What is the UV index in Barcelona today?

See today's UV index for Barcelona hour by hour above. The UV index is highest around solar noon and depends on the season, the weather and how high the sun rises above the horizon.

When is the UV index highest?

The UV index peaks around solar noon, typically between 12:00 and 15:00, when the sun is highest in the sky. About two-thirds of the day’s total UV falls between 10:00 and 16:00.

When should you use sunscreen?

The WHO recommends sun protection whenever the UV index is 3 or higher. Use sunscreen of at least SPF 30, seek shade around midday, and wear sunglasses and a hat when UV is high.

UV Index in Barcelona Today

September 28, 2026 · Barcelona, Spain

1,621,537 people

See today's UV index in Barcelona hour by hour below. The UV index shows how strong the sun's ultraviolet radiation is — the higher the number, the faster skin can burn. Values are calculated for Barcelona's coordinates and updated daily.

UV now · 05:00

0Low

UV rises later today

Peak today4at 14:00

Protect yourself11:30–15:08UV 3 or above

Time to burn~40 minfair skin, unprotected

Hour by hour

Clouds cut the peak by ~26%

Protection windowClear sky

Remember today

Sunscreen SPF 30+
Sunglasses

Daylight: sunrise 07:45 – sunset 19:40

Tomorrow: UV 4 at its peak around 14:00

Calculate for Barcelona Use my location

The UV index in Barcelona peaks at 4 (moderate) around 14:00 today. Sun protection is recommended between 11:30 and 15:08, while the index stays at 3 or above. Cloud cover is damping the peak by roughly 26% compared with a clear sky. Tomorrow the index is forecast to peak at 4 around 14:00.

UV index in Barcelona hour by hour

Time	UV index	Level
07:00	0	Low
08:00	0.1	Low
09:00	0.4	Low
10:00	1.3	Low
11:00	2.5	Low
12:00	3.5	Moderate
13:00	3.8	Moderate
14:00	4	Moderate
15:00	3.1	Moderate
16:00	2.3	Low
17:00	1.2	Low
18:00	0.5	Low
19:00	0.1	Low
20:00	0	Low

UV index in Barcelona

Barcelona lies at 41°N. The midday sun reaches 46.7° above the horizon in Barcelona today, against a yearly ceiling of 72.1°. Elevation is what sets the ceiling for UV, and over Barcelona it is high enough for the index to reach very high values through the summer months. Barcelona is on the coast, where water and sand reflect UV back up at you and the sea breeze hides the heat that would otherwise send you into the shade.

What is the UV index?

The UV index is an international scale describing the strength of the sun's ultraviolet radiation at ground level. It starts at 0 and is effectively open-ended — at mid-latitudes it rarely exceeds 8, while in the tropics and high in the mountains it can pass 11. The higher the number, the less time it takes to get sunburnt.

The UV index depends mainly on how high the sun is in the sky. That is why it peaks around solar noon and is greatest in summer near the longest day of the year. Clouds, ozone, altitude and reflection from snow or water also affect the value.

The WHO UV scale

UV index	Level	Recommendation
0–2	Low	No special protection needed.
3–5	Moderate	Use sunscreen (SPF 30+), seek shade around midday.
6–7	High	Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. Avoid the sun 12:00–15:00.
8–10	Very high	Extra protection. Limit midday sun exposure.
11+	Extreme	Avoid the sun at midday. Full protection required.