Are you wondering what to wear in Spain in September? Spain in September sees summer officially coming to an end and moving into Fall. However, the weather is still warm. In this guide we tell you everything to pack for Spain in September whether you are traveling to the North, South or to the Spanish islands.
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Weather in Spain in September
Even though summer is ending in Spain in September, the temperatures are still pretty hot.
And while this guide will talk about what to wear in Spain generally in September, 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 September
- What to wear in Madrid
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 September?
Although summer is officially drawing to a close, the weather in Spain is still very hot.
Generally speaking the daytime temperatures in Spain hover around 77-82°F / 25-28°C in the daytime and drop to between 68-72°F 20-22°C in the evenings and depending on where in the country you are going. The north tends to be cooler. But some examples of temperatures in Spain in September are:
- Barcelona – 20C / 69 F with average highs of 26C / 79F.
- Tenerife – 27C/80F and 21°C/70F.
- Madrid – 26C / 79F and 15C/59F.
Does it rain a lot in September in Spain?
Spain in September is relatively dry. Generally speaking there are 6 rainy days in September averaging around 42mm of rain.
Therefore you really don’t need to be concerning yourself with rain and waterproof clothing for September in Spain.
What to Wear in Spain in September
What do locals wear in Spain in September?
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.
Tips for how to dress in Spain in September
When looking at how to dress in Spain in September, the key thing to remember is that you will need to dress for very high temperatures but also need some modesty in clothing for certain tourist attractions such as the Sagrada Familia.
Therefore we recommend
- packing lightweight breathable fabrics – no manmade fabrics that make you sweat. Silk, cotton and linens are perfect. For more information on how to pack linen for travel check out this post.
- Loose clothes will keep you cooler than tight fitting ones.
- One modest outfit will be needed if you plan to visit churches like the Sagrada Familia or Monserrat Monastery.
- 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.
- pack a capsule wardrobe as there is usually limited space in Spanish and European accommodation generally. For information on how to pack a capsule wardrobe check out our 54321 packing guide or our sudoku packing technique.
Also if you are worried about what to wear to other tourist attractions in then be sure to check out our related Spain guides:
Best Shoes for Spain in September
When I am looking at what to pack for Spain in September 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.
The shoes we take are:
Sandals
As September is still 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.
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 September is a lightweight and breathable one.
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.
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 September for women
Skirts and dresses
Skirts and dresses are always on my Spain packing list no matter the region of Spain I’m heading to in September. As you see a variety of fashion of the streets of Spain, in particular in the cities over the countryside.
As such you can choose maxi, midi or even mini dresses and skirts. Just pick the type that you feel more 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.
The one thing we recommend considering when selecting your dresses however is fabric type and fit. Natural fabrics and looser fitting items are better in summer as these will help keep you cooler.
Shorts
Shorts are great for Spain weather in September. They work for 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.
Trousers
Light weight trousers such as chinos and linen are better choices for Spain in August as opposed to jeans. 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.
T Shirt
T Shirts are perfect everywhere in Spain in Spain. In September you will need more short sleeve t shirts instead of long sleeved ones.
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.
Tank tops are also acceptable in Spain however just not for churches and religious settings.
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 September. .
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
Although summer is drawing to a close it is still definitely swim weather throughout Spain from Barcelona to Tenerife wherever you have access to beaches or pools.
For more island or beach vacations we recommend taking at least 2 pieces of swimwear with you.
It is also worth noting that on beaches in Spain you will see a mixture of one pieces and bikinis. Click here to shop swimwear.
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 perfect especially as not all accommodation in Spain or Europe in fact will have air conditioning.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are essential in Spain even in September.
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 September you may want a hat in the towns too. Click here to shop sunhat for Spain.
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 September for Men
When putting together the packing list for men heading to Spain in September, the considerations are really the same as for women. You need to dress for the heat 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 September. Cottons and linens are better for the heat.
Click here to shop mens summer trousers.
Shorts
The weather is perfect for shorts in September especially for on beaches and islands but also for touring cities when you aren’t at a religious site.
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
Short sleeve t shirts are perfect for sightseeing during the day in September.
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.
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.
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 September
- 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.
- camera – it is a beautiful city you will want to take lots of photographs
FAQs about September Spain Packing List
Can you wear jeans in Spain in September?
There are no reason why you can’t wear jeans in September in Spain. However I find it too warm for jeans in early September in Spain.
However in late September it can feel like Fall, so jeans may be appropriate later in the month.Just be sure to pick a lightweight pair if you do decide to bring jeans with you.
Do you need a jacket in September in Spain?
In Early September you won’t need a jacket weather wise. However in late September you may want a very lightweight jacket for evenings and for when dining al fresco.
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 September Packing List? We’d love you to let us know in the comments below!