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What to wear in Spain in November

What to wear in Spain in November

Are you wondering what to wear in Spain in November? We cover everything you need to add to your what to pack for Spain in November list to help you deal with the Fall weather, out together cute outfits for Spain that meet dress codes and more. So whether you are traveling to the North, South or to the Spanish islands keep reading.

Important Note: This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click through and make a purchase I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you!

Weather in Spain in November

Although November is still Fall in Spain you will find that the weather is getting more Wintery. So what can you expect from the weather in Spain in November?

Note: while this guide will talk about what to wear in Spain generally in October, if you want 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 dramatically in Spain. For this reason we recommend checking out our other monthly guide if your trip spans a couple of months:

How hot is Spain in November?

Beach in Alicante Spain in November
What to wear in Spain in November Packing List

Although Fall has well and truly settled in and Spain is moving towards Winter, the temperatures iactually aren’t freezing by any considerations. 

Generally speaking the daytime temperatures in Spain in November hover between 18°C/64.4F and 12°C/53F in Barcelona for instance. However it is worth noting that the north tends to be cooler than the South ad the islands.

So although not freezing, it is worth having lots of light layers in your Spain Capsule Wardrobe for Fall.

Note: looking for tips on creating the perfect capsule wardrobe for Spain be sure to check out our packing techniques:

Note: although the weather in this guide are historical averages however we advise always checking the weather at your destination 7 days in advance in case of anomolies such as cold snaps and heat waves.

Does it rain a lot in November in Spain?

One of the downsides to visiting Spain in November, particularly in the North in places such as Bilbao, is that it is quite a rainy month.

Generally speaking you can expect anywhere from 8 to 15 days of rain in November. In fact along with December, November is one of the rainiest months across the country seeing around c.120mm of rain across the month.

Therefore, depending on the region you are visiting it is worth packing some waterproof wear and certainly a compact travel umbrella.

What to Wear in Spain in November

What do locals wear in Spain in November?

Locals in Spain know that ut layers are a key to any outfit for Spain in November.

Tips for how to dress in Spain in November 

People on Boating Lake in Madrid Spain in November
What to pack for Spain in November / What to wear in Madrid

When looking at how to dress in Spain in November, the key thing to remember is that you will need to dressing layers but that you will also need some more modest outfits for certain tourist attractions such as the Sagrada Familia and Montserrat.

So some key things to remember when packing for Spain are:

  • having lots of light layers with you,
  • having at least one modest outfit that covers your shoulder and knees which is appropriate for churches and monasteries and
  • having a pashmina handy at all times is a good idea so you have an extra layer with you at all times.

So now you know about local dress sense and tips for packing, we will now turn our attention to specific things that should be on your Spain packing list for November.

Best Shoes for Spain in November

For me it is easy to overpack on the shoe front but for Spain in November you really do only need 2-3 pairs of shoes.

Note: if you plan to hike a lot during your vacation or plan to walk the Camino etc then you will want hiking boots. You can read more about this in our Spain walking packing lists.

However for most travelers in Spain the shoes we recommend taking are:

Sneakers

Sneakers are the perfect shoe for Spain all year round especially in the cities such as Barcelona, Madrid and Seville.

The perfect sneaker for Spain in November is a lightweight one, but if you can find something with some waterproofing or water resistance it is a good idea, especially for travelers going to the North.

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.

However a great water resistance sneaker brand is Ecco. These have many waterproof and water resistance versions but we like this one:

On top of sneakers we also recommend packing the below for Spain too:

Ankle Boots 

As the weather is changeable in Spain in November we recommend having a leather boot with some waterproofing as well as a sneaker. 

Click here to shop ankle boots.

Flip Flops

Flip flops are not going to be needed by everyone going to Spain. In fact I would only really consider this if you are going to be spending time by a beaches on one of the islands.

For more information on what not to wear in Spain which includes flip flops for walking check out this post. 

What to Wear in Spain in November for women

Woman in Valencia Spain in November
What to wear in Spain in November Packing List

Jacket

If you are wondering what to wear to Spain in November, one of the key items to put on your packing list has to be a light jacket or blazer. It works as both an evening and a day time item when the temperature starts to drop. 

Click here to shop jackets.

Skirts and dresses

As I have mentioned before, in Spain really anything goes so select skirts and dress types that you are most comfortable in. However I personally find the countryside slightly more conservative in their dress sense than in the cities or along the coast.

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 depending on the weather. 

For November I would also recommend packing some thick tights to pair with your dress especially for the evenings.

Click here to shop dresses for Spain.

Trousers

Trousers are a great pick for Barcelona in November. Jeans are a great choice at this time of year as the weather has cooled enough to be comfortable in them. 

Click here to shop trousers.

T Shirt

For Fall I recommend packing a mix of short and long sleeve t shirts.

Click here to shop t shirts.

Blouse

A loose blouse works perfectly for warmer days and cooler nights. And something with a longer sleeve is better for Spain in November than a short sleeve one. 

Click here to shop blouses

Layers 

As it can be cool in Spain during November we recommend having a couple of weight layers with you. Usually for November I will have a cardigan, a hoodie and a jacket with me for a week in Barcelona in November. 

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.

Click here to shop pashminas.

PJs or Nightie

Underwear and Socks

Goes without saying. I would pack at least a couple of thicker pairs of socks and some tights for some evenings as the temperature drops.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses are essential in Spain even in Fall.

Swimwear (optional) 

f you plan on spending anytime on Spanish 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 in November to swim on the mainland but people still do use these amenities.

However on the islands it can still be quite pleasant to swim in the sea. Therefore if you are on one of the islands I would take at least one bathing suit, however you may not need this if you are on the Mainland.

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.

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 November you may want a hat in the towns too. Click here to shop sunhat for Spain.

For more information on how to pack a sunhat check out this post.

What to pack for Spain in November for Men

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

You need outfits that comprise of several light layers and still need to have a more modest outfit for visiting churches.

Chinos/Jeans

As with the packing list for women, chinos and jeans are perfect for Barcelona in November as they are the perfect weight for the weather. Click here to shop men’s travel trousers.

 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 in this month.

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 Spain during November we recommend having a couple of weight layers with you. Usually for 1 week in Spain in November we recommend a smart jumper, a casual hoodie and a jacket. 

Jacket

Jackets or light blazers are a must for mainland Spain and the islands.

Sunglasses

An essential no matter the month but particularly essential for November.

Swimwear (optional)

Again this is more for if you are visiting an island over the mainland.

 Click here to shop mens swimwear.

Sunglasses

An essential no matter the month.

Hat

Underwear, Socks and Pjs

Thicker socks are good for evenings in November.

What Else to Pack for Spain in November

  • Sunscreen
  • Travel Adaptor for European plug sockets.  For my American readers you will need an EU Type C Country plug adapter
  • Compact Travel umbrella.
  • Power Pack / Battery recharger
  • Toiletries – for our full toiletries packing list check out this post. 
  • Crossbody bag – 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.
  • 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 November in Spain Packing List

Should I take swimwear for Spain in November? 

Whether or not you should take swimwear for Spain in November really depends on where you are traveling to.

For instance I personally find it too cold to swim off the Mainland in places like Barcelona. And you will find that many of the hotel pools are closed at this time of year in the cities.

However, it might be warm enough for many on the islands where the sea temperatures are still quite pleasant.

And one of the good things about visiting Spain is that you will see the whole range of swimwear on Spanish beaches from bikinis, thongs, and one pieces for women and trunks to Speedos for men. Therefore pick the swinwear you feel most comfortable in.

Can you wear jeans in Spain in November?

There are no reason why you can’t wear jeans in November in Spain. In fact I find them a really great choice especially for the cities in November.

Do you need a jacket in November in Spain? 

Layers are your friend in November in Spain so I would recommend a top layer such as a jacket.

What to wear to dinner in Spain? 

People in Barcelona Market in November
What to pack for Barcelona in November

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 would you add to this Spain November Packing List? We’d love you to let us know in the comments below!