Are you wondering what to wear in Barcelona in August? August in Barcelona in the height of summer is and dressing for the heat and keeping cool has to be your top priority. In this Barcelona Summer Packing List will cover everything that you need for the weather, sightseeing, beaches, dress codes and more.
Weather in Barcelona in August
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How hot is Barcelona in August?
Yes Barcelona is hot in August – very hot. In fact August is usually the hottest month of the year in Barcelona.
Typically August in Barcelona has the average high temperature of 83°F (28°C) however it is not unheard of for the thermometer to top 30C to 86F!
And the average low is only around 73°F (23°C) which isn’t exactly cold!
With this in mind you need to fill your packing list with lightweight and natural fabrics that will cope with the hot temperatures.
Also remember, Barcelona has lots of beaches – 40kms of them are in fact inside Barcelona city limits. So you will want your swimwear / resort wear with you too!
Note: the weather between months changes quite dramatically in Barcelona and between regions in Spain. Therefore if your trip spans a couple of months then please be sure to check out our other monthly:
And if you are traveling to other regions on your trip be sure to check out our other Spanish city and Spain guides:
- What to wear in Spain in August
- What to wear in Seville
And be sure to also check out our what not to wear in Spain guide too which will help you not look like a tourist or make any fashion faux pas while traveling.
Does it rain a lot in August in Barcelona?
Barcelona in August is a very dry month. Rainfall when it does happen is usually insignificant so don’t worry about adding umbrellas or waterproof gear to your packing list for August.
What to Wear in Barcelona in August
Best Shoes for Barcelona in August
When thinking about shoes for Barcelona in August I would say they fall into three categories
- Sightseeing Shoes
- Night time shoes and
- Beach shoes
And it is important that whatever shoes you pack for Barcelona in August is that they can cope with the heat.
With all this in mind I normally pack 3 pairs of shoes for Barcelona in August. The shoes that always make it on my packing list for this time of year are:
Sneakers
Sneakers are in my humble opinion the best shoes for sightseeing in any city, in any month and in country.
The reason for this is that they are comfortable for doing lots of walking and can cope with different styles of terrain i.e. cobbles for example.
However when looking for the best type of sneaker for Barcelona in Summer be sure you pack something that is not only lightweight bit also breathable.
The reason for this is that you don’t want to get sweaty feet or have stinky shoes in your aconmodation.
Currently our go to hot weather sneaker are the Tree Model Sneakers from AllBirds which are good for regulating foot temperature.
Top Tip: We recommend also packing sneaker socks and some odour eaters if you have room in your case just in case your feet do get sweaty.
Sandals
After sneakers by favorite shoe for Barcelona in Summer is a sandal and these tend to be what I wear for going out to dinner in Spain in summer.
My favorite style of sandal for Barcelona is flat Spanish style sandals. I have even been known to pick up a pair or two as a souvenir from Spain.
I like to wear a sandal instead of sneaker for dinner in Spain, even for tapas which usually has a more casual dress code.
And if you want a shoe with height, which I don’t tend to advise for Barcelona, I would say go with a wedge as these are safer on cobble stone streets.
Flip Flops
Any trip to Barcelona in Summer is likely to have some beach time and pool time in the itinerary. For this we recommend taking a pair of flip flops.
However don’t be tempted to wear them for walking around the city, they don’t have good arch support and will result in achy feet. Instead reserve these shoes for Barcelona beaches and around pools, but I don’t recommend them for walking around the city.
Note: Water shoes are unlikely to be necessary in Barcelona on the beach as the beaches are sandy rather than rocky.
What to Wear in Barcelona in August for women
Skirts and dresses
As I have mentioned before, in Barcelona really anything goes so select skirts and dress types that you are most comfortable in. Though having said that I would recommend sticking to natural fabrics as the heat ramps up in August.
On top of these I would personally choose summer dresses that are more flowing than tight fitting, again to help cope with the heat.
The only place where you will have to be careful in the type of skirt or dress you wear is at the Sagrada Familia which requires a modest dress code i.e. shoulders and knees covered for entry.
Trousers
Linens tend to be my go to trouser for Barcelona in August but chinos and cotton capris are also a good choice.
Just ditch the jeans in summer. They are too hot to be comfortable sightseeing in.
Click here to shop linen trousers here
And don’t think about traveling with linen until you’ve read our guide on how pack linen without wrinkles.
On top of trousers you will definitely want a pair of
Shorts
These are great for beaches and for sightseeing, just not for churches.
Click here to shop quick dry shorts.
T Shirt
Barcelona in Summer is hot, and being a casual city short sleeve t shirts are the perfect addition to your packing list.
In Barcelona you will see everything from bold colors with patterns to plain darks so pick the t shirt that you feel most comfortable in.
Please note: tank tops and spaghetti straps are perfectly acceptable anywhere in Barcelona other than in religious settings where you can use a pashmina to make your outfit adhere to dress code.
Blouse
A loose blouse works perfectly for warmer days and cooler nights. And something with a longer sleeve can help protect you from mosquitos which are rampant in Barcelona in August.
Pashmina
A pashmina should be on your Barcelona packing list whatever the month of travel . It is just such a versatile accessory.
It can act as a scarf or extra layer on cooler evenings and can help make your outfit more modest for visits to places such as the Sagrada Familia.
PJs or Nightie
Lightweight pyjamas and nighties are best especially if your Barcelona accommodation does not have air conditioning.
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying. We recommend having a few pairs of sneaker socks with you to help reduce the sweat and smell inside of your sneaker when sightseeing.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are essential in Barcelona during the Summer.
Sunhat
I always recommend taking a sun hat if you are visiting Barcelona in summer. Whenever I travel with a sun hat I recommend taking this as carry on instead of a suitcase to help maintain the hats shape.
In Barcelona straw hats are more commonly worn on the beaches, but you may want to consider a less beachy hat for the city and sightseeing also.
Swimwear
If you plan on spending anytime on Barcelona beaches be sure to remember to pack your swimwear for both sunbathing and swimming.
You will see a mixture of one pieces and bikinis on Barcelona beaches so wear what you feel most comfortable in.
It is worth noting however that most people will cover on the board walk so it is worth having a beach cover or a sarong with you also.
What to pack for Barcelona in August for Men
Men putting together a packing list for Barcelona in Summer should really be putting hot weather at the forefront of their mind and pack accordingly.
Key pieces for your Barcelona Mens Packing list have to be:
Chinos/Linen Trousers
As with the packing list for women chinos and linen trousers are perfect for Barcelona in August as they are the perfect weight for the weather.
Shorts
Shorts are also a great choice for August.
The weather in August is perfect for beaches and being outside. And shorts are the best thing to be wearing. Just be sure to have a longer length trouser for the Sagrada Familia.
Locals tend to wear more tailored shorts over cargo shorts and whatever you do don’t pair shorts with socks and sandals as nothing will make you more like a tourist than this look!
T Shirts and Shirts
Short sleeve t shirts are perfect for sightseeing during the day in August.
However for evenings I would recommend having a button down shirt if you are planning on going to a nicer sit down restaurant.
In August, because of the heat I recommend packing short sleeve shirts or even polo shirts to keep cool while dining out. However a long sleeve can help protect you from getting a mosquito bite.
Swimwear
An essential for men and women who plan on visiting the beach on their Barcelona vacation.
Sunglasses
An essential no matter the month but particularly essential for August.
Hat
For same reason as above.
Underwear, Socks and Pjs
Again, if you plan on doing lots of walking in sneakers we recommend having some sneaker socks with you to reduce sweat and odour in your shoe.
What Else to Pack for Barcelona in August
- Universal Travel Adaptor – – very important for those traveling from outside of Europe as Spain uses standard European plugs.
- Sunscreen
- Aloe Vera / Aftersun
- Insect Repellant – you do get mosquitos in Barcelona in the summer
- Power Pack / Battery recharger
- Crossbody bag – one with plenty of zips that can put off pick pockets is best. Unfortunately there are some issues with pickpockets in Barcelona as there are in many big cities that are tourist attractions. I am not saying this to scare you but because I really think careful bag selection is important for Barcelona.
- Towel – for those planning on spending time on the beach. We recommend a quick dry one where possible.
- camera – it is a beautiful city you will want to take lots of photograph
- Toiletries – find out full list of essential travel toiletries here.
- Medication
- Travel First Aid Kit
- Blister plasters
FAQs about August Barcelona Packing List
Can I wear a bikini on a beach in Barcelona?
Yes you can absolutely can wear a bikini on a beach in Barcelona.
You will see the whole range of swimwear on Barcelona beaches from bikinis, thongs, and one pieces for women and trunks to Speedos for men. Therefore pick the swinwear you feel most comfortable in.
What to wear to dinner in Barcelona?
Barcelona is a great foodie city. From great tapas bars to fancy Michelin starred restaurants, Barcelona has something for everyone.
And while Barcelona is a casual city, you will find that most people tend to stick to smart casual dress codes for more high end dinner.
In the Boqueria Market Barcelona however there is a casual dress code.
Top Tip: Just remember if you are dining by water, there may be mosquitos so you may want some longer length tops and bottoms with you to reduce your risk of being bitten
What would you add to this Barcelona August Packing List