bel1995

Hi all,

we are after recommendations going to spain for first time in august. We have been told south is very hot so stay up north.

Any recommendations? We like history, culture, food, relax, markets.

We will be travelling with a 3 year old. Please share your thoughts where we should go. We love the sound of seville and granada but if its too hot should we go to san sebastian? Hubby really wants to see a bull show.

As we come from a are with beautiful beaches we arnt worried about beaches.

Any hotel recommend s as well with a pool? Thanks so much

nytraveler

In August the south is VERY hot - the average high is about 100 degrees and it can go as high as 120 degrees. I rally cannot reco taking a 3 year old there.

In terms of colder weather it's not the whole north that works - it's the atlantic coast with the mountains behind it that is substantially cooler. We have visited Andalusia twice - but in mid to late April - and that was plenty hot enough for us - with highs already well into the 80s. On one trip it was 99 degrees when we got to Madrid in the first few days of May - so also really too hot to do much.

And sorry - it is not a "bull show". It is the ritual slaughter of a bull - although they call it a "fight".

southeuropetravel1

If you're interested in the San Sebastian area, try Bilbao. It's cooler, much more culturally interesting compared to S.S., great museums (Guggenheim), nestled in the mountains, a lovely old historical center, markets, etc. And if you want the beach you're not too far off.

Best
Laura

Robert2533

If you're from Australia, then a little August heat shouldn't be a problem if staying along the southern coast around Cádiz. It would be like spending late March in Darwin, but without the rain and humidity, and the food isn't bad either. It has been known to rain on the north coast in July and August, which is why it's called "Green Spain".

But August is also high season in most of Spain, including along the north coast.

If you have a budget, it would be helpful in recommending somewhere to stay. Just be aware that there are very few places in the north with swimming pools, so you might want to check booking.com to see what is available and where.

kimhe

San Sebastian in August would be perfect with a todller. They are great with kids all around Spain, but San Sebastian nevertheless is somewhat special. Just home from a five days stay here, and kids and parents are on the many playgrounds all around town until sunset, and then things continues in plazas and restaurants into the night. Same as always, have been here almost every year since the late 80's.

The old carousel in the playgrounds, in the Alderdi Eder park just in front of the town hall and looking out on the La Concha bay, is extremely popular. http://www.diariodelviajero.com/espa...ce-en-donostia

Kids were having fun here in 1925 also, looks almost exactly the same today with the town hall (former Casino) in the background: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9obbbqmmyU

Also an old world fun fair up at Monte Igueldo in the western part of town, great fun for a three year old and fabulous views: http://www.monteigueldo.es/es/index_es.php

The San Sebastian Aste Nagusia/Semana grande/Big week is celebrated every mid August: http://www.sansebastian.co.uk/semana-grande-big-week/

General info about San Sebastian, European Capital of Culture 2016 and the food capital of Spain, if not all of Europe:
http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...stian-tourism/
http://tourism.euskadi.eus/en/top10/...aa30-12376/en/
http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/en/

kimhe

There are central hotels and apartments in San Sebastian with a pool, but actually not much need of it because of the fantastic beaches. The family favourite Ondarreta beach has also got a swimming pool on the beach: http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/e...o-to-the-beach

Example of central apt with pool: http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p1663147

Hotel Londres has got an outdoor swimming pool, and it's as central as it gets: https://www.hlondres.com/en/
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/lond...rra.en-gb.html

Also a pool in Hotel San Sebastian close to the Ondarreta beach: http://hotelsansebastian.net/en/

Robert2533

Hotel Londres y Inglaterra has an outdoor swimming pool? That would be news to the hotel. I don't know where they would put it, but it does have a great beach location, right on La Concha.

The same goes for the Hotel San Sebastián. It close to Ondarreta Beach.

Hotel Barceló Costa Vasca does have an outdoor pool because it's not on the breach. And the pools not bad if you have to stay up there.

The Hotel Avenida does have an outdoor pool.

kimhe

Just saw the line "has a seasonal outdoor pool" under the booking.com Hotel Londres site and thought it might be something they had installed on the roof with the creation of the new and luxcurious attics up there. But have of course never even thought about a pool in San Sebastian...

Robert2533

Booking.com is not always correct in it's description of a property. They, like TA, never visit the properties they list or recommend.

kimhe

With children in Donostia/San Sebastian: http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/e...-with-children

Fine video presentation of the city: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C4IjsVKvAA