Best time of year to visit Barcelona?

Not sure it it's "best" but we went in late December and it was awesome.
Warm but not hot, not busy and dry.
We had a great time.

Not the end of August (weirdly), it was for a wedding, it was both hot and wet (briefly in exceptionally heavy down-pours). It's a great city though.

Are you dipping into your car fund??

Without wanting to put a dampener on it, but watch your valuables - pickpockets are rife (and can be brazen, so avoid anywhere other than busy areas at night)

I've literally just come back yesterday - we were told temperatures were abnormally high for the time of year (high 20's/low 30's as opposed to mid 20's)

There were plenty of tourists about, but not so many that it spoiled the visit - agree on being vigilant about pick pockets/theft - I had an attempt on my backpack and one of the others in my party caught a pick pocket in the act

I live not far south of Barcelona and my choice would be spring, end march or April as the air quality is poor during the hot weather that can extend into October/November. MrsPB does the half marathon in Feb, the organisers definitely know when's the best time to avoid pollution

We've done it as winter city break a couple of times which was all about a nice hotel (prices are/were reasonable) bars, restaurants and shops, though I did get a surf in one morning which was quite something. Obv keep an eye on valuables but I don't recall anything I'd call heavy, in little alleys or whatever, we just wandered though the ramblas has it's dodgyness.

We've been other times of year too including summer and with kids (it's handy with Jet2), when the beach and outdoor tourist bits are better including the beach, park guel, miro stuff, and getting out of town (Montserrat is worth it and easy on the train). It does get oppressive mid summer, but air con and the beach and getting out of town and up hills makes it perfectly doable in my exp.

(Not one of my more carbon footprint friendly posts on here. We've also driven from there, but my wife now wants to go everywhere on the train.)

I m going next week, always plan it round concerts as Barcelona gets the best gigs.  Been going a few times a year now as live a few hours away, no air travel needed.  I d avoid summer as its too hot, the thought of all the tourists and hot dry weather would be unpleasant.

Saying that I do like sea swimming, so it's a local beach or a train ride away, sitges for eg. Sea swimming is ok till about Nov, then March onwards.

Warnings 're street crime are spot on, I avoid all the touristy areas, stay around the residential areas.  There's a few fb groups for foodies with ideas.

Spring for me.  I’ve been in March, April, May, August and September/October and late March/early April is the best time for me.  Warm, busy in the way a big city should be without being overly touristy and as it’s a big city, pretty much everything is open.

Thanks for tips

Are you dipping into your car fund??

God knows....

We went mid-March 2020 for my 50th birthday. The weather was fabulous and the hotel we stayed in, Hotel Gaudi, was just a few metres off Las Ramblas. Our room had a balcony with the most wonderful view of the Gaudi designed building across the street. When we go back*, I intend staying there again as it was a lovely wee hotel with wonderful staff.

*Try and avoid having your big birthday on the same day lockdown is declared in Spain....doh!

Used to go there every February for Microwave World Congress. Weather was always pretty pleasant for the time of year.

Welcoming bunch..

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/2742/4411024073_8480c4200f.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/2742/4411024073_8480c4200f.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/7HMDMc ]Friendly welcome[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/brf/ ]Ben Freeman[/url], on Flickr