10 Things to Do in Barcelona in August

Barcelona is known as a cosmopolitan and versatile city that attracts millions of tourists from all over the world every year. Its rich culture and art, spearheaded by the figure of Gaudí, have revitalised the Catalan capital, and it is particularly in summer that you can make the most of it.

Barcelona has plenty to see and do all year round, but especially during the month of August, when the whole city takes to the streets to enjoy the fine weather. Festivals to suit all tastes, local fairs, street concerts and the incredible Costa Brava are waiting for you.

During the summer months, Barcelona makes the most of the good weather to celebrate its neighbourhood festivals. But without a doubt, one of the most eagerly awaited by all residents, and especially by the locals, is the Gracia Festival, an event that takes place specifically on 15 August each year, but which offers events and celebrations over several days in the middle of the month.

During these festivities, the streets are decked out in colour, adorned with all manner of decorations that cover every corner with flowers, papier-mâché and fantastical shapes. So much so that a theme is chosen each year and people can enter to win the prize for the best decoration of the year.

What’s more, music will be everywhere, with various open-air concerts, food stalls, iconic readings and all sorts of activities designed for the little ones.

It is, without a doubt, the most entertaining event for getting to know a little more about the essence and the people of this fantastic city.

Useful information

• Price: free.
• Location: throughout the streets of the Gracia neighbourhood.
• Date: mid-August.

Barcelona’s beach is one of the most iconic in the whole country, and I can’t think of a better way to beat the August heat than to jump into the sea and sail on one of the boats that skirt the entire Port Vell harbour.

You can find numerous boat trips along the Barcelona coast. On these, you can enjoy trips lasting around two hours, take some photos of the panoramic views of the city and enjoy the cool water. We recommend, for example, the sunset sailing trips around Barcelona or, if you prefer, and you’re more of a party animal, you can book a boat party and enjoy some cocktails and a laugh with your friends.

You can choose to do this during the day, remembering to apply plenty of sun cream, and then continue the day at the beach; or, if you’re after a more romantic outing, you can opt for the sunset option, which is ideal for couples.

Useful information

• Price: these trips usually cost around €60 for a two-hour cruise.
• Location: the boats depart from Barcelona’s Old Port on the Rambla del Mar.
• Best time: it’s best to go in August, when the weather is pleasant and the water is calm.

If you’re travelling with children or friends, this could be the perfect plan. A trip to PortAventura is almost a must if you enjoy thrills and want to spend a fun day out with the family. It’s ranked as Spain’s best theme park, and its facilities, sets and shows representing the five continents are absolutely marvellous. You can enjoy one of the world’s largest rollercoasters, Shambala, and these tickets also include entry to the Ferrari Land theme park, entirely dedicated to this car brand, one of the stars of Formula 1.

It is approximately an hour and a half’s drive from Barcelona, and if you buy your tickets with transfers, these are included from Barcelona, as the idea is to spend a whole day enjoying the park. There you’ll find all sorts of restaurants serving food from around the world, as well as Warner Bros. characters such as Tweety, Sylvester the Cat, Sesame Street, and the Looney Tunes mascot! Ready for an exciting day out with your loved ones?

Useful information

• Price: From €93.
• Location: Tarragona (return transfer from Barcelona).
• Dates: April to October, every day until 8 pm.

If you’re planning a day trip during your holiday in Barcelona, I can’t think of a better plan for August than visiting one of the city’s greatest natural attractions: the Costa Brava.

Paradise-like beaches line the entire coast near Barcelona, and there are numerous small villages of great historical interest, which are ideal to visit during the month’s high temperatures.

Due to the large influx of tourists, numerous day trips are organised from Barcelona to the Costa Brava during the summer months, allowing you to explore the entire Costa Brava region in a single day with a guide and transport included.

If you prefer, you also have the option of travelling by train on your own and spending the day at one of the many coves in the small villages near the city. Welcome to a paradise of crystal-clear waters!

Useful information

• Price: a day trip costs around €70.
• Location: the tour passes through various villages on the Costa Brava such as l'Estartit, Pals and Llafranc.
• Date: this is an ideal trip to take in August as you’ll be able to make the most of the beach.

I won’t lie to you; in August, Barcelona can get very hot during the day. That’s why, for some years now, tours and visits have been organised in August to take place in the late afternoon and evening, so you can make the most of the cooler temperatures and experience Barcelona in a different way. One of the city’s most popular spots has been El Born.

There are several night-time tours available in this historic neighbourhood, but without a doubt one of the most interesting things to do is to visit and explore its Centre for Culture and Memory at night, with an atmosphere and perspective completely different from that of the daytime.

You can immerse yourself in the Born of the 1700s and explore the ruins and foundations of the area’s earliest buildings.

Furthermore, every August, a range of themed guided tours are organised so you can discover a fascinating and historic part of a neighbourhood that is now one of the city’s most bohemian.

Useful information

• Price: tickets usually cost between €4 and €6.
• Venue: the Born Culture and Memory Centre, at Plaça Comercial, 12.
• Date: throughout the month of August.

The ice bar, which is, paradoxically, located on Barcelona’s beach, offers a unique and, above all, refreshing experience given the high temperatures to which Spaniards – and Catalans in particular – are accustomed during August.

If you decide to book your tickets to visit this bar, you’ll be able to enjoy a drink at 5 degrees below zero, and to help you cope with the cold, the venue will lend you a coat and gloves – what do you think of the experience? Best of all, you’ll also be able to admire its ice sculptures featuring characters from some of our favourite films, such as E.T., Jurassic Park, Star Wars and King Kong. The bar’s décor is usually updated every year, and you can stay as long as you like, but bear in mind that after 45–60 minutes, the cold really starts to bite.

• Price: tickets are usually around €19.
• Location: entrance via the beach, Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta, 38A, Barcelona.
• Date: throughout August.

Summer is synonymous with festivals, and undoubtedly one of the most inclusive and eagerly awaited by the LGTBIQ+ community is the Circuit Festival, a week-long extravaganza held in mid-August that has everything you need to have a brilliant time. DJs from all over the world, a water stage where you can dance and cool off, various international concerts and a top-notch atmosphere.

Everyone is welcome at this festival, which has been listed as one of the world’s largest gay events featuring water attractions. The programme and schedule change from year to year, but they always manage to outdo themselves.

If you want to attend an unforgettable party and dance to techno beats in a huge swimming pool, simply buy your festival pass and let yourself be swept away at the Circuit Festival.

Useful information

• Price: a day pass costs around €40, a full festival pass is just under €300.
• Venue: the event is held at Illa Fantasia, on the Mas Brassó estate.
• Date: it lasts a week in early August.

If you want to escape the crowds of tourists in the centre of Barcelona and enjoy great music and idyllic beaches, you must attend the Arts d'Estiu festival.

This event takes place every year on the Barcelona coast and brings together top artists for concerts over several days.

Is there anything better than dancing with your favourite artists? Well, doing so with a sea view. During the days of this well-known festival, not only can you attend evening concerts by artists from all over the world, but you can also take part in various classes and workshops during the day.

What’s more, you can make the most of the day by spending time on the beach and checking out all the craft stalls set up on the festival site, grabbing a bite to eat from the food trucks and enjoying a cold beer – can you think of a better plan?

Useful information

• Price: entry to the venue is approximately €10. Concert tickets are sold separately and usually cost around €30.
• Location: the venue is right on the beach at the Espai Marítim ARTS d'Estiu.
• Date: throughout the month of August.

Who doesn’t enjoy a good film? It’s clear that cinema is one of the most popular pastimes for people, but what would you say if I told you that in Barcelona in summer, films come out onto the streets and you can enjoy them sitting on the grass or even on the beach?

The city has several cinema events throughout August, but Cine a La Fresca and Cine Libre en las Playas are two of the most famous.

Cine a la Fresca

Bring your own blanket or hire a sun lounger and come and enjoy the cool grass in the moat of Montjuïc Castle whilst watching some of the year’s latest releases and award-winning films.

Cine a la Fresca began as an initiative to create a different kind of summer cinema and is now eagerly anticipated every year. All you have to do is choose a film from the programme and come and enjoy the open air and the huge screen.

Cinema on the beaches

If you’re more of a beach person than a mountain person, you’ve surely thought more than once about how lovely it would be to lie on the sand and watch a good film.

This is possible in August in Barcelona, as the Cine Libre en las Playas event organises independent film screenings that you can watch on different beaches around the city – don’t miss it!

Useful information

• Price: tickets for each film are usually around the same price as at the cinema, about €8.
• Venue: Cine a la Fresca takes place at Montjuïc Castle and Cine Libre at various beaches near the centre of Barcelona.
• Date: over several weeks in August.

One of the most entertaining interactive museums in all of Barcelona is the CaixaForum, a space designed for all ages with exhibitions ranging from nature, science and culture to historical heritage.

Well, during the month of August, as well as offering all these daytime activities, the museum opens its doors in the late afternoon and evening to host a whole series of concerts, recitals and workshops that you can enjoy as the temperatures start to rise.

If you want to discover the latest trends in music and culture and take part in this popular event, you should know that you have the whole month of August to enjoy it; simply check the programme for each year to see which days there are activities and come to CaixaForum.

Useful information

• Price: admission is around €6.
• Location: CaixaForum is located at Av. de Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 6-8.
• Dates: it starts at the end of July and runs throughout August.

I suppose you’ve already guessed. Barcelona is a hugely popular city, and thousands of people come to visit in August. It’s particularly busy during this month, as you’ll notice a huge influx of tourists with cruise ships docking every week from across Europe and hundreds of tourists arriving to see the city centre.

Even so, that shouldn’t put you off coming to discover Barcelona this month. My only advice is to plan ahead and remember to book all the tickets you’ll need in advance to avoid long waits at the ticket office or queues when entering major monuments.

I also recommend that you check the opening times of the main attractions carefully, such as the opening times for Park Güell or the Sagrada Familia, as there are times when there are fewer people, such as early in the morning, midday or late afternoon.

If that doesn’t appeal to you, you always have the option of hopping on one of the sightseeing buses around Barcelona to see the city in comfort, without the crowds and with air conditioning.

If you’re looking for a destination for your August holiday, look no further and head to Barcelona. I guarantee you’ll fall in love with its people, its pace and its summer atmosphere.