What to Do on a Rainy Day in Barcelona: The Top Ten Rainy Day Sights

While it doesn’t often rain in Barcelona, don’t let a little drizzle stop you from experiencing all this vibrant city has to offer. From architectural wonders to delicious tapas and an endless array of galleries and museums, grab an umbrella and let’s get exploring these top rainy-day sites.

One of the best ways to spend a rainy day in Barcelona is on the official sightseeing tour bus. These covered double-decker buses run every 20 minutes to over 35 famous landmarks across the city, so you can visit all the major tourist attractions without getting wet. Hop On Hop Off Barcelona, aka Barcelona Bus Turístic, offers 24- or 48-hour tickets, and you can hop on and off as many times as you like. Their west route takes you past the Arc de Triomf, La Rambla and Montjuïc, while the east route tours the Gothic Quarter, Torre Glòries and Park Güell.

For art lovers, the first stop on a rainy day has to be the Picasso Museum, displaying over 4,000 works from Picasso’s early years in five spectacular Gothic buildings. Pro tip: entrance is free on Thursday after 5pm. Moco Museum has street art exhibitions from modern masters like Andy Warhol and Banksy, while Museu Europeu d’Art Modern (MEAM) hosts live music concerts every weekend.

Barcelona Maritime Museum (MMB) lets you wander the hulls of ancient ships, while Barcelona History Museum (MUHBA) offers a series of five museums showcasing Roman and Catalan history. Head to the Big Fun Museum with the family for 3D mazes, a giant’s house, a magic forest and a delectable sweets gallery, or try the CosmoCaixa Science Museum for an interactive exploration of the cosmos and an indoor rainforest home to crocodiles and piranhas.

No trip to Barcelona would be complete without touring the architectural wonders of Antoni Gaudí, whose iconic buildings make up five of the seven UNESCO World Heritage sites of Barcelona.

The Sagrada Família is the most famous Gaudí masterpiece, located close to many central hotels such as the Ibis Barcelona Centro and Novotel Barcelona. Marvel at the intricate tree-canopy ceiling and stunning stained glass, and climb the Passion Tower for a breathtaking view.

On the Passeig de Gràcia, you’ll find Gaudí’s famous Casa Batlló, alongside Casa Amatller and Casa Lleó Morera, with Casa Milà (La Pedrera) just down the road, all of which house museums, art exhibits and cultural centres. While Park Güell is outdoors, don’t let the rain deter you. Here, you’ll find Gaudí’s House and Museum, the famous iguana sculpture, and plenty of covered pavilions for shelter if the downpour gets too much.

A scenic hill to the south of the city, Montjuïc is the perfect excursion for a rainy day in Barcelona. From the Montjuïc Cable Car, you’ll get one of the best aerial views of Barcelona, while at the top are plenty of activities to keep you entertained (and dry).

Wander the beautiful battlements of Montjuïc Castle, stop by MNAC, the Catalonian National Art Museum, for medieval frescoes and modern art, and Fundació Joan Miró for modernist sculptures and paintings. And don’t forget to check out the Montjuïc Magic Fountain for a nightly choreographed water display.

One of the city’s favourite rainy-day spots is the Barcelona Aquarium. Watch octopuses, seahorses and stingrays in their Mediterranean habitats before heading to the tropical tanks to see jellyfish, iguanas and penguins. Discover 50+ interactive exhibits and take a behind-the-scenes tour to learn how they care for, feed and house their aquatic visitors. But their biggest attraction is the 15+ sharks that swim leisurely throughout the aquarium. Learn everything there is to know about these fearsome creatures and you can even go swimming with the sharks if you dare!

For the ultimate combination of shopping and sightseeing even when it’s raining, head to La Rambla, a tree-lined walkway that runs from the central Plaça de Catalunya to the Barcelona Port. Here, you’ll find Spanish souvenirs, fresh flower markets and countless cafes and restaurants.

At Plaça de Catalunya, you’ll also find El Corte Inglés, Europe’s largest department store and home to iconic Spanish brands such as Zara, Mango and Desigual. Across the square, you’ll see El Triangle, another expansive shopping mall for high-street fashion, or you can head to Las Arenas for six floors of shops, cinemas and restaurants.

From Plaça de Catalunya, stroll to Portal de l’Àngel, the largest pedestrianised shopping street in Barcelona, or Passeig de Gràcia, the go-to street for high-end boutiques and designer labels. Peruse Avenida Diagonal for homeware and ceramics, or head to the Gothic Quarter for trendy independent stores. But remember, most Spanish shops are closed on Sundays. 

Indoor markets are the perfect place to escape a rainy day in Barcelona.

La Boqueria, aka Mercat de Sant Josep, is one of the oldest and most famous markets in Barcelona. Located just off La Rambla, you’ll find over 300 stalls selling everything from cured meats and seafood to fresh fruits and local cheeses, as well as multiple bars and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat while you shop.

Mercat de Sant Antoni in the Eixample district is a far more local affair, selling organic produce, regional wine, homeware and clothing. On Sundays, this market turns into one of the largest open-air book markets in Europe.

Mercat de Santa Caterina is known for its hexagonal mosaic roof and vibrant food market. Besides the fresh produce and local crafts, you’ll also find the ruins of an 11th-century monastery in this bustling covered market.

• La Boqueria open Mon-Sat 8am to 8:30pm
• Sant Antoni Market open Mon-Sat 8am to 8:30pm
• Sant Antoni Book Market open Sunday 8am to 2pm
• Santa Caterina Market open Mon-Sat 7:30am to 8pm

To burn off a little rainy-day energy, head to Sharma, Barcelona’s largest indoor rock climbing gym, to tackle the bouldering wall or unwind with a yoga class. Indoor Karting Barcelona is a mecca for indoor sports activities, with bowling, go-karting and laser tag, while El Cau and Aventura Park are two of the best indoor playgrounds for little ones.

For retro gaming and craft beers, head to Meltdown or Checkpoint Gaming Lounge, or try your hand at virtual reality gaming at Virtua VR Arcade. Assemble a team to break out of an Enigmik Escape Room, or don a plaid shirt and give Barcelona Axe Throwing a try. For a more leisurely evening, catch an arthouse film at Cinema Verdi or an English-language movie at Yelmo Icària.

Barcelona is teeming with trendy cafes, delicious tapas bars and award-winning restaurants to warm you up on a rainy day.

For speciality coffee, head to Nomad Coffee Lab, or try the award-winning roast at Right Side Coffee Bar in Eixample. Find vegan delights and a hearty brunch at NEØ Coffee House, or browse the homemade pastries and second-hand books at Camelia Art Cafe.

While shopping on Passeig de Gràcia, stop by El Nacional, a lavish covered courtyard boasting eight speciality bars that’s perfect for wine tasting, or try Moritz Brewery for local and international craft beer. Bar Pimentel promises vintage aesthetics and artisanal wine, while El Quim, inside La Boqueria market, serves tapas made from the freshest local ingredients. For the ultimate rainy-day experience, take a cooking class at The Gab Lab and learn to make tapas, sangria, paella or traditional Spanish desserts.

If pampering is your goal after a rainy day in Barcelona, there is no better place than the AIRE Ancient Baths. Set in the medieval quarter of Barcelona, jump between the warm, hot and freezing Roman-style baths before relaxing with a hot stone ritual or couples massage, and even enjoy a glass of wine while you soak. Mayan Secret Spa offers award-winning luxury and bespoke treatments, while the wellness centre at Holmes Place Gym is perfect to unwind after an intense workout or personal training session. 

With so many diverse indoor activities spread throughout this vibrant Catalonian city, the real question is not what to do on a rainy day in Barcelona, but how to fit everything into just one day.