Barcelona is a buzzing, vibrant city with smashing nightlife and many things to see and do. But what are the things to do in Barcelona at night in winter when you’re not a party person?
Are you planning to travel to Barcelona in winter and want to know what to see in Barcelona at night? Read my suggestions for the best cultural winter night activities in Barcelona that don’t involve nightclubbing or partying in Barcelona.
This post was made possible by Cataluyna La Pedrera Foundation and Barcelona y Flamenco but all the opinions are my own. I took several trips to Barcelona over the years and compiled this list of what to do at night in Barcelona, focusing on the winter months.
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Things To Do in Barcelona at Night in Winter (When You’re Not a Party Person)
Best Things to Do in Barcelona at Night in Winter
So why specifically a list of what to do in Barcelona at night in winter?
To be clear, all activities listed below can also be done at night in the summer. But there are certain Barcelona evening activities that you cannot do during winter, like spending the long lazy summer evenings and nights in Barcelona, watching the sunset at Park Güell or Tibidabo.
You can sit in the park or at a bar outside and enjoy the summer heat, drinking with friends, or walking the Ramblas.
But what is Barcelona’s winter weather like? It is not freezing cold in winter, but sitting outside for hours in the dark is not much fun either.
As of November, the sun sets at 5 pm and I looked for things to do in Barcelona at night with my mom. As neither of us is a real party person, bar hopping or nightclubbing was not an option.
But I found some amazing cultural experiences at night in Barcelona that
Casa Milà –Pedrera at Night Tour
The Casa Milà is Gaudi’s last non-religious work and this huge apartment block sits at the posh Passeig de Gràcia Boulevard. It is the home of the Cataluyna La Pedrera Foundation and you can visit the attic, the museum, an apartment with original furniture, and the rooftop of Casa Milà during the day.
But a visit to the Casa Milà is extra special at night. It is the perfect Barcelona night tour. At 8 pm the tour started in English and we were welcomed by a very knowledgeable guide.
He took the time to connect with everyone in the group and explained the form and function of the Casa Milà. As we took the servant’s staircase to the attic, the guide explained the history and unique architectural features of the Casa Milà, also called La Pedrera (the stone quarry).
Why visit La Pedrera at night?
The main event of the evening was the show of sound and light, projected on the rooftop of the Casa Milà, showing the origins of the earth and Gaudi’s work.
It was really amazing to see the Barcelona skyline at night and be in such an unusual place to witness ‘the Origins show’. As the biggest portion of the itinerary is indoors, this is the perfect thing to do in Barcelona at night in winter.
After 1.5 hours, we descended again to the second courtyard of the building where we received a nice glass of cava and had some time to talk with the guide and learn about the Cataluyna La Pedrera Foundation and their work in various social, cultural, and educational projects for the society.
For more details about times and prices, you can look here.
As space is limited for the evening show at Casa Milà, I suggest buying tickets in advance. Check prices and availability here.
Flamenco Gran Gala at the Palau de la Musicá Barcelona
The Palau de la Musicá is a music theatre in the Modernista style with a huge history. You can visit it during the day but it is also one of the Barcelona evening activities that I highly recommend, especially in winter.
As I know my mom loves dancing, I decided to look for a flamenco show. During our recent visit to Barcelona there happened to be a Flamenco show at the Palau de la Musicá.
Win-win if you ask me!
And we got to experience an evening flamenco show and we got to see the Palau de la Musicá in its full glory.
All dressed up, we went to the Palau de la Musicá to admire its glory and beautiful decorations. At 9.30 pm the Flamenco show started.
There were 5 musicians and 4 dancers who put up a magnificent show. Each dance had a change of costume and a different tone of the
I really liked that it wasn’t just the famous flamenco dance but also the music and singing. The violin was a great addition to the performance.
For me, the Flamenco show at the Palau de la Musicá was quite special. I’ve seen flamenco dance before, usually in a crowded noisy bar.
But this Gran Gala de Flamenco by Barcelona y Flamenco has so much flair and style, that it fits perfectly at the exuberant Palau de la Musicá.
For our winter night in Barcelona, the flamenco show was perfect as we didn’t have to stand outside or worry about the Barcelona winter weather. In the warm ambiance of the Palau Theatre, we experienced a great show in a cultural setting.
The professional artists of Barcelona y Flamenco also perform in other theatres around Barcelona. For dates and details, you can check the website.
To book your tickets in advance, check prices and availability here to make sure you can experience this evening activity in Barcelona too!
Evening Light and Water Show at the Fountain of Mont Juïc
Ok, I have to admit, the light and water show at the fountain of Mont Juïc is one of Barcelona’s best night tours that is fun in summer and winter. If you wonder what to do at night in Barcelona, the water fountain show is the perfect answer.
When the sky is clear, you can enjoy the spectacle of music, light, and water with the amazing backdrop of Mont Juïc and the Palau Nacional.
Starting back in 1929 the fountain and the light and water show have since been a vital part of Barcelona’s history. As a bit of a Freddie Mercury fan, I loved his performance to inaugurate the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. If you like grandeur, check out the video.
Anyways, on different nights during the year, the Font Màgica as it is called in Spanish puts up quite a show. Light and water combined in a great performance that you can see from the steps and the streets.
From November till March, each Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 pm (till 9 pm). For more details about times and performance, check the website or join a guided tour that includes the fountain’s show.
Evening Wine and Tapas Tasting Tour in Barcelona
What better way to explore Barcelona at night than by eating and drinking and learning about the local food and drink culture of the city?
Eating, drinking, socializing, and learning something, all mixed into 1 evening tour of Barcelona. This is one of the best things to do at night in Barcelona as a traveler should eat.
Right?
Why not join a food tour?
There are many food and tapas walking tours available in Barcelona. I would choose the evening food tour of Barcelona.
Perfect for winter as it starts at 6.30 pm and you can explore part of the city and get valuable information on where to eat and what to order for the rest of your stay in Barcelona.
You discover little historic shops and sample some of the staple tapas of Barcelona. The tour lasts 3 hours and runs almost every day of the week but check for times and prices here.
Watch a Soccer Game of FC Barcelona at Camp Nou
Ok, in all fairness this might not be such a cultural thing or something to only do in winter in Barcelona, but I did attend a soccer or football match with FC Barcelona at Camp Nou stadium.
The biggest soccer stadium in Europe, Camp Nou is the holy grail of soccer.
And FC Barcelona or Barça is the ultimate soccer club.
And I don’t even like soccer.
But when I traveled to Barcelona for a language immersion course, I wondered what to do in Barcelona at night and I found there were tickets on sale for the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Okay, they were reasonably priced due to the epic loss in the first encounter with Bayern Munich, but that didn’t stop me.
I bought some tickets online and sat amongst the Socios as the loyal fan base of Barcelona is called.
Well loyal, loyal… I learned more Spanish curse words in one night than during my 2 weeks language course. Many fans left the stadium before the first half was over, as Barcelona suffered another tremendous loss. But I didn’t let it bother me.
How to visit Camp Nou in Barcelona
The metro ride towards the stadium was thrilling. The crowd walking towards the stadium felt like one big family. Watching the stadium fill up as the night fell and the match began was a great experience that I will never forget. And I don’t even like soccer.
Check for the
No match playing when you visit Barcelona this winter?
You can also book a Camp Nou Experience; open until 6.30 pm (or even 7.30 pm) you can visit the stadium at night, explore the museum and trophy room, and explore the Messi area. Always check for times and availability before you go to Barcelona in winter.
Read this review of the Camp Nou Experience to learn more about it.
Discover things to see at night in Barcelona
And there you have it. The above-mentioned things to do in Barcelona at night are perfect for December, January,
I recommend them, based on my own experiences. Together with my mom, we tried a lot of things and had some great fun at night in Barcelona that didn’t involve heavy drinking or wild parties.
If you’re anything like me, you might appreciate the more cultural low-key experience at night in Barcelona.
The Pedrera Origins, the Flamenco Gran Gala, a food tour of the Gothic Quarter and the beautiful light and water show at the fountain got you covered, even in winter times in Barcelona.
Other things to do at night in Barcelona (when it is not winter)
Of course, Barcelona has many more evening activities. Especially when the warm summer heat resides and the buzz of the evening greets you as you stroll along Las Ramblas.
Here are some night activities in Barcelona that you can enjoy year-round:
- Gothic Quarter by Night Walking Tour, discover the darkest secrets of Barcelona’s past with this walking tour. Depending on the season it either starts at 7 pm or 9 pm. For more details, check here.
- Spanish Guitar Night, enjoy a performance by some of the best Barcelona guitar players. Check for dates and availability here.
- Ghost of Barcelona Walking Tour, join a knowledgeable guide and learn all the spooky details of tales and intrigues of Barcelona’s past. This mysterious tour starts at 8.30 pm or 9.30 pm. Check for dates and prices here.
- Audio-Visual Feel Spain Experience at the Poble Espanyol, feel, hear, and taste the best of Spain’s cultural feasts and traditions. The Poble Espanyol is a multi-experience village in Barcelona where you admire the architecture and exhibitions. Poble Espanyol is open until midnight or even until 3 and 4 a.m. on the weekends. Check for more details about things to see at the Poble Espanyol and opening hours, here.
- Medieval Dinner at Palau Requesens, experience 14th- and 15th-century Catalan cooking at the impressive palace of Requesens. Tour the medieval palace and join in for a medieval dinner feast. This is truly a unique experience to experience Barcelona. Only on weekends from 7.30 pm, check for the menu and prices here.
- Explore Barcelona by night on an E-Bike Tour, Segway Tour, or Vespa Tour (how cool is that?!). These tours are perfect for seeing a lot of the city from a different perspective. Particularly useful if you want to have some fun in the evenings after your business meeting, or want to make the absolute most of your time in Barcelona and have just arrived late.
Are you planning to travel in the winter months and wonder what to do at night in Barcelona? I hope you like my cultural suggestions. Have you done any of the above winter night activities in Barcelona? What did you think?
