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Wondering what to pack for your trip to Spain this summer? Your favorite Europe travel guide has rounded up her packing tips for summer in Spain - from the best walking shoes for toasty days on cobblestone streets, to chic summer dresses, and navigating the occasional dress code, let's dive right in!
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Packing for a Summer Trip to Spain?
There's nothing more fun, or more stressful at times, than planning, and of course packing for, a trip to Europe, especially in summer.
It's the height of European travel season, peak crowds, and peak smoldering Spanish sunshine. While I've written at length about how the winter months in Spain are surprisingly warm, the same can undoubtedly be said for the summer. And the further south you go on the Iberian Peninsula, unsurprisingly, the hotter it gets. If you're coming to Spain for a beach vacation, those toasty temps and long days of unbroken sunshine are obviously the goal. But if you're coming to Spain for cultural and historic for tourism (like moi), walking 25,000 steps in a day under the blistering Barcelona sun requires some careful packing preparation. So I've decided to walk you through what to pack to a trip to Spain at the height of summer. As it's not generally as hot in Europe as it is in many parts of the United States in summer, people, particularly women, in European countries tend to dress more conservatively than Americans. So we'll navigate a few of those cultural differences as we discuss. My first trip to Europe was actually in August, for our honeymoon, quite a few years ago. So never fear, it'll be crowded, but you'll have a wonderful time just as I did. And if it's your first trip, you'll be back again and again, if I have anything to say about it! FAQs: Summer in Spain
What's the weather forecast for Spain in summer?
Expect sunny days and hot, hot, hot temps this time of year. Average temperatures in Barcelona in July: 84/73, with an average of only one day of rain. ONE. While this is toasty, it's actually quite close to what you could expect in Indianapolis this time of year, though that Midwestern low average if about 66, though with an average of 8 rainy days. So don't be too scared.
Temps are similar in the Canary Islands, with the high/low at 83/69 and almost no rain. In Southern Spain, you can expect an average high of 96 in Seville. You read that correctly. Chances you'll see rain? Almost 0. Is Spain crowded in the summer?
Unfortunately, yes.
Summer is the most popular time for travel throughout Europe Europe. And it's not just North Americans making the trek across the pond. Summer is the most popular time for Europeans to explore as well, so expect to see visitors of all sorts on your travels. Expect lots of crowds, long wait times, and slightly stressed hotel and restaurant staff. That said, everything is open and English-speaking tourists will abound, if you need help with anything. Do hotels in Spain have air conditioning?
Yes.
Though the Spanish, like many European countries, are trying to reduce reliance on oil and gas (article linked here), the temps in Spain do necessitate AC. If, like me, you are sensitive to heat, contact the hotel to confirm the AC arrangement before booking. All the hotels I've stayed in major cities in Spain, both in Madrid and Barcelona, had normal, in-room AC controls and central heating. What colors should I wear in Spain in summer?
As a general rule, my guidance for Americans visiting Europe is to tone down the color palette. Europeans tend to wear more basic and neutral colors than Americans. And that would still be my guidance for Spain in summer, though there's nothing wrong with letting a few bright colors sneak through, at least in this instance.
What Not to Wear in Spain in Summer
After seeing all that information about the hot temperatures you can expect in summer in Spain, you may be slightly surprised to see my list of 'what not to wear in Spain.' But, as I said, Europeans tend to dress more conservatively than Americans, and there is currently some anti-tourism sentiment in Spain, though it's focused in beach towns and it's not specifically directed at Americans. That said, if you want to avoid unwanted attention, I'd steer clear of:
What to Wear in Spain in Summer
Comfortable Walking Shoes
The most important thing you'll pack for any European trip is always a few pairs of your most comfortable walking shoes. You've come to Europe to see as much as you can, and you do not want blisters or a turned ankle on those cobblestone streets holding you back from seeing what you're here to see.
And while it's hot in the summer months in Spain, that heat should not lead you to abandon supportive, comfortable footwear in favor of flip flops. Years ago, this entire post would have been dedicated to lecturing you about how you couldn't wear sneakers in Europe or you'd look like an American tourist. Within reason, you can wear clean, sleek, low-profile sneakers during your tourism days in Europe. That said, the flip flop lecture remains. Don't do it. They aren't supportive, you can't walk in them, and your feet will be FILTHY by the end of the day. In general, I'd recommend a few pairs of shoes for your trip to Spain: Leave the high heels at home, unless you're positive you'll actually wear them, in which case I'd wear something like an espadrille. Lightweight Tops for Summer in Spain
Short sleeves and breathable, lightweight fabrics are the name of the game when selecting tops for your summer trip to Spain. T-shirts (no logos, please!), lightweight blouses, and even sleeveless tops are ok, but I'd avoid spaghetti straps or completely strapless shirts for tourism days, unless you bring a wrap to coverup that sleeveless top as needed. Beach towns will naturally be more relaxed about more revealing attire, but don't plan on wearing your bikini top as a shirt. Always wear a cover-up when you aren't at the beach or poolside.
If you're sensitive to sun, like me, I'd include a few shirts with long sleeves, even with SPF, for the sunniest, most walking-heavy days. Last year I bought a few very lightweight Q-zips that are SPF 50 - I pop them on and off as needed, to keep the sun off my forearms. FAQ: Will I encounter dress codes in Spain?
Yes. It is almost certain that during your time exploring Spain this summer you will encounter at least one place, often churches and other affiliated religious sites, with a strict dress code. Religious buildings will sometimes have posted dress codes requesting modesty, including covered shoulders, no low necklines, and sometimes even no short shorts or skirts.
In addition to an actual dress code, Spanish culture, like almost every European country, is more traditional and formal than American culture. You may even see dress codes in high-end restaurants. Those usually rule out jeans (sometimes just distressed jeans), sneakers ("trainers"), and sweats, so be sure you have plenty of non-denim, non-logo attire, and proper shoes, if you'll be visiting a nice restaurant during your time in Spain. FAQ: Do I need a light jacket in Spain in summer?
Probably not.
A light cardigan should be sufficient unless you're planning a high altitude trip. In big cities and beach towns, it'll be hot, hot, hot. a note on athleisure
Europeans do not wear athleisure like Americans. While it's ok to incorporate some aspects of your athleisure attire into your European tourism attire, you will look strange if you wear full yoga clothes while exploring Europe.
Fresh, non-sweatpant-style Joggers? Fine. Tennis shoes? Fine. Even a belt bag? Fine. Leave the baseball cap, 'workout shoes,' and sports-bra-as-a-shirt-under-a-jacket look Stateside. Chic pants and shorts for summer in Spain
Alright, we've pretty thoroughly covered tops, shirts, jackets and even shoes. Let's move onto pants and shorts.
FAQ: Can I wear shorts in Spain in summer?
In the summer heat, Spanish women do wear shorts. But, as with any trip to Europe, you should wear shorts on the longer side. Not workout shorts, and no distressed jeans or denim with strands of string hanging down from the bottom.
Beyond a few pairs of shorts, I'd include an ankle-length pair of jeans (again, not distressed), and a travel set for the plane.
Summer dresses for Spanish nights
I'd include a few casual dresses in your suitcase for Spain, for evening wear or days with more important events. Now that we can wear sneakers with dresses, they've also entered the acceptable realm of everyday tourism attire, along with any other casual clothes you've packed for your trip.
Purses for a Trip to Spain in Summer
When we checked into our gorgeous hotel in Barcelona, the very kind clerk walked us up to our room (it was a slow night). As we chatted about our plans, he became very stern.
"Barcelona has the worst pickpockets in Europe." "We know, we're big travelers, etc..." "NO YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND" And, of course, he's absolutely right. While I don't want to make you paranoid, many a tourist has returned from the height of summer in Barcelona minus the important contents of a tote bag or an open pocket. Just be smart. Don't carry a ton of cash. Leave important documents in your hotel room's safe. For me, the perfect purse for Spain in summer is a leather crossbody. Classy, light, small, hands-free, and anti-pickpocket. If you want to bring a second purse, I'd recommend a small, easy clutch. At the heigh of tourist season, especially if you'll be carrying cash, a money belt is a fairly fool-safe anti-pickpocket device, as you wear it under your clothes. Summer in Spain Packing List
Thanks for Stopping By!
Girona, Spain (an easy day trip from Barcelona, if you're in the market!)
I hope you have a phenomenal trip to Spain. Think light fabrics, smart casual attire, comfortable walking shoes, sun protection and you'll do just fine.
And while you're here, please take some time to check out the many, many resources I've created about planning and packing for a trip to Europe, including Spain (one of my favorites): 
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