Spain
Barcelona in May: weather, sea & travel advice
This month's data profile
Strong month under the current formula
Barcelona in May is climatically well suited to city breaks, active holidays and hiking and family holidays. The average daily high is around 23 °C, and the sea is about 17 °C. With about 8 rainy days it is moderate.
Historical monthly averages, not a weather forecast. Individual days and years can differ substantially.
Rank among 12 monthly averages
77/100 · #6
Warmth
#5
Dryness
#10
Sun
#3
Sea warmth
#7
Published best categories: City break, Active
Barcelona · MayPhoto: JJxFile · CC BY-SA 4.0Climate facts
- Average high
- 23 °C
- Average low
- 13 °C
- Sea
- 17 °C
- Rainy days (est.)
- 8 rainy days (est.)
- Sun (est.)
- 8 h/day
- Humidity
- 66 %
For your trip planning
May: a beach walk is not the same as a swim
Our May sea temperature is well below the daytime high. Plan a city visit with coastal walks differently from a swimming holiday. Compare September for warmer water, allowing for higher air temperatures too.
Climate evidence with direct month comparison
The highlighted row is the selected month. Precipitation total and rainy days are separate monthly averages.
| Month | Avg high °C | Avg low °C | Rainy days (est.) | Precipitation mm | Sun h/day (est.) | Humidity % | Wind m/s | Sea °C | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | 19 | 9 | 8 | 46 | 6.7 | 68 | 2.5 | 15 | 66 |
| May (selected) | 23 | 13 | 8 | 49 | 7.9 | 66 | 2.3 | 17 | 77 |
| June | 27 | 17 | 6 | 33 | 8.7 | 63 | 2.3 | 21 | 86 |
How do the previous and next months compare?
Baseline: May (77/100)
Positive and negative values show the change from the selected month.
| Score Δ | Average high Δ | Average low Δ | Rainy days Δ | Rain Δ | Sun Δ | Humidity Δ | Wind Δ | Sea Δ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | -11 | -3.8 °C | -3.8 °C | -0.3 | -3.6 mm | -1.2 h | +2 % | +0.2 m/s | -2.6 °C |
| June | +9 | +4.4 °C | +4.4 °C | -1.8 | -16.3 mm | +0.8 h | -3.1 % | ±0 m/s | +3.8 °C |
All twelve months in context
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Where to stay in Barcelona
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Useful next decisions
Frequently asked questions
How warm is Barcelona in May?
The average daily high is around 23 °C, with an average daily low of about 13 °C.
Can you swim in Barcelona in May?
The sea is about 17 °C (cold).
Does it rain a lot in Barcelona in May?
The curated estimate is about 8 rainy days per month, not a directly measured long-term average. Total precipitation averages around 49 mm for the month. A rainy day does not mean all-day rain.
When is the best time to visit Barcelona?
By the climate score, June, July, August and September are the strongest months for Barcelona. For a beach trip: June, July, August and September. May is not among them.