# August long weekend from Badajoz: getaways for 15 August, the Assumption Getaways from Badajoz for 15 August: theatre nights in Mérida, Perseids at Alqueva, swimming in the lake, the Atlantic at Ericeira and the cool of the Serra da Estrela. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/extremadura/badajoz/getaways/august-long-weekend · Revisado: 2026-11-13 Origen: Badajoz - [Mérida: theatre, museum and Alcazaba](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/extremadura/merida/itineraries/roman-theatre-museum-and-alcazaba.md) (Day itinerary, Mérida): In July and August the Classical Theatre Festival fills the Roman theatre in Mérida at night with Greek and Latin plays. Do the site at 9:00, before the heat, the museum in the sunny hours and buy a ticket for the performance. During the festival there may be daytime shows: ask at the office. - [A Stargazing Night in Monsaraz, an Hour and a Half from Badajoz](https://www.geocalia.com/en/portugal/alentejo/monsaraz/itineraries/stargazing-night-in-monsaraz.md) (1 night, Monsaraz): The Perseids peak around 12 and 13 August, and the Alqueva sky, Starlight certified, is among the best in the peninsula to see them. The Cumeada telescope session runs Tuesday to Saturday and in summer starts after ten: book it in good time. - [Monsaraz: lake beach and sunset](https://www.geocalia.com/en/portugal/alentejo/monsaraz/itineraries/summer-lake-beach-and-sunset.md) (Day itinerary, Monsaraz): The Monsaraz river beach has lifeguards and a children's area in swimming season, with the still water of Lake Alqueva. At midday the village scorches: swim in the morning, lunch in the shade and climb to the castle as the sun drops. 15 August is a holiday in Portugal too. - [Two Nights in Ericeira, an Hour from Lisbon: Surf, Mafra Palace and the Tapada](https://www.geocalia.com/en/portugal/lisbon-region/ericeira-and-mafra/itineraries/two-nights-with-surf-and-the-tapada.md) (2 nights, Ericeira and Mafra): In August the Atlantic at Ericeira cools what the Alentejo heats: fish on the rocks, a surf lesson and jacket nights. 15 August is a holiday in Portugal and the Lisbon coast fills up: book the hotel and the lesson weeks ahead. Mafra palace is closed on Tuesdays. - [Two Nights in the Serra da Estrela, Two and a Half Hours from Salamanca](https://www.geocalia.com/en/portugal/central-portugal/serra-da-estrela/itineraries/two-nights-from-salamanca-by-car.md) (2 nights, Serra da Estrela): From May to October the high roads of the Serra da Estrela are open, and in August, at almost two thousand metres, the Torre has the temperature Badajoz lacks. The Covão d'Ametade lagoon, among birches, gives shade for lunch. Two nights in Manteigas. - [A weekend in La Alberca and the Sierra de Francia, an hour from Salamanca](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/castile-and-leon/la-alberca/itineraries/la-alberca-sierra-de-francia-weekend.md) (2 nights, La Alberca and the Sierra de Francia): 15 August is La Alberca's main festival, with the Diagosto, and the village fills: if you want the festival, it is your date; if you want calm, go another week. The nights are cool in the sierra and the water in the gorges is welcome at midday. - [Trujillo: HABLA winery and sunset at the castle](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/extremadura/trujillo/itineraries/trujillo-habla-winery-tasting-and-castle-sunset.md) (Day itinerary, Trujillo): In summer sunset comes late, and the guided visit to Trujillo castle leaves at 20:00 until 15 August. A three-wine tasting at Bodegas HABLA at midday, with tapas, and back to Badajoz at night: whoever tastes should not drive. ## The Assumption, a holiday on both sides In Badajoz, August is lived at night, and so is the Assumption long weekend. 15 August is a holiday in Extremadura, across Spain and in Portugal, where it is the Assunção de Nossa Senhora. There is a long weekend when it falls on a Friday or a Monday. When it falls on a Sunday, Extremadura has moved it to another day on the calendar some years, so check each year's before making plans. In August many people are already on holiday, and the long weekend is less a date than the busiest week of the summer, on both sides of the border. The rule, from Badajoz, is to live at night and look for the cool by day. ## August nights 15 August falls right in the season of the Classical Theatre Festival in Mérida, which every summer fills the Roman theatre with Greek and Latin tragedies and comedies. Watching a performance in a two-thousand-year-old theatre, with the stage lit, is the most Extremaduran summer plan there is, fifty minutes from home. Buy your ticket as soon as the programme comes out and book the train or parking. A few days before the 15th, around 12 and 13 August, the Perseids peak. The sky over Monsaraz, at the heart of Dark Sky Alqueva, is among the darkest in the peninsula: with the Cumeada telescope session, or lying on a blanket away from the village, it is the best week of the year to see shooting stars. ## The cool, to the north and west By day, the heat of the Guadiana calls for moving. Lake Alqueva has the Monsaraz river beach, with still water. The Atlantic is at Ericeira, three hours away, where August often brings misty mornings and cool nights. And the mountains, in the Serra da Estrela and at La Alberca, a little over three hours away, with long-sleeved nights. ## The La Alberca festival If you fancy a village festival, La Alberca celebrates its main festival on 15 August, with the Diagosto, and fills up. It is a way to live the Assumption in the Sierra de Francia, with the village full of people and celebration. If you want peace, choose another week. ## Shooting stars for those who can stay up The Monsaraz river beach, with a children's area and still water, is the plan for the little ones. The Perseids appeal at any age that can stay awake. In Ericeira, the beginner surf lessons have groups for teenagers. In Mérida, the Roman circus and amphitheatre first thing, and the theatre at night for the grown-ups. ## Theatre tickets and telescope nights In August, everything weeks ahead: hotels in Ericeira and Manteigas, the bed in La Alberca if you go on the 15th, tickets for the Mérida Festival and the Cumeada stargazing session, which has places per night. In Mérida, during the festival, trains and hotels also fill up. ## The heat, seriously August in Badajoz and the Alentejo goes above 35 degrees in the afternoon, and sometimes 40. Évora, Cáceres and Trujillo empty at midday, and the Marvão path or the Almendres are not done. Travel early or at dusk, carry water in the car and leave stone sightseeing for first thing. And remember that in Portugal it is one hour earlier, for the stargazing session too. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### Is 15 August a holiday in Portugal? Yes, the Assunção de Nossa Senhora. The Lisbon coast and Lake Alqueva have more people that day. ### When is the Mérida Classical Theatre Festival? In July and August, with night performances in the Roman theatre. The dates and programme are published each spring. ### When can you see the Perseids? They peak around 12 and 13 August, although they can be seen several nights before and after. Look for a dark sky, like Alqueva's. ### Where is it cool in August near Badajoz? In the Serra da Estrela and La Alberca, with cool nights, and in Ericeira, with the Atlantic.