Always falling on the last Monday of the month, the August Bank Holiday is the signal for the end of the official summer holiday season. So make it go out with a bang - get yourself one of the great deals going at this time of year.
This is the date for the August Bank Holiday 2023:
Monday, August 28th: Summer bank holiday
If you’re after a slightly quieter August Bank Holiday beach break, then this small Balearic Island is a great place to visit. The weather should be at the high end of the twenties and you shouldn’t see much rain (if any). Which means it’s the perfect time to hit the beach and enjoy the last rays of summer. And there are more than 80 beaches dotted around the miles of coastline to choose from - from secluded coves to beaches with bars and restaurants close to the stretches of sand. The water here is an incredible shade of blue, and you’ll be wanting to more than dip your toes in it. In fact we suggest a boat trip to make the most of the snorkeling. The Cami de Cavalls (Path of Horses) is one of the most famous experiences on the island, with 185 miles of paths to explore.
Overtaking Paris, Rome and Barcelona in the city breaks stakes, Amsterdam is where’s it at now, and the summer is a great time to visit. The 17th century Canal Ring is so famous it needs no introduction and you can walk and cycle down towpaths, or take a boat trip and sip a cold glass of wine or beer while you take in the sites. The whole area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site so make sure your phone has plenty of charge - you’ll be taking that many pictures. Vondelpark has loads going on in the summer, including an open-air theatre as well as concerts and exhibitions. The Rijksmuseum opens up its landscaped gardens for tours once you’ve looked around the galleries. Take the time to visit one of the traditional “brown cafes” - not to be confused with the coffee shops - and try some local snacks.
You don’t have to be Audrey Hepburn to enjoy a Roman Holiday in August - but be aware, it is going to be hot. Fortunately they have some of the finest gelato in the world to help you cool down. Eating will be a big part of your trip to the Eternal City but make sure you try the local specialities like Cacio e Pepe pasta. If you’re going to the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and Colosseum (and you really should) then try and go early before it gets too hot to enjoy it properly. Be organised and book ahead to visit the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel - you won’t want to be stuck in a queue. The grounds of the Villa Borghese stretch over 200 acres and get great views of Rome. If it’s mega hot, get the metro to the beach at Ostia Lido - it’s got a great beach and is only about half an hour from Rome.
The Spanish sunshine coast has lots to offer in August. Perfect beach temperatures for starters and it’s sunny nearly every day. If you get a little confused with which Costa is what, this is the one with Marbella and Torremolinos. The latter is actually just a short walk from Malaga if you’re wondering where to fly to. The cast of TV show TOWIE famously coined the phrase, “No carbs before Marbs”, and put the resort back on the map. You’ll find some excellent all-inclusive deals for families as well as the luxury end. Benalmadena is great for kids, with the Tivoli World Theme Park bound to keep them entertained. The posh resort is Puerto Banus, with its luxury marina and fine dining. There’s miles of coastline to explore of course, so a boat trip is a cool option to see as much as you can.
One of the most famous spa cities in the world, if you’re looking for somewhere to unwind at the end of the summer, Budapest is there to help. The Szechenyi Spa Baths will be heaven in August, you can stay there until 10pm at night in the hot springs. Keeping with the water theme, a warm summer’s cruise down The Danube sounds just the ticket. There’s plenty of sightseeing to be done, starting with taking in the views from Buda Castle. They have a cool cellar underneath where you do some wine tasting. The Chain Bridge is a great place for posing for photos. And don’t be put off by the name of the Ruin pubs. These bars are in all sorts of different buildings and make for a great evening out. If you really want to get a taste of history, then visit the city’s oldest restaurant - Százéves Étterem.
Summer bank holiday 7th August (Scotland only) Summer bank holiday 28th August (England, Wales and Northern Ireland only)
If you take off August 25th to September 1st, you can enjoy ten days off by only taking five days off work (the weekends help to give you ten days).
Each year we get the Easter Bank Holiday. The dates vary per year - but is always Good Friday and Easter Monday to create a long weekend - usually in April or March. We also get two bank holidays in May, both falling on a Monday. One at the beginning of the month, the other at the end. We then have to wait until Boxing Day - December 26th for the last bank holiday of the year.
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