What to do in Barcelona in autumn: Castanyada, Halloween, culture and walks for a getaway.
Autumn in Barcelona invites you to combine different plans: a morning strolling through gardens, an afternoon exhibition, and a show to end the day. The aroma of roasted chestnuts in the streets heralds the arrival of La Castanyada, while Halloween adds a touch of mystery to these weeks.
If you're planning a getaway, we suggest a selection of autumn plans in Barcelona to enjoy the city at your own pace, whether you're coming for leisure or taking advantage of a business trip to stay a few extra days.
1. Savor the Castanyada: chestnuts, sweet potatoes and panellets
There's a stop that's especially appealing when the evenings start to cool down: buying a cone of freshly roasted chestnuts and continuing your stroll with warm hands.
During these weeks, chestnut and sweet potato stands become a common sight in Barcelona . You can find them in various neighborhoods, making it easy to incorporate this little tradition into your itinerary.
The setup and opening times of each stall may vary depending on the day. You can consult the map of chestnut and sweet potato stalls in Barcelona to find other options during your visit.
2. Experience Halloween at Tibidabo
If you prefer to add a little excitement to your getaway, Tibidabo celebrates Halloween from October 3 to November 8, 2026 , combining its attractions and views of Barcelona with mystery and horror offerings.
The program includes shows like Wilhelm Freak Show and The Last Dance , with characters and scenes that transform the park's atmosphere. It's a great option for those looking for a different kind of outing during this time of year, and it's also perfect for families. Before booking, please check the age guidelines and conditions for each activity.
Our suggestion: spend time in the park and enjoy the city views from the mountain. Bring a warm layer for later in the afternoon and check the opening schedule when choosing your date.
Check out Tibidabo's Halloween program.
3. Discover Anselm Kiefer at La Pedrera
An autumn getaway can also begin with an exhibition. And if it's located in one of Barcelona's most iconic buildings, the plan has an added appeal.
La Pedrera hosts the exhibition "The Secret Life of Plants. Anselm Kiefer in the Grothe Collection" from October 2, 2026 to January 24, 2027. The exhibition brings the visitor closer to the artist's universe through different media, such as painting, sculpture, installations and photography, with memory, nature and the transformation of matter among its main themes.
It's a suggestion to spend an afternoon exploring art and then continue with a stroll along Passeig de Gràcia. You can stop to admire the modernist facades, pop into a shop, or find a café to discuss your visit.
Where: La Pedrera, Passeig de Gràcia, 92.
Information and tickets for the Anselm Kiefer exhibition.
4. Getting closer to the Barcelona of innovation
Autumn in Barcelona also has a busy professional calendar. From November 3 to 5, 2026 , the Gran Via venue of Fira de Barcelona will host two events for those working in technology, innovation, and urban transformation: the Smart City Expo World Congress and the Barcelona Deep Tech Summit .
Smart City Expo addresses the future of cities, covering areas such as mobility, energy, infrastructure, and technologies applied to the urban environment. Barcelona Deep Tech Summit connects research, startups, industry, and investment to explore how scientific advances translate into solutions and business opportunities.
If you travel to Barcelona to attend one of these meetings, you can take advantage of your stay to also discover its cultural side: reserve an afternoon for an exhibition, go for a walk after the meetings or extend the trip with a weekend.
Where: Fira de Barcelona, Gran Via venue, in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat.
5. Book an evening for music at the Palau
There are plans that can become the reason for a getaway. Attending a concert at the Palau de la Música Catalana is one of them.
This autumn, one specific proposal is the concert by Cecilia Bartoli and Lang Lang, on November 24, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. The mezzo-soprano and the pianist will share the stage in an evening that combines music with a visit to one of Barcelona's most special cultural spaces.
You can round off the evening with dinner in the area and a stroll before returning to your hotel. If your trip doesn't coincide with that date, check the rest of the program to find something that suits your tastes.
Check the program and ticket availability for the Palau de la Música Catalana.
6. Take a walk through the Ciutadella and Montjuïc
Between exhibitions, visits, and shows, it's also nice to leave some free time in your schedule. Barcelona has corners where the plan is simply to walk and look around.
The Ciutadella: a break next to the Born
The Parc de la Ciutadella combines centuries-old trees, walking paths, a lake, and a monumental waterfall. It's a great option for spending part of the morning strolling at a leisurely pace before continuing on to El Born.
Our suggestion is to start around the Arc de Triomf, walk along the path that leads to the park, and go inside to discover its various corners. Have your camera or phone ready, but also set aside some time to sit and enjoy the walk.
Montjuïc: a morning among gardens and views
If you fancy a longer walk, dedicate a morning to Montjuïc . You can plan a route around the MNAC and continue along the paths and gardens of the mountain, adapting the route to how much time you have left to walk.
For an autumn getaway, we'd choose daylight hours and a route without too many planned stops. Comfortable shoes, some water, and time to pause whenever you find a view you like are all you need to get started.
Your autumn getaway, with a relaxing stay at the Barcelona Century Hotel
After exploring Barcelona, you also want to have a cozy place to return to.
At the Barcelona Century Hotel in the Eixample district, we look forward to welcoming you so you can combine your city plans with time to relax. And if you need help organizing a visit or deciding where to start, just ask our reception team: we'll be happy to assist you.
Book directly on our website and check out the advantages of the Barcelona Century Club to plan your next getaway.
Prepare your stay at the Barcelona Century Hotel
Check the schedules, availability and access conditions on the organizers' websites before making your visit.
