The best plans for August in Barcelona

Candlelight Open Air, the summer concerts between candles

Candlelight Open Air is the summer spin-off of the mythical Candlelight concerts. A great way to (re)discover bands and artists in a unique format and in venues that are authentic architectural wonders of Barcelona.

These are the Candlelight Open Air in August:

• Candlelight Open Air: Tribute to Queen vs ABBA (August 2).
• Candlelight Open Air: Tribute to The Beatles (August 9)
• Candlelight Open Air: Coldplay vs Imagine Dragons (August 17)
• Candlelight Open Air: The Best of Hans Zimmer (August 30)
• Candlelight Open Air: The Four Seasons of Vivaldi (August 30)
• Candlelight Open Air: Tribute to Coldplay (August 31)
• Candlelight Open Air: Tribute to Ludovico Einaudi (August 31)

Dates: Several Saturdays and Sundays in August
Location: Gardens of the Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site and Tipuanas Courtyard of the Hotel Miramar Barcelona
Tickets: From 15€.

The SENSAS multisensory experience

SENSAS proposes a multisensory adventure for groups and suitable for all ages in which we will have to sharpen all our senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. This proposal is materialized in fun challenges that combine escape room dynamics with immersive experiences and a festive touch, three hours of pure enjoyment with a touch of emotion and even solidarity.

Dates: Open every day
Location: C/ d’Entença, 91-93, Bajos 2
Tickets: from 27,70€ per person

Escapes half an hour from Barcelona (and which are not the typical ones)

When we think of escaping in August the first thing that comes to mind are either typical beach destinations or remote destinations to escape the heat. But this month is also perfect to visit our geography, and is that less than an hour from the city hide beautiful architectural and natural gems, from monasteries to thermal baths or picturesque villages. In addition, many of these getaways are also easily accessible by public transport.

👉 Discover 11 destinations of proximity tourism that you will love.

Petra: the glory of the Nabataeans

The legendary “Pink City” can be seen, felt and even smelled in this multi-sensory virtual reality experience. This is a quiet, all-ages activity that combines immersion, fun and an educational component that makes it a plan that curious minds will love.

Dates: Open every day
Location: Reial Cercle Artístic. c/ dels Arcs, 5
Tickets: from 8,90€.

Paradox Museum

Fiesta Mayor de Sants, the other big party of the summer

The great rival of the mythical Festa Major de Gràcia, which takes over at the end of August. A week full of fun for all ages in one of the best connected neighborhoods of Barcelona.

There will be good concerts, the emblematic Castellers de Sants festival, the floral offering to Sant Bartomeu, the Correfoc and hundreds of activities for all tastes.

Dates: From August 23 to 31
Location: Sants Neighborhood

The Symphony immersive concert

Symphony is the ideal plan for those somewhat reluctant to classical music. This immersive experience combines the compositions of Beethoven, Mahler and Bernstein with a projection through virtual reality glasses that introduces us into the prestigious Mahler Chamber Orchestra conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, who interprets the themes. Thanks to the magic of the technique, more than just listening to the music, we will be able to live it, being a member of the orchestra.

Dates: Every day in August
Location: CaixaForum. Av. de Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 6-8
Tickets: 8€.

Bonus track for those who spend their holidays in Mallorca

For those who prefer to go a little further than the Costa Brava, Mallorca works as a strategic summer getaway. And if to the plan of coves and sun loungers is added a day of intensive dips, the balance is there: a little rest, a little chlorine and the occasional fall (down the slide). Two Balearic summer classics await on the island: Aqualand El Arenal, with giant slides, wave pool and relaxation areas; and Western Park, a Wild West-themed park.

Dates: Every day in August
Location: Majorca (Balearic Islands)
Tickets: from 26€.

The swimming pools of Barcelona

One of the best options to face the scorching heat is to cool off by taking a dip. And, as sometimes going to the beach is not an option, either because it is too far from home, you do not like the sand or you prefer to go to less crowded and quieter places, we propose an alternative: go to one of the 14 municipal swimming pools that the city has.

👉 Discover here all the info about the 14 outdoor swimming pools in Barcelona.

A visit to the only water park in the country for dogs.

There is also the option to cool off in a water park or, better yet, do it with the best company: that of our dogs (or “perrhijos”). Only half an hour from Barcelona we find Aquapark Canino Perros al Agua, the first water park in Spain designed for our canine friends and one of the few in Europe. In its facilities we find two huge swimming pools, a dune area to roll around and gardens to play ball or frisbee, as well as ramps, jumping areas and slides.

Dates: Every day in August, except Mondays.
Location: Ctra. Vallderiolf, Km 2, 5. La Roca del Vallès
Tickets: from 16€ (for dog + companion)

An ice cream with your furry friend

Dogs also have their own ice cream, which can now be tasted in four ice cream parlors in Barcelona. Chicken, beef, carrot, Greek yogurt or watermelon are some of its ingredients, fresh, natural and very appetizing for your four-legged friends. But don’t worry, in these ice cream parlors we can also order an “ice cream for humans” of vanilla, chocolate, pistachio or any other traditional flavor. Here we all come to enjoy!

👉 We tell you more about the ice cream parlors in Barcelona with options for dogs.

Summer afternoons in the most unique houses in Barcelona.

Beyond Gaudí, Barcelona has architectural gems worth discovering. Thanks to the summer evenings of Cases Singulars we can access them while enjoying live music, a drink and a stroll through the gardens.

Enjoy the modernism of the Amatller House Museum, discover the world of Sherlock Holmes in the Arús Library or enter the baroque in the Ateneu Barcelonès and finish the visit with a vermouth.

Dates: Various days, depending on the activity
Location: Various spaces
Tickets: From 15€.

Kart racing

A walk through the Labyrinth Park of Horta

Parks are a great climatic refuge when the heat tightens, but if they also include a labyrinth they become a divertimento that makes us forget the high temperatures. The Horta Labyrinth extends its opening hours in the summer months (until 8 pm), so we have all day to visit it and let ourselves be seduced by its vegetation and its works of art and architecture. More than a park, a garden museum.

Salsa, rock, pop or rumba at Poble Espanyol

Throughout the month of August, the picturesque Poble Espanyol offers Nits en Viu, different theme parties where music, a good mojito or a cool red wine and gastronomy come together to spend a most appetizing evening, either in evening or dinner format.

This year, the program is as follows: on Wednesdays, we have an appointment with Latin rhythms (salsa, bachata and more) with the Fiesta Caribe; on Thursdays, we can enjoy tribute bands of historical bands (Kiss, Aerosmith, Rammstein, The Cure, Depeche Mode …) and a good barbecue in the Rock & Grill cycle, if we are more pop, on Fridays we will enjoy the best with the parties remember The 90’s Queens’ Nights; and on Saturdays, if we like rumba, the appointment is with the tardeo of Fritanga!

Dates: Different days (according to activity)
Location: Poble Espanyol. Av. de Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 13
Tickets: From 12€.

An ideal plan for architecture lovers: On Tuesday and Friday evenings , from 18:00 h. and until closing at 21: 00 h. visitors can visit the cloister of the monastery of Pedralbes for free.

No reservation is required, but the adjoining rooms will not be open to the public, so if you want to know the exhibitions and adjoining rooms you can get your ticket at the ticket office of the monastery for another day of the week.