Weather in Barcelona in May

How May compares

May is the 5th warmest month of the year in Barcelona and ranks 107th of 134 destinations we compare for May - see where else is hot in May. Within Spain it is 77th of 87 (Spain in May). Against London's average high of 16.6°C in May, Barcelona is 4.0°C warmer by day and 4.9°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in May

The typical May day in Barcelona peaks at 20.6°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 24.2°C or more. Roughly 1 in 15 days top 25°C. Nights average 13.2°C; one night in ten drops to 10.0°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest May day here reached 28.9°C (2001-05-31) and the coldest night 7.0°C (2004-05-01).

Rain in May

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 7 days with 1 mm or more, 46 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest May was 2008 with 133 mm, the driest 1997 with 11 mm. Humidity averages 76%.

Sea temperature in May

The sea averages 17.0°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 16.2°C to 17.7°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (25.5°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 6.9 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 14.3 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:32 and sets about 21:03 local time in mid-May. Average cloud cover is 52%.

Is May a good time to visit Barcelona?

It is a reasonable choice: warm days. The best months for Barcelona on our scoring are July, June, August; months averaging 25°C or more: Jul, Aug.

Warm afternoons, but keep an evening layer

Plan for mild to warm days rather than summer heat. The warmer days reach around 24°C or more, but only 7% of days get to 25°C, so light clothing with an extra layer is more useful than packing solely for hot weather. Walking plans need not revolve around avoiding midday heat, although sun protection still makes sense when you are outside. After sunset, a jumper or light jacket will be useful, particularly if you want to sit outdoors. The colder nights can fall to 10°C or below, so long trousers and closed shoes are sensible additions if you tend to feel the cold.

Plenty of daylight, with room for rain

May gives you about 14.3 hours of daylight, which leaves plenty of flexibility for outdoor plans. That is not the same as continuous sunshine: the average is about 6.9 hours of sun a day. Expect some cloudy spells and leave room to change plans when rain arrives. There are about 7 rainy days during the month, so a light waterproof is a sensible part of your packing rather than something to leave behind. Rain is a reason to keep your itinerary flexible, not to rule May out. If your main aim is time outdoors in moderate warmth, the balance is appealing; if you need reliably dry weather, it comes with a catch.