Are Spanish Campsites Busy in August?

[Chris CM]

This year we are planning to travel to Spain, via Santander, in the middle of August. We normally travel either before or after the school hols and have never found it particularly busy and have always been able to find Aires or park ups. We will be taking our smart car on a trailer for the first time this year and we think, because of the trailer, that we may make more use of campsites, both for ease of parking and security of the van + trailer if we go off for the day in the car. So we were wondering if the campsites were likely to be busy, requiring booking, which I’d rather not do, if possible, as we like to be flexible with our itinerary. Thanks for any advice or experience.
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[Richard n Ann]

They might be busy at weekends, we always tried to move on weekdays and never had a problem. We only went once in August mind.

 

[bobandjanie]

I would say definitely on the coast, and any other sites if you need to be at a particular location. Bob.

 

[PaulOH]

I'd try to avoid the first two weeks of August as it's very busy. The third week tends to be less busy and the fourth/fifth week,when it happens,is often classed as autumn season, but I'll wait to see where they do that this year.

The Spainish like their hols in August. Schools stop really early - before the end of June - so kids are entertained in things called 'casals' which are like a turbocharged summer-scheme and are a money making venture. My kids are doing 3 weeks in July through their regular school and are complaining bitterly!

Many businesses revert to a summer timetable, which is earlier start in the morning and finish earlier in the afternoon - I understand it has to do with tradition because in the past there wasn't as much air con as now, so people needed to stop by about 2pm because it was searing. This has persisted and seems part of the fabric of summer. Many businesses use this as a way to wind down to a two-week closure at the start or middle of August.

Coastal campsites have experienced a lot of changes in clientele recently - when COVID restrictions were at their peak and no one could travel internationally, they were thronged because you could distance, use your own material and still have a break - they have always been popular with the natives but those who would have gone abroad did local instead and went to their nearest beach.

That doesn't mean that every coastal business did well - with no northern teens and 20-somethings for the discos, restaurants and bars in popular areas, they suddenly found that grandparents with kids doing the birdie song at 5pm with chocolate milk was the peak of their business! A lot closed or put business into suspended animation.

I'm sure it'll come back but I'd suggest leaving it till later in August. Here, the children are starting back to school this year a full week earlier on Sept.05, so you might find it even easier in that final week of August!

 

[Mr porky]

We are booked on the pont-avon ferry on the 17th july with the intention to do Northern Spain, I'm hoping we can get on aires or sites.

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[Razamataz]

We are booked on the pont-avon ferry on the 17th july with the intention to do Northern Spain, I'm hoping we can get on aires or sites.

To get away from the horrible weather in Spain mid March till April…. We left the costas rain and drove to north coast.
Zarautz to beyond Gijon…..Fantastic!!!your in for a treat.
Best site we stayed was Camping Perlora

 

[138go]

The coastal campsites are very busy and full of Spanish people. Don’t get me wrong, I love Spain and the Spanish but they know how to party. If you’re there with the Spanish you’ll need earplugs for day and night.