Are you wondering what to wear in Spain in July? Well, fear not, this Spain Summer Packing List will cover everything that you need for the different Spanish regions and islands in July, for weather, sightseeing, beaches as well as relevant dress code information.
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Weather in Spain in July
Summer is in full swing in July however how hot it gets will depend on the region you are traveling to.
This guide will talk about what to wear in Spain generally in July, however if you wan’t more specific regional guidance be sure to check out the below seasonal and monthly specific posts:
Also it is worth noting that the weather between months changes quite dramatically in Spain. Therefore if your trip spans a couple of months then please be sure to check out our other monthly:
How hot is Spain in July?
Yes Spain in July is definitely a hot weather destination and many people, local and tourist will start to hit the beach.
The temperatures tend to range from 36 C / 97F to 17 C / 62F depending on which part of the country you are traveling to.
For instance 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!
While on islands such as Tenerife the average temperature is 28.9°C / 84C with the sea being at perfect swimming temperature.
Does it rain a lot in July in Spain?
Spain in July is actually a very dry month. In fact in Tenerife it is not unusual for rain to be recorded for the entire month.
What to Wear in Spain in July
Best Shoes for Spain in July
When thinking about shoes for Spain in July I would say they fall into three categories
- Sightseeing Shoes
- Night time shoes and
- Beach shoes
If you are going on a more active Spain vacation and plan on doing a lot of walking i.e. Camino or hiking trails then you will want some hiking sandals with you too. However most people who go to Spain in July aren’t going for this reason. For specific Spain walking packing lists please see the relevant posts.
For this reason we only ever take 3 pairs of shoes with us for a week long vacation in Spain.
The shoes we take are:
Sneakers
Sneakers are the perfect shoe for summer in Spain, especially in the cities such as Barcelona, Madrid and Cordoba where you will have to do a lot of sightseeing on foot.
They are also great for sightseeing on Spanish islands.
Just 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.
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 my favorite shoe for Spain in July is definitely a sandal. These are breathable for days when you do light walking and are also the perfect shoe for evenings out.
Note: a great souvenir is in fact a Spanish sandal if you want to pick up a shoe on your travels. In fact on our last Spain holiday I to Palma in Majorca I bought a pair of these.
If you want to fit in with the local this is the style I personally try to emulate when out in Spain.
Flip Flops
Flip flops are not good shoes for walking around cities due to the lack of support. However they are good for vacations in July when you plan to spend a lot of time on the beach or even round the pool.
For more information on what not to wear in Spain check out this post.
If you plan to visit a rocky beach or are heading to a beach where there are sea urchins you may also want to pack a pair of water shoes with you to protect your feet.
I would also recommend bringing water shoes if you are traveling with children to Spain in July as the sand can be hot for their little feet.
What to Wear in Spain in July for women
Skirts and dresses
Spain is a fashionable and multicultural place especially in the cities and this is reflected in the clothes you will see the locals wearing on the streets. Therefore we recommend selecting dresses or skirts that you feel most comfortable in.
However if you want to wear a dress or skirt in a religious setting remember that you are required to keep your knees and shoulders covered. Also it is worth noting that the more off the tourist trail you head and out in the countryside, the dress sense is more conservative.
Also we recommend you pick dresses in natural fabrics only to help reduce sweat. And for this reason we also recommend you pick flowing instead of tight dresses as these will help you cope with the heat better.
Click to shop maxi dresses for Spain here.
Trousers
Light weight trousers such as chinos and linen are better choices for Spain in July. They are loose and cool and work if you plan on visiting religious settings such as Sagrada Famailia which have a conservative dress code.
Unless you plan to go high in the mountains, then jeans can likely be left at home, as it will be uncomfortable during the day to wear these. Shop summer travel trousers here.
Shorts
Shorts are great for days in cities and for on beaches. Just don’t wear them if you plan on heading to church.
T Shirt
T Shirts are perfect everywhere in Spain in July.
On the streets of Spain you are likely to see plain, patterned and even graphic t shirts so you can pick based on your fashion or personal preference.
Blouse
A loose blouse works perfectly for warmer days and cooler nights and is a great item to wear to dinner in Spain.
I also tend to wear blouses as my go to top for eating outside in Spain in July. July is definitely a month when you get mosquitos in Spain and a long sleeve blouse reduces your risk.
Pashmina
A pashmina is always on my Spain packing list for every month. It is useful as it can act as a scarf or extra layer on cooler days and can help make your outfit more modest for visits to monasteries or churches.
PJs or Nightie
Lightweight pyjamas and nighties are perfect especially as not all acommodation in Spain or Europe in fact will have air conditioning.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are essential in Spain especially in Summer.
Sunhat
A sunhat is an essential for Spain even in the cities but especially for beaches and islands.
Whenever I travel with a sun hat I recommend taking this as carry on instead of a suitcase to help maintain the hats shape.
Straw hats tend to be seen more on locals at the beach than in the cities however in July you may want a hat in the towns too.
Swimwear
July is definitely swim weather throughout Spain from Barcelona to Tenerife.
Iff you are visiting the islands or a beach resort you will want a couple of pieces of swimwear with you.
You will see a mixture of one pieces and bikinis on Spanish beaches and in fact many of the younger generation will embrace bikinis on the skimpier side. Therefore wear what you feel most comfortable in. You won’t be out of place in a one piece, but equally you won’t be the only person in a thong bikini on a beach in Spain.
Swim Cover
If you plan to visit the islands or spend a lot of time on beaches then a beach cover is also a great addition to your Spain packing list.
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.
What to pack for Spain in July for Men
When putting together the packing list for men heading to Spain 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 religious buildings if you are planning on visiting.
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 with shorts sleeves and maybe a polo shirt for day to night transition outfits.
In July, because of the heat I recommend packing short sleeve shirts or even polo shirts to keep cool while dining out. However you also need to consider mosquitos if you are dining by water.
Chinos/Linen Trousers
Lightweight trousers instead of jeans are more appropriate for Spain in July. Shop men’s summer Trousers here.
Shorts
The weather is perfect for shorts in July especially for on beaches but also for touring in the city when you aren’t at a religious site. SHop Shorts here.
Swimwear
Again, I would take this in cities and beaches. However if you are at a beach location then you should take at least 2 pairs.
In Spain you will see all sorts of men’s swimwear from speedos to trunks, so again wear what you feel most comfortable in.
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 Spain in July
- Sun Screen
- Travel lip balms.
- Aloe Vera / Aftersun – just in case you get burnt but I hope you don;t
- Insect Repellant – you do get mosquitos in Spain in the summer
- Power Pack / Battery recharger
- Travel Adaptor for electronics. For my American readers you will need an EU Type C Country plug adapter
- Crossbody bag – anti theft type one with plenty of zips that can put off pick pockets is best. Unfortunately there are some issues with pickpockets in cities such as Barcelona and Madrid 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 traveling to cities in Spain.
- Reusable Water Bottle
- 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 Spain Packing List
What to wear to dinner in Spain?
Spain is a great foodie country. From great tapas bars to fancy Michelin starred restaurants, and countryside tavernas there is something foodie for everyone.
While Spain is a relatively casual country, you will find that most people tend to stick to smart casual dress codes for dinner in high end restaurants.
For Tapas the attire tends to be more casual depending on the type of tapas bar you are in.
I would usually stick to a dress with a top layer such as a pashmina and sandals for dinner in Spain personally. I like sandals that have a more traditional Spanish style and no thin heels.
What do locals wear in Spain in July?
Locals dress for the hot weather and tend to taking siestas and staying out of the sun during the hottest part of the day during the Summer.
Being out and about at this time is more likely to single you out as a tourist not your clothes especially away from tourist sites and beaches. That is unless you are wearing something like white socks and sandals which is definitely on my what not to wear in Spain list.
What would you add to this Spain July Packing List? We’d love you to let us know in the comments below!