isabel

I'm considering a trip to Spain next summer (yes I know it will be hot) and can only go in July or August. August works better for me but I've only been to UK/Ireland in August (which was fine)but the stories about huge crowds and closed establishments in Europe in August have me concerned. I won't be going to any beach areas, which I know would be crowded with vacationing Europeans. Can anyone who's been to the cities (Madrid, Sevilla,Granada) tell me how you found things to be. Thanks

buzby

save your pennies and go another time : ) We live in the north of Spain but have lived three summers in Madrid and it can be completely suffocating! Seville is worse! Granada is only slightly cooler because of the Sierra Nevada. Having worked as a guide for many years throughout the seasons, I have had groups that won't even venture off the bus in these months as it is too hot!
NO problem with queues though as every leaves in August OK, slight exageration! most people anyway...
Having said all this, it could be boiling in May and June too, as it was this year so you can't win!
The NOrth of Spain is lovely in August and whilst you might get a heatwave for a few days here it is unlikely to last your entire stay
HTH!

LoveItaly

Hi isabel, buzby is the expert of course but I just wanted to add my two cents worth. I have a friend here in my city that was born and raised in Seville. She and her husband usually return to Seville every year so she can see her family.

A few years ago they went in August as that was the only time her husband could take vacation time. After returning home she told me that they would never go to Seville again in July or August even if it meant not seeing her family for the year. She had forgotten how hot and humid it can get in that period. Best wishes.

cmt

I was there MUCH too long ago to be able to give useful info re crowds, but I can comment on the weather. I loved Andalucia. But the sun in mid-summer was so strong that sometimes I felt dizzy in the afternoons after lunch. One thing that helped a lot after a few days of feeling faint after lunch was stopping my habit of having wine (or sangria) at lunch. I wasn't even drinking very much, but the combination of some alcohol plus very strong early afternoon sun was not a good one, and made the saying about "only mad dogs...in the noonday sun" ring true. another thing that would've helped might've been wearing a sunhat in the sunniest part of the day. If the only time you can go is mid-summer, go and enjoy yourself, as I did when i was a young teacher with summers off to travel. It isn't the ideal time, but scheduling rest time or visits to cool indoor places at mid-day can help, and maybe limiting alcohol at lunch and wearing a sunhat if you're going to be out walking in the sun right after lunch would be helpful, too.

Intrepid1

We were just in these places at the beginning of August. All three cities were hot but there is much more humidity in cities like Barcelona which are closer to the coast.

There were PLENTY of visitors in all three places. At the Alhambra we had to wait 40 minutes in the line to pick up PRE-RESERVED tickets.

If there was anything "closed" we certainly didn't notice it..and none of the major sites were in any way, shape, or form closed.

There are many ways to beat the heat in these places such as visiting early or later in the day.

We did not find the crowds to be particularly overwhelming but in some places they certainly slowed the pace of passing through sites, etc.

Ask yourself this question: if all those other people go to these places and at that time and apparently enjoy themselves, could you do it also?

lincasanova

there are so many other lovely cities to visit in august where, if you are lucky, and there isn't a general heat wave, you can at least enjoy being outdoors..

i would go north after you land, but do save a couple days for madrid if that is where you are arriving.

i am sure buzby can give you some great ideas, and you will fall in love with the villages, FOOD, wine country and castles, paradores and casas rurales of the north/northwest, along with the coast to france.

if you do not mind driving, you will not be bored. the scenery is fabulous, but remember the entire country is on vacation so you will need to make reservations most places.

Viajero2

I grew up in Puerto Rico and I would not go to Southern Spain in August. A dear friend took her family to Spain in August (same situation; only time they could all go). She came back with horror stories about the intense heat and humidity, which had a detrimental impact on her kids and their enjoyment of sights, etc... It does not mean though that people won't still go to Spain in August and manage to have a great time. Ronda and many Pueblos Blancos up in the mountains should offer some cooler weather alternatives, but may not be enough.

I agree with recs on Northern Spain (Galicia Region, Costa Verde). I spent some time in Leon, Santiago, Pontevedra, and Vigo and would go back there in August in a second.

nytraveler

We were in andalucia in late April and the temps were in the mid to high 80s. I remember ths most an exhibit in a museum in Seville talking about a heat wave in August some years before - it had been over 110 degrees for 12 days in a row - a couple reaching 120.

Even with AC - this is not something I would do for any price.

Save Spain for when you can do spring or fall and do somewhere nice and cool in August - like Stockholm.

mikemo

We were in Galecia (and NW PT)in mid July '04 and the weather was "perfect". It was 50 Celcius (122 F) on 30 June '04 in Sevilla.
M

mikemo

Lo siento, "Sevilla". 40+ years of dictating does not a speller make.
M

julia_t

I spent 4 days in Barcelona in mid-August last year, and while it was hot and fairly humid, it wasn't unbearable.

I have heard that Madrid can be incredibly hot in July/August, and the further south you go the hotter it can get.

As buzby says (seconded by viajero and lincasanove), there are beautiful cities in the north of Spain, you have the whole of Catalonis to explore, and you have the Pyrenees and France just over to visit too. Perpignan is around 2 hours drive from Barcelona.

Whatever you decide, have a great trip.

Treesa

Seville in August was pretty uncomfortable and I tolerate heat very well. On the other hand my SO was suffering and swearing never again. It's a personal choice. For me the problem is not the heat but the crowds and having to wait in line for most things.

isabel

Thanks for all your replys. As I said originally, I do know it will be hot. My problem is, unless I'm willing to do only a short trip (8-10 days) then the only time I'll be able to go is in July or August. I get one week in March (which I usually stretch to 8-10 days) plus all of July and August off. No other options.

I wonder if people would say the same thing about going to Italy, especially Sicily. We just went there this past July, although plenty of people thought we were crazy to go in July. But it really wasn't that bad. The heat index in New York was worse much of the month. Worldclimate.com says the average high in that part of Spain in July and August is about 93.

My main concern is about crowds in August versus July. Is there any kind of significant difference between those two months?

However, you have all got me thinking. Maybe I should just go in March and only do a few cities instead of the amount I was planning on. (I had been thinking of a trip about 3 weeks longs).

Any more opinions?

cruiseluv

Hi isabel,

I would go and stay in Madrid just a few days and then go North. The North of Spain is my favorite area and in the summer is the area where I would go . 3 years ago we went to Sevilla in late June and it was horrible. I'll never go back to the south until I can go in the Spring , Wimter or fall.

There are so may options in the north...
Galicia is my favorite.

good luck!