What to Wear in Barcelona
Barcelona is a relaxed city to dress for, with one rule visitors often don't know: swimwear stays on the beach. Walking through the streets in a bikini or bare-chested can get you a fine from the city police, and in any case it gets looks in a bar. Throw on a shirt when you leave the sand.
Churches have their own rule. The Sagrada Família and the cathedral ask for covered shoulders and no very short shorts or skirts, and staff do turn people away. A light scarf in your bag solves it.
Shoes matter more than you'd expect in a flat seaside city, because it isn't all flat. Park Güell, the Bunkers del Carmel and Montjuïc are steep climbs, and the stone paving in the Gothic Quarter is slippery when it's wet. Trainers or walking sandals with a decent sole will do. Flip-flops are for the beach.
By season
Summer is humid more than dry, so linen and loose cotton are more comfortable than synthetic sportswear. Spring and autumn call for layers: warm at midday, cool once the sea breeze picks up after sunset. In winter a light coat or a warm jumper is usually enough, and locals will be wrapped in scarves when you're still comfortable in a jacket.
Locals dress neatly but casually. For dinner out, jeans and a clean shirt are fine almost everywhere.
Packing list
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip
- Light, breathable clothes for summer, layers for spring and autumn
- A scarf or light cover-up for churches
- Swimwear, a towel and a cover-up for the walk back from the beach
- Sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen from April onwards
- A light jacket or jumper for evenings outside summer
- A bag that zips shut and can be worn in front
That last one isn't optional on the metro or on Las Ramblas. See our travel guide for more on staying out of the pickpockets' way.