Spain in August

Spain's own holiday month: coasts and islands full and expensive, Madrid half closed, heat at its worst inland.

• Madrid and the central plateau · Madrid, Toledo, Segovia, Salamanca, Cuencahot

  Dry, sunny and continental: frost on winter nights, 35–40 °C in July and August.

• Andalusia · Seville, Córdoba, Granada, Málaga, Cádizhot

  Seville and Córdoba are Europe's hottest cities in summer (40–45 °C). Winters are mild and sunny on the coast; Granada is colder.

• Mediterranean coast and Balearics · Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante, Mallorca, Ibizahot

  Beach season June–October; humid in August. Autumn DANA storms can bring flash floods.

• Green north · San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santander, Asturias, Galiciabest weather

  Atlantic weather: green because it rains. The best escape from summer heat; pack a rain jacket in any month.

• Canary Islands · Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palmafine

  Mild all year (20–28 °C); winter is high season. Calima dust storms blow in from the Sahara a few times a year.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Assumption

  15 Aug

  Peak of the Spanish holiday month; coasts full, cities quiet.

• Summer break

  Jul–Aug · Madrid

  Many family-run places close for a few weeks; heat peaks.

Crowds · Spain

High

Prices · Spain

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

• Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen

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Rated best or good this month

• Green north

  Best weather of the year (San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santander, Asturias, Galicia)

Better another month

• Madrid

  Hot and half-empty; many small places close for holiday.