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What to Wear in Barcelona in July

What to Wear in Barcelona in July

Are you wondering what to wear in Barcelona in July? Summer is in full swing in Barcelona in July and dressing for the heat is your top priority. However, this Barcelona Summer Packing List will cover everything that you need for the weather, sightseeing, beaches, dress codes and more.

Weather in Barcelona in July

How hot is Barcelona in July?

Busy Barcelona beach in July
What to wear in Barcelona in July

All I can really response to the question how hot is Barcelona in July is – hot! But it is not the hottest month of the year in Barcelona. July takes second place in this title and is generally (though not always) beaten by August for that accolade.

Generally speaking, the average high in Barcelona in July is 83°F (28°C) while the average low only drops to around 70°F (21°C) which isn’t exactly cold!

Given these temperatures you will need to be dressing for the heat and keeping cool. And keep in mind that the temperatures in Barcelona in July make it the perfect time to visit one of the 40km of beach that Barcelona has within it’s city limits.

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:

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 July in Barcelona?

Barcelona in July is a very dry month. Rainfall when it does happen (which is only around 5 days during this month) is usually insignificant. In fact only 1-2 days in July get rain over 1mm.

Therefore rain really shouldn’t rain on your Barcelona July Vacation. Therefore you will find this packing list has no waterproof wear or umbrellas as you really aren’t going to need them.

What to Wear in Barcelona in July

Best Shoes for Barcelona in July

People walking down La Rambla in Barcelona in May

When thinking about shoes for Barcelona in July I would say they fall into three categories

  • Sightseeing Shoes
  • Night time shoes and
  • Beach shoes

For this reason we only ever take 3 pairs of shoes with us for our Barcelona vacations. They are:

Sneakers

Undoubtedly sneakers are the best shoe for sightseeing for any city in the world. However you need to factor in the temperatures for Barcelona in Summer.

Be sure to pack sneakers that are lightweight and breathable so you don’t get sweaty or stinky feet.

Currently our go to hot weather sneaker are the Tree Model Sneakers from AllBirds which are good for regulating foot temperature.

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. Click here to shop sneakers.

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.

Although Barcelona is a relatively laid back city, I personally would always choose to wear sandals over sneakers for dinner in Spain, even when going for tapas.

I always recommend wedges for those looking for a shoe with height for Barcelona as these are safer on cobble stone streets.

However I like flat leather sandals best for dinner in cities.

Note: a great souvenir is in fact a Spanish sandal if you want to pick up a shoe on your travels. If not this is the style I personally try to emulate when out in Spain.

Shop sandals for Spain here.

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.

Flip flops are great 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 July 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 July.

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.

Click here to shop dresses for Barcelona.

Trousers

Light weight trousers such as chinos and linen are better choices for Barcelona in July than jeans as these are more breathable in the hot weather. And for days other than when you are planning on visiting the Sagrada Famailia you will also want

Shorts

Shorts are great for days in Barcelona when you aren’t planning on visiting a church and work in the city and on the beach.

Shop shorts here.

Blouse

A loose blouse works perfectly for warmer days and cooler nights.

Click here to shop blouses

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.

Woman with Barcelona beach in background in July

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.

Shop t shirts for Barcelona here

Pashmina

A pashmina should be on your Barcelona packing list for Summer . 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.

Shop swimwear for Spain here.

What to pack for Barcelona in July for Men

When putting together the packing list for men heading to Barcelona in July, the considerations are really the same as for women.

First and foremost dress for the heat to keep cool and reduce sweat, while also having one outfit with you that meets the modest dress code of the Sagrada Familia if you are planning on visiting.

Chinos/Linen Trousers

As with the packing list for women chinos and linen trousers are perfect for Barcelona in July as they are the perfect weight for the weather.

However I would also recommend packing

Shorts

The weather is perfect for shorts in July in Barcelona, for both sightseeing and beaches.. They are great for beaches and cities but be sure to have a longer length trouser for the Sagrada Familia.

Shop Shorts  for Barcelona here.

T Shirts and Shirts

Short sleeve t shirts are perfect for sightseeing during the day in July.

However for evenings I would recommend having a button down shirt if you are planning on going to a nicer sit down restaurant.

In July, because of the heat I recommend packing short sleeve shirts or even polo shirts to keep cool while dining out.

Swimwear

An essential for men and women who plan on visiting the beach on their BArcelona vacation.

Sunglasses

An essential no matter the month.

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 July

Woman walking in Barcelona in Summer
What to wear in Barcelona in Summer
  • Sun Screen
  • Aloe Vera / Aftersun
  • Travel lip balms.
  • Reusable Water Bottle 
  • Insect Repellant – you do get mosquitos in Barcelona in the summer
  • Travel Adaptor  for electronics – For my American readers you will need an EU Type C Country plug adapter
  • 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 photographs

FAQs about July Barcelona Packing List

Can I wear a bikini on a beach in Barcelona?

Barcelona Beach in June

You 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.

What would you add to this Barcelona July Packing List