A guide to help you survive in Andalucia In August
Many tourists choose to visit Andalucia in August, and in fact, Andalucia holidays are especially popular during the summer season.
There is a unique appeal to visiting cities like Seville and Granada in August, and despite the intense heat, you’ll certainly find plenty of things to do in Andalucia at this time of year.
The key to enjoying the best of Andalusia in August is to know how to manage the summer heat.
Here, you’ll find some helpful tips and information about how you can cope with the hot climate and find things to do in southern Spain that help you cool off when the sun is too strong.
You, dear reader, support this blog. If you purchase through a link, we earn a small commission. As an Amazon Affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Pssst…!!?? You can’t get enough of Southern Spain guided? Have a look at my other posts:
Top Things To Do In Andalucia In August
- Hiking in the mountains
- Attend the Malaga August Fair
- Moors and Christians Festival
- Wine Night in Cómpeta
- Surfing and windsurfing
- Visit the lakes and rivers
Top Destinations
When visiting Andalucia at any time of year, there are some key locations that are must-sees.
Sevilla, Granada, Malaga and Cordoba are just some of the best places to visit in Andalucia, and these cities are home to some of the top tourist attractions in Andalucia that you’ll definitely want to discover.
While the summer temperatures are high in Andalucia in August, you won’t need to worry about what to do in Andalucia to avoid the heat.
You can still visit all the attractions if you choose the right times to visit. Early mornings and late evenings have far more comfortable temperatures in which to enjoy your visits, and attractions like the Alhambra even offer night visits.
Best Things To Do In Andalucia In August
1. Head to the mountains in Andalucia in August
One of the best things to do in Andalucia during the hot summer months is to head to the mountains.
The Sierra Nevada is one of the most beautiful places in Andalucia. – Check out guided tours here.
The mountains are cooler than the cities thanks to their higher elevation, and they also provide the opportunity for you to relax in scenic surroundings.
If you’re eager to try one of the fabulous scenic hikes in Andalucia, don’t forget to prepare correctly for the heat.
Wearing the right clothing and footwear for mountain activities is crucial, and don’t forget to bring sufficient water and snacks to see you through your trip.
Any Andalucia travel guide will recommend the following three areas to tourists seeking to escape the hot city streets and unwind in the splendor of nature.
Explore cities like Sierra Nevada, Grazalema or Alpujarras
Famed for its stunning landscapes, the Sierra Nevada is renowned for its fabulous sporting opportunities, allowing tourists to try their hand activities such as walking, climbing, and hiking.
It’s also a top destination for scenic cycling in Andalucia. – Get a guided tour here.
The Sierra Nevada region is also home to some of the best villages in Andalucia. These white villages in Andalucia are famous all over the world for their authentic appearance and atmospheric streets.
Grazalema is also home to some charming white villages, from which you can enjoy picturesque panoramic views over the Andalucian landscape.
Thanks to their higher elevation the weather is cooler here, and you can catch some shade in the lush forests where you can take a stroll and sample a picnic of local food.
The terraced hillsides of Alpujarras are also a must-see when you visit Andalusia.
They’re especially pleasant to visit on hot days thanks to their cooler climate, and you can enjoy relaxing strolls around the traditional villages where you can pick up some souvenirs, relax with a drink, and dine on authentic local cuisine.
There are many festivals in Spain in August, and one of the top things to do in Andalusia if you’re visiting at this time of year is to attend at least one of them.
2. Moors and Christians Festival
The Moors and Christians Festival is especially popular in Andalucia and is particularly celebrated in Almeria and Granada provinces, taking place on varying days in each locality.
Perhaps the best-known Spanish festival in August, this celebration commemorates the battles that took place after the reconquest of the 16th and 17th centuries.
The largest festivals take place over two days, and involve processions and theatrical enactments including dances and skirmishes before ending with paying homage to each town’s patron saint.
The costumes are truly stunning, with the Christians wearing reconquest soldier uniforms and the moors wearing cotton jackets.
3. Malaga August Fair
If you only have time to visit one of the Spanish festivals in August, the Malaga August Fair promises the most fun.
Held in two locations, one during the day and one at night, this festival is the biggest in the region, attracting around a million visitors over its eight-day run.
One of the reasons why this is considered one of the best festivals in Andalucia is because access is free to all the dancing, drinking, and eating activities that take place during the evening, and there are shows, fireworks, concerts, parades, and a wealth of other activities to entertain the whole family.
4. Columbus Festivals Of Huelva
Commemorating the day that Christopher Colombus set off on his voyage of discovery to find America, this festival sees market stalls, concerts, sporting events, and children’s activities filling the streets of Huelva.
Dating back to the 1880s, this maritime festival sees around 600,000 visitors each year.
Every day of the festival at noon, there is a processional dance and then a show in a square in the heart of the city centre, and you can also enjoy competitions like sailing, swimming, canoeing, fishing, and even cured ham cutting”
During the evening, free concerts are held, with food stalls that give you the chance to try local tapas and produce.
Finally, there’s an impressive firework display that won’t fail to stun the crowds.
5. Horse races of Sanlúcar
If you love horses then one of the best places in Andalusia to visit has to be Sanluca de Barrameda where you’ll find horse races during August held on the beach.
People come from far and wide to this festival which dates back to the 1840s, and sees stunning horses racing each other across the sands to reach the finishing line.
6. Wine Night in Cómpeta (Malaga)
Competa holds a wine night every 15th of August, commemorating the day on which farm workers said goodbye to their families as they left to participate in the grape harvest.
Traditionally, the occasion was marked with singing and dancing in the square along with drinking of the fine local wine.
Today, the celebrations centre around the town square, beginning with treading local grapes and including folk singing and dancing, traditional rural lunches, and a craft market where you can pick up some fabulous souvenirs like jewelry, textiles, and candles.
7. Outdoor activities for cooling off in Andalucia in August
If you’re planning your 1 week itinerary in Andalucia, you certainly won’t want to overlook a visit to one of the stunning local beaches.
Each region boasts some particularly beautiful sands, with Malaga being especially famed for its spectacular shores.
With 600 miles of coast, there are countless beaches, both popular and off-the-beaten-track to explore, but some of the top ones include Playa Malagueta, in the heart of Malaga and just steps away from bars and restaurants, Almeria’s Playa de los Muertos with its spectacular black rock formations.
The Los Lances in Cadiz province is a top spot if you’d like to try your hand at surfing in Andalucia.
8. River and Lake Excursions
The best lakes in Andalucia represent a wonderful spot to cool off in the hot Andalucian summer.
The Cueva del Gato is a particularly stunning spot to discover close to Ronda, where you can enjoy a picnic or take a swim in the lake.
40-minutes south of Granada, you’ll find the Embalse de los Bermejales, a huge reservoir with a beach where you can hire canoes and pedaloes.
Meanwhile, the Barranco Blanco near Malaga is a relaxing oasis of calm where you can admire the spectacular waterfalls and cool off in the natural pools.
9. Culinary delights to fight the heat
Get out of the heat for a while and head into the air conditioned cool of a restaurant, or relax under an umbrella on a terrace and sample some traditional Andalusian dishes.
Salmorejo or the best tomato gazpacho are both cold tomato-based soups that are perfect on hot days, while Spanish summer salad is refreshing in the heat.
There are some fabulous tapas bars and restaurants wherever you go in Andalucia in August, with Granada’s Casa Enrique, Malaga’s El Tapeo de Cervantes, and Seville’s Bodega Santa Cruz topping the list.
Understanding the Andalucian Summer Climate
Andalucia in August can certainly be extremely hot. Temperatures during the day can reach as high as 35 degrees Celsius on the coast and even 40 degrees Celsius inland.
During the evenings, the air temperature is a far cooler 20 – 25 degrees Celsius, so some of the best things to do in Andalusia during the summer months are evening activities.
While the temperatures are high, humidity is fairly low when you visit Andalucia in August, so the heat isn’t too oppressive, especially if you head to the coast to one of the beautiful beaches in southern Spain to relax and unwind.
In Andalucia in August, you can expect around three-quarters of days to be dry and sunny, so preparing for the heat is crucial.
You don’t want to develop heatstroke during your vacation. Staying well-hydrated, dressing for the weather, and wearing sun protection is key.
Final thoughts on visiting Andalucia in August
Visiting Andalucia in August is fantastic, but you need to take good care of yourself to avoid heatstroke and sunburn.
Make sure to always cover up in the heat and wear a high SPF suncream, with sunglasses and a sunhat.
When visiting outdoor attractions such as castles in Andalucia, try to time your visit for the early morning or evening when the heat has subsided, stay well-hydrated, and take frequent breaks in the shade.
If you plant to visit the next month, check out festivals In Andalucia In September.
FAQ about Andalucia in August
What is the best time to visit Andalusia?
It’s always a good time to visit Andalusia! But if you like hot weather, a bustling vibe and plenty of fun activities, August is the perfect time to go.
What’s on in Andalusia in August?
In August, you’ll find plenty of fun activities, with many festivals including the Moors and Christians festival, the Sanlucar horse races, and the Malaga August Feria.
Is southern Spain too hot in August?
It can certainly be very hot in southern Spain in August, but you can cool off easily by heading to the beaches, lakes and rivers, by visiting indoor attractions during the heat of the day, and timing your visits for the cooler hours of early morning and late evening.
Hola, I’m Paulina! Together with my team, we are passionate about Southern Spain. Here we share all you need to know for great times in Southern Spain with the best places to visit, stay and, of course, the best food to eat.
Let’s dive in and explore Southern Spain’s outdoors, food and culture con pasión!