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Headed to Barcelona on your trip to Europe? We’ve got packing tips no matter what time of year you’re traveling. Find out what to wear in Barcelona throughout the year!
What to Wear in Barcelona
Written By: Maggie Fogg
Barcelona is a breath of fresh air at any season. The city has an undeniable pulse–a vibrancy and style that regularly draws people back.
Its popularity is in large part due to its proximity to the coast, its thriving culture of art and architecture, and excellent dining options in cafes, bistros, bars, and world-class restaurants.
Want the best foodie experience? Take this food tour! It was amazing!
Barcelona is an incredibility popular tourist destination, particularly in the summer months. The streets and various barrios (neighborhoods) are full of visitors.
If you’re planning to visit any major attractions like Gaudi’s Casa Batlló or the Sagrada Familia, you should expect to wait in lines. However, if you opt to walk around while you let crowds die down, you’ll never be at a loss for beautiful streets full of old world architecture.
Want to pack light, use packing cubes to compress your clothing as shown in this video!
Here are few more guides to help you pack for Europe destinations:
- The Ultimate Packing Guide for Europe
- Backpacking Packing List for Europe
- How to Choose the Best Shoes for Europe
- Best Suitcases for Traveling Europe
Sunscreen | Sunglasses | Travel Umbrella
Style in Barcelona
Barcelona is the type of city where you can leave your accommodation in the morning and explore all day without the urge to return.
For that reason, when deciding what to wear in Barcelona, I recommend packing for flexibility. Sunscreen and sunglasses, an emergency umbrella, and layers that you can add or remove depending on the temperature are all safe bets.
When you’re spending the day exploring, you’ll want to dress in a style that’s a mix of comfortable and stylish. A typical day might find you taking the subway in the morning and visiting busy tourist attractions, walking across La Rambla, or stopping by multiple neighborhoods.
Then by afternoon you might be visiting trendy shops and speakeasy bars in back alleys. By dinnertime, you may be visiting a 5-star restaurant in a high-end hotel.
The key to dressing for a stylish city like Barcelona is to put together a travel capsule wardrobe with outfits that are based in classic, stylish, and well-tailored pieces, but have a high-end European edge and a little bit of eclectic, spicy flair.
Women in Barcelona always look put together yet don’t only stick to neutrals–they’re not afraid to wear a vibrant color or rock a bohemian accessory.
Additionally, the beautiful locals and visiting Europeans tend to flaunt their fabulous style, particularly when heading out at night. If you plan to keep pace, expect to dress up in the evenings with fancier pieces, jewelry, and makeup.
Aim to pack a few glamorous accessories and a dressier pair of shoes that you can pair with a number of outfits throughout your visit.
Learn how to pack lightly, efficiently, and fashionably for any destination with the Pack Light Stylishly eBook!
Top | Camisole | Scarf | Dress | Jeans | Clutch | Loafer | Sunglasses | Earrings | Jacket
What to Wear in Barcelona: Spring
Pack a stylish leather jacket like this moto-inspired style. While black is always an easy-to-match color choice for a leather jacket, an unexpected color like deep burgundy would work particularly well in Barcelona.
Weather
The temperature in Barcelona is generally fairly mild. In the spring months, temperatures average between 62-73°F / 17-23°C.
In spring, Barcelona is beautiful but can also be rainy and on the cooler side. This is an important season to pack versatile layering pieces that mix and match well with a variety of looks.
Start by reading these general tips on packing for spring travel:
- How to Pack for Trips with Mixed Weather
- How to Layer a Summer Dress for Spring
- How to Pack for Europe in Spring
- Best Shoes for Traveling in Spring and Fall
Barcelona Packing List: Spring
Your plan for what to wear in Barcelona should include a comfortable pair of jeans that can be dressed up or dressed down. This item will go a long way here, particularly if you’re aiming to stick to only carryon luggage.
Since Barcelona is a trendy and very fashion-forward city, ripped or distressed boyfriend jeans are a great choice, too.
When it comes to shoes and bags, don’t stick to basics, especially in the spring months. Celebrate the season of re-birth by opting for colorful and distinctive pieces like this Rebecca Minkoff fold-over clutch.
A bright pop of color in the form of a scarf is another must-pack item. This piece is incredibly versatile–you can use it as a scarf if it’s chilly, a wrap in the evening, and a picnic blanket in the park.
Lastly, statement earrings are a perfect accessory that can transition easily from day to night.
Choose one of these stylish travel raincoats for women to keep you dry!
When it comes to packing footwear, we generally recommend closed-toe shoes for a spring trip. Temperatures can dip pretty low and it can be rainy. Pack an assortment of walking-friendly flats and perhaps a pair of stylish sneakers or a comfortable flat shoe.
These ankle boots are some of the most popular shoe options for travel to Europe in spring.
Aerosoles Sandal | Clarks Sandals
For the evening, women generally take style up a notch. A chic high heel with a sturdier or chunky heel would be a great choice.
These comfortable wedges are popular styles with our readers should you want a dressier pair of shoes on your trip.
Cami Dress | Top | Shorts | Jumpsuit | Dress | Bag | Crop Top | Espadrilles | Sandals
What to Wear in Barcelona: Summer
Barcelona is packed with tourists in the summer months. It’s a natural instinct to escape the busier streets and tourist destinations in the city center and explore more off the beaten path.
Planning a summer Barcelona vacation? Follow these 8 packing tips!
Weather
Barcelona’s climate in the summer tends to be hot and sunny, and sometimes hazy. Temperature highs in July and August average 84°F / 29°C with lows averaging 71°F / 22°C.
If you’re visiting in the summer, you must visit the beach. From May through September, beaches are popular attractions. You’ll find water temperatures from 68-75°F / 20-24°C.
Barcelona has 9 Mediterranean beaches that border the city coastline for 3 miles / 5 kilometers. The nearest beaches are a 15 to 25 minute walk or by metro train from the Barcelona city center.
Start by reading these general tips on packing for summer travel:
- Capsule Wardrobe for Summer
- Top Summer Dresses Perfect for Europe
- Lightweight Jackets for Easy Layers
- Best Walking Shoes for Europe’s Cobblestone Streets
Barcelona Packing List: Summer
If you’re planning what to wear in Barcelona in the summer, load up your wardrobe with brights.
A classic summer wrap dress is an ideal piece to transition from afternoon patio sipping to a late night of barhopping. We love heat-inspired palettes like a vibrant red-orange, coral, or a bold yellow.
Take a look at the latest trends with these cute summer dresses!
Dress like a local and opt for a cool girl culotte jumpsuit for summer. This style is comfortable and great for anything active like renting bikes and riding around your favorite barrios. You may be surprised at how comfortable you can feel while looking so trendy!
While shorts are an essential for the summer months, keep it classy in Barcelona and opt for a higher-end looking pair, like these scalloped-edged shorts in navy. You can dress them up or down. Rompers are also called playsuits or jumpsuits, but whatever you call them, they’re super travel-friendly!
These stylish summer shorts for women will take you from day to night, city to sea, and so much more!
These general tips will help you choose the best shoes for summer:
- 10 Steps to Packing the Best Travel Shoes
- Stylish Womens Espadrilles for Summer
- Comfortable and Cute Walking Sandals
- Comfy Slip on Sneakers
Regardless of whether you’re hitting the beaches or heading to the hills, you’ll want to wear your comfortable shoes for summer exploring. Our favorite pick is espadrilles. For summer nights, opt for a strappy sandal, but stick with a chunkier heel if you’re planning to walk quite a bit along the uneven streets.
Crossbody | Coat 1 | Coat 2 | Blouse | Earrings | Sweater | Jeans | Headband | Boots | Slip On
What to Wear in Barcelona: Fall
While summer in Spain is divine, there’s something magical about the fall months in Barcelona. The city is incredibly enchanting, and becomes even more romantic when it’s enjoyed on slightly chilly afternoons in the sparkling sunshine, surrounded by golden leaves.
Weather
As the seasons start to change, we see the emergence of fall fashion. You’re in luck, because this city has some of the best shopping in Europe.
The fall months in Barcelona can range in temperature quite a bit. While September generally sees highs of 78°F / 26°C and lows of 62°F / 17°C, November cools down to highs of 62°F / 17°C and lows of 46°F / 8°C.
Start by reading these general tips on packing for autumn travel:
- How to Pack for Trips with Mixed Weather
- Use a Summer Dress to Pack Light in Fall
- Best Shoes for Traveling in Spring and Fall
- Popular Jackets for Fall
Barcelona Packing List: Fall
Your packing list for what to wear in Barcelona in fall should start with a comfortable pair of dark jeans and a nice pair of ankle boots.
Both items can be worn with a variety of outfits, dressed up for fancier evening activities, dressed down for casual days, and will keep you relatively warm on the cooler fall days.
Being cozy doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style in an avant-garde city like Barcelona! Rocking a stylish fringe bag or a cute knit headband rather than a traditional beanie are great ways to look put together while staying toasty.
These are the best ankle boots as recommended by our readers!
Coat | Dress 1 | Sweater | Scarf | Turtleneck | Dress 2 | Jeans | Boots | Blouse | Skirt
What to Wear in Barcelona: Winter
Opt for rich colors in the winter months in Spain. If you’re packing for Barcelona between December to February, we recommend bringing a warm wool coat like this rust-colored one in a flattering wrap style.
Read these tips on how to stay warm in cold weather without looking like a snowman!
Weather
Winter in Barcelona is relatively mild compared to many Northern European cities. Temperature highs hover around 55°F / 13°C in the winter months with lows dropping to around 40°F / 4°C.
Since temperatures rarely ever fall below freezing, there’s rarely snowfall. From December to February, you’ll see about 5 days of rain each month.
Start by reading these general tips on packing for winter travel:
- Capsule Wardrobe for Winter
- How to Pack for Cold Weather
- How to Stay Warm in Cold Weather (without the bulk)
- The Best Travel Shoes for Winter
Barcelona Packing List: Winter
When planning what to wear in Barcelona, don’t feel obligated to stick with long pants. Dress up with sweater dresses or cozy skirts paired with warm opaque or patterned tights.
Oversized sweaters with unique accents–like contrasting cross-stitching, embroidery, or interesting patterns–are very popular right now, and a trendy way to keep warm in the winter months.
Cashmere and Merino Wool are popular options for sweaters for traveling light in the winter!
Naturalizer Boot | Aerosoles Boot
Finding stylish footwear in the winter can be a challenge, but the good news is that it’s unlikely there will be be snow, even during the winter. Opt for leather or leather-like ankle booties–flat or with a heel, and tall, riding-inspired boots. Remember, winter boots don’t have to be boring; accents and details go a long way!
These are the best waterproof leather boots as recommended by our readers!
Barcelona Must-See & Do
There are many fun tours if you’ve just arrived and aren’t sure what to do first. Try a tapas tour, wine tour, pub crawl, or walking tour to explore the city.
Devour Barcelona offers incredible (and delicious) food tours. They’re a must! These can be arranged through your hotel, hostel, or coordinated through a tour company.
Whether you’re an art and architecture lover or not, when in Barcelona, you must see Gaudi. The famed architect and artist is highly through a number of his stunning works peppered across the city.
- Park Güell is an outdoor park with beautiful benches, walls, and buildings built from mosaic tiles and colored glass and panoramic views of the entire city.
- Sagrada Familia is a massive and impressive Roman Catholic basilica, with architecture like nothing you’ve seen before. Although construction began in 1882, work has continued long after Gaudi’s death. The estimated date of completion is currently sitting somewhere around 2028, however you can tower inside and outside of the church, both of which are equally impressive.
- The Gaudi Exhibit: I recommend taking an hour to tour the Gaudi Exhibit, which provides valuable insights through an audio tour. You’ll see architectural plans, models, and key relics that inspired Gaudi’s style and journey.
When it comes to food, you’ll find tons of tapas in Spain, which are small, bite-sized plates to share. Patatas bravas are particularly popular. They’re fried potatoes served in cube form with two sauces, a garlicky aioli and a spicy tomato sauce. Yum!
All in all, Barcelona is a fun city to explore your fashion flare. When in doubt, leave extra room in your suitcase and indulge in the world-class shopping that the city has to offer.
Barcelona Shopping
Along with figuring out what to wear in Barcelona, how about planning where to shop? Since fashion is such a draw, and Barcelona is notoriously known for its fabulous style, check out some of the best places to shop when you visit the city!
The Barri Gothic (Gothic Neighborhood) is full of shops from well-known retailers like Topshop, Sephora, and Mango, to streets full of smaller, local boutiques.
El Born is also a great district to explore for a day of shopping, nibbles, and drinking. In this neighborhood, you’ll find cozy bars with artisanal cocktails like an underground speakeasy and unique shops with delicate jewelry, stunning shoes, unique fashions, and souvenirs.
What are your tips on what to wear in Barcelona? Share in the comments!
Please note: Most of Europe’s budget airlines have this carryon bag allowance: 55cm x 40cm x 20cm. Always check your airline’s individual baggage rules and regulations in advance.
For more Europe packing lists, please read:
- Athens
- Amsterdam
- Belgrade
- Budapest
- Copenhagen
- Cologne
- Dublin
- Edinburgh
- Italy
- London
- Lithuania
- Paris
- Rome
- Spain
- Zurich
Suggested travel resources:
- Lonely Planet Europe on a Shoestring
- Lonely Planet Spain (Country Guide)
- Travel Shoes for Europe
- The Best Carry-on Suitcases for Europe
Please read our Ultimate Packing List for Europe featuring stylish outfits and travel tips for 9 countries.
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Author Bio: Maggie Fogg is a full-time traveler and writer. She left Toronto with a one-way ticket to Spain and has been making her way around the globe ever since. Currently, you can find her dancing and hiking her way around South America. Follow Maggie on Instagram.
What a great list! Love the activities ideas & the notes based on the time of year.
Heading to Barcelona in October, this post is SUPER helpful!! Thnx! 😊
Heading on a cruise out of Barcelona the end of September. This post is very helpful since I’ll be there in a true shoulder season. Thank you!
Heading to Barcelona in October. This post is so helpful. Thank you.
Thank you so much for all of these great ideas! I am heading to Barcelona at the end of October and have definitely been going down rabbit holes on what to wear and what to pack. I tend to live in athleisure but am trying to expand a little for this trip. This has been very helpful and is giving me lots of ideas on how to upgrade a little.
Ending mu fall Europe trip in Barcelona. No idea what should be worn there- may stick with basic back and some color accents (skarf)
I will be in Spain for 2 weeks starting the last few days of September and into October 2020. Should I pack for summer or autumn temperatures? I will be in Barcelona, Bilboa & Madrid. Museums, parks, and the usual tourist attractions. No “hiking” but a lot of city walking, probably 5-10 miles, depending on the day. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thank you!
Hi Sandra, thank you for reaching out. Temperatures drop in Spain during the autumn, which typically runs from September to November, but it varies according to the location. The best tip is to monitor the forecast for your specific trip dates to ensure that you have the most appropriate clothing. For more tips for packing for Spain, check out this article: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-pack-for-spain-vacations-a-seasonal-guide/ I would also highly recommend that you join TFG’s free facebook community and post your question about packing for Spain there: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelfashiongirls/ It is a fabulous group of helpful female travelers that have the best advice and suggestions to share. Hope this helps. Have an amazing time! ?
So happy to have found this article. I’m going to Barcelona and South of France the first half of June. Should I be following the spring or summer guidelines? Obviously June is a “summer month” but I looked up the avg weather that time of year on a weather website and it states highs of low 70s and lows of high 50s.
Hi Riley, thank you for your comment! Check the weather at weather.com closer to your departure date for the most accurate information and then you can finalise your packing when you know more roughly what the temperature will be. Hope this helps! 🙂
Useful tips for a probably trip in the spring.
Thanks Anel!
The first time I went to Barcelona it was part of a stop on a Europe bus tour, and I had no idea summers could be so hot and people there would dress so stylishly! It made me wish I had brought a more fun wardrobe (and definitely not thick jeans!) so I’ll definitely be taking some ideas from this post for my next trip there 🙂
Enjoy your second trip to Barcelona 🙂
Starting off in Barcelona in February, so I’m looking forward to using this info. Going with some girls from work!
Sounds like a fun girls trip!
Thank you for all of the suggestions in this post. I will be returning to spend 2 nights/3days in Barcelona Sept 30-Oct2. Looking forward to exploring more of this fabulous city. We visited Barcelona in October, 2015 and had a great time. This is a stop over between our Mediterranean Cruise and a land/river cruise in France. Looking for a carry-on bag on Vueling Airlines since my current carry-on is too heavy. Love the fashion suggestions.