Hi Reader!

If you're coming to Barcelona in August you need to be ready for it to be hot and busy.

Here are some tips to help you enjoy Barcelona this month, as well as checking out local festivals and keeping cool.

➡️Read my full guide to visiting Barcelona in August here. ​

Barcelona August Highlights

Hit the Beach

It's hot and sunny (most of the time!) so it's a great time to hit the beach. However, the beaches closest to the city get very busy, so head further up the coast for more local beaches.

You could even take a day trip to the Costa Brava to explore the coves do some snorkeling - there are organised day tours from Barcelona if you don't want to plan it yourself, check out this tour which gets great reviews.

Alternatively, there are some great boat tours and cruises you can do close to the city to get some of the beautiful sea breeze!

The Gracia Festival

One of the highlights of Barcelona in August is the Gracia Festival which runs from the 15th to the 21st August 2025.

Neighbourhood associations come together to decorate streets, put on live music, Castellers (human towers) performances and more.

It gets super busy, especially in the evenings but it's a lot of fun so if you're in Barcelona that week, don't miss it!

I'd recommend going once during the day to see the decorations (earlier in the festival is best so they are in a more pristine condition) and then again in the evening for the party!

It's free and there are various activities throughout the week. I've been looking for an agenda for you but the official website isn't the most useful - I'll keep looking for one and post it in our Facebook group if I find it!

Keep Cool

If you are sightseeing in Barcelona, make sure you protect yourself from the sun, wear appropriate clothing and lots of sunscreen, and stay hydrated.

Bring a refillable water bottle to top up at water fountains around the city.

Stay out of the sun in the heat of the day as much as possible. Indoor activities usually have air conditioning so visiting a museum can be a great way to cool down for a while!

Book outdoor activities early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the hottest part of the day, and book everything as far in advance as you can to avoid disappointment.

➡️Check out this post for more tips on how to stay cool in the heat​

Check out Some Free Museums on Sunday

Sunday 3rd August is the first Sunday of the month, and many of Barcelona's museums have free entry all day. These include:

• Montjuic Castle
• The Picasso Museum
• MNAC Museum of National Catalan Art
• The CCCB (Barcelona Centre of Contemporary Culture)
• Museum of the History of Barcelona (MUHBA)
• Disseny Hub - Barcelona Design Museum
• Museu Etnològic i de Cultures del Món - Ethnology and World Culture Museum
• Museu Frederic Marès
• Monestir de Pedralbes - Pedralbes Monastery

Others are free from 3pm, such as the Maritime Museum

In most cases you’ll need to book an entry slot on the museum website ➡️ check the details and get all the links to these museums here ​

Join Our Facebook Group

We just hit 1000 members in our What to Do in Barcelona Travel Tips group where you can ask any questions you have about planning a trip to Barcelona, from when to visit, where to stay, how to get there, what to do - anything you can think of!

Enjoy your Barcelona travel adventures!

Claire x

What Else I'm Loving This Week