to a famous venue at night
Many of Barcelona’s most famous venues put on special nighttime events in summer. For example there are concerts at Casa Batlló on the rooftop and night experiences at La Pedrera. Many of the city's hotels also put on special events or live music on their rooftops in summer.
Relax in your local library
Libraries are great in the summer, particularly because they’re air-conditioned and you can stay as long as you like (as long as they’re open). No one’s going to hound to you buy another drink or have a go at you for taking up a table like they would in a café. There are books, magazines, areas for relaxing, and internet – oh and did we mention the air-con? Some of the best libraries in Barcelona include Pública Arús, Gabriel García Márquez and Monteserrat Abelló. Almost all neighbourhoods also have their own local library.
Be aware that some libraries in the city close in August, so check schedules before you go. Some open as climate refuges, so may not have borrowing services, but are still open if you want to go in and stay cool.
Go to the beach
Of course there are some days in Barcelona when you really can’t do anything except go to the beach and dip in and out of the sea every 10 minutes. Luckily that’s one of the great things about Barcelona is that there are so many. Barcelona city has a total of nine beaches and there are several others within a half an hour train ride if you want something a little quieter without being hassled by street sellers, want a bit more space for your towel or not have to fear your bags being stolen while you swim.
Take a long, lazy menu del día
Do what the Spaniards do and make lunch last all afternoon, if you have the time. That way you can can stay in a cool air-conditioned restaurant for several hours and stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day. Remember, they're typically available only on weekday lunchtimes and offer a set price for three courses.
Hang out in a bookstore
In a similar vein to the libraries, but with more modern books and a cosier atmosphere. Barcelona has many great bookshops and even huge ones that you can spend hours in and browse. Some of the best are the La Central chain because many of them also have cafes, so you take a take a break from reading and perusing with a refreshing drink and a snack and you’ll still don’t have to go outside in the heat. Some other good options are Casa del Llibre and Finestres. English language bookstore Backstory is another solid choice because they often have events and coffee mornings so you can make staying in the cool last longer.
Go to a games café
There are several game and book stores located along and around Passeig Sant Joan and many of them have games rooms at the back. They’re typically for board games with the likes of Carcassone, Risk, Catan, as well as Dungeons and Dragons. There’s also a new outdoor games kiosk at Glòries Parc, where you can rent games for free to play on the tables and benches outside.
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