Ash
Written by Ash

Barcelona in August 2023: Events, Festivals, Activities

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There’s nothing more natural than visiting Barcelona in August.

It’s the month the city’s already lively street culture finds another gear, and the beaches really come to life.

Yes, those visiting Barcelona in August 2023 are in for a treat.

But, what to do in Barcelona in August? Let’s take a look!

Warning (07/25/23): Some prime Sagrada Familia visit times are already sold out for some dates in August. Make sure you book your tickets ASAP or you could be shut out.

Advice Before Visiting Barcelona in August

Many main attractions sell out weeks in advance, so don’t get caught without!

Buy your tickets in advance online – this way, you guarantee your spots and skip the lines.

Buy Advance Tickets
Up to 15%

Also, ensure you get one of the best discount Barcelona transport passes to save money and time.

Another underrated option for Barcelona public transport is to rent a bike and take advantage of the fresh air.

⚠️  Warning ⚠️: Barcelona’s top two attractions must now be booked in advance.

You can book fast track tickets to both individually or get them as part of a discount pass:

You will not be able to book these tickets on site – lock in your tickets ASAP or you could miss out.

Barcelona in August means businesses go on holiday, so double-check the opening times of your favourite Barcelona shopping spots and top Barcelona restaurants.

If you’re visiting Barcelona in August, be careful to avoid pickpockets in top tourist areas – as it’s their busiest time of year.

Keep an eye out here because I’ll be adding more Barcelona events as they’re announced.

🥘 Looking for food + history + wine + fun? Take one of Barcelona’s best food tours.

What to Do in Barcelona in August 2023

It’s the ideal month to hit Barcelona’s best beaches and take that long-awaited Mediterranean swim.

With amazing weather, you’ll enjoy longer hours at Barcelona’s top attractions, not to mention the walks amongst the Barcelona nature or drinks at Barcelona’s top rooftop bars.

Throw in some top-notch music festivals and Barcelona’s classic barrio parties, and we’re all set.

crowds wandering through the festa major de gracia in barcelona in august

La Festa Major de Gràcia August 2023

The undisputed main event of things to do in August in Barcelona: La Fiesta de Gracia.

The party finds itself in the Gracia district (metro Fontana, green line L3) and is known as Barcelona’s answer to Carnevale.

During the festival, the streets of Gracia are decorated with coloured banners, giant flowers, and papier mâché giants.

Many streets put up their own stages with ear-splitting sound systems, and each has a different genre: electronic, salsa, punk, hip hop and more.

And it’s all free! You’ll also find great prices on beer, tapas, kebabs and more.

During the festival, bars are traditionally open late, and they set up stands with beer kegs, wine, and sangria.

At the end of the festival, the most well-decorated of the streets (which decorate according to a theme like Japan, the underworld, space etc.) wins a prize. This year there are plans to decorate the main gate into the neighbourhood.

Dates: August 15th – August 21st 2023

🍷 Want to sample the best local wines? Book one of Barcelona’s best wine tours right now.

musicians performing at the casa batllo magic nights event in barcelona spain

Visiting Top Attractions in August

Casa Batllo Magic Nights

When visiting Barcelona in August, there’s no better concert venue than the rooftop at Gaudi‘s crazy Art Nouveau mansion Casa Batllo.

Not only can you get rare nighttime access to one of the most mind-blowing sights in Barcelona but a concert on the Dragon Roof Terrace as well.

Daily concerts include rock and roll, jazz, opera, soul, flamenco, and more that typically last for 2 hours.

Dates: Daily at 8:00 pm (house visit at 8:00 pm, concert at 9:00 pm)

Price: From €59.00 with audio guide, Gaudi cube, a cava sparkling white wine, and concert.

Children under 7 enter free.

Magic Nights Tickets
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guest is listening to a sagrada familia guided tour host explaining a salamander on the nativity facade

Tours of Sagrada Familia

Taking one of the best tours of Sagrada Familia is probably the most popular activity in Barcelona in August.

Why? Well, first of all it’s because the dates always sell out way in advance.

Secondly, it’s the best way to unlock all the symbolism of the world’s most unique church.

If you had to put your money down for just one big Barcelona attraction it should be Sagrada Familia, so why not go the whole way?

SAGRADA FAMILIA
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visitors watching projections on the rooftop of la pedrera in barcelona spain

Night Visit to Casa Mila (La Pedrera)

A nighttime visit to Casa Milà, on one of the world’s most famous rooftops.

The ticket for the evening tour costs 38€. The ticket includes a visit to the Gaudí space, a concert, and a drink.

This visit has numerous advantages: experiencing significantly smaller crowds, having a personal guide who is a knowledgeable architect, and enjoying an eerie, atypical nighttime silence.

Dates: Nightly from 8:40 pm (entrances every 20 minutes)

Price: From €38.00.

CASA MILA NIGHT
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🧑‍🎨 Want more of Gaudi? Unlock his masterpieces with the top Gaudi tours in Barcelona.

Club Nights in Barcelona in August 2023

Big nights at the best Barcelona clubs are announced little by little.

Don’t worry, the schedule will fill up quickly, and I will update the article promptly. For now, these are the most important events (get your tickets online to avoid missing out!):

Don’t see anything for your dates in August? You can’t go wrong with a night at Input, Sala Apolo, Pacha (Sundays), Los Enfants, or Razzmatazz.

And you can always check out August Barcelona concert dates on Songkick as well.

Barcelona August Festivals 2023

Brunch Electronik Festival

The legendary outdoor techno party takes place in the heart of August on Montjuic Hill and Parc del Fórum.

Every weekend you’ll find this daytime dance doozy with a lineup of spectacular international DJs.

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 2023 lineup includes highlights like Âme b2b Dixon, ANOTR, Carl Cox, DJ Holographic and Benji B.

Starting in 2023, there are no walkup tickets, so you’ll need to buy them online in a 3-day pass format.

Dates: August 6-11-12-13-20

Prices: €99.00 (first release) – €250.00 (VIP) for 3-day passes

Metro: Parallel (purple line L2, green line L3) then change for Montjuic Funicular/ El Maresme | Forum (L4)

For more information on Brunch Electronik, consult the official website.

Circuit Festival Barcelona

Many members of the LGTBQ+ community have come to regard Barcelona’s Circuit Festival as the most important international gay event on earth.

The week-long event takes place at numerous venues across the city in order to capture the essence of everything that Barcelona has to offer in August.

You’ll find everything from massive beach-side pool parties to all-night ragers that take advantage of Barcelona’s nightlife.

The festival was founded to help LGTBQ+ travellers discover incredible music, meet new friends from all over the globe and party the summer away on Barcelona’s incredible urban beaches.

Dates: August 5-13 2023

Prices: €30.00 (single events) – €360.00-€400.00 (all-access passes).

sagrada familia passion façade under construction sagrada familia passion façade under construction
Save up to €30 on your Barcelona holiday right from the couch.

Festival Mas i Mas

This massive festival is comprised of over 200 concerts spanning six classic Barcelona venues. So, needless to say, it lasts throughout the entire month.

Whether you’re catching Barcelona’s best flamenco shows 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.

Prices and venues vary but check out the here.

Cap Roig Festival

A concert series in a spectacular natural setting overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Head up the coast an hour or so to the Costa Brava and see one of the Med’s best botanical gardens before checking out great international artists across many genres.

Dates: July 14 – August 19

Prices: €20.00 – €375.00, depending on the artist.

For more information on the Cap Roig festival, click here.

DGTL Festival

Update (07-19-23): After many successful years, DGTL is not running in Barcelona this year. I will up date info on next year’s concert as it comes in.

With the success of years past, we knew the Spanish version of this Dutch techno festival would be back.

DGTL dazzles with its modern fire-spitting machines and interactive, eco-friendly visual art installations. The festival maintains its vintage warehouse feel and gritty sounds that contrast the crashing waves on the beach at Barcelona’s famous Parc del Fòrum.

Last year fans were treated to a mixed lineup of underground and popular DJs like Maceo Plex, John Talabot, Nina Kravitz, Agoria, and more.

The top names for 2022 were Ben Klock, Dax J, Cora Novoa, Colyn, Dj Boring, Farrago, Evan Baggs, Hunee, Mama Snake, I Hate Models.

Artists for the 2023 version have yet to be announced

Dates: TBD

Prices: €39.50 (one-day early bird) – €90.00 (weekend passes).

There’s also a €100.00+ ticket with a backstage experience option.

Metro: El Maresme-Forum (yellow line L4).

For more information, consult the official DGTL website.

a tourist holds 3 barcelona discount passes in front of the arc de triomf in barcelona spain a tourist holds 3 barcelona discount passes in front of the arc de triomf in barcelona spain
Get a Barcelona tourist discount pass and save money + time.

Barcelona Festes Majores in August 2023

In Barcelona in August, you’ll find a different neighbourhood party (Festa Major) practically every week.

A “Festa Major” is the most important or principal celebration or festival held once a year in a neighborhood, town, village, or city.

Traditionally, it commemorates a significant event from its history or tradition. This celebration can also be a patronal feast, dedicated to honouring a patron saint.

La Festa Major de Sants

This neighbourhood festival honours Saint Bartomeu, the patron saint of Sants, who was martyred and even flayed (skinned) for his beliefs – morbidly becoming a major figure to all the leather-related professionals that inhabited the area.

Again, you’ll find no less than 22 streets in the neighbourhood decorated with particular themes. A recent winner of the competition was the King Kong/New York-themed street – quite the sight!

The classic papier mâché giants, the fire-spitting dragons of the correfoc (‘fire run’), and the human tower building are just some of the very Catalan highlights of this barrio party.

Also not to miss are 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).

Dates: August 19 to August 27

Please check the Festa Major de Sants website for more information.

La Festa Major del Barrio Gotico

If you’re looking for something authentic and traditional, then look no further than the city’s oldest barrio party.

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 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 the Gothic Quarter, 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 – you may get burned!

Make sure you try the official food of the festival: panellets (a traditional marzipan dessert with pine nuts). Accompany them with a glass of sweet wine, and you’re set!

Grab them at Dolceria De La Colmena (Placa de l’Angel 12).

Dates: August 15 – 20

For information on all the Festa Majores, check out this website.

Other Top Things to Do in Barcelona in August 2023

crowd watching the free fountain show in barcelona spain

The Magic Fountain

Update (07-19-23): In an effort to save water the Magic Fountain has been temporarily closed by the city of Barcelona. No word on any re-opening yet, but I’ll have this updated as soon as I know.

It’s an emblem of the city and a staple in any summer month.

Especially in August, though, you’ll find Barcelona’s Magic Fountain the optimal place to cool off.

Right by Plaça Espanya, you’ll find this magical fountain show set to music that’s an explosion of colours and sounds – and refreshing water!

Shows run from Wednesday to Sunday from 21:30 to 22:30 throughout the month.

Related: How Many Days Should I Stay in Barcelona?

Take a Barcelona Bike Tour

There is no better way to enjoy the August sun than on one of Barcelona’s best bike tours.

In this case, you’ll be able to make it educational and check out many of Barcelona’s top attractions at the same time. Sounds like a win, no?

My favourite is the Barcelona and Gaudi Highlights eBike Tour. You’ll be joining a guide on a 3-hr journey through the Gothic Quarter, Park Ciutadella, and Eixample to discover the traces and influence of the Master himself.

It all culminates with a quick stop outside Gaudí’s most awe-inspiring masterpiece, the Sagrada Família. You’ll also pass by two iconic buildings that define Barcelona’s skyline: Casa Milá and Casa Batlló. So get ready for an unforgettable experience filled with excitement, breathtaking sights, and intriguing stories.

Barcelona eBike Tour
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Related: Best Guided Tours of Barcelona

The World of Banksy Exhibition

After its huge success in Paris, the World of Banksy exhibition couldn’t help but land here in Barcelona at the Espacio Trafalgar near Urquinaona metro station (yellow line L4).

Expect this immersive experience to really bring to life the satirically touching works of this Bristol street artist, who is arguably the most well-known in the world.

Price: €12.80

You can read reviews of the show and make your booking using the button below.

WORLD OF BANKSY
BUY TICKETS NOW

The Joan Gamper Cup

Football/soccer lovers will be happy that the sport comes back with a vengeance in August in Barcelona.

You’ll want to grab FC Barçelona tickets for their most important pre-season matches of the year. This one-off match is played in honour of its founder and former president, Hans Gamper. Barcelona squares off against an invited team from another country. Recent guests include Juventus, Boca Juniors, and Arsenal.

The 2023 date is August 6th against Tottenham Hotspur.

You may also want to take a tour of Camp Nou stadium to see some of the best sports memorabilia around, including Champions League trophies, Messi’s Golden Boots and more.

Gran Gala Flamenco

The Gran Gala Flamenco is known to be Barcelona’s most important Flamenco show. The event transports you to a world of rhythmic claps, beautiful dresses, and mesmerizing costumes.

two dancers back to back at the gran gala flamenco show in barcelona spain

It’s been captivating audiences for nearly two decades, and it’s not hard to see why! Toss in the stunning location, the grand Palau de la Música – and you’ve got an event dreams are made of.

If you’re looking for a show that’s packed with energy and emotion, Gran Gala Flamenco is the perfect choice for you. You’ll be swept away by the stunning performances that showcase the best of flamenco.

The show runs periodically throughout the month.

Dates: August 1, 6, 8, 10, 12, 17, 20, 22, 26

GRAN GALA FLAMENCO
Save 5% booking online!

Open-Air Cinema at Sala Montjuïc

Fans of the silver screen and classic movies won’t go wrong here – watching atop Barcelona’s scenic Montjuic Hill.

Projected onto the walls of Montjuic Castle is this outdoor cinema series, complete with short films, concerts and more. Bring your own beer and snacks, and cozy up!

August 2023 films include Fargo (August 2nd) and a surprise film (August 4th)

Prices: €7.50 (advance) or €10.50 with a lounger.

Each show begins at 20:45 with a concert (movies start at 22:00).

More info here.

a flamenco dancer takes a dance step in barcelona spain two flamenco dancers take a dance step in barcelona spain
See a tear-jerking Barcelona flamenco show from €16.00.

Visiting Barcelona in August FAQ

  • What happens in Barcelona in August?

    In general, Barcelona August means the city flooding with tourists and many locals getting out of town to go on holiday. You’ll find a ton of local barrio festivals like the Festa Major de Gracia (August 15-20), a lot of special events at major attractions (Magic Nights at Casa Batllo), and a long list of concerts.

  • What to do in Barcelona in August?

    The top things to do in Barcelona in August are:

    • Going to the beach
    • Wandering around the Barceloneta seaside neighbourhood
    • Taking in rooftop events at Casa Mila and Casa Batllo
    • Going on e-bike tours of the city
    • Attending some of the city’s many outdoor events like Outdoor Cinema and the many Festes Majores
  • What to pack for Barcelona in August?

    Visitors to Barcelona in August should pack light: t-shirts, shorts, flip-flops, and a light jacket in case of rain. Sunglasses and sunscreen are a must.

    A filled water bottle can also be a lifesaver.

  • How busy is Barcelona in August?

    Barcelona is extremely crowded in August. Consider that there are over 3.0 million overnight stays in the city during August, so it’s about as busy as the tourist season gets.

  • How hot is Barcelona in August?

    August has an average temperature of 28 °C (82 °F), with lows dropping down to 19°C (67°F) at the end of the month. Expect nine hours of daily sunshine and about five days of rainfall.

    People who are sensitive to heat may want to exercise caution as heat waves are common. The city can become a sauna with temperatures reaching 35°C (95°F).

Still Looking to Visit Barcelona in August?

If, for whatever reason, you still feel you haven’t got enough things to do in Barcelona in August, then you know what to do: harass me mercilessly.

Any questions you have about your Barcelona holiday will be answered promptly and in earnest.

Also, any comments you have would be greatly appreciated.

Enjoy visiting Barcelona in August😎

42 comments
  • April 19, 2023 at 7:56 pm
    Karen
    Hi, We will be in Barcelona this summer and are interested in seeing the Gran Gala Flamenco show. The price you list seems way cheaper than what is listed on the Palau de la Musica's website. Am I missing something or is there a discounted place to buy tickets? Also, is there a particular place you recommend sitting if you didn't want to pay for premium/vip tickets. There will be 4 of us. We were thinking front row of the balcony but not sure. Thanks!
    • April 20, 2023 at 4:14 pm
      ashley
      Team Member
      Ash
      Hi Karen, Indeed :) The tickets on sale on the official Barcelona Turisme website (they supply the links in our top Barcelona flamenco shows post) come with a 5% discount. This is subsidized to incentivize tourists, while the official site is more targeted at locals who would never be looking at a Barcelona tourism website. Take the discount and be glad :) Honestly, I'd go with B Zone tickets in the centre balcony... anything in the first five rows is excellent. Cheers,
  • July 12, 2022 at 1:23 am
    Carly
    Hey Ash! Love your info. I will be in BCN on August 26 and 27 and was hoping to catch some castellers at the Fest Major de Sants but can't seem to find what times they will be performing. We have other plans I am trying to work around so really hoping there might be some daytime performances or practices.
    • July 13, 2022 at 4:01 pm
      ashley
      Team Member
      Ash
      Hi Carly, There is actually a local group called the Castellers de Sants and if you look at their schedule you will see they are penciled in for the 27th. It is usually in the mid afternoon. I assume they will update with a time and place closer to the event. Cheers,
  • July 20, 2021 at 3:12 pm
    Stephanie
    Hello, we are planning to come for a "mini-moon" from 8/27 to 9/3. Can you give us a sense of what will be "closed" at that time of the month and the main things we should ticket in advance of the visit?
    • July 27, 2021 at 3:35 pm
      ashley
      Team Member
      Ash
      Hi Stephanie, As of right now all of the main attractions are open with slight restrictions to hours etc. I advise you to check my post on visiting Barcelona during COVID-19 for more up to date information. At the moment the only thing that's forced on the populace is a 1:00 am to 6:00 am curfew so if you're looking to have a long night out at the disco this won't be possible, but other than this things are fairly normal. For efficiency/budget/sanitation purposes pretty much all of these attractions are advising to buy tickets in advance online. It's actually much faster, has the cheapest possible rates, and gives you your tickets right on your phone. I've got booking links in all the articles for your convenience. Cheers,
  • June 26, 2021 at 5:59 pm
    Bri
    Hiii im Bri, me and my husband are planning our honeymoon in Barcelona in August this 2021 and I wanted to know what free activities there were. Thank you!
    • June 28, 2021 at 6:17 pm
      ashley
      Team Member
      Ash
      Hi Bri, Thanks for writing :) With any luck the Magic Fountain will be back and running at full capacity (currently it's only the fountains without the lights and colour) so that's objectively the best free thing to do in the city. That said, you may also want to check out my list of top free things to do in Barcelona for some more inspiration. Many of these are great to do no matter what time of year. Also, I would try to schedule the visit to coincide with the Festa Major de Gracia as it is one of the biggest spectacles in the city - and free! Enjoy :) Cheers,
  • August 22, 2019 at 5:43 am
    Julie Fry
    Hi Ash I am flying with Vueling from Madrid to Barcelona and having read some reviews am now worried to their reliability Not sure what terminal it will fly into but I then need to get from there to the Pullman Barcelona Skipper - what mode of transport would you suggest and can you give me an estimated costing please
    • August 22, 2019 at 8:58 am
      ashley
      Team Member
      Ash
      Hi Julie, I've flied with Vueling 10-15 times and have never had any big issue... they're obviously like most other low costs in that the service isn't amazing, but it gets you from A to B. Totally reliable. To get to your hotel I would take the Aerobus (around €6.00) to Plaça Catalunya and then walk over to Urquinaona metro station and take the yellow line down to Ciutadella Vila Olimpica (around €1.10) then from here it's a short walk. Cheers, Ash
  • July 29, 2019 at 10:14 am
    lubica
    Hi, I come to Barcelona on 22.8.2019 in the morning, do you think that I can still look at the decoration of la Festa de Gracia?THANK YOU.Lubica
    • July 29, 2019 at 11:36 am
      ashley
      Team Member
      Ash
      Hi Lubica, I imagine it won't have all been taken down at that point... but it probably won't be the same as the day before! Unfortunately that's all I can tell you at this point :( At any rate, a walk through Gracia is always worth it so if you don't get to see the Festa in all its glory, at least you'll have a back up plan! Ash
  • July 25, 2019 at 9:09 pm
    Suzanna
    Can you recommend some fun activities for a bachelorette party of 9? THANKS!! Aug-2-6
  • July 25, 2019 at 9:08 pm
    Suzanna
    Can you recommend some fun activities for a bachelorette party of 9? Thanks!!
    • July 26, 2019 at 9:57 am
      ashley
      Team Member
      Ash
      Hi Suzanna, It may not be my area of expertise but I have put together a post on how to run a stag do in Barcelona - don't think I'm being sexist on this because I'm simply catering it to the keywords which Google gives me! ;) I imagine a lot of the activities here will apply for you guys too. You may also want to consider something a bit more tame like a flamenco show or maybe even the Casa Batllo Magic Nights rooftop series. Cheers, Ash
  • July 23, 2019 at 12:03 am
    Fiona
    Can you recommend anywhere for a birthday celebration on Sat 10 Aug / Sun 11 Aug please? There’s 5 adults and a 14 year old. Thank you in advance
    • July 23, 2019 at 12:55 pm
      ashley
      Team Member
      Ash
      Hi Fiona, It's hard for me to say without knowing what you guys are into, how you would organize such a thing back home etc... but I'll suggest maybe going to one of the city's amazing rooftop bars and having food and drinks. You could also look at the Xcape Room near Sagrada Familia which is a lot of fun, especially for teens. You could also get a sailboat tour (I recommend Barcelona Sailboats) of the harbour. I would also suggest taking in a flamenco show if you want some Spanish tinge to your unique birthday abroad. Please let me know if you have any more questions! :) Cheers, Ash
  • July 21, 2019 at 8:00 am
    Sinead
    Hi there Thanks for this, we arrive on the 4th of August, am time, till the 8th, could you advise what we should do? 6 of us are traveling together, Thanks!
    • July 21, 2019 at 10:41 am
      ashley
      Team Member
      Ash
      Hi Sinead, It's a bit hard for me to say without knowing you personally... but a great starting off point would be my list of top things to do in Barcelona. Also... there is so much going on in Barcelona that aside from the major August events above I simply cannot keep track of all of them on my blog (without being on it 24/7!)... but what I can do is direct you to the best events site here: https://guia.barcelona.cat/en/llistat? Here you can sort them by date and type. Yes, some may not be in English but the browser translations are pretty good :) Also, take a look at Facebook events by sorting them by date using Barcelona as the city. There are a ton of things to do even if just small little get togethers. Other options would be Meetup.com (with all sorts of organized events by locals, many in English) or Couchsurfing.com. Hope this gives you some great ideas! Cheers, Ash
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