Are you wondering what to wear in Spain in October? We cover everything you need to add to your what to pack for Spain in October list to help you deal with the Fall weather, create outfits appropriate for 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 October
October is definitely Fall throughout Spain but as a Southern European city what can you actually expect of the weather?
And 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:
- What to wear to Barcelona in October
- What to wear in Madrid
- What to wear in Seville in October
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 October?
Although summer is officially drawing to a close, the weather in Spain is still very hot.
Generally speaking the daytime temperatures in Spain hover between 23C / 73 F to 17C / 62F.
However it is worth noting that the north tends to be cooler than the South ad the islands.
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:
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 October in Spain?
Spain in October is still relatively dry. Generally speaking there is only around 21mm of rain this month which means you shouldn’t be too concerned with waterproof clothing. 5
What to Wear in Spain in October
What do locals wear in Spain in October?
Locals in Spain know that Spain is still relatively warm but layers are a key to any outfit for Spain in October.
Tips for how to dress in Spain in October
When looking at how to dress in Spain in October, 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.
For Spain in October we therefore recommend
- lots of light layers –this way you an alter your outfit depending on the weather on the day.
- One modest outfit will be required if you plan to visit churches like the Sagrada Familia or Monserrat Monastery.
- Loose clothes will keep you cooler than tight fitting ones.
- Even in October you will still need to have accessories for sunshine such as sunglasses and sunhat especially on islands.
- although Spanish restaurants don’t have strict dress codes, you will find that many people choose to wear smart casual outfits for dinner in Spain unless you are having tapas where more casual attire is seen.
Best Shoes for Spain in October
When I am looking at what to pack for Spain in October shoes wise I think that there are only 3 types of shoes to consider packing. These are:
- Sightseeing Shoes
- Night time shoes and
- Beach 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 or hiking sandals. You can read more about this in our Spain walking packing lists.
However for most travelers in Spain thee 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. There are also good on the islands too for days you are not on the beach.
The perfect sneaker for Barcelona in October is a lightweight and breathable one. 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.
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.
Now depending on where you are traveling in Spain and whether you are going early or later in the month we recommend packing either:
Sandals
As October is still relatively hot in Spain you will definitely want a sandal with you. 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. Click here to shop sandals.
However if it is cooler then we recommend packing
Ankle Boots
As the weather is changeable in Spain in October we recommend having a leather boot with some waterproofing as well as a sneaker.
However I would only select one out of sandals or ankle boots as I don’t like to overpack.
Click here to shop ankle boots.
Flip Flops
Flip flops are not good shoes for walking around cities like Valencia and Cordoba due to the lack of support however they are good for vacations in Spain 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 which includes flip flops for walking check out this post.
What to Wear in Spain in October for women
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 and tights depending on the weather.
Shorts
Shorts are ok for Spain weather in October. They work for warmer days in cities and for on beaches. Just don’t wear them if you plan on heading to churches such as the Sagrada Familia where a conservative dress code is required.
Personally I would pack more trousers than shorts for cities in October as the weather starts to cool.
Trousers
Light weight trousers such as chinos and linen are better choices for Spain in October. These are loose and cool and work if you plan on visiting religious settings such as Sagrada Famailia which have a conservative dress code and will prevent you from overheating.
If you do decide to pack linen be sure to check out our guide on how to pack linen to prevent wrinkles.
However if you are visiting in late October jeans are also a great choice for sightseeing as the weather is cool enough for heavier weight trousers.
T Shirt
lthough 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 is a great item to wear to dinner in Spain. They are also suitable for churches.
I also tend to wear blouses as my go to top for eating outside in Spain in October.
Layers
As it can be cool in Spain during October especially in the evenings we recommend having a couple of lightweight layers with you.
Usually for October I will have a cardigan, a hoodie and a lightweight jacket with me for a week in Spain in October.
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.
Swimwear (optional)
If 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 October to swim on the mainland 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 Spanish 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.
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. Click here to shop swim covers.
PJs or Nightie
Lightweight pyjamas and nighties are still my favorite weight for October.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are essential in Spain even in October.
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 October 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.
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.
For more information on how to pack a Fall travel capsule wardrobe check out this post.
What to pack for Spain in October for Men
When putting together the packing list for men heading to Spain in October, 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/Linen Trousers
Lightweight trousers instead of jeans are more appropriate for Spain in October. Cottons and linens are better for the heat. However as the month moves along jeans are also a great addition to your Spain Fall packing list.
Click here to shop men’s travel trousers.
Shorts
Although the weather is cooling I still recommend having one pari od shorts with you for Spain in October. Especially if you are heading to the coast or islands.
But please note cargo shorts can make you look more like a tourist however so we tend to opt for a more tailored short.
T Shirts and Shirts
A mix of long and short sleeve t shirts are perfect for sightseeing during the day in October.
However for evenings I would recommend having a button down shirt with longer sleeves and maybe a polo shirt for day to night transition outfits.
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 so you can have a pair drying and one pair for wearing.
In Spain you will see all sorts of men’s swimwear from speedos to trunks, so again wear what you feel most comfortable in. Click here to shop mens swimwear.
Sunglasses
An essential no matter the month.
Layers
As it can be cool in Spain during October we recommend having a couple of weight layers with you. Usually for 1 week in Spain in October we recommend a smart jumper, a casual hoodie and a jacket.
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 October
- Sunscreen
- 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
- Travel Adaptor for European plug sockets. 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 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.
- 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 Spain Packing List
Should I take swimwear for Spain in October?
I personally find it too cold to swim in Spain 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 Spain 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.
Can you wear jeans in Spain in October?
There are no reason why you can’t wear jeans in October in Spain. In fact I find them a really great choice especially for the cities in October.
Do you need a jacket in October in Spain?
Layers are your friend in October in Spain so I would recommend a lightweight top layer such as a denim jacket.
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 would you add to this Spain October Packing List? We’d love you to let us know in the comments below!