What to wear in Spain on vacation runs the gamut from swimwear to pretty day-to-night dresses and cool linens. Dressing in Spain will, however, largely depend on which part of the country you are traveling to, when you are visiting, and what you plan on doing when you’re there.
If you are visiting Seville in the height of summer, your focus will be on keeping cool. Are you planning on beach hopping around the Canary Islands? Stylish swimwear and protecting your skin from the sun are important. And if your plans include touring ancient churches in cities such as Bilbao or Barcelona, opt for stylish but respectable daytime attire.
Decide exactly how you’ll be spending your precious vacation time then consider writing a checklist of everything you think you will need (and want) to wear to narrow down outfits. Keep cool, stay elegant, and ensure your sultry Spanish vacation remains stress-free with this comprehensive guide on how to dress in Spain.
Dress for the Season
Barcelona
How to dress in Spain largely depends on the season and the type of weather the season has in store. Check typical temperatures in your destination at the time of year you are visiting, then consider what activities you plan on doing.
Vigo, in Galicia, will be cooler than, say, Cartagena, in Murcia, in summertime. Barcelona in spring and fall can be mild and might require a light jacket, though summertime is typically hot. In southern Spain—Cadiz, Seville, and Malaga—summer is usually sizzling hot.
The Canary Islands are warm year-round, though occasionally breezy, given their Atlantic Ocean location, while the Balearics (Mallorca, Menorca, and Ibiza) are similar to Spain’s mainland, typically mild during spring and fall, and hot during summer.
Dress for the Destination
Alhambra, Granada
So you’re going on vacation to Spain? It’s a huge country with golden beaches, hilltop monasteries, and historic fortresses. When you know exactly where you’ll be traveling, you can dress for your destination.
From conquering Tenerife’s Mount Teide to lazing on Barcelona’s beaches, and exploring Malaga’s museums, how you plan to spend your time on vacation will inform how you dress. Consider activewear, beach wear, elegant smart-casual dresses to suit the city and the coast, and outdoors gear if you plan on visiting national parks and mountains.
Layers Are a Smart Move
Barcelona
How to dress in Spain includes layering up at the right time. This might mean a cover-up dress over a swimsuit on a beach or a Merino wool button-up over a vest top or a T-shirt.
If you’re hiking or the weather is likely to be changeable in your destination, it’s worth considering a layer to add or take away from your outfit as the temperature cools or heats up.
For example, you could use layering to create a more casual look by wearing a dressy top under an open linen shirt or a casual denim jacket.
Consider How Active You Will Be on Vacation
Kayaking in Mallorca
Spain offers ample opportunities for outdoor adventures. If a seafront bike ride, a kayak session on the open water, or a fragrant cliff-top hike are likely to feature on your vacation, go for an athleisure look.
Wear swimwear under a loose-fitting T-shirt and shorts, and aqua shoes for kayaking. If you plan on paddleboarding, surfing, or jet-skiing off of some of Spain’s best beaches, a rash vest or swimsuit is suitable.
Biking in Malaga
For hikes in Spain, consider breathable shorts and a T-shirt or a polo shirt for a coastal wander, and add a sweater for loftier yomps where you might experience cooler temperatures the higher you trek. Leggings and water-repellant sweaters are also a good idea.
More strenuous hikes—such as Teide National Park in Tenerife or Serra de Tramuntana in Mallorca—may require sturdier hiking boots.
Similarly, you will feel most comfortable in shorts or cycle shorts, paired with a vest or T-shirt and sneakers for a cycle or beach walk. Whatever active excursion you are planning, wear sunglasses and a sun hat or a cap, too.
Planning on City Sightseeing? Go Elegant, But Comfortable
Barcelona
What to wear in Spain also depends on how much sightseeing you plan on doing. If you want to fit in, bear in mind that the Spanish are generally stylish dressers, especially in the cities.
Logowear, Hawaiian shirts and baseball caps will have you stand out as a tourist. While there’s nothing wrong with this, in busy places like the Ramblas Boulevard in Barcelona, where pickpockets are active, it helps to blend in.
If your itinerary takes you from the Sagrada Familia to Park Güell and the Gothic Quarter, consider elegant but comfortable daywear. A floral-print sundress, sun hat, sunglasses, and flat sandals work for a chic daytime look. Loose drawstring pants—patterned, floral, or plain—and cotton dresses are also suitable.
If you’d like to pare your outfit down, linen is a failsafe, lightweight fabric that will keep you cool and look elegant in vacation photos. Pair a crisp white or black linen shirt and shorts in combination with some jaunty sandals or espadrilles.
Espadrilles
Espadrilles—a lightweight style of footwear with a braided sole made of a natural fiber such as jute or grass—originate in Spain and can be bought in cities such as Malaga and Barcelona.
Stylish sneakers are, of course, absolutely fine to wear in Spain, especially if you’re planning on doing a lot of walking while exploring. Heels are not suitable in old towns, where cobblestone lanes are common, such as in Bilbao, Barcelona, and Malaga.
For men, wearing a linen shirt with tailored shorts is also a great way of staying cool and remaining stylish, while exploring some of Spain’s most beautiful sights such as Bilbao Cathedral, Malaga’s Gibralfaro Castle, and Granada’s Moorish Alhambra. Polo T-shirts, short-sleeve shirts, and lightweight slacks are also appropriate attire in Spain.
Jeans Are Fine to Wear in Spain
Malaga
Bootcut, straight-leg, boyfriend-style, and cropped—if you’re a fan of wearing jeans, you’ll be pleased to know it is fine to wear them in Spain. You may want to check the weather forecast first, though.
If it’s going to be hot, you might want to wear something more lightweight or opt for denim shorts of a respectable length. Rural areas are quite conservative so avoid anything too skimpy.
If the weather forecast is predicted to be mild or even warm, consider a cropped or straight-leg cut in a light blue or white denim, paired with a loose-fitting shirt, T-shirt, or top, with sneakers, espadrilles, or even sandals to create a classy vacation look.
Opt for Cool & Chic on the Beach
Beachwear
If you are planning to spend time on one or more of Spain’s beautiful golden beaches—such as La Concha in San Sebastian or La Tejita in Tenerife—chic beachwear is essential. Wear a stylish one- or two-piece swimsuit and plan fashionable beach attire around the color and style of your chosen swimwear.
Halterneck, one-shoulder, strapless, and cut-out swimsuits are fashionable options. Adult rash vests are becoming increasingly popular to protect your skin from the sun, too.
Beachwear
Consider a beach cover-up, such as a sheer, silk, or crocheted tunic dress or top with a sarong that complements the color of your bathing suit. Sheer kimonos and even loose-fitting maxi dresses are perfect beach attire for the more fashion-conscious travelers.
Sunglasses and a sun hat are non-negotiable. For footwear, opt for espadrilles, sandals, or flip-flops.
For men, depending on your style, you may want loose-fitting (cotton blend) beach shorts and a loose cotton shirt, along with swim shorts or trunks. Boat shoes present a stylish beach look, too, and are perfect for going from the beach to a harborside restaurant.
In Mallorca, you’ll see a lot of people who look as though they’ve stepped straight off a superyacht, which many of them will have done. In Ibiza, the fashion is white, floaty clothing, which you’ll find on sale everywhere.
Choose Sophisticated Outfits for Lunches, Wine Tastings, & Gallery Hopping
Ibiza
Don glamorous resort wear if your Spanish vacation will take you to upmarket restaurants, wine tasting at vineyards, and art galleries. Floaty maxi dresses, sundresses, and A-line dresses are among the outfit options to wear for a more sophisticated look in Spain.
Comfortable linen pants or structured trousers cropped at the ankle, paired with a simple white T-shirt, blouse, or an embellished top will also leave you feeling glamorous on vacation. Swop flip-flops for dressier sandals or loafers to complete your elegant daytime look.
Don’t Forget Stylish Accessories
Pashmina
From a colorful pashmina over a little black dress, and a jeweled clutch bag paired with a playsuit, to gold, silver, and diamond jewelry, accessories can turn an elegant outfit into an uber-stylish one.
Consider wearing a stylish embossed belt to liven up a simple two-piece or summery dress. From oversized to aviators, and cat-eye, finish your ensemble off with a pair of practical, but stylish sunglasses.
Add stylish accessories to your Spanish wardrobe if you plan to go museum and gallery hopping and enjoy leisurely lunches in places such as Seville, Valencia, and Barcelona, to add a touch of glamor to your outfit.
You’ll find great shopping in any Spanish city; both Mango and Zara are Spanish fashion labels and have big stores in every major city. El Corte Ingles is one of the biggest department stores, with a huge range of designer labels.
Frequently Asked Questions About What to Wear in Spain
What should I not wear in Spain?
Ibiza
If you’re traveling to Spain in summer, avoid heavy-material clothes that will leave you feeling hot and bothered. Steer away from Spanish cliches, too, such as flamenco costumes and matador hats when exploring Seville to avoid your outfit screaming “tourist”.
Sports jerseys are not always a good look and it’s important to be considerate of dressing reasonably modestly when visiting Spanish churches and other religious buildings, too. For example, a revealing dress and high heels are not usually appropriate.
Do not wear beachwear outside of the beach. Flip flops, too, are not ideal for covering thousands of steps in a city or on a hike. For more casual footwear, brands such as Crocs, Toms, and Birkenstocks, and styles such as flat leather and raffia-fabric sandals are most suitable. Remember that a lot of small villages in Spain have uneven, cobblestone streets so comfortable shoes are important.
Is it OK to wear shorts?
Beach in Spain
When you’re on vacation in Spain, it is fine to wear shorts, but try and keep them to the beach and when doing more action-packed trips, say to Siam Park in Tenerife, Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote, or the Maspalomas Dune Reserve in Gran Canaria.
If you’re going on a wine-tasting trip or planning a city walking tour, followed by lunch at an upscale restaurant, shorts are not the most appropriate option unless they are smartly tailored.
What do locals wear?
Gothic Quarter, Barcelona
Local dress according to the season and place—they’re typically stylish, but practical. This might mean jeans and a T-shirt or pants and shirt combination. It might also mean floaty, floral dresses or other summertime two pieces with sandals and a neck scarf.
What should I wear to dinner?
Palma de Mallorca
An elegant outfit is the way to go for dinner. A smart dress or stylish pants with a blouse combination works well. Go with heels if that’s your preference, but pretty sandals or espadrilles are equally suitable. Complete your look with a selection of accessories. Bear in mind that when you’re dining outside in summer, temperatures are still very high at night.
What about sneakers?
Barcelona
Sneakers are fine in the right situation. If you plan on doing a lot of exploring on foot or getting active on a hike, for example, you should wear sneakers on vacation in Spain. Avoid wearing them to nice restaurants and cocktail bars, however.
Read: Best Things to Do in Spain
Ibiza
If you’re tempted by this beautiful country’s sparkling shores, captivating cities, and undulating wine regions, explore Celebrity’s cruises to Spain to book your next stylish European getaway.
