What to Wear in Spain: Packing checklists & clothing tips for your vacation (2024)

FAQs

What clothes to pack for Spain? ›

Clothes. Pack lots of casual, lightweight clothes plus a few cardigans and a jacket. In the summer, the temperature in most of Spain is scorching hot and dry during the day then breezy and slightly cool at night. Given that, you will want to pack mostly shorts, summer dresses, skirts, tank tops, and short-sleeve tops.

One thing to keep in mind is packing shoes for the nightlife! The Spain dress code for a night involves dressing up! You'll see heels, nice sandals, dress shoes, loafers, leather shoes or nice sneakers. Whether you're visiting a club or bar you can't go wrong dressing up.

The dress code is in line with that of the rest of Europe: smart, dark-coloured suits for both men and women, although women are not expected to wear jackets. Conservative attire is respected with nothing too showy.

Jeans are very popular here in every style and worn throughout the year and will serve as a versatile base to your wardrobe. Wear them with cool layers such as camisoles or a t-shirt and light cardigan for the summer, or warmer ones e.g. a long sleeved shirt and sweater in the winter.

Sun dresses, shorts, tank tops and even crop tops are perfectly acceptable ways to dress throughout Spain. If you plan on going into any museums or churches, just be sure your stomach and shoulders are covered so as not to offend. The evening brings a reprise from the heat, but you still won't need any pants.

How much money to take to Spain varies enormously on what you plan to do, but you should bank on about £30-£40 per person per day (£200-£250 per week) of spending money to cover meals, trips out and all the many attractions Spain has to offer.

If you're going to be gone five days, bring three items of clothing. If you're going to be gone seven days, bring seven items of clothing. There is a bit of a “gray area”, which I'll explain here in just a minute. And yes, it sounds little crazy, but you can put together a minimal wardrobe.

2. Do the clothing countdown: If you need a mantra to help streamline your wardrobe, use the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rule for a weeklong trip: Limit yourself to no more than five sets of socks and underwear, four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes and one hat. The list should be adjusted to suit your needs.

Spaniards don't wear shorts or sneakers for anything other than sports, so if you aren't planning on working out, leave these at home. Light fabric pants, capris, skirts, dresses are all fine for summer.

Do tourists have to wear masks in Spain? ›

Starting today, February 7, citizens, as well as travellers visiting Spain, will no longer be required to wear a face mask on public transport as such a requirement has been officially lifted.

Casual / Daily

The most common is usually a t-shirt or shirt, with a pair of trousers. But a skirt or a dress is something that you will also see a lot, especially in the summer season. As for footwear, we usually wear shoes, sneakers, sandals if it's summer or winter, and a good pair of boots.

In the South of Spain, the climate is HOT. Women often wear cotton or linen clothing that is flowy and colorful. Red and orange hues dominate the color palette, and white tops or skirts help keep cool in the raging heat of the summer.

In some places, you can actually be fined for walking around town in just your bathing suit! And make sure you wear appropriate footwear – Spaniards usually keep their flip-flops (which really are only appropriate for a day at the beach) on until just before they reach the sea.

Jeans – Vaqueros

Well… of course jeans are a well known product in Spain, it's just that they are called vaqueros.

You will see young men wearing jeans and t-shirts or soccer jerseys, but you'll also see a lot of people in nice pants and nice shoes. Women generally wear very feminine clothing, even if they're wearing jeans, and they don't tend to wear sneakers.

Wearing jeans that are too distressed are considered inappropriate unless you are going to a night club. One or two rips is fine, but stay away from extremely tattered jeans. Also remember that jean shorts are not normal here, even when it's hot so save those for the States.

Skinny Jeans

Jeans are a staple of any European wardrobe. Most women I saw wore skinny or slim jeans.

You should pack a versatile collection of casual, easy-to-carry clothes and some fancier outfits for a trip to Spain. Going out and getting dressed up is a part of the culture in Spain, so having a nice evening outfit is a must.

Basic Etiquette

Say hello and goodbye when entering any shop or establishment. Greet people when they enter an elevator/lift. If you need to give an object to someone, pass it to them. It is rude to toss it in their direction.

Do I need Covid test to enter Spain? ›

-Negative COVID test: A negative Nucleic Acid Amplification test (PCR, TMA, LAMP, NEAR, etc.) taken within 72 hours of departure for Spain, or a negative rapid antigen test (RAT) taken within 24 of departure for Spain, will be accepted.

If you are in Spain (no matter what country you are from), you must carry a valid ID card or passport at all times, and failure to do so could see the police detain you temporarily whilst they ascertain your identity, and furthermore, it is within their rights to issue a fine.

Currency: Can I pay in U.S. dollars, or should I use Euros? The currency of Spain is the Euro (€). U.S. dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for Euros upon arrival.

Although many places accept over-the-counter card payments, it is always advisable to have some cash with you in Spain. Expect to use it to pay for smaller purchases of up to €20 at many shops and restaurants.

FAQs. How many clothes are required for a 10-day trip? Follow the 5-4-3-2-1 packing trick, where you pack five tops, four bottoms, three dresses, three pairs of shoes, two swimsuits, two bags, and one of each of a few miscellaneous accessories.

Here's an easy equation to remember. For 10 days of travel, 2 bottoms, and 5 tops. That's right.

Rolling your clothes in your suitcase will generally save space. This is because it squeezes air from between folds and means the most of available space is used. If done correctly, rolling can also ensure less wrinkles in your clothes.

Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible. TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine.

Carry-on bags shouldn't be larger than 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high including handles and wheels. Dimensions of personal items should not exceed 18 inches long, 14 inches wide and 8 inches high. There are no weight restrictions for carry-on luggage.

Sangria is an iconic Spanish drink loved around the world. There are heaps of versions, but the classic recipe is made with red wine, brandy or vermouth, sliced apples and oranges, and sparkling soda. A crowd-pleasing pitcher of sangria is the perfect drink to share with friends over tapas.

Can you drink water from the tap in Spain? ›

A question often asked by foreign visitors when they come to Spain is “Is it okay to drink the tap water here?” The simple answer is yes, you can! Spanish tap water is considered to be 99.5% safe to drink, although the taste may vary somewhat according to the region.

"Being bare-chested has also been banned in some areas of Spain. Some local councils will impose fines if you're caught wearing swimwear on the seafront promenade or the adjacent streets." It adds: "For security reasons, some public authorities in Spain don't allow the burka or niqab to be worn in their buildings.

There are currently no additional restrictions in Madrid. Just like in the rest of Spain, masks are only compulsory in hospitals, nursing homes and chemists. Other establishments, private institutions and businesses must determine whether they require or recommend people wear them on their premises.

Face masks must cover the nose and mouth. Those with respiratory problems or those unable to wear a mask due to other health conditions or disabilities are exempt.

1. COVID-19 vaccination certificate, which must meet the following requirements: Have completed the last recommended dose of vaccination at least 14 days before traveling to Spain.

Casual is basically a non-dress code, and you can wear comfortable clothing. For Him: Think Homer Simpson. Tee shirt, jeans and sneakers are appropriate. You may also opt to step it up a notch with khakis, cargos, a polo shirt or henley and still fit in just fine.

You are permitted to wear dress pants and sundresses. It is best for women to wear stylish blouses that are comfortable and collared shirts for men.

Men. Long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, cardigans, and hoodies are all a go! Men wear scarves mostly if it's necessary i.e. it's cold!, so you'll see fewer male scarf-wearers in the spring. It's more acceptable for men to wear more fitted tops and bottoms, and not so baggy like American men wear their clothes.

Nix the dirty denim, sports t-shirts and shabby shoes, especially if you're visiting style-conscious cities like Madrid and Barcelona. It's all in the fit. Baggy shirts and shorts just won't cut it in Spain.

How many clothes are required for a 10-day trip? Follow the 5-4-3-2-1 packing trick, where you pack five tops, four bottoms, three dresses, three pairs of shoes, two swimsuits, two bags, and one of each of a few miscellaneous accessories.

Is it safe to carry backpack in Spain? ›

If you can, avoid carrying a backpack or shoulder bag while out and about. But if you do need to carry one, move your backpack from your back to your front when you're on public transit, and don't put anything in the back pocket.

Spanish regulations ban the import of illicit narcotics and drugs. There are also very restrictive regulations for imports of explosives, firearms, defense equipment and material, tobacco, and gambling material. There are also restrictions on many types of pharmaceutical products.

Other habits to avoid when dining in Spain is to not place your elbows on the table, do not slurp your food or burp in public. All these actions are considered bad etiquette in Spain. For example, slurping your noodles in places like Japan may be acceptable. But in Spain, it is rude to do this.

“Almost all U.S. airline crew members use soft-sided roll-aboard bags,” Patrick Smith, airline pilot, air travel blogger, and author, tells Reader's Digest.

The 54321 packing method means that all you need are five tops, four bottoms, three dresses, three pairs of shoes, two swimsuits, two bags, and one of each of a few miscellaneous accessories.

Prepaid currency or travel cards are the modern version of travellers' cheques – and arguably the safest way to carry money abroad. Before you travel, you can load your prepaid currency card with local currency so you can withdraw cash from an ATM on holiday.

One of the things that makes Spain so travel-friendly is the use of euros as the national currency. Credit cards, debit cards and cash are all accepted.

UP to 10,000 euros without declaring.

Whether you are travelling with euros or with the currency of another country, the limit is 10,000 euros or equivalent. Above this amount, you will have to submit a declaration to the customs services. Spain also sets a limit for the entry of undeclared capital.