Explore the Magnificent Spain in August 2023
Are you planning a trip to Spain in August? Well, this is the perfect post for you. Traveling in August is not typically the most pleasant time, but it’s still completely doable. I visited Spain while I had a full-time job in an office, so I understand only being able to travel during certain seasons based on work, school, or other real-life obstacles.
I’m here to show you why it’s still a good time to visit Spain in August and what things to consider before going.
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Climate for Spain in August
The climate in August is quite hot and humid with temperatures ranging from high 60sF/20sC to Low to High 80sF/30sC. The temperature may not reach too high compared to some areas, however, the humidity and walking around in the heat with lack of air conditioning can be difficult to navigate through. It is typically hotter in Central to Southern Spain and cooler temperatures in Northern Spain.
What to wear in Spain in August
Spain isn’t a conservative country, so feel free to wear what you like. Although out of respect, I would suggest you wear appropriate clothing when visiting cathedrals. Be sure to have sunglasses, a sunhat, and plenty of sunscreens to protect your skin. You should also carry a water bottle and stay very hydrated.
Some things you should pack for Spain in August
- Water Bottle
- Shorts
- Scarf
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- A swimsuit
- Power adapter
- Comfortable shoes
- Quick-dry towel – perfect for the beach and hostels
- Flip flops
- Portable Battery Charger and cord
Why is August a good time to visit Spain?
Alright so to unpopular opinion, I think Spain is great to visit during August. Spain in August is a magical time and there are a lot of things open and things to do during August. Most tourists visiting Spain in August are from other European destinations since that is the month when most of them take time off.
People will say a lot of things will be closed and that may be the case for smaller towns and areas, but the bigger cities are still full of life and there are plenty of things to do during Spain in August.
I feel the rates for finding flights to Spain in August are often a lot cheaper than some of the other months if you do your research and book ahead of time. However, others will mention it’s more expensive to travel to Spain in August.
I would say this varies and depends on the type of traveler you are, for example, my flights round trip to Barcelona from SFO were $488 round trip. We knew traveling to Europe is expensive, so we decided to stay in Hostels for most of our trip to cut down on costs.
Another reason why Spain is great to visit in August is that if you enjoy water sports or things to do by the beach, the temperature is one of the best to visit and do outdoor water activities like visiting the beach, taking a yacht right, and island-hop to Ibiza.
Vacation in Spain in August
Planning a vacation in Spain during August is pretty easy to do. I would say reserving a hotel, booking tickets to specific things you want to do should be done in advance especially if it’s La Sagrada Familia or Park Guell. Those locations should definitely be booked in advance.
We arrived in August and almost missed our opportunity to see the La Sagrada Familia because some bloggers had provided information that it was easy to book at the last minute, which I highly regretted.
Tips for traveling to Spain in August
- Book in Advance: hotel, flights, tourist attractions, and reservations to popular restaurants.
- Save Money
- Research flights in advance.
- Rent private rooms or shared rooms at hostels versus hotels
- Eat at the markets or convenience stores versus expensive restaurants
- Take public transportation: Book your discounted 48, 72, 96, or 120-Hour Public Transport Tickets here.
- Pack a water bottle that will keep water/ice cold all day to stay hydrated for cheap
- Wear comfortable shoes and cool clothing
Best Things to do in Spain during August
There are a lot of things to do in Spain in August.
- Party in Ibiza
- Go Skydiving
- Visit some beautiful beaches
- Enjoy a local fiesta
Spanish Fiestas | Best Festivals to see in Spain in August
- La Tomatina Valencia – A popular festival that is held in Buñol on the last Wednesday in August. This festival is perfect for those who don’t mind getting dirty. There are tons of ripe tomatoes that are thrown by locals – followed by music and dancing. Book your tickets here.
- Festa Major de Gràcia Barcelona – This is a popular music festival held in Barcelona with all types of music ranging from classical Spanish, jazz, and rock. They also include workshops, exhibitions, street markets, parades, and more.
- Feria de Benahavis – Held in Andalucia this is a religious festival to honor Saint the Virgen del Rosario.
- Octopus Festival Galicia – This is a popular festival for those who love octopus, if you don’t happen to love octopus, I promise you the octopus in Spain is to die for. It’s absolutely tender, soft, and delicious. I’ve never had it prepared as well as I have in Spain.
- San Lorenzo Festival Madrid – Another religious festival to be held in honor of Saint Lorenzo. This festival includes fireworks, music, and dance.
- Cuellar Bull Run – Located in Cuélla and one of the oldest festivals held in Spain. At 8 in the morning, the bulls leave their pens about 3 kilometers from Cuéllar. It is usually held on the last Sunday in August and includes local music, traditional dance, concerts, and local gastronomy.
Best cities to visit in Spain in August
There are a lot of cities you can visit in Spain in August. I will write primarily about two of the most popular cities, but I will include a list of things to do in these Spanish cities in August.
Recommended cities to visit in Spain in August
Visiting Madrid in August
It was quite hot visiting Madrid in August, mostly because the public transportation in this area was a little farther apart which meant more time on foot. It was important for us to pack a good set of walking shoes and sandals to get around the city. One of my friends even had a hard time getting around since her feet were getting blisters during the trip. We had to slow down a bit more.
We visited quite a few outdoor activities, but it was important for us to stay hydrated.
Things to do in Madrid in August
- Retiro Park – A beautiful park that holds the beautiful Palacio de Cristal. It’s a great park to walk in, have a picnic, grab a coffee, and just wander in. They also have a small indoor art space we stumbled upon while we were there. It’s perfect for kids to just run around and have some fun.
- Temple of Debod – This temple is from ancient Egypt which was rebuilt in Madrid and is from the 2nd Century. It’s a fascinating place to visit and great to visit during sunset. On top of that, there is an excellent view where you can see parts of the city.
- Madrid Tapas Tour – This honestly was my favorite part of the tour. I am a huge foodie so it was important for me to try the local dishes. If you haven’t been on a food tour, I highly suggest it. It’s been some of the best ways that I have met people from all over the world. Learn more about the best 15 tapas to eat in Madrid. Book your tapas tour here.
- Chocolateria San Gines – This is the most famous churro place in Madrid and maybe in most of Spain. I tried a couple of churro places in Barcelona, but nothing could top my dreams of coming back to this place.
- San Miguel Market – If you are looking for some local food at a market, this is the best place to get it in Madrid. They remind me a lot of Pike’s Market in Seattle but they have a variety of different dishes. My friends and I decided to grab whatever we saw and wanted to try and share it all together. There are so many options so it’s worth visiting more than one.
- Palace of Madrid – This palace is the famous palace of the royal family in Madrid, however, this is now only used for ceremonies. I highly suggest you book this in advance. The tickets for this location, especially in August, book up quite quickly. You can book your tickets here.
- Cathedral of Alemundo – This is a beautiful cathedral worth checking out and you can get a beautiful view from the top of the entire city. The inside of the bell tower is beautifully painted and decorated. Inside the cathedral itself, there are a lot of beautiful artifacts to check out and see as well.
- Museo del Prado – This is one of the most popular museums to visit for art buffs because they have a huge collection of famous and expensive artwork including works by Goya, Rubens, Raphael, Velázquez. If you don’t know Diego Velázquez, he is a popular painter known for his popular painting “Les Meninas”, which is a painting that raises many questions and creates an interesting relationship between the viewer and the figures depicted. This painting became a popular inspiration to many of Picasso’s work, which you will see in many of his studies on this painting at the Picasso museum in Barcelona. Save time and purchase your tickets here.
- Flamenco Show – Madrid is known for their culture and while it’s not exactly known for Flamenco, they still have popular Flamenco shows which are completely worth watching. I highly suggest it, if you haven’t had the chance to do so or do not plan on visiting Andalusia. Experience a magical night by purchasing your tickets here.
Visiting Barcelona in August
It was hot in Barcelona, but I think the weather may have been worse in Madrid than in Barcelona in terms of heat. The good thing about Barcelona is there is more of a breeze maybe because of it being more of a coastal town.
Additionally, there were more indoor options when it came to things to do in Barcelona. We decided it was best to go to Park Guell in the evening around sunset when it started to cool down and to get the beautiful sunset views.
Things to do in Barcelona in August
- Go to the beach – There are a few great beaches to visit in Barcelona, Spain in August which will be a great way to beat the heat. Some popular beaches are Barceloneta, Playa de Bogatell, Nova Icaria Beach, and Mar Bella Beach.
- La Sagrada Familia – This is the most popular cathedral in probably all of Spain. It’s one of Gaudi’s most famous architectural works and is quite popular around the world. Book your tickets here.
- Casa Mila – This is one of my favorite places to visit in Barcelona, if you appreciate architecture and appreciate art, then this is the one I highly recommend visiting out of all the houses or apartments that Gaudi has designed or decorated. This location also has a rooftop view where you can easily see la Sagrada Familia. Book your tickets here.
- Casa Batlló – Another one of the major places that have Gaudi’s touch. Although this location was only remodeled by Gaudi and not necessarily designed by him. Gaudi’s work is typically extravagant hence the word Gaudi when we think of things too over the top. This location, however, is more mild and calm compared to the other places designed by Gaudi. Book your ticket here.
- Casa Amatler – This location along with Casa Batlló was designed by Josep Puig I Cadafalch. This is probably the least visited house to visit in Barcelona, but still, something to check out if you have the time.
- Park Guell – I highly recommend coming here, this location has some of the best views in Spain and is famous for the unique designs by Gaudi. The construction of Park Güell began in 1900 in Barcelona. Modernism became a popular culture and design in architecture from this point moving forward with many artists like Gaudi. This location has a bit of Art Nouveau style, with Gaudi’s own modern twists and personal touches. Book your tickets here.
- Bunkers de Caramel – The best viewpoint in Barcelona. A must-see at sunset in Spain in August.
- Mercado de la Boqueria – The best place to get Barcelona street food, from Jamon, fruit, sandwiches, tapas, and so much more. You can easily find something to eat here for everyone and everything is quite affordable. It’s a great way to get something small, on the go, and use it for a picnic as well.
- Picasso Museum – If you understand art and appreciate it, I would highly suggest visiting the Picasso museum. I know a lot of people may not understand his work, but Picasso is a pivotal part of Art history. Be in awe at the famous Picasso museum in Barcelona.
- Ciutadella Park – If you are looking to find some green space within the city, this is a great location to get away and just have a relaxing walk or picnic.
- Take a day trip to see Montserrat – This is a great trip for us to get out of the hustle and bustle of the big city. If you enjoy hiking, great views, and fresh air, it’s a great trip to take out. After being in Barcelona for 3 days, I needed a new view and a change of scenery. Book your tickets here.
Where to stay in Spain during Summer
I would say this solely depends on you and the type of traveler you are. Most people would want to stay in a hotel that has good air conditioning since it can be hot during Spain in August, be sure to check this prior to booking since some places in Europe do not have access to AC. If you are on a budget, I highly suggest booking a private or group hostel. If you have kids, a hotel would probably be best.
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