Costa Brava in August offers the best that the famous Spanish coast offers. Small towns specialising in budget holidays are unrecognisable: many tourists of different ages, family with kids or without, are entertained to the max, and the Spanish spirit is somehow lost in this atmosphere.
Elite neighbourhoods and small villages, on the contrary, in every possible way, resist mass tourism and keep the spirit of antiquity, the atmosphere of real Spain.
The main advantage of Costa Brava is that the close distances and good transport links allow for a few days to visit all the towns on the coast and even in another country, sleeping in only one place. Kidpassage analysed which resort to choose and where to go when it's too hot for the beach.
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Holidays on the Costa Brava in August: pros and cons
August is the peak of the summer tourist season. It is when Catalans and other Europeans start their holidays, and schoolchildren are still on holiday.
Most visitors to the resort are families with children and middle-aged couples, but there are also plenty of young people between 18 and 30 years old. It causes family tourists complaints, as they usually have a noisy holiday, attracting everyone's attention.
Restaurant tables and beach chairs are one hundred per cent occupied. On the small beaches, the coves are not crowded, but those looking for privacy will always find it: almost 200 kilometres of coastline allows you to do it.
The most popular resorts in the high season for family holidays are Blanes and Roses, Tossa de Mar, and Palamos are suitable for a holiday without fuss; companies and young people will like Lloret de Mar. The latter town is where most of the entertainment is concentrated.
Tourists mention the following advantages of holidaying on the Costa Brava in August:
- the sea, which in this region is usually cool and takes a long time to warm up, has already reached a comfortable temperature;
- minimal rainfall;
- favourable time for exploring the numerous beaches of the coast, excursions, and active holidays;
- active tourist life;
- time of summer sales.
Discomfort can cause:
- high seasonal prices;
- high hotel occupancy;
- an overabundance of tourists;
- pollution at popular beach holiday destinations;
- high costs of renting beach equipment, especially in cases when it is necessary to change several beaches during the day;
- the orientation of the tourism sector towards mass tourists, which prevents them from getting to know Spain from the inside.
Due to the crowd, which confuses many, and high prices, reviews of holidays in the Costa Brava in August are opposed: some tourists no longer want to repeat the trip during the peak season, while others, especially parents with children, believe that due to natural conditions for wellness relaxing by the sea is the best time.
Weather in the Costa Brava in August
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The weather in August in the Costa Brava is very variable, hot and sometimes sultry. In September, the air cools slightly, providing travellers with stable warmth. In the case of rain and thunderstorms, the water in the sea can become sharply cool.
The weather in early August is characterised by a small amount of precipitation, which falls in the form of a few rains. Thunderstorms may occur. During the day, it is primarily sunny or partly cloudy and windy.
The south wind increases up to 10 metres per second, swaying tree branches and causing sea swell. Daytime temperatures on the Costa Brava in mid-August do not drop below +25 °C. The summer heat is replaced at night by a refreshing coolness of +18°C to +23°C.
At the end of August, the weather in the Costa Brava does not change dramatically, but daytime temperatures drop slightly. The last day of the month is often marked by a significant short-term cooling triggered by a northerly or north-easterly wind.
Air and water temperature
The average maximum daily temperature in the Costa Brava in August reached +31 °C, and the average minimum was +19 °C.
On hot days, the thermometer rises to +36 °C. The local climate pleases with real warmth in the water and on land only in the last summer months, so July and August are the most suitable time for a beach holiday.
Air temperature in Costa Brava in August
The average daytime temperature for August is +28.5 °C, while the average nighttime temperature reaches +21.3 °C. The average daily temperature is above +25°C for almost the whole month.
Sea temperature in Costa Brava in August
The Mediterranean Sea off the Costa Brava is warmest at the beginning of the month. The average water temperature is +22.9 °C, and the upper limit is +26.1 °C.
Amount of precipitation
The amount of precipitation in August averages 14.3 mm. The last month of summer is one of the driest of the year, but at least two rainy days are recorded by forecasters every year.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
27 August days out of 31 are sunny. All this time, the clouds can't hide the sun. The average number of sunny hours is 11.9 hours.
Active holidays
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Active holidaymakers in the Costa Brava can enjoy parachuting, cycling, horse riding, tennis, diving, golf, fishing, etc.
The surrounding resorts are renowned for their excellent windsurfing and kiting conditions. There are ample opportunities for jet skiing and water skiing, kayaking. You can sign up for skydiving and flying light and ultralight aeroplanes at small airfields.
The Aire Libre centre in Tossa de Mar offers facilities for mountaineers to train. You can rappel down a 100-metre rope held on blocks, go archery, orienteering, play football, basketball and mini-golf.
There are go-kart tracks in Roses and a club for fans of petanque, a Catalan folk game.
In summer, water parks such as Aquabrava on the outskirts of Roses, Water World in Lloret de Mar, Aquadiver in Castel Plagja d'Aro and the water park on the coast of Playa de Empuriabrava are open until evening. As well as water activities, some offer animal and bird shows, bungee jumping towers and other experiences.
In Palsa and Plaja de Aro, the Parc Aventura Costa Brava adventure parks are perfect for a good time outdoors with the kids. In the pine forest, there are more than 80 objects: ziplines, ropes, nets, bridges, tunnels, vines, etc. There are particular play areas for the youngest children (from 1 to 5 years old).
The Gnome Park near Lloret de Mar is designed for children up to 12. The wooded terrain does not always protect you from heat and thirst, so bring bottled water.
Tour Holidays
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The summer heat on the Mediterranean coast of Spain is relatively well-tolerated thanks to the lush greenery, wind from the sea and air-conditioners, which are everywhere equipped with public transport, shops, restaurants, hotels and institutions. However, at this time, it is not recommended to book long excursions, especially to big cities.
For example, in Madrid or Valencia in August, you cannot hide from the heat, even in the shade. During the hot hours in many Spanish cities, everything is closed except for cafes and restaurants.
August is a good time for trips to nature — tours to national parks and boat trips along the coast. The views from the sea are beautiful, and you can take a boat to the most picturesque coves.
The longest canals in the world are used for boat tours around Empuriabrava, where owners and tenants of luxury villas take to the sea on boats and yachts right from their doorstep. Around Empuriabrava, on a territory of 100 km2, there are 125 monuments of medieval architecture.
The following sites are popular in tourist towns:
- Lloret de Mar — castles, Clotilde Gardens, San Roma Church;
- Tossa de Mar — Villa Vella Castle, where children are taken by a cute steam train;
- Blanes — Marimurtra Botanical Garden and the Dali Theatre Museum.
In the summer, they are open for visiting until 19:00 or 20:00.
A trip to the medieval towns of Girona, Besalú and Figueres, famous for the eccentric surrealist Salvador Dalí, is a must-do if you haven't been there.
In the rainy weather that sometimes occurs in August, the impression is only heightened: a little fog and gloominess combined with narrow, damp cobbled streets recreate the complete picture of how writers and artists usually portray medieval European cities.
During the midday hours, when the sun kicks out from the beach to cooler areas, children will have a great time in museums, as the famous Spanish siesta is all but forgotten in tourist towns. Mid-August is also a time of festivities throughout Spain, so don't miss the opportunity to have fun and explore the country's traditional ways.
Beach Holidays
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The beaches on the Costa Brava are primarily suitable for families with children: the sand underfoot is coarse and not too hot in direct sunlight and easy to clean off your feet, while the sea is clear and turquoise in colour. Due to the large size of sand grains, sand does not fly on the beach, and the seawater's transparency is preserved despite many holidaymakers.
In terms of temperature, the water can differ from resort to resort, as well as in-depth, which in some places comes sharply. In this case, children need special supervision. On cloudy days, the water seems warmer than the air. In early August, you should not fear cold currents; the water temperature is comfortable even for bathing babies.
Famous beaches of holiday towns in August are full, especially where there is little choice, for example, in Tossa de Mar. All places of recreation by the sea in Spain are free. However, the equipment rental costs a lot, so this expenditure should be separately considered in the family budget. You can save money by bringing umbrellas, towels or mats.
The mild weather on the Costa Brava is deceptive, and you can quickly get sunburnt in August. So don't go to the beach during siesta time. The only exceptions are those cosy corners of nature where the trees are close to the water or the cliffs provide noticeable shade.
For young tourists, there are children's clubs on the beaches, which close only at the end of August, as well as water parks directly in the sea and a standard set of other beach activities. The seafront has playgrounds, bicycle paths and sports grounds, catering establishments, tourist kiosks, etc. In the evenings, strolling and sitting by the sea is a pleasure, as it is very warm and no flies and mosquitoes disturb your holiday.
Holidays, events and festivals
August holidays on the Costa Brava keep the sunny mood pleasing to all the senses.
The 15th of August has been declared an official day off nationwide to celebrate the religious feast of the Ascension of Our Lady of August. On the days when Our Lady ended her life on earth, solemn services, church processions and theatre performances are held in all Catholic churches.
In August, in the province of Girona, a series of music festivals of the highest level fills all the days of the month. These include, for example, the Schubertiade classical music festival, the multi-genre Torroella de Montgrí international music festival, and the successful and innovative Cadaqués Festival (first two weeks of August). Organ concerts, guitar and flamenco festivals, and others in the ideal setting of concert halls, Catholic churches, squares and summer grounds bring together many performers.
In addition to music concerts, courses for performers and composers are organised and taught by the best professors in the world. The public is offered performances, pedagogical and other programme events designed for all age groups.
Patronal holidays in Spain tourists will catch at any time of the year. The main thing is to choose the right destination. For example, in the last month of summer, their patron saints are honoured: Pals (August 3), La Molina (first Sunday in August), Agullana (August 15), Amer (August 14-17), Banyoles (August 16), Planoles (August 22-26), Girona (August 24-26).
The patronal festival of Roses is celebrated during the week of 15 August, the time of maximum tourist influx. Various cultural, sporting, musical and leisure activities occur throughout the summer. During the week of the patronal festival, these are complemented by traditional festive events such as la cucaña (canoe race), duck catching, human castles "castells", a procession of giants, fairs and pavilions, concerts and a fireworks display to mark the end of the festival.
The Catalan town of Ripoll holds a medieval event called Mercadal del Comte Guifré in early and mid-August. The people of the town go back in time by wearing historical costumes. Here you can stroll through a vintage market, see artisans' work, exhibitions and animation, and have a good time in the taverns of the parish of Count Guifré.
On the last Sunday in August in Peralada, large groups of people from over Catalonia dance the traditional sardana. This round dance is where all participants join hands and perform specific dance movements. The sardana is also known as the "protest dance".
In the summer, a harvest festival takes place in the neighbourhood of Sant Climento de Peralta in Forallac. It is dedicated to traditional agricultural work. Threshing of sheaves and making haylofts are two traditional rural activities that are almost forgotten these days.
And this is by no means a complete list of what can happen in the province of Girona. We have not said anything about sports, culinary programmes and very little about traditional fairs, which are also interesting.
Cost of vacation
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Prices on the Costa Brava in August in the beach resort towns are considerably higher than in towns further away from the coast. Compared to Greece, a holiday in Spain will require more expenses, given the variety of entertainment offered here, the cost of food, and the cost of renting accommodation.
Package Tours
Whatever duration of the tour you choose, you will have to pay the highest price of the year for it. Compared to July, the price rise is 5-20%, and compared to June - 30-80%, with tours for 7 days showing the slightest difference in price. In September, vouchers become cheaper, but not significantly. The minimum price for a holiday on the Costa Brava is 850 euros, and the farther south the country, the higher it is.
Accommodation
August and September are the most expensive months of the year in the hotel room rental category. Hotels in the central and southern parts of the Costa Brava are most in demand, while those in the mountainous and central parts of the province, as well as Girona and its suburbs, are least in demand. The price for a hotel room in August rises to its maximum limit. On average, it increases by 5-10% compared to July. In September, the price returns to around the level of June and July.
Airfares
Air travel in August is one of the most expensive of the year. On average, this month's ticket price is 15% higher than in July and 25-35% higher than in September.
Food and Transport
Hotels in Spain rarely offer an all-inclusive service, but even then, the cost of drinks may not be included in the price. You can buy buffet breakfasts in some hotels for 13-15 euros. If you plan to eat in town, one full meal will cost around 15-30 euros. For a family of four, prepare to pay about 100 euros.
A transfer from Girona airport will cost at least 30 euros, depending on the distance to your destination. For a group tour, guides will charge €35 per person. About 50 euros per family per day will be an additional out-of-pocket expense.
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Tips for travelling with kids
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The hot season on the Costa Brava doesn't mean you can get by with a wardrobe of light summer clothes. Possible rare rains and cold weather oblige tourists to put a warm jumper and an umbrella in their suitcase. The whole arsenal of sunscreen will come in handy.
It is recommended to holiday independently in Spain, according to your individual schedule. With or without children, there is always something to see in this country, so make a travel plan to combine beach and sightseeing holidays successfully.
Children's animation and babysitting services in budget hotels are rare, so if it is important for you to go on an excursion without children, pay attention to the availability of these services when choosing a hotel. Most seaside hotels have at least a playground on their territory. In August, pay attention that the accommodation was equipped with air conditioning.
The snacks served in tapas cafes are not the best for everyday consumption, and children may be reluctant to eat them. However, the classic Mediterranean dishes served in the cafés are very healthy. "Half board" in hotels (breakfast and dinner) is better to choose not only because of the benefits but also because the dishes offered are delicious.
On the beaches, there are a lot of female tourists of different ages resting topless. There are nudist holiday spots. Choose beaches where the depth begins not immediately from the shore.
August on the Costa Brava is a rare month when the weather conditions and infrastructure are designed to bring complete pleasure to holidaymakers. In terms of choice of entertainment for children and adults, Spain is ahead of Greece, Turkey and other resorts famous at this time. And if high seasonal prices do not frighten you, go to the "coast of the brave" in August without hesitation. A good holiday is assured for you.
And while you are planning your holiday, take a look at Kidpassage's valuable materials, which give recommendations for holidays with children in all seasons in different parts of the world.
