May in Catalonia: What to do + Weather and packing guide

May in Catalonia means terrace season begins, together with picnics at the beach and dinners al fresco. 

In the mountains, ski season is over, giving way to hiking and camping time! There are plenty of hours of light to explore, and the air is tinged with the scent of summer.

You won’t get bored as there’s a lot taking place in the country this month, from admiring local street art in a rural village to shopping in a Gaudí building!

Are you coming to Catalonia in May? Our guide with local plans to do in the country in May might come in handy!

* Post written for the first time in May 2022 and updated in May 2024.

The weather in Catalonia in May

Catalonia enjoys balmy weather in May. Spring temperatures are pleasant, sunshine is the norm, and the hours of light are plenty for exploring!

🌡 Temperatures

The temperatures vary a lot depending on the area of Catalonia you’re visiting.

Temperatures are warm, and there might be a few days of bikini-worthy beach weather on the coast. There, the average high in May is 23ºC (73ºF), while the lower is 16ºC (60ºF). It’s warm for T-shirts at midday, but having a spring jacket at hand in the evenings is good.

In the mountains, temperatures are slightly lower, and it especially gets cold at night when they reach around 8ºC (46ºF).

You can check the weather on your phone’s app (we usually use Google Weather) or Accuweather.

🌦 Weather

Don’t expect a lot of grey days like in Norway or London. Sunshine is the norm in most parts of Catalonia in May.

☔️ Rain and snow

On average, May has five rainy days in central and western Catalonia and on the coast. In the mountains, the average gets up to 8 days.

We highly recommend you pack a waterproof jacket or a small, easily portable umbrella to keep exploring without getting soaked.

☀️ Hours of light

There are between 14 and 15 hours of light a day in Catalonia in May. That’s plenty of sunshine for exploring around!

Sunrise happens around 6:45 am at the beginning of the month and at 6:18 am at the end. So, for those staying at the coast and wanting to catch a beautiful sunrise over the sea, you better set your alarm early!

Sunset, on the other hand, happens after 9 pm.

What to pack for a trip to Catalonia in May

🧣 Clothing

What about the clothes to pack? You’ll need a bit of everything this time of year. Garb some full-length trousers and a spring jacket, but also shorts, T-shirts and, if you’re feeling optimistic, your swimmers too! If you’re going to the mountains, don’t forget a coat and some warm jumpers.

🥾 Footwear

Regarding shoes, sneakers are a great option. If you go to the mountains, take a pair of hiking boots, because it’s not usual to find snow in May at high altitudes.

What’s on in Catalonia in May

Taste delicious vermouths at Vermut & Soul (3rd-5th May)

Vermut is a weekend ritual for many Catalans. Before lunch, we meet with friends, family, or mates, head to the bar terrace, and enjoy vermouth and some olives, chips, and cockles under the sun.

The Vermut & Soul festival is a great way to introduce yourself to this local tradition. It’s a festival dedicated exclusively to vermut held in Barcelona’s Olympic port from May 3rd to 5th. Think food, drinks, live music, and various activities, such as a catamaran trip with a vermouth taste and a live concert onboard.

Enjoy a concert surrounded by vineyards (3rd-5th May)

Ressons is a festival held on May 3rd, 4th, and 5th in various locations across the Penedès wine region. During the festival, you can enjoy more than 30 concerts in cellars and emblematic locations, listening to famous Catalan artists while sipping local wine.

Admire local street art at Gargar Festival (3rd-5th May)

Do the words art, music, craft beer, expositions, and food trucks sound appealing to you?

Then head to Penelles on May 3rd, 4th, and 5th to enjoy the Gargar Festival. During the festival, local artists paint more than 900 m2 of walls in this small village in Western Catalonia. Here is some of last year’s artwork.

Party under the sun with Brunch in the city

Who said you must spend the whole night out to enjoy great parties? If you like to party in the sunshine, go to bed at 11 pm, and wake up fresh the next day, you’ll love Brunch in the city!

This festival takes place on several Sundays during May. You’ll only need to book your ticket in advance, and love electronic music! Then, you’re ready to have a great time.

And the location? It’s always in Barcelona, but the exact place changes every time. It can be, for example, in the famous Poble Espanyol, a park in Les Corts, or an old beer factory.

There’s also something really cool about this festival that party mums and dads will love: little party animals are welcome! The festival has an area exclusively designed for kids and parents. There are also activities programmed, so the young enjoy it as much as the old!

Go shopping in a Gaudí building (10th-12th May)

Fancy a day of shopping in the capital? Forget about Zara, H&M, or Stradivarius, and get ready for a unique shopping experience. Think market stalls with local clothing, cosmetic, and jewellery brands located in a Gaudí building. Yup, that’s what the Bcn en las Alturas market is.

The market takes place in one of Gaudí’s lesser-known (but beautiful) masterpieces, the medieval-style Torre Bellesguard, on May 10th, 11th, and 12th.

Besides shopping, there will also be concerts and gastronomy stalls selling delicious street food and drinks. Oh, and we almost forgot to mention the views! Well, you’ll see it for yourself when you go there!

Discover the most colourful side of Girona at Temps de flors (11th to 19th May)

Once a year, during the spring season, the city of Girona transforms into a spectacular floral display. For nine days in May, Girona celebrates its acclaimed Temps de Flors, a festival that dresses the city with beautiful flowers, striking colours, and penetrating aromas.

Girona’s city centre’s monuments, courtyards and urban locations turn into floral creations and ornamental gardens. All flower shows are free of charge, and it’s a unique opportunity to access monuments or buildings usually not opened to the public.

You’ll also love the festive atmosphere of the city. Throughout the week, concerts and events are organised throughout the city. Everything revolves around this festival: shopkeepers decorate shop windows, associations prepare exhibitions, and restaurants offer floral menus.

The floral designs are renewed every edition, so you can visit them every year! Each Temps de Flors festival is unique and unrepeatable.

Visit more than 75 museums for free (18th May)

The much-awaited and loved Nit dels Museus (Museum Night) is back in the city on the 18th of May, when 75 buildings in Barcelona and its surroundings are open to the general public free of charge. Some of the buildings on the list are the Sant Antoni market, the Montjuïc castle, the FC Barcelona museum, and the Palau Güell.

Besides enjoying the museums for longer, you’ll also have the opportunity to join several organised activities, such as guided tours, live performances, or activities for the little ones.

Eat snails at the Aplec del Cargol (24th to 26th May)

This is undoubtedly one of the biggest (and craziest!) gastronomic festivals in Catalonia. L’Aplec del Caragol, which would be translated to something like The Snail Meet, is a festival held yearly in Lleida.

For three days in June, thousands of locals from Lleida organise themselves into groups and associations to celebrate a big party whose main star is the snail.

Although it might sound weird to eat snails, it’s pretty popular here in Catalonia. We don’t eat them daily, but we do when we eat at a traditional restaurant.

And what do people do at the Aplec del Cargol? Well, the main activity is definitely eating and drinking! Besides, the festival also has music, fireworks, and street entertainment.

Picture more than 200,000 people together consuming around 12 tonnes of snails! That’s the Aplec del Cargol.

Dance all night at Primavera Sound (29th May to 2nd June)

As Spain’s most famous indie rock festival, you can expect a lineup with international artists, a great atmosphere, and many people ready to party at Primavera Sound!

The first edition gathered 8.000 music enthusiasts in 2001 at the famous Poble Espanyol, but it quickly outgrew its old home. Now, the festival takes place by the sea at the Parc del Fòrum, and in 2022, more than 450.000 attended it!

Some big names in this year’s edition are Disclosure, Lana Del Rey, FKA Twigs, Justice, and Vampire Weekend.

Take part in the fire festival La Patum (29th May to 2nd June)

Fire. Bizarre-looking characters. The sound of drums. Heat, sweat, smoke. And thousands of people dancing to the rhythm of the parading groups, shouting and having the time of their lives. This sums up the traditional festival La Patum pretty well.

Declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, you can imagine La Patum is quite a big and important event for Catalans. For five days during Corpus Christi (60 days after Easter), the town of Berga, located 1 h 15 min north of Barcelona, celebrates this religious commemoration that dates back to the Middle Ages.

Townspeople dress as mystical and symbolical characters, such as dwarves, an eagle, demons, and gegants (giants) armed with rockets and firecrackers, and perform various dances following the rhythm of a drum. Some of the dances of this popular festivity, such as Els Plens, are as old as 1628!

If you decide to join the fun, wear appropriate clothing and footwear to protect yourself from the fireworks and crowds. This means a long-sleeved shirt, hat, scarf, sturdy footwear, and, if necessary, goggles.

Other cool plans to do in Catalonia in May

Looking for more ideas for your spring trip? Here are some suggestions:

• Hike the Camí de Ronda: The Camí de Ronda is a beautiful hiking trail that follows the coast of Catalonia. Pick a section of the track and enjoy stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, charming villages, and pine forests.
• Cycle the Olive Oil route in Tarragona: Jump on a bike and immerse yourself in a landscape strongly dominated by the cultivation of olive trees. Along the way, learn about olive oil, its history, and its production.
• Discover Barcelona alternatively: Why not enjoy the spring weather by exploring the city’s best sights by bike, inline skates, or SUP? 
• Adventure into the impressive gorge of Mont-Rebei: Spend a weekend hiking and kayaking in Mont-Rebei, a gorge crossed by an emerald-blue river.

And if you’re spending some days in Barcelona, no matter the season, don’t miss out on our list of original things to do at any time of the year.

Have you ever visited Catalonia in May? If so, we would love to hear about your experience!