Month guide · San Sebastián · Spain
San Sebastián in August
What August is really like in San Sebastián: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Spike, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
August is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 25°C (77°F), lows of 17°C (63°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 13.9 hours of daylight. Peak summer with the warmest sea; Semana Grande brings nightly fireworks over the bay and big crowds.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 25°C (77°F) / 17°C (63°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 13.9 hours
- Sea temperature
- 22°C (72°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in August
August is the warmest month in San Sebastián: days average 25°C (77°F) against a yearly average high of 18°C (64°F), and nights fall to about 17°C (63°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 31 days. Compared with July (24°C (75°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs drop to around 23°C (73°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 07:13
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 21:12
- Daylight
- About 13.9 hours
- Sea
- 22°C (72°F)
Summer (June–August). Beach season, Jazzaldia and Semana Grande; July and August are crowded and expensive, and rooms sell out early.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 5 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: August is one of the pricier months.
Events in August
- Semana Grande (Aste Nagusia) — city festival with an international fireworks contest (usually mid-August)
- Quincena Musical — classical music festival (August)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in August
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Viewpoint · Igeldo
Monte Igueldo funicular and viewpoint
A wooden funicular dating from 1912 climbs from the end of Ondarreta beach to the summit of Monte Igueldo, the postcard view over the bay, Santa Clara island and Monte Urgull.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
- Photo spot
Park · Parte Vieja
Monte Urgull and Mota Castle
Climb from the Paseo Nuevo or the port side and come down through the Parte Vieja for an evening pintxo.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Outdoors
Landmark · Ondarreta
Peine del Viento
Eduardo Chillida's three rusted steel sculptures, installed in 1977, grip the rocks at the far western end of the bay, with a granite plaza by Luis Peña Ganchegui.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Beach · Gros
Zurriola beach
Book a beginner surf lesson in the morning, when the wind is usually lighter, then eat pintxos in Gros.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Active
- Outdoors
The sea averages 22°C (72°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near San Sebastián.
What to pack
For highs near 25°C, lows near 17°C and 9 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit San Sebastián?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
San Sebastián in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit San Sebastián?
It is a shoulder-season month. Peak summer with the warmest sea; Semana Grande brings nightly fireworks over the bay and big crowds.
+How warm is San Sebastián in August?
Average highs are around 25°C (77°F) and lows around 17°C (63°F).
+Does it rain a lot in San Sebastián in August?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.