It´s pretty hot in Granada (and much of Spain) at the end of July and beginning of August. With nightime temperatures over 20ºC and daytime over 32ºC everyday, the siesta is a must.
The best way to tackle the heat is to make the most of the Summer nights. In Granada this month they have lots of Flamenco going on apart from the usual yummy tapas of course.
Veranos del Corral is a festival held in the beautiful Corrala del Carbon in the city centre. They have an extensive programme over the next two weeks.
Sacromonte Flamenco Festival on until 8th August. This is set amongst the caves of the Camino de Sacromonte, above the city and with views across to the Alhambra. Ran by the local Flamenco school Carmen de las Cuevas this annual festival is one of the more authentic events in the Granada Flamenco calendar.
The Alhambra also has it´s own Flamenco programme in the Generalife gardens from now until the end of August. The show commemorates Frederico Garica Lorca and is titled En La Memoria del Cante 1922.
On Thursdays and Fridays throughout the summer months the Hotel Palacio de los Patos on Calle Recogidas is also offering Dinner and Flamenco at 9pm too. (you need to book by phone to reserve a table)
In the daytime their summer menu is based on Rice dishes. The Spanish typically have rice at summer lunch times especially if its a celebration or family lunch out. 
The new chef Blas Hidalgo is from Valencia, a region famous for it´s rice dishes. There is quite a selection of dishes and they can be made in three textures.
- Arroz seca – dry
- Arroz melosa – creamy/moist
- Arroz caldosa – soup like/rice in broth
The most popular dish so far has been Arroz con bogavante Rice with lobster, although they have plenty of others to choose from; Rice with squid, Arroz negro black rice made with squid ink and Rice with pork and wild mushroom. They even offer Fideua with prawns or a rossejat with mushrooms and parmesan cheese.
The setting of the restaurante Los Patos is the patio garden of the hotel. This cool area has several water features and fountains. The garden has fruit trees and lots of aromatic plants such as lavender too. Above lots of trailing plants create shade over the tables so that you are protected from the sun. The indoor restaurant would also be an option on very hot days, as they have air conditioning.
Rice dishes are always eaten at lunchtime by the Spanish, never in the evening. So apart from the rice dishes the terrace also has a selection of typical tapas.
Keep cool this summertime in Spain & enjoy it
Molly