What to Wear in Barcelona?

Located in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, and adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona, Spain's second largest city, is not only the country's industrial and financial center, but also a world-renowned historical and cultural city. Whether it is natural landscapes or Gothic architecture, Barcelona has many highlights worth visiting and exploring.

This year, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Goelia, we come to the 48th stop of our global tour, Barcelona. If you also yearn for the wonderful southern European style, then follow our footsteps to see what are the must-see attractions in Barcelona, and what to wear when traveling in different seasons!

When Is the Peak Tourist Season in Barcelona and Why?

If you have to ask when the peak tourist season in Barcelona is, the answer is definitely summer. But this does not mean that Barcelona is not suitable for sightseeing in spring, autumn and winter. In fact, Barcelona is suitable for traveling all year round, but traveling in different seasons will provide you with different experiences, and most people prefer the travel experience in summer.

The main reason for this phenomenon is climate. Since Barcelona is on the Mediterranean coast, the city has very typical Mediterranean climate characteristics. That is, the summers are hot and dry while the winters are mild and rainy. Specifically, the climate characteristics of Barcelona in each season are as follows:

🌸Spring is the season when everything comes to life, and Barcelona is no exception. In spring, the temperature will gradually rise, and the average temperature will reach around 17-18 degrees Celsius. Compared with summer and winter, Barcelona has a moderate climate in spring, which is milder. And the air is fresh, making it suitable for outdoor activities without worrying about the cold or heat stroke.

🍃The reason why Barcelona's peak tourist season is summer is largely because summer is better for enjoying the sun and the beach. At the same time, it may be uncomfortable to participate in surfing, sailing and other activities on the sea in other seasons because the sea water is too cold. Therefore, for ladies who love water sports, summer is more suitable for traveling to Barcelona. In addition, the summer is dry, which may make traveling more convenient without having to carry rain gear. However, the average temperature in Barcelona can reach 25 degrees Celsius in summer, so you need to be careful to prevent heatstroke when traveling in summer.

☃️The temperature will gradually drop in autumn and winter. In winter, the average temperature in Barcelona drops to around 10 degrees Celsius. Although it is relatively warm compared to many countries, it is still a bit cold for long-term outdoor activities. In addition, it is often accompanied by rain, which brings certain inconveniences to travel. These have largely led to autumn and winter becoming the off-season for tourism in Barcelona. The lack of tourists will cause hotels and entertainment facilities to close or shorten their operating hours. In turn, the difficulty in finding accommodation and the relatively less complete entertainment facilities will greatly reduce tourists' desire to travel in autumn and winter.

The Dressing Codes in Barcelona

In Barcelona, Catalans make up the vast majority of the population. Therefore, the clothing style of Barcelona locals largely reflects the character traits of the Catalan nation.

From the perspective of overall dressing style, Catalans generally prefer an understated, decent and conservative dressing style, and prefer dark-colored clothing, such as purple and khaki. On the other hand, they also pay great attention to whether the clothes fit well and believe that the fit of clothes is one of the important factors for a decent look. But now young people's clothes will also become more colorful.

As in other areas, in religious settings in Barcelona, dressing codes may also be more stringent than in other settings. Both men and women are required to wear long trousers when entering religious places such as churches, and clothing that exposes the shoulders is not allowed.

Business dressing codes in Barcelona may also be a bit stricter than in other places. For example, men are required to wear a suit jacket and tie for formal business meetings, even if the weather is very hot. Standard business attire for women is a dress or the combination of a shirt and skirt.

Although wearing a bikini is acceptable in swimming pools and beaches, revealing clothing in other public places such as streets, restaurants, bars, etc. may result in heavy fines.

However, as the city becomes more international, Barcelona is gradually accepting more diverse dress styles. Especially as a tourist, you don't have to adhere very strictly to the locals' dressing preferences, except in religious places, and as long as you don't go so far as to walk down a busy street in a bikini, you'll usually be tolerated. Therefore, the most important thing is to choose the right style according to the occasion.

What to Wear in Barcelona in Summer?

As mentioned above, summer is the peak tourist season in Barcelona. In addition, the services at hotels, airports and related entertainment facilities will be more complete in summer. So even though there may be more tourists in summer, we still recommend you to travel to Barcelona in summer. So, what can you wear when traveling here in summer? What are the precautions?

A light blue T-shirt + a pair of white shorts

This look is super refreshing for the beach in summer. Both light blue and white are very versatile, and because of their cool tones, they will give people a cool feeling in the hot summer. Moreover, the combination of light blue and white is very consistent with the understated dressing style of the locals, making you look completely integrated into the atmosphere of the city.

A chiffon floral printed mini dress+ a pair of linen pants

Printed chiffon dresses are also perfect for the summer beach vibe! Especially the brightly colored pink, red and yellow chiffon floral dresses, when the sea breeze blows and the hem of the dress sways, it will bring you a different kind of charm and elegance! Don’t think that layering a dress over pants is weird. Wearing in this way is in line with the 2025 fashion trend and will add a sense of layering to your look. Also, you don't have to worry about inconvenience in activities if you wear long pants under a mini skirt. In the summer, linen is also a very comfortable fabric that can give you an excellent wearing experience.

A tank top + a pair of jeans + a wide-brim hat + a pair of soft-soled sandals

When traveling, you need to pay special attention to comfort as well as fashion, as you will most likely be walking outdoors for a long time. A tank top and a pair of jeans can fully meet both needs. Don't think that this outfit is very ordinary. You can show your fashion taste by choosing a tank top with different patterns, such as stripes, checks, and different decorative elements such as lace, and a variety of jeans, such as wide-leg jeans, flared jeans, etc. In addition, in summer, you also need a wide-brimmed hat to protect yourself from the sun. A pair of soft-soled sandals are suitable for long walks on different surfaces, even on the beach.

What to Wear in Barcelona in Winter?

Although winter is not the so-called peak tourist season in Barcelona, attractions will not be very crowded. Moreover, the Mediterranean coast in winter may have particularly unique scenery! So, if you don’t have time to travel to Barcelona in the summer, don’t regret it! Winter is also a good opportunity! If you are going to travel to Barcelona in winter, then we recommend the following outfits to you:

A silk shirt + a beige long wool coat + a pleated midi velvet dress + a pair of ankle boots

This outfit can fully show the elegant and literary style. A silk shirt has a high-grade feel and emits a beautiful luster under the light. The beige wool coat is very versatile and will make you look extra tender. Together with a pleated midi velvet dress, you are just like a novelist comes from the 19th century. This outfit is especially suitable for visiting various museums such as the Museum Picasso, Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, and Museu d'Història de la Ciutat.

A hoodie + a pair of jeans + a pair of sneakers + a down vest

This look is all about comfort and casual style. Whether it's a hoodie or a pair of jeans, it can help you easily create a relaxed look suitable for travel. The temperature around 10 degrees is quite cold for most women, so even if the hoodie is very thick, it is best to bring a down vest to keep warm in case of a sudden drop in temperature.

A bomber jacket + a pair of ripped jeans + a baseball cap

Their combination is aimed at a trendy outfit. If you are a fan of the street style, then do not miss the fashion items that will fully show your uniqueness such as a pair of ripped jeans. For a cool styled outfit, wear a bomber jacket over a knit top or a shirt. In addition, a baseball cap also contributes a lot to your cool outfit.