The temperatures have risen to unprecedented heights, telling tourists that August has arrived in Barcelona, with hot sandy beaches and warm seas. The Sagrada Familia rises majestically against the azure sky as a symbol of the Catalan capital, solemnly welcoming its guests to the heart of Spain. What awaits tourists in Catalonia's capital during the hottest summer period?
Holidays in Barcelona in August: pros and cons
Always cheerful and festive, Barcelona looks especially beautiful in August. During the siesta, everything stops; only palm leaves are swaying in the breeze and the sun is reflected in the bright mosaics of Gaudi's architectural buildings. But in the evening, the city comes alive and entertains its many guests in various ways, so reviews of holidays in Barcelona in August are very positive.
What attracts thousands of tourists here at this time of year?
- The very warm sea allows you to relax on the beaches of Barcelona, even with little ones.
- The world-famous sights are worth seeing.
- The summer sale season is in full swing, and Barcelona is one of the most fashionable European cities.
- Plenty of entertainment suits all tastes, festivals and events are available for tourists.
- Delicious local fruit and delicacies.
It is also worth knowing about the peculiarities of this time of year in the capital of Catalonia so that the holiday is comfortable and does not cause inconvenience.
- The intense heat prevents you from taking long walks and staying on the beaches at lunchtime.
- During the siesta in the middle of the day (which is 2 — 3 hours), many shops and cafes are closed, so, except for sleeping in the hotel room, there will be nothing to do.
- The massive influx of tourists and, consequently, higher holiday prices.
To avoid travel discomfort, stock up on sunscreen, plan your day and take care of tour purchases (airline tickets and hotel reservations if you plan to travel independently) months before your trip.
The weather in Barcelona in August
The Spanish summer is in full swing, so the weather in August and September welcomes travellers to Barcelona's beaches and banishes them from the streets for the afternoon siesta. Daytime temperatures reach +33°C - +35°C, while at night they drop slightly to +25°C - +27°C. The weather at the beginning of August is not much different from July, as it is still hot during the day and evening. However, the temperature in Barcelona in mid-August can be lower, around +20°C to +25°C.
It is only sometimes the case, so it's worth taking advantage of the short-term weather forecast before travelling to get your wardrobe right.
The weather in Barcelona at the end of August is usually hot, with temperatures between +26°C and +28°C, but it can get a little colder as autumn approaches.
Air and water temperature
Barcelona's Mediterranean climate is very humid, making high temperatures hard to bear — it's not for nothing that Spaniards have siesta time. The average daytime temperature in Barcelona in August is +29°C, and the average night-time temperature is around +22°C.
Air temperature in Barcelona in August
Daytime temperatures in August can vary and range between +26°C and +35°C, while at night, the temperature is slightly lower and ranges from +20°C to +30°C. So you can count on hot nights. Night temperatures rarely fall below +20°C, but there have been occasions when they have.
Sea temperature in Barcelona in August
Given the high air temperatures, it's easy to guess that the sea off the coast of Barcelona warms up very well; with average water temperatures rising to +25.5°C, fans of warm seas can enjoy themselves to their heart's content.
Precipitation
Rains, at least briefly refreshing the hot city, do not occur often in August — about 4 - to 5 days throughout the month. The average amount of precipitation in August is about 24.5 mm. An umbrella can undoubtedly come in handy, but there is a chance it will remain at the bottom of your suitcase, and there will be no rainy day during your vacation.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
Overcast days in August will not upset you too much because they are about a week long, along with cloudy days. But for the rest of the month, the sun shines brightly, and not just shines, but heats the streets, squares and golden sands of Barcelona's beaches. So remember to use sunscreen and pay attention to your siesta.
Beach holidays
The end of summer is the perfect time to enjoy the warm waves of the Mediterranean Sea and the sandy beaches of the Catalan capital. Choose the beach holiday destination of your choice — a bustling coastline with restaurants, discos and entertainment, or quiet beaches for families with children. Barcelona has it all.
The total length of the area equipped for beach recreation is about 5 kilometres; the most famous beaches of Barcelona are about 10. Be careful if you go on holiday with children — nudists can sunbathe near some beaches.
One of the cleanest and safest beaches is Bogatell Beach. It is about 700 metres long and is often chosen by couples with children.
However, there are basketball and volleyball courts, tennis tables and other sports equipment for active holidays. Nearby is Nova Ikaria Beach, another quiet and peaceful place for family holidays.
Excursion holidays: where to go in August
Given the weather conditions of the hottest month of the year, exploring the city on foot must be postponed until the evening, when the air is fresher and the sun is no longer so scalding. Of course, you'll want to spend most of the day on the beach by the water, but Barcelona's sights are so fascinating that you must see them. So plan your day in advance and head out to admire the sunny capital of Catalonia.
- Barcelona's Golden Quarter. When the weather is scorching in early August, you should postpone your walk until the evening. But as soon as the heat dies down a bit, head to the Golden Quarter, which brings together more than a hundred buildings designed by Antoni Gaudi and other architects. These are residential buildings of unusual architectural form, and the neighbourhood where they are located is called an open-air museum. Here you can see the Casa Batlló — the most romantic of his constructions, the Casa Leo Morera - with mosaics, stained glass windows and sculptures, the Casa Amalieu with carved bay windows and unusual lanterns on the balconies. Next to these houses is the Perfume Museum, which can be visited for €5 until 8 pm on weekdays and until 2 pm on Saturdays.
- Citadel Park (Ciutadella). This luxurious park with its main attraction — the monumental Cascade Fountain, more than a hundred years old, designed as a triumphal arch with figures of Venus and Aurora, will leave an unforgettable impression and refresh you on a hot day in mid-August.
You will also have the opportunity to take a boat trip on the lake here and visit the beautiful zoo with rare species of animals. And, having looked into the Castle of the Three Dragons, you will find yourself in the zoological museum, which is located here. So for children, this excursion will be exciting.
Don't forget about the possibility of buying a Barcelona City Card. This card gives you free entry to over 25 of Barcelona’s top museums and attractions and free and unlimited access to public transportation.
- Design Museum. If you're travelling in late August and it's a rainy day, spend it at the Design Museum. It combines the collections of Ceramics, Decorative Arts, Textiles and Clothing and Fine Arts Museums, totalling around 70,000 items. It will start surprising you right from Gloria Square, where it is located: a two-level modern building built in the best traditions of energy saving with natural light. It will be of interest to adults and high school-aged children interested in modern design trends.
- Maritime Museum. One of the most popular with tourists, this museum was opened almost a hundred years ago. The exhibits of the museum halls tell about the history of navigation, presenting various vessels — from small fishing boats to modern liners. The museum's highlight is a replica of a 60-metre-long royal sailing galley with original trim pattern and decorations displayed in the bow. This tour will impress even those who have never been interested in seafaring.
Holidays, events and festivals
The hot summer in the Catalan capital continues, and the bright, sunny city welcomes visitors joyfully. There's no shortage of festivities in Barcelona in August. If you want to join the locals and feel a part of this city, come here in the last summer month to have fun, taste local specialities and once again admire the ingenuity of the Catalans for inventing holidays.
The long-awaited and much-loved Major de Gracia festival is held here in mid-August. It coincides with the celebration of the Ascension of the Virgin Mary. The name comes from the neighbourhood of Gracia, where it is held. It is a street decorations competition where the residents of each street decorate it with a chosen theme, and they take this event seriously.
Of course, the celebration is accompanied by various shows and performances, a massive selection of street food and just mass fun and good mood. Be sure to come — you won't be bored! At the end of August, the following district of the city — Sants — pick up the baton of street festivals. 22 streets with original decorations will not leave you indifferent. But besides that, visitors to Barcelona can expect a fire show, "Running Fireworks", traditional Catalan towers of people, and the obligatory procession of giant puppets. Have fun and show the kids this festival — they will be impressed.
Shopping
Summer sales are in full swing, so it's an exciting time for shoppers. By the end of the month, discounts reach a maximum of 70 - 80% and allow you to make very favourable purchases. But, on the other hand, it is worth remembering that towards the end of the season, the range of goods in the shops decreases significantly. Shopping centres with food courts wait for visitors during the whole week, except for Sunday — most shops are closed on this day.
When you come shopping in August, get ready for queues and large crowds of tourists — after all, this month is very popular with travellers.
There are also bargains in outlet stores near the city and trendy boutiques on Barcelona's famous shopping streets.
Cost of vacation
Given the massive influx of tourists, the time of mass holidays and the season's popularity for travelling, you can foresee an increase in prices for holidays in August in Barcelona. So be prepared for queues, crowded beaches and costs a little higher than usual.
Airfares
Air ticket prices rise during all three summer months — by August, they increase by another 10 per cent compared to the previous July. There is practically no shortage of tickets, as in summer, there are direct flights and many charters. But tickets booked a few months before your trip can help you save money.
Package Tours
Tour operators are also in high demand for trips and holidays in August, offering, perhaps, the highest prices of the summer period. A week's holiday in August will cost 20-25% more than in July. Planning the trip in advance is a good idea if you want to choose the best room and save a little money.
Food
There is usually no seasonal increase in food prices, although they may rise slightly in August, given the large number of tourists.
For assorti of fruit at the market, you will have to pay €2.5-3 per cup, jamon slices will cost about €3-4. You will have to pay about €40-60 for a kilo of delicatessen meat. Breakfast in a café consisting of coffee and pastries or a ham sandwich will cost approximately €5 euros, and you can refresh yourself with traditional cold tomato gazpacho soup for €3-5.
- Prices in Barcelona for Food in Restaurants, Cafes and Supermarkets
- Spanish Food: 48 Must-Try Dishes in Spain
Advice for tourists with children
Remember the hot Spanish sun and use sunscreen when going on a family trip with your little ones. Pay attention to siesta and stock up on hats for the whole family. For walks with a pram in parks or squares, choose the evening time, and it is better to go to the sea in the morning. Observing these well-known rules, you will be able to save your baby from trouble in the form of heat stroke.
These rules also apply to older children, especially since there are plenty of outdoor activities for them, such as the Barcelona Zoo, Tibidabo amusement park or water park.
We hope that our recommendations will be helpful for you and will make your meeting with sunny Barcelona unforgettable. Let bright Spain stay in your heart for a long time, and your holiday memories will call you here again.
