Back from Spain. I really don’t recommend going in August or September because it’s just too much…
Back from Spain | sincerely advise everyone not to come in August or September! It’s unbearably hot 🥵
Just finished a 12-day Spain loop covering Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, and Granada
The scenery is undeniably beautiful, but traveling in August and September seriously diminishes the experience. We ran into countless issues. Here’s the most honest, unfiltered guide online to warn you off and offer emergency solutions all at once!
❌ Four real reasons not to visit in August and September
1. Extreme heat in the south, feels like 40℃+ making sightseeing impossible
Andalusia (Seville, Córdoba, Granada) is the hardest hit area. Daytime temperatures at noon soar to 38–42℃
Outdoor attractions and old town alleys have no shade. Walking for 10 minutes leaves you dehydrated. UV rays are intense, causing sunburn and peeling in half a day
Spain’s traditional siesta from 2 PM to 5 PM means shops and small stores close completely. You have to hide out in cafes to survive those 3 hours, cutting your itinerary in half
Early September remains very hot. Temperatures only start to drop late in the month
2. Peak tourist season all year, expect lines starting at 2 hours
Tickets for Sagrada Familia, Alhambra, and Madrid’s Prado Museum are extremely hard to get. No tickets available on site. Online booking requires at least two weeks’ advance
Popular attractions have 2–3 hour lines under scorching sun, which is extremely exhausting. Beaches and famous squares are packed with people, making photos full of strangers
European students and locals take collective vacations, making the whole city overcrowded with no chance to relax
3. Prices skyrocket, many local small shops close
August is Spain’s nationwide summer holiday. Vacation rentals and hotels surge 40%–60% in price. Affordable city center rooms sell out a month in advance
Many locals go on family vacations, so community restaurants and handmade shops close down. You’re left eating overpriced tourist restaurants, missing out on authentic food
High-speed trains, local transport, and boat tickets also increase in price, adding thousands to your travel budget
4. Very little room for error in your schedule, easy to get exhausted or heatstroke
You have to limit sightseeing to early morning 8–10 AM and after 6 PM. Spend the rest of the day indoors avoiding the heat
You can only visit 1–2 attractions a day. Trying to do the classic loop will be extremely rushed. Elderly, children, and heat-sensitive travelers are not suitable
✅ But if you must travel in August or September | survival itinerary to avoid heat (7-day loop)
D1–D2 Barcelona (relatively friendly, cooled by sea breeze)
▫️ Before 9 AM: Sagrada Familia, Park Güell to avoid midday sun
▫️ Siesta time: Boqueria Market, art museums, indoor creative spaces with air conditioning to cool off
▫️ After evening: walk along the beach, Gothic Quarter old town, watch the sunset by the sea
Tip: don’t visit Park Güell at noon. The sun exposure is unbearable without shade
D3–D4 Madrid (focus on indoor museums to escape heat)
▫️ Morning: quick visits to Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor
▫️ Afternoon indoors all day: Prado Museum, Thyssen Museum, art center—all air-conditioned to survive
▫️ Night: tapas at Plaza Santa Ana, watch flamenco shows
D5–D7 Skip deep southern exploration, lightly visit Granada/Ronda
Minimize time in the south. Only do the Alhambra night tour in the evening. Rest in the hotel all day
No daytime itinerary in Seville. Gardens and Plaza de España offer no enjoyment in the heat
🧳 Essential survival checklist for August and September travel
1. Strong sun protection: SPF 50+ high-factor sunscreen, wide-brimmed hat, ice silk sun-shield shawl (must for covering shoulders in churches), sunglasses
2. Cooling gear: large water bottle, handheld fan, cooling patches, after-sun repair masks
3. Clothing: all breathable cotton or linen long dresses and pants. Avoid tight, non-breathable fabrics
4. Accommodation must-have: air-conditioned vacation rental or hotel. Without AC, you won’t sleep at night
5. Medicine: Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid, stomach medicine, sunburn ointment, electrolyte powder
🥘 Food tips to avoid pitfalls
· Avoid seafood paella and ham shops at attraction entrances. Prices are heavily inflated. Go to local taverns in old town alleys instead
· Must order in hot weather: gazpacho cold tomato soup, fresh fruit juice, sangria to cool down
· Have main meals after 9 PM when temperatures drop and the atmosphere is better
📌 Best times to visit all year (highly recommended)
1. April–May spring: temperatures 15–25℃, flowers everywhere, fewer tourists, lower prices, many festivals
2. Late September–October autumn: heat fades, sea remains warm for beach time, crowds drop significantly, grape harvest season with lots of food
These two periods maximize your experience of southern ancient towns, city strolls, and island vacations
⚠️ Summer-specific warnings
1. Buy all landmark tickets online in advance. Never queue on site
2. Pickpockets are rampant on Barcelona’s La Rambla and Madrid’s Puerta del Sol. Keep backpacks in front and lock valuables in hotel safes
3. Reject free bracelets or tissues on the street. They will charge you after giving them
4. Avoid driving in southern cities due to heat and parking difficulties. Take early high-speed trains for intercity travel
Spain’s romance is undeniable. Gaudí’s magical architecture, Andalusian white villages, and Mediterranean coastline are worth the trip
But I sincerely recommend traveling off-peak to avoid the August–September heat and crowds, so you can truly enjoy the unique relaxed vibe of southern Europe~