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I’m currently living in Barcelona, and one of the things that made me fall in love with this city was the way that everyone dresses. There is such an effortlessly cool vibe that is unlike any other city I’ve been to.
Planning a Summer Barcelona Vacation?
Follow these 8 Packing Tips!
Here are my top tips for packing for Barcelona in the summer, so you can fit in with the locals:
It’s hot here, really hot.
The humidity is insane and you will melt while you’re walking around the city. With that in mind I suggest sticking to light fabrics and sweat-resistant materials.
Whether I’m going for my morning jog or just hanging out in a park, I wear a lot of athletic clothes that work well in hot weather.
Prints and colours – the more the better!
Unlike other European cities you won’t find a ton of people wearing black here. Bright, printed pants and colourful dresses are really popular on people of all ages.
It’s such a colourful city with it’s architecture and landscape, and the fashion reflects that.
Flat shoes are a must.
Walking around the city, especially at night, I’ve noticed that I hardly ever see local women wearing heels. If you’re going somewhere special maybe a pair of wedges, but most girls here are rocking amazing ballet flats and flat sandals.
Comfort is key when you’re walking on uneven cobblestone streets, and trust me – you’ll be doing a ton of walking.
Summer boots are also popular here.
Suede, synthetic or leather…every girl in Barcelona has a pair of tan summer boots in her closet and she’s wearing them with dresses, shorts and skirts.
Summer boots instantly add style to an otherwise plain outfit, and once again the flat style is crucial for walking around the city.
Pack your cutest bikinis.
Whether it’s rooftop hotel pools or Playa Bareloneta, spending time in Barcelona means you’ll be spending time in swimwear. The same rules apply here: opt for a colourful or printed bikini over basic black.
Check out what’s selling in stores before packing.
When I started packing for my return to Barcelona the first thing I did was check out what local clothing chains are selling on their websites to get an idea of the current styles.
Berska, Pull&Bear and Desigual are three worth checking. The first thing I noticed was an abundance of “boyfriend fit”denim shorts, so I knew exactly what to pack from my closet.
Hats, hats and more hats!
The humidity here is a girl’s worst nightmare when it comes to her hair. The perfect solution? A cute fedora or floppy hat! Lots of girls are sporting hats of all different styles in Barcelona.
I especially love that it protects the skin on my face from the harsh sun. If you don’t want to pack one (they aren’t the easiest to pack) then you can easily buy cheap ones in any fashion store.
Dresses are you easiest outfit choice.
I’ve said it a hundred times, dresses are the easiest and most versatile item you can pack! I wear cotton H&M dresses day and night here, and they easily transition from dinner to nightclub.
A popular alternative to dresses right now is jumpsuits. I can’t go anywhere in Barcelona without seeing girls in bright, patterned jumpsuits!
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What are your plans on a summer Barcelona vacation? Are there any packing tips you want to add? Don’t forget to share it with us!
For more packing tips and ideas on Spain vacation, please read:
- What to wear in Madrid: Summer
- What to Pack for Spain: Galicia
- What to Pack for Spain
- Packing Tips For Madrid
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Hahah, your comment about the humidity is spot on. Even coming from a humid place, when I got there I was like…. what do I do with this? Love your hat rec and would add other fun hair accessories that are small but would keep my hair from getting unruly.
Just returned from a week in Barcelona, very nice city. It was very hot so dress light and as cool has you can. I was very comfortable in light dresses and Birkenstocks. Also there is not a lot of air conditioning in the shops..
Great tips Barbara, thanks!
I’ve read yes and no on capris and crop pants. Do they wear those there? How about Bermuda shorts? Also, do women mostly wear dresses at night or can you wear a dressy black pants and an evening top. We are spending 5 nights in Barcelona after being on a cruise ship and then returning to another cruise ship so I don’t have room to double pack for a lot of other special things. Just wondering. I know — no flip flops! After being born in Hawaii, that’s all I wear even in Texas.
This is great. I’ll try these tips for my upcoming trip.
🙂 I hope it goes well Elena!
Hi, This is so helpful. I’m going to Barcelona this summer for five weeks.
Is there a special dresscode when visiting La Sagrada Familia (or any other church)?
Hi Sonja, while not all visitors follow them and not all churches enforce the rules, here’s a good general guideline on what to wear for religious sites: https://travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-wear-to-the-vatican/
I love the idea of summer boots!! Will be shopping!!!
Hello! GREAT post and THANK YOU! I am traveling to Barcelona/Madrid/Girona in September and plan to pack a lot of dresses, etc. I also have a great convertible dress/skirt thing that makes a great maxi. Would you recommend bringing jeans at all? I am 50-50 on it right now and might omit jeans altogether in favor of lighter-weight khakis instead. Would love to hear what you think on that one!
A pair of lightweight jeans is probably a good idea but I’d check the weather 3 days before your trip to make sure. Have fun!