Of course, visiting Barcelona is amazing in all the months and seasons of the year. No matter what time you travel to Barcelona because it can always amuse the incoming tourists with its atmosphere that the city has and several and exciting programs that it provides. But come in August is especially worth a look. Why? We’ve collected all the most important events, places and activities that you need to try out if you come to Barcelona in the last and also the best month of summer.

Why Barcelona in August?

 Laying on the beach

The temperature is hot and humid in August so it’s the ideal month to hit Barcelona’s best beaches and show your brand new swimsuits. If you come in August, you definitely should go to the beach of La Barceloneta, Platja de la Nova and Mar Bella – just a tip: the last two ones are not that crowded with tourists this month. Visiting Costa Brava, the most beautiful coastal region of Spain is a good option as well if you come here for a longer period and would like to get away a bit from the buzzing and teeming city.

 Attractions and museums

Another obvious reason to visit Barcelona in August is to enjoy the longer sunny hours at the top attractions not to mention the city’s top rooftop bars. Have a cool cocktail while seeing the fascinating view of Barcelona and enjoy the sunset! Among the best things to do in Barcelona is also visiting the city’s impressive collections of art in the best museums. Famed Spanish artists such as Picasso, Dalí and Velázquez, among others, run the gamut of the ‘isms’ – Cubism, Impressionism, Modernism and Post-Modernism (to name but a few). If you’re interested in arts, this month is good for coming to the Picasso Museum, Fundació Juan Miró, MACBA and so on. 

 Festivals, festivals and festivals

But first things first, August is the month of Barcelona’s neighborhood festivals or in Catalan the Festa de Major. All the neighborhoods have their own festival. The streets and the squares filled with people, various musicians and excellent food. There is a competition between the streets which have their own style and decor so you can suddenly feel yourself in Japan and at another time under the sea. The best-decorated street gonna win and all the tourists and locals are able to enjoy the fiesta. But there are more! Our team provides you further information below.

What to see

Gracia Festival

The undisputed main event of things to do in August in Barcelona: La Fiesta de Gracia. This event takes place as one of the Festa de Major, which includes the famous neighborhood festivals what Barcelona has. But among the festivities, the Gracia festival is an outstanding one as it’s often said by the locals that this is the most colorful, creative and decorative festival in Spain or possibly in the world! The neighborhood of Gracia is also one of the best and most vibrant neighborhoods in Barcelona. and The festivals started in 1817, or at least that’s the earliest recorded date historians have about the festival. That means this year is the second centenary of the festival, marking 200 years which makes this event extremely special than before. If you come to Barcelona in the mid-August, you definitely need to go there and feel the pure Spanish vibe. And yes, all these neighborhood festivals go for FREE!

 Grácia district, Barcelona – get off at Fontana station, L3 green metro line
 from 15th August to 21st August

Sants Festival – another cool Festa de Major

The festival of the Sants neighborhood is let’s say the second-best one among the barrio festivals in Barcelona. It keeps alive the spirit of a major festival that used to be held in honour of Saint Bartholomew, the patron saint of the former village of Sants. Legend has it that Saint Bartholomew was flayed and this is certainly why he is the patron saint of people who work with leather, such as tanners. The first recorded mention of the Sants Festival dates to the middle of the 19th century, when the locals organised dances such as the Serrallonga, or the stick dance, the ball de bastons, in which the dancers banged sticks together, as well as the ball de Sant Bartomeu, which involved people dressed as Roman soldiers, two angels and a devil who carried an object and pretended to hit the assembled crowd with it. And there will be many other things so just get to the area, walk around, and enjoy the festivities. Not to miss the fireworks at the closing of the festival!

 to get to the festival get off at Sants Estaciò metro (green line L3 or blue line L5).
 from August 17 to 26

Gothic Festival

If you’re looking for something authentic and traditional then look no further than the city’s oldest barrio party, la Fiesta Major del Gotico. Held in honour of Saint Roc, who according to legend caught the plague upon a visit to the city but was nursed back to health by a local baker’s dog, and protected the city against a later outbreak. It’s a bit like stepping into a time machine as the costumes, songs, and dances are pretty much the same as they were for the first edition in 1589. In the streets and squares of this magical central neighbourhood, you’ll find performances of the sardana (a traditional Catalan dance) and parades of papier mâché giants. The highlight here is the chaotic correfoc, a sort of parade with adults and children dressed up as devils and lighting off firecrackers while a series of fire-spitting dragons fire off sparklers and fireworks in all directions. Make sure you try the official food of the festival: panellets (a traditional marzipan dessert with pine nuts). Accompany them with sweet wine and you’re set! Grab them at Dolceria De La Colmena (Placa de l’Angel 12).

 Gothic Quarter, Barcelona – get off at the station of Liceu, L3 green metro line and walk into these cozy narrow streets
 from August 13th to 17th

Brunch in the park

The legendary outdoor techno party at the top of Barcelona’s tallest hill, Montjuic. Every Sunday afternoon you’ll find this daytime dance doozy with a lineup of spectacular international DJs. People looking for fun but an early start on Monday are well served here – the festival runs from 12 pm to 10 pm. You’ll find a great beer garden and some nice cool-off spots spraying you with water. Then add some food trucks and even a playground for children (who says parents can’t party?) and you’re set. The August 2019 version of this epic festival includes artists like Boris Brejcha (August 11th), and Fatboy Slim (August 18th) and more.

 metro: Paral·lel (purple line L2, green line L3) then change for Montjuic Funicul
 every Sunday from July 1st to September 16th
 €11.00 (first release) – €20.00 (walk-up).

More and more festivals

Over 200 concerts spanning six classic Barcelona venues make up this concert festival. Whether you’re catching a flamenco show at Tarantos or some classical music at the Palau de la Musica there’s no better way to escape the summer heat than live music. Check out a ton of local and international artists performing jazz, flamenco, hip-hop, gospel, funk, rock, and more.