10 Things to Do in Barcelona in August

Barcelona is known for being 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 revitalized the Catalan capital, and summer is the best time to 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 good weather. Festivals for all tastes, local festivals, street concerts, and the incredible Costa Brava are waiting for you.

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

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

In addition, music will be everywhere, with various outdoor concerts, food stalls, iconic readings, and all kinds of activities designed for children.

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

Useful Information

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

Barcelona’s beach is one of the most iconic in the entire 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 cruise along the entire Port Vell harbor.

You can find numerous boat tours along the Barcelona coast. On these tours, you can enjoy rides lasting about two hours, take some photos of the city’s panoramic views, and enjoy the cool water. We recommend, for example, sunset sailboat tours around Barcelona, or, if you prefer and are more of a party person, you can book a boat party and enjoy some cocktails and laughs with your friends.

You can choose to do this during the day—just remember to apply plenty of sunscreen—and then continue your day at the beach, or, if you’re looking for a more romantic outing, you can opt for the sunset option, which is perfect for couples.

Useful Information

• Price: These cruises typically cost around €60 for a two-hour trip.
• Location: Boats depart from Barcelona’s Old Port on Rambla del Mar.
• Besttime: August is the best time to go, when the weather is pleasant and the water is calm.

If you’re traveling with kids or friends, this could be the perfect plan. A trip to PortAventura is practically a must if you love thrills and want to spend a fun day with the family. It’s ranked as Spain’s best amusement park, and its facilities, sets, and shows representing the five continents are absolutely wonderful. You’ll be able to enjoy one of the world’s largest roller coasters, Shambala, and these tickets also include access to Ferrari Land, a theme park entirely dedicated to this iconic car brand—a key player in Formula 1.

It’s about an hour and a half by car from Barcelona, and if you purchase tickets with transportation included, the round-trip from Barcelona is covered, since the plan is to spend the entire day enjoying the park. There you’ll find all kinds of restaurants serving cuisine from around the world, as well as Warner Bros. characters like Tweety, Sylvester the Cat, Sesame Street, and the Looney Tunes mascot! Ready to experience an exciting day with your loved ones?

Useful Information

• Price: Starting at €93.
• Location: Tarragona (round-trip transfer from Barcelona).
• Dates: April through October, daily until 8:00 PM.

If you’re planning a day trip during your vacation 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 the area features numerous small villages with rich cultural heritage—ideal for visiting during the month’s high temperatures.

Due to the large influx of tourists, numerous day trips are organized 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 transportation included.

If you prefer, you also have the option of traveling 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: The price for a day trip is around €70.
• Location: The tour passes through various towns on the Costa Brava, such as l'Estartit, Pals, and Llafranc.
• Date: This is an ideal excursion to take in August, as you’ll be able to enjoy the beach to the fullest.

I won’t lie to you; in August, Barcelona can get very hot during the day. That’s why, for several years now, tours and guided visits have been organized in the late afternoon and evening to take advantage 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 tours available through this historic neighborhood, but without a doubt one of the most interesting experiences is visiting and exploring its Center for Culture and Memory at night, with an atmosphere and perspective completely different from what you’ll find during the day.

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

Additionally, every August, different guided tours with specific themes are organized so you can discover a fascinating and historic part of a neighborhood that is now one of the city’s most bohemian.

Useful Information

• Price: Tickets usually range from €4 to €6.
• Location: The Born Culture and Memory Center, 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 that Spaniards—and Catalans in particular—are accustomed to during August.

If you decide to book your tickets to visit this bar, you’ll get 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 favorite movies, such as E.T., Jurassic Park, Star Wars, or King Kong. The bar’s decor is usually updated every year, and you can stay as long as you like—but be aware that after 45–60 minutes, the cold starts to really set in.

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

Summer is synonymous with festivals, and without a doubt one of the most inclusive and eagerly anticipated by the LGBTQ+ community is the Circuit Festival, a week-long extravaganza held in mid-August that has everything you need to have a great time. DJs from all over the world, a water stage where you can dance and cool off, several international concerts, and a top-notch atmosphere.

Everyone is welcome at this festival, which has been ranked as one of the world’s largest gay events featuring water attractions. The program 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 massive pool, all you have to do is buy your festival pass and let yourself go at the Circuit Festival.

Useful Information

• Price: a one-day pass is around €40, and a general pass is close to €300.
• Location: 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 downtown Barcelona and enjoy great music and dreamy beaches, you have to 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 favorite artists? Well, doing it with a view of the sea. 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 participate in various classes and workshops during the day.

Plus, you can spend the day at the beach and check out all the craft stalls set up at the festival grounds, grab a bite to eat from the food trucks, and enjoy a cold beer—can you think of a better plan?

Useful Information

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

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

The city has several movie screenings 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 blanket or rent a lounge chair and come enjoy the cool grass in the moat of Montjuic Castle to watch some of the year’s new releases and award-winning films.

Cine a la Fresca began as an initiative to create a unique summer movie experience, and today it’s an event people look forward to every year. All you have to do is pick a movie from the lineup and come enjoy the fresh air and the huge screen set up there.

Movies on the Beach

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

This is possible in August in Barcelona, as the Cine Libre en las Playas event organizes independent film screenings that you can watch at 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.
• Location: Cine a la Fresca takes place at Montjuic Castle, and Cine Libre at various beaches near downtown 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, in addition to 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 drop.

If you want to discover the latest trends in music and culture and take part in this popular event, you have the entire month of August to enjoy it. Just check the annual program to see which days feature 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 begins in late July and runs throughout the month of 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—you’ll notice a huge influx of tourists as cruise ships from Europe dock every week and hundreds of tourists arrive to see the city center.

Even so, that shouldn’t deter you from coming to explore Barcelona this month. My only recommendation is that you plan ahead and remember to book all the tickets you’ll need in advance to avoid long waits at the ticket office or lines when entering major landmarks.

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

If that doesn’t convince you, you always have the option of hopping on one of the tourist buses that run throughout Barcelona to comfortably see the city without the crowds and with air conditioning.

If you’re looking for a destination for your August vacation, don’t think twice—head to Barcelona. I guarantee you’ll fall in love with its people, its vibe, and its summer sights.