In today's fast-paced world, tourism has become essential, offering unbridled joy to people seeking adventure and exploration. Just as individuals vary in nature, so too do the world's tourist destinations, each with its own unique appeal. Barcelona, the Catalonian capital, stands out with a plethora of attractions.
With centuries steeped in art, culture, and history, Barcelona showcases its rich heritage through its architectural marvels and culinary delights. The city has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, leaving behind a tapestry of stories etched into its streets. Dining in Barcelona is a sensory delight, ensuring every meal is a memorable experience. For those who revel in the nightlife, Barcelona offers a vibrant scene that keeps the city alive until the early hours.
Moreover, Barcelona's beaches are simply irresistible, beckoning visitors to soak up the sun and savor moments of relaxation. With so much to offer, we encourage you to pack your bags and embark on a journey to Barcelona this August.
What makes Barcelona in August special?
August in Barcelona buzzes with activity. The high season is in full swing, infusing the city with vibrant energy. It's the perfect time to immerse yourself in Barcelona's nightlife scene, as the soaring temperatures beckon nocturnal adventures. Despite the influx of tourists, the city retains its allure and charm, brimming with excitement at every turn.
For those who relish summer vibes and beachside bliss, Barcelona offers an unparalleled experience. Its expansive shoreline and plethora of water-based activities transport visitors to a tropical paradise in August.
But the excitement doesn't end there. Barcelona's August calendar is packed with events. The renowned Circuit Festival, one of the world's largest gay and lesbian festivals, draws crowds from far and wide. The San Miguel Mas I Mas music festival garners global attention, while La Festa Major de Sants steadily rises in popularity. Whether you seek nightlife, beach fun, or cultural festivities, Barcelona in August promises an unforgettable experience.
Barcelona in August weather
In August, Barcelona is unmistakably marked by its sweltering heat. Heatwaves have become increasingly common in recent years. While the days grow shorter as the month progresses, rain remains a rarity. Humidity levels persistently linger at high levels throughout August.
Barcelona in August: Things to do
1
Sagrada Familia
All aerial shots of Barcelona feature this extremely recognizable structure. Sagrada Familia has gone through construction over a period of several decades and hence features a number of construction and architectural techniques. It is one of the finest works of Antoni Gaudí, and you cannot miss out on this despite the tourist overload in August.
August Timings
Monday to Friday: 9am to 8pm
Saturday: 9am to 6pm
Sunday: 10:30am to 8pm
Carrer de Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona,
Spain
Getting There ›
2
Casa Vicens
Casa Vicens, a UNESCO World Heritage building is one of the best-known work of Antoni Gaudí. In fact, this building was commissioned by him quite early in his career. The structure has now been repurposed as cultural space and museum. If you want to explore the works of Gaudí, this is the place to visit.
August Timings
Open Daily except for certain holidays from 9:30am to 8pm
08012 Barcelona, Spain,
Getting There ›
3
Park Güell
The city of Barcelona is full of masterpieces by Antoni Gaudí. Park Güell is another one of them. The park system is one of the most popular picnic spots in the entire city. You can experience a number of Gaudí’s famous works within the park that holds more than 100 years of Barcelona history.
August Timings
Open Daily from 9am to 7:30pm
08024 Barcelona,
Spain
Getting There ›
4
Poble Espanyol
Poble Espanyol is the place to discover the cultural richness of the Catalan area. This is a quaint village-like set up lets you experience an open-air museum displaying everything that Barcelona and Catalonia stand for. Take part in the unique activities offered here in August for a truly magnificent experience.
August Timings
Tuesday - Sunday: 10am to 12am
Monday: 10am to 8pm
Av. Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 13, 08038
Barcelona, Spain
Getting There ›
5
L'Aquarium Barcelona
The largest aquarium in Europe must make it to your itinerary in August. L'Aquarium Barcelona houses hundreds of species of aquatic lifeforms. A cage dive with the sharks or watching the penguins during their feeding time is sure to make it to your journals. The August heat might also make it the ideal time to visit L'Aquarium Barcelona.
August Timings
Open Daily from 10am to 8pm
Moll d'Espanya, del Port Vell, s/n, 08039
Barcelona, Spain
Getting There ›
6
La Rambla & Barri Gòtic
Barcelona is blessed with immense architectural beauty. As such, a walk down any street will be extremely satisfying. La Rambla is one such pedestrian strip that is loaded with the essence of Barcelona. Adjacent to that is Barri Gòtic, a neighbourhood that has a number of buildings from Barcelona’s Gothic past. An evening walk at La Rambla and Barri Gòtic will surely be breathtaking.
Gothic Quarter, Barcelona,
Spain
Getting There ›
7
Flamenco Show
If you want to experience the culture of Catalonia, you have to go to a Flamenco show. There are numerous bundled deals that are available that include a Flamenco show as well as a meal and a walking tour of one of the adjacent localities. We recommend Tablao Cordobes in La Rambla, which combines the authenticity with the old world charm perfectly.
95HF+JW Barcelona,
Spain
Getting There ›
8
Casa Milà
Known as La Pedrera, or “the stone quarry”, Casa Milà is another prime example for the superior architecture on display in Barcelona. This is the last project that Antoni Gaudí worked on before shifting his attention towards Sagrada Familia. The architecture of Casa Milà epitomizes the abstract nature of modern art in a very raw form.
August Timings
Open Daily from 9am to 8:30pm
Provença, 261-265, 08008 Barcelona,
Spain
Getting There ›
9
Camp Nou
The home of FC Barcelona, Camp Nou has been witness to the club’s immense success in the national and international arena. You can get a sniff of their success in the museum within the stadium premises. This magnificent stadium holds as many as 115,000 fans on matchdays. A trip to Barcelona is simply not complete without a tour of Camp Nou.
August Timings
Monday to Saturday: 10am to 8pm
Sunday & public holidays: 10am to 2:30pm
C. d'Aristides Maillol, 12, 08028 Barcelona,
Spain
Getting There ›
10
PortAventura World
Portaventura World is an essential spot for thrill seekers in Barcelona. This theme park is for visitors of all ages. It is further subdivided into six themed zones that can cater to everyone’s tastes and whims. PortAventura World is the most popular theme park in Barcelona for over two decades, and there is no reason for you to skip this place.
August Timings
Open Daily from 10:30am to 10:30pm
Av. Pere Molas, Tarragona,
Spain
Getting There ›
Barcelona in August: Events to look out for
DJ Snake
August 7, 2024
DJ Snake is coming to Barcelona! Get your tickets and get ready to jam all night. DJ Snake has dominated the music scene for the last decade with chart-topping hits like Lean On and Taki-Taki. Most of all, attending a concert in Barcelona is one experience you would not want to miss out on!
Festa Major de Sants
August 12 - August 16, 2024
Festa Major de Sants is a neighbourhood festival honouring Saint Bartomeu. It is a relatively small festival but it is not lacking in visual spectacle. As many as 22 neighbourhoods decorate the streets in accordance with themes and a panel of locals decide the winner amongst them. A very local flavour of Barcelona is on display during this festival.
Barcelona in August: 5-day itinerary
1
Barcelona essentials
Barcelona Weather in August
August is the hottest month in Barcelona. The highest ever recorded temperature in August is 36°C. But mostly the mercury remains between 30°C and 15°C. The possibility of rain is very low, but it goes on increasing as the month progresses. Humidity is typically high and there is a slight breeze in Barcelona in August.
Where to Stay in Barcelona During August
The city of Barcelona has a clear advantage of being closely packed. Therefore no hotel would be too far from the tourist attractions. However, the high season is not a good time to be hunting for a place to stay. You may choose a hotel towards the outskirts of the city to ensure that you can secure a good rate. Either way, Barcelona has all types of hotels to fit your budget and itinerary.
Luxury : Hotel The Serras, Hotel DO: Plaça Reial, Mandarin Oriental.
Mid-Range : Casa Camper Hotel Barcelona, Olivia Balmes Hotel, Yurbban Trafalgar Hotel.
Budget : Alimara Barcelona Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Barcelona Diagonal, U232 Hotel.
What to Pack for Visiting Barcelona in August
First and foremost, remember that it is not uncommon for the temperature to go beyond 30°C. Carry enough breathable clothing, preferably of pale colours. Carry a bottle of water that you can take on your walks. Do not forget to bring waterproof sunblock as you wouldn’t want to miss out on each day. Keep an umbrella handy on the off chance it rains.
Getting Around Barcelona in August
Again, the compact layout of the city comes in handy when travelling within Barcelona. The city administration has done a great job of laying out the transport network in Barcelona. The metro network is by far the best way to traverse across the city. The FGC and tram are quite reliable and fast as well. You can also opt for one of 1000 buses that ply within city limits. All of these transport systems use a unified ticketing system to make commuting easier. Cabs are another option at your disposal, but they are the priciest of the lot. If you care about nature, bikes a great pick for you. Barcelona has fully integrated bicycle lanes and numerous parks for biking.
Barcelona in August - Must try delicacies
Spanish and Catalonian cuisine is closely associated with its history. La Bomba is a tip of the hat to the major influence of crude bombs in the Spanish Civil War. A ball of meat and mashed potatoes is breaded and deep-fried and then topped with spicy tomato sauce and aioli.
Where to eat: Restaurant Barceloneta
Esqueixada de Bacallà is a classic Catalan salad with salted codfish at its centre. Fragrant olive oil is used to bring an aroma to the fish. It is then mixed with ripe tomatoes and onions. A specific texture needs to be achieved for this dish to be perfect, which is why the fish is soaked or dried beforehand.
Where to eat: La Clara
Fideuà is the Catalonian version of the paella. The rice in paella is substituted with noodles in Fideuà. The cooking technique applied in this dish is almost the same as paella. An abundance of fresh vegetables is used in the dish. The only departure from paella is in the texture, which is softer in case of Fideuà.
Where to eat: El Meson
Everyone has had a crème brûlée. Crema Catalana is the Catalan rendition of the classic French dessert. The name declares this dish to be a classic Catalan dessert. The difference between this dish and a crème brûlée is the addition of orange zest that adds a citric freshness to it. Almost all major eateries serve Crema Catalana.
Where to eat: Escribà
Tapas are mini dishes that were initially mean to be served with drinks for free but have now carved out an independent place for themselves. Escalivada is a tapa speciality in Barcelona that is made of a number of charred vegetables. The tender flesh of the vegetables is then served with olive oil and bread.
Where to eat: Sésamo
Tips to visit Barcelona in August
- Book online tickets for the busy spots in the city like Sagrada Familia well in advance to guarantee your reservation.
- Get the Barcelona Card as soon as you land in the city so that you can take advantage of the unified payment system across Barcelona’s transport routes.
- Beware of pickpockets whenever you leave your hotel. They become extremely active around tourist spots and during the high season.
- Sip on some fresh fruit juices from roadside stands on your walks around the city. They are helpful in the August weather.
- Visit the Collserola park in the outskirts of Barcelona to escape the crowd and have a relatively peaceful picnic, even in the high season.
Explore Barcelona by months
FAQs
The weather in Barcelona in August is hot and humid. Average temperatures are around 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit). There is also a chance of showers, so it's a good idea to pack an umbrella.
Pack light and airy clothing as the weather will be warm and humid. Comfortable shoes are a must as you will be doing a lot of walking. Don't forget to pack your sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat!
There is plenty to do in Barcelona in August! Visit some of the city's top attractions such as the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, and La Rambla. Or take a day trip to one of the nearby beaches. August is also a great time to experience some of Barcelona's nightlife and restaurant scene.
Some tips for visiting Barcelona in August include trying to avoid the hottest hours of the day, staying hydrated, and being aware of pickpockets. It is also recommended to make reservations in advance for restaurants and attractions.
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