Are you wondering what to wear in Barcelona in October? We cover everything you need to add to your what to pack for Barcelona in October list to help you deal with the Fall weather, dress for Barcelona dress codes and more.
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Weather in Barcelona in October
October is definitely Fall in Barcelona but as a Southern European city what can you actually expect of the weather?
How hot is Barcelona in October ?
Although October is definitely considered Fall the temperatures still aren’t too cold.In fact the average high is a balmy 23C / 73 F with average lows of 17C / 62F.
With this in mind it is a good idea to pack lots of light layers with you so you can deal with all eventualities.
Note: if you want to know how best to pack a capsule wardrobe for Barcelona be sure to check out our packing techniques:
For more information on how to pack a Fall travel capsule wardrobe check out this post.
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 October in Barcelona?
Although visiting Barcelona in October will reward you with lower crowds, it will also increase your chances of seeing rainfall on your vacation.
Typically you can expect to see around 6 days of rain in Barcelona in October amounting to around 78mm.
Therefore we recommend including a compact travel umbrella with you if you are visiting the city in October.
What to Wear in Barcelona in October
Best Shoes for Barcelona in October
When thinking about shoes for Barcelona in October I would say they fall into two categories
- Sightseeing Shoes and
- Night time shoes
The shoes that always make it on my packing list for this time of year are:
Sneakers
Sneakers are the best shoe for Barcelona in September. The reason is because you will be doing a lot of walking in Barcelona and as a hilly city, you will need good shoes.
That is why sneakers are the best shoe for Barcelona at any time of year.
My favorite brand of sneakers for walking are Hoka and AllBirds, however you also can’t go wrong with a plain white sneaker as they go with everything. One of my favorite pairs of white sneakers is the Adidas Cloud Foam shoes.
Ankle Boots
As the weather is changeable in Barcelona in October we recommend having a leather boot with some waterproofing as well as a sneaker.
I personally don’t like to wear sneakers to dinner, and hate overpacking so I find two pairs of shoes is perfect for Barcelona in October and is the reason I select an ankle boot.
Click here to shop ankle boots.
Note: the weather is definitely become colder in October. When I was last in Barcelona in October I found it too cold to use the hotel swimming pool or get in the sea. For this reason we have left flip flops off this Barcelona Fall packing list. If you are braver than me however and plan to use the beach or hotel pool then flop flops are a compact but useful addition.
What to Wear in Barcelona in October 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.
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.
For this reason I usually stick with a maxi dress with a sleeve or a midi length skirt or dress that can be worn with sneakers or with boots and tights depending on the weather.
Trousers
Trousers are a great pick for Barcelona in October. As the weather has cooled in October jeans are a great pick for sightseeing particularly towards the end of October..
T Shirt
Although summer has ended t shirts should still be on your packing list for Barcelona. The only change though is that we now recommend having a mix of short and long sleeve t shirts.
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 October.
Layers
As it can be cool in Barcelona during October we recommend having a couple of weight layers with you. Usually for October I will have a cardigan, a hoodie and a lightweight jacket with me for a week in Barcelona in October.
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. Shop pashminas here.
PJs or Nightie
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are essential in Barcelona even in Fall.
Swimwear (optional)
If you plan on spending anytime on Barcelona beaches or at your hotel pool be sure to remember to pack your swimwear for both sunbathing and swimming. Personally I find it too cold but people still do use these amenities particularly if they are travelling in Early October.
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 here.
What to pack for Barcelona in October for Men
Men putting together a packing list for Barcelona in October 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/Jeans
As with the packing list for women, chinos and jeansare perfect for Barcelona in October as they are the perfect weight for the weather. Click here to shop men’s travel trousers.
T Shirts and Shirts
A mix of short sleeve and long sleeve t shirts are perfect for sightseeing during the day in October.
However for evenings I would recommend having a button down shirt if you are planning on going to a nicer sit down restaurant.
Layers
As it can be cool in Barcelona during October we recommend having a couple of weight layers with you. Usually for 1 week in Barcelona in October we recommend a smart jumper, a casual hoodie and a jacket.
Swimwear
An essential if you plan on visiting the beach or using a pool on your vacation in Fall. If neither of these things apply to you then you can leave the swimwear at home. Shop mens swimwear here.
Sunglasses
An essential no matter the month but particularly essential for October.
Underwear, Socks and Pjs
What Else to Pack for Barcelona in October
- Sunscreen
- Aloe Vera / Aftersun – just in case you get burnt but I hope you don’t
- Travel Adaptor – 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.
- Compact Travel umbrella.
- Towel – for those planning on spending time on the beach. We recommend a quick dry one where possible.
- Chub Rub – if you are worried about sweating and chaffing chub rub can be a life saver on hot days.
- camera – it is a beautiful city you will want to take lots of photographs
FAQs about October in Barcelona Packing List
Should I take swimwear for Barcelona in October?
I personally find it too cold to swim in Barcelona in October, particularly towards the end of the month. However if you don’t mind cooler temperatures and are traveling in Early October then you may want to bring swimwear with you.
And one of the good things about visiting Barcelona is that 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 in October?
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.
I personally either wear jeans (for tapas) or smarter trousers and blouse or a dress with tights and boots for going out to dinner in Barcelona in October.
What would you add to this Barcelona October Packing List?