# La Mercè: what to do between sessions in Barcelona

Source: https://eventweekends.com/culture/la-merce/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## In short

- **When:** 21 to 24 September 2027 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
- **Where:** Venues across Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- **Free time:** Gaps of two to four hours between screenings or shows, and whole days for companions.
- **Best base:** Eixample: Grid streets of modernist buildings, central and quieter than the old town.
- **Getting there:** Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) is 15 km southwest.
- **Weather:** In September, Barcelona averages highs of about 26°C and lows of 16°C, with roughly 59 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 12 h 07 min of daylight.
- **Top things to do:** Sagrada Família skip-the-line tour; Park Güell guided tour; Montserrat day trip

## Know before you go

- Free concerts, human towers (castells) and the correfoc fire run.

## Weather and what to pack

In September, Barcelona averages highs of about 26°C and lows of 16°C, with roughly 59 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 12 h 07 min of daylight.
- A light rain jacket, just in case.
- Comfortable walking shoes and a small day bag.

## Airport to venue

Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) is 15 km southwest. The Aerobús runs every few minutes to Plaça de Catalunya in 35 minutes; metro line L9 Sud and the R2 Nord train also serve the airport. Taxis cost about 35 to 40 euros.

Metro; the old town is walkable.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** Sants and Poble-sec. Cheaper hotels near the station and Montjuïc, good for the stadium and Fira.
- **mid:** Eixample. Grid streets of modernist buildings, central and quieter than the old town.
- **luxury:** Passeig de Gràcia and the seafront. Design hotels and beach towers like the W.
- Hotels we would book: Generator Barcelona (budget), Hotel Catalonia Barcelona Plaza (mid), Hotel Arts Barcelona (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Between screenings or shows

A two- to four-hour gap: something close by.
- Half-day: Casa Batlló visit. Gaudí's house with the dragon roof.
- Eat: El Xampanyet, Cava and anchovies in a tiled bar

### A free day

For companions without a pass, or attendees taking a day off.
- Full day: Montserrat day trip. Mountain monastery by cog railway, with the boys' choir.

### Evenings

After the last show of the day.
- Evening: Tapas and wine tour in the Gothic Quarter. Evening crawl through El Born and the Gothic Quarter.
- Eat: La Paradeta, Pick seafood by weight, fried to order

### Rainy day

Indoor backups.
- Rain or heat backup: Sagrada Família skip-the-line tour. Gaudí's basilica with a guide and tower access options.
- Free: Bunkers del Carmel for the best view of the city.

## Tours worth booking

- [Sagrada Família skip-the-line tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Sagrada%20Familia%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-la-merce): Gaudí's basilica with a guide and tower access options.
- [Park Güell guided tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Park%20Guell%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-la-merce): Mosaic terraces and city views.
- [Montserrat day trip](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Montserrat%20day%20trip%20from%20Barcelona&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-la-merce): Mountain monastery by cog railway, with the boys' choir.
- [Spotify Camp Nou tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Camp%20Nou%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-la-merce): FC Barcelona museum and stadium experience.
- [Tapas and wine tour in the Gothic Quarter](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Barcelona%20tapas%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-la-merce): Evening crawl through El Born and the Gothic Quarter.
- [Catamaran sunset sail](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Barcelona%20catamaran%20sunset&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-la-merce): Two hours on the water with a drink.
- [Girona and Costa Brava day trip](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Girona%20Costa%20Brava%20day%20trip&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-la-merce): Medieval Girona and a seaside village.
- [Paella cooking class with Boqueria visit](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Barcelona%20paella%20class&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-la-merce): Shop at the market, then cook and eat.
- [Bike tour of Barcelona](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Barcelona%20bike%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-la-merce): Old town, Ciutadella park and the beach.
- [Casa Batlló visit](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Casa%20Batllo%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-la-merce): Gaudí's house with the dragon roof.

## Where to eat

- La Boqueria market: Stalls and counter bars off La Rambla; go early
- Bar Cañete: Tapas counter in El Raval
- Cal Pep: Seafood counter in El Born; queue at opening
- El Xampanyet: Cava and anchovies in a tiled bar
- La Paradeta: Pick seafood by weight, fried to order
- Quimet & Quimet: Tiny standing bar for montaditos in Poble-sec
- Can Solé: Paella in Barceloneta since 1903
- Tickets: Albert Adrià's playful tapas; book far ahead

## With kids

- Barcelona Aquarium at Port Vell.
- Tibidabo amusement park on the mountain.
- CosmoCaixa science museum.

## Rainy-day backups

- Picasso Museum.
- MNAC on Montjuïc.
- Casa Batlló and La Pedrera interiors.

## Getting around

- Metro and buses run on the T-casual 10-trip card. The metro runs all night on Saturdays.
- Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is 30 km north in Montmeló: R2 Nord trains plus shuttle buses on race days.
- Uber, Cabify and Free Now work in Spanish cities. Taxis are metered and reasonable.
- Renfe high-speed AVE and Ouigo/Iryo trains link Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Málaga, Valencia and Zaragoza. Book early for event weekends.

## Questions people ask

### When is La Mercè 2027?

The next edition is 21 to 24 September 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

### What is the weather like during La Mercè?

In September, Barcelona averages highs of about 26°C and lows of 16°C, with roughly 59 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 12 h 07 min of daylight.

### How do I get from the airport to Venues across Barcelona?

Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) is 15 km southwest. The Aerobús runs every few minutes to Plaça de Catalunya in 35 minutes; metro line L9 Sud and the R2 Nord train also serve the airport. Taxis cost about 35 to 40 euros. Metro; the old town is walkable.

### Where should I stay for La Mercè?

For most visitors the best base is Eixample: Grid streets of modernist buildings, central and quieter than the old town.

### What can we do between sessions at La Mercè?

Good short outings in Barcelona include Sagrada Família skip-the-line tour, Park Güell guided tour, Spotify Camp Nou tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

### What is there for kids and families near La Mercè?

Family-friendly picks: Sagrada Família skip-the-line tour, Park Güell guided tour, Montserrat day trip. Barcelona Aquarium at Port Vell.

### How far is Venues across Barcelona from Barcelona centre?

About 1 km in a straight line. Metro; the old town is walkable.

More in Barcelona: https://eventweekends.com/city/barcelona/