August is the time when most of us want to leave for a vacation and visit other cities and countries. Moreover, because of the weather, it is the perfect month to visit Barcelona and its beaches. Because of its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, the city offers a wonderful climate.
So, why not enjoy drinks on rooftop bars with wonderful views or go to the beach to try out some new water sports activities? August in Barcelona also means a lot of festivals and parties, so if you are into partying, you came to the right place! It is also the hottest month of the year, and the water of the Mediterranean Sea has a temperature of about 23 to 26 °C.
If you are also thinking about traveling to Barcelona in August, we have put together some tips for you.
Things you should be prepared before visiting Barcelona in August
- August is the most popular month for many tourists to visit Barcelona and its wonderful city. We recommend being ready for crowded places, at least the famous ones.
- If you want to do some sightseeing, get your tickets in advance. This also applies to festival and concert tickets. If there is something you really want to see or visit, make sure to get your tickets early.
- Get yourself a Barcelona Card. If you stay only for a few days, you will be safe with this card. It not only allows you to travel as much as you want with the public transport, but you also get free admission to 25 museums and discounts to over 90 sights all around Barcelona.
- There are many small supermarkets all around the city. If you are outside and get thirsty because of the hot weather, take advantage of the multiple places you can cool off or eat something.
- And finally, yet importantly, the most important tip for you: We know every tourist knows this, but always take care of your belongings. Pickpockets can be everywhere and strike best in a crowd. Maybe you get a fanny pack for your next trip so you can have your most important belongings, such as your phone and wallet, right on your body.
Next, we will tell you about some events that will take place in August and that truly represent the uniqueness of Barcelona. If you are here to not only do the obligatory sightseeing but also want to feel the vibe of the city and get to know its charm, then we have prepared a list of events you might want to visit.
Top 5 music events and festivals in Barcelona in August
AURA Silent Disco
This is an event series with a unique experience. The idea behind this is that you can party without problems. You will get headphones and can listen to different types of music depending on your taste. You have your own volume control and better sound quality than in most clubs. Go visit their website and see where you will find the next silent disco around.
Gran Gala Flamenco
Next on our list is a cultural event. Spain is known for its exciting dance, Flamenco! The Gran Gala Flamenco is to be seen in the Palau de la Música Catalana, a fantastic building that really should be on your sightseeing list, and the Teatro Poliorama, located directly at Las Ramblas. What is stopping you from combining some sightseeing with a wonderful show? The show has many shows throughout the year, so you might want to check out their website to see the right dates for your trip.
Festival Arts d’Estiu 2023
Next, we want to introduce another festival that is taking place close to Barcelona, in Pineda de Mar. If you want to escape the masses of tourists in the centre of the city, the Festival Arts d’Estiu might be the one for you. You will get good music, the beach, and a nice vibe.
The festival will have its own village with food trucks, small bars, a play area for children, and stages for the artists. If you only want to visit the village, the entrance fee will be around €15. The prices for the concerts vary from artist to artist, but you can get into the village free with your concert ticket. You get the chance to see great singers and bands together with an ocean view, and you are just 30 minutes from Barcelona with the train.
The festival will take place on the 2nd to 20th August 2023. Get ready to experience great concerts without the hustle and bustle of a tourist city.
Live Nights at Poble Español
The Live Nights at Poble Español are different musical open-air events, for example, the Blues Nights, which take place every Wednesday in August 2023. Every Thursday of the month, you will have the chance to attend Mahou Rock & Grill. Further, if you are a more lyric music fan, you can visit the P!Òpera, which you can visit every Friday in August.
And last but not least, the Rumba Sunsets, the perfect time to get to know the traditional music from Spain, take place every Sunday. As you can see, Live Nights at Poble Español has a lot to offer every music lover. August is the best time to spend the nights outside, so why not listen to music and dance?
Festival Terramar in Sitges
At the Jardins Terramar you will have some great opportunities to see great acts in the month of August. The festival takes place from the 28th July until the 9th August in Sitges. It offers different kinds of music and dances. Take a look at its website to see what you are most likely to see and which dates fit best into your vacation activity plan.
We assure you that this will be a unique experience that will get you out of the wild and lively city of Barcelona for a while to enjoy yourselves and the shows!
Other free plans you can enjoy during your stay
Vuelta Ciclista España
Cycling fans, pay attention to the event next on our list. The Vuelta Ciclista España is about to take place on the 26th August until the 17th September. The race will begin in Barcelona. The Catalan capital will open the event and host the first and second stages. The bikers will pass along some great views and landscapes on their journey all the way to Madrid. If you are interested in high-performance sports, you will love to see the beginning in Barcelona!
Castellers, human towers
Have you ever seen human towers? If you are into exciting Catalan traditions, you should definitely experience Castellers, typical constructions up to 10 people high. The best place to live this in August is during the fest “Diada de Sant Felix”, celebrated in Vilafranca del Penedès on the 29th August until the 2nd September 2023.
The city is only about 1 hour by train or car from Barcelona. The festival will have the whole town coming, and everyone is invited to celebrate together. So what’s stopping you?
Open air cinema
One of the most beautiful activities you can do in August is visit an open-air cinema at Monjuïc or at the beach. The movies will be in Spanish with English subtitles, but there will also be movies shown in the original version with Spanish subtitles. What a great way to improve your Spanish skills!
This activity is perfect for a romantic date with your loved one or a wonderful movie night with your friends and family. The entrance depends on where you want to sit, like in a real theatre. There will be offers from a few open-air cinemas, like Cine a La Fresca and Cinema Lliure on the beach. The movies will be played throughout the whole month, and you can get your tickets for around €8.
So, look out for the movies you might want to see and get your tickets in advance. Just pack your blanket and make a lasting memory of the feeling you had while watching a good movie with the people you like the most on a warm summer evening outside in nature.
There you have it. Our recommendations for the best activities and festivals this August in Barcelona. If you are still planning where you want to spend your summer vacations, Barcelona might be the best option for you!
