Spain in August: What to Expect (and When to Go Instead)
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Last updated on May 1, 2026
The draw of visiting Spain in August is real. I mean, who doesn’t want to sip an Aperol spritz on a patio or swim in turquoise water on the Mediterranean? Add in summer’s longer days and the fact that kids are off from school, and August seems like an ideal time for a Spanish holiday.
But the reality is that Spain in August can be a less-than-ideal time to visit, depending on where you’re going and what you want to do.
If you’re hoping to visit Spain in August and wondering what it’s really like, this article will give you a clear picture of what to expect. From weather, to crowds, prices, and insider tips from my first-hand experience visiting various parts of Spain in August.
Table of Contents
Is August a Good Time to Visit Spain?
August can be a good time to visit parts of Spain thanks to its idyllic weather and summer festivities. But in most parts of the country, including the most popular tourist cities, Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Granada, it’s one of the worst times to visit because of extreme heat, high tourist crowds, and mass vacation by locals.
Some areas of Spain will hold special festivals in August, like San Roque in the Ribera del Duero region, the running of the bulls in Pamplona, or La Tomatina tomato-throwing festival in El Buñol. These week-long festivals are a blast and definitely a reason to visit Spain in August.
What Spain Is Like in August
Spain in August is the peak tourist season, with dry, hot weather in most of the country. Areas in the north, which are cooler and wetter than the southern and coastal areas of Spain, have idyllic weather and sunny days.
Most of the coast, central Spain, and Southern Spain, however, are extremely hot and often very busy. August is also when Spain receives the most visitors. According to data from Spain’s tourism branch, Seggitur, more than 5.5 million people visited Spain in August of 2025, the highest of any month and a record number of visitors.
Expect lots of crowds from visiting tourists, with fewer locals around due to August being a popular vacation time.
Why August Can Be a Difficult Time to Visit Spain
Spain can be a pleasant place to visit if you’re going to the right regions, but it’s still one of the least favorable times to visit Spain. Here’s why.
It’s the hottest month of the year
August is the hottest month in Spain. In many parts of the country temperatures can reach 48°C or 120°F. 🥵 Heat waves are becoming more frequent, making exploring cities like Cordoba, Madrid, Seville, or Barcelona an absolute nightmare.
➡ Read Next: 3 Days in Barcelona, Spain: The Best First-Time Itinerary ⬅
When we arrived in Madrid at the start of August, the real temperature was 103°F (40°C). It felt like a hot blow dryer was blowing on us when we walked the streets, even in the shade. Areas in Southern Spain get even hotter!
Sevilla continues to have record breaking summers. In August 2025 summer the temperature was over 100°F (37.7°C) in 11 days that month, with the hottest day clocking in at 108°F (42°C)! No one wants to walk miles outside in that type of heat.
During the hot summer months, everyone stays indoors, making the streets feel desolate. It also doesn’t help that many places in Spain don’t have air conditioning.
Hotels in big cities like Barcelona, Madrid, or Seville will have air conditioning in the rooms. But many apartments and vacation rentals won’t. We stayed with friends in the south of Spain and near Valladolid and suffered through 103°F (40°C) days with NO AIR CONDITIONING.
Most locals go on vacation in August
Another reason August is a less than ideal time to visit is because it’s widely considered “vacaciones”, or the month of vacation in Spain. Most Spaniards get several weeks, if not the entire month, off for vacation.
Shops, restaurants, and mom-and-pop stores will shut down, leaving “on vacaciones” signs on the front door.
While not everyone in Spain gets the luxury of extended time off in the season, many Spaniards leave the big cities and travel to nearby villages for special festivals or to spend time with family and friends. These events and “vacaciones” mean many shops and restaurants will be closed for several weeks in August.
Meaning if you visit in August, you’ll be surrounded by tourists, not locals. One of our biggest motivators when traveling is meeting locals, trying new foods, and generally avoiding super touristic things. However, that’s hard to do when it’s mostly tourists around you and all the local spots are closed for vacation.
Not to mention, more tourists also means more waiting in lines for the top tourist attractions. If you want to go to La Sagrada Familia in August, you’ll need to buy tickets months in advance and be prepared for huge crowds! We booked skip the line tickets, which allowed us to bypass an extremely long line, even in September.
It’s more expensive
The last reason it can unideal to visit Spain in August is the cost. Peak season means higher airfare, hotels, and food costs. Price gauging isn’t a major concern for restaurants in Madrid, and food is extremely affordable in Spain. However, hotels and vacation rentals will charge a premium for rooms in August.
Where to Go in Spain in August (Best Places)
Okay, so I’ve harped extensively on why you might not want to go to Spain in August, but let’s talk about the places where visiting Spain in August is actually ideal.
The northern part of Spain including Galicia, Asturias, Basque Country, Cantabria, and Navarra are gorgeous in summer. The sun is out, the grass is lush and green, and it’s even warm enough to head to the beach (at least some days). Although you’ll still face higher prices and a lot of tourists.
Good destinations to visit in Spain in August due to weather:
- San Sebastian, Basque Country (⭐️ TOP SUGGESTION FOR FOODIES + BEACHES)
- Bilbao, Asturias
- Gijon, Asturias
- Picos de Europa, Austrias (⭐️ TOP SUGGESTION FOR NATURE LOVERS)
- Santander, Cantabria
- Pamplona, Navarre (San Fermín running of the bulls happens in early to mid July)
We braved the heat for a week long festival called San Roque in the tiny town of Peñafiel (where I lived and taught English ages ago), and had an absolute blast. It’s such a local experience and gives you a great glimpse into the Spanish culture. Below are well-known festivals that take place in Spain in August.
- El Buñol, Valencia for the La Tomatina tomato-throwing festival (end of August)
- Barcelona, Spain for the Festa Major de Gràcia where they make a human tower (mid August)
- Madrid, Spain the week of the Virgen de la Paloma Fiesta (mid August)
- Peñafiel for San Roque festival where they dance the Chundara and fight with bulls (mid August)
When is the Best Time to Visit Spain?
Personally, I think the best time to visit Spain is in the shoulder season, including the months of May, June, September, and October. Those months have much better weather throughout the entire country, fewer crowds and more affordable prices.
Here’s a look at the best time to visit the most popular cities and regions in Spain by month.
| Region/City | The best time to visit |
| Barcelona | May, June, September, October, and November |
| Costa Brava (Coast near Catalonia) | June, July, and September |
| Madrid and Central Spain | May, June, September, and October |
| Wine regions (Ribera del Duero or Rioja) | Late September or October (harvest season) |
| Southern Spain (Seville, Malaga, Granada) | Winter (Nov. – Feb.) + Spring (Mar. – May.) |
| Northern Spain (Galicia, Asturias, Basque Country) | Summer (June through September) |
| Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Tenerife, Minorca, Ibiza) | Year round, but best in June, September, and October |
Winter can be quite cold across the country, with mountainous parts of Spain seeing snow, so if you plan to go to the north or high-elevation regions like Segovia, summer is the best time to visit to avoid super cold weather.
Winter is wonderful in coastal areas like along the Costa del Sol and Malaga though. Many Europeans from cold, gloomy countries escape here because of it’s favorable weather. The skies are a bit greyer in winter throughout all of Spain, but the temperature is still favorable.
What to Bring on a Spain Vacation
No matter when you’re visiting Spain, here are a few things you’ll 100% want to bring with you.
- 🩻 Travel Insurance: We always recommend having travel insurance to cover the “what-ifs”. While Spain is safe, it’s nice to know any major medical emergencies or trip interruptions are covered. Our go-to travel insurance is Safety Wing. You can get a free quote for coverage by clicking here.
- European adapter: For anyone traveling outside of Europe, you will need a European adapter to charge things like your phone or computer. This is the adapter we use which allows for items requiring up to 100W (like a laptop) for charging and multiple charge ports.
- Comfortable walking shoes. We walked 10+ miles every day we were in Spain. Make sure you have cute but comfortable shoes you can put some miles on without worry. I love Vivobarefoot’s leather sneaker. They don’t look like your standard barefoot shoe, but offer major back and arch support. They are a game changer for lots of walking! They also have cute slides now too.
- Backpack with zipper or fanny pack: Big cities in Spain like Madrid and Barcelona are known for pickpocketing and petty theft. It’s best to have a zippable bag like this cute cross body satchel that you can wear on your body. A wrist or neck strap for your phone is also a great idea. It’s not uncommon to see people snatching phones out of hands on motorcycles or scooters.
- Cute/nice clothing. People dress very nicely in Spain. No one would be caught dead in joggers or workout gear unless they were actually working out. You’ll notice most people in Spain have posh attire. If you want to refresh your wardrobe to get with the latest trends for the season rent clothes from Nuuly or grab some staples second-hand from ThredUp.
- Travel credit card with no international fees: Most places in Spain will take credit cards and debit cards, but most banks will charge an international fee. Avoid the extra costs and come prepared with the right card.
FAQ About Spain in August
Is Spain too hot in August?
Spain can be very hot in August with temps regularly exceeding 100°F (37.7°C). It is the hottest month of the year for the eastern coast, central Spain, and southern coast. However, it’s not too hot in the north of Spain, which has much milder summers with sunny days.
Is everything closed in Spain in August?
No, everything is not closed in August. Most major tourist sites will remain open through August. However, many local shops and restaurants will close down for vacations, especially in bigger cities like Barcelona or Madrid limiting your dining options.
Is southern Spain worth visiting in August?
Southern Spain is worth visiting in August if your goal is to attend a festival that only takes place in August. However, it’s best to avoid visiting southern Spain in the hot summer months (June – August) if possible.
Is Barcelona good in August?
Barcelona in August is very hot and crowded. It’s the busiest tourism month, so the beaches and streets will be packed with people. Most flats, restaurants, and shops won’t have air conditioning either making it a challenging month to visit.
Visiting Spain in August isn’t a dealbreaker. You should just plan your Spain vacation around the season rather than the destination.
If you’re heart is set on a trip to Barcelona and Madrid and you only have August available, you should still consider it. But I think pushing the trip to the shoulder season will give you a much better travel experience.
If August is the only time you have free to visit Spain, consider going to one of the lesser visited regions in the north of Spain. It truly is a wonderful time of year to go! Get help planning the rest of your Spain vacation with our guides below.
- The 18 Best Tips for Traveling in Spain (From an Insider)
- Is Madrid Worth Visiting? (Yes! Here’s Why)
- Ultimate Guide to Caminito del Rey: Spain’s Best Hike
- The Perfect Montserrat Day Trip from Barcelona (Itinerary & Map)
- What to Eat in Spain: 20 Delicious Spanish Foods You Can’t Miss
- 3 Days in Barcelona, Spain: The Best First-Time Itinerary
- What Time Do People Eat in Spain? (Meal Times Explained)
- The Perfect 3 Days in Madrid Spain (Itinerary with Map)
