If you are planning to visit Barcelona for the first time, you can to the right place. I have been living in Spain for nine years and moved to Barcelona two years ago. And I have been receiving so many visitors who have been asking me for a Barcelona packing list, and you can find it below.
This blog post includes the ultimate packing list for your Barcelona trip. Because I know that packing for an overseas trip can be stressful, I made sure to include the most important essentials and things to pack.
Below you can find the perfect packing list for visiting Barcelona in summer and winter. Here, I will give you some recommendations about what to pack for the different seasons and some personal tips of mine. Now that I live in Barcelona, I can truly give you some tips about what you should not forget when coming here. This includes clothes, appliances, documents and toiletries. You can even download a PDF version of this packing list and display it on your phone if you like.
So let’s start: Here comes the ultimate Barcelona packing list for your Spain trip!
Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the free content of this blog post. If you purchase from one of the links I may receive a small commission while the price for you stays the same. This helps me cover the costs of The Lithuanian Abroad. Gracias!
Other blog posts to check out:
Barcelona bucket list: This post includes the ultimate Barcelona bucket list if you are visiting Barcelona for the first time. It includes all monuments and places to see you have to know about.
Tibidabo viewpoint one-day trip: One of my favorite places in Barcelona to bring visitors to is Mount Tibidabo. This post tells you how to get there and what you should know before going.
Barcelona neighborhood map: If you are confused about Barcelona’s different areas, just like I used to do, you need to check out this post. I created a neighborhood map that you can display on your phone.
How to get to the Bunkers del Carmel: Bunkers del Carmel is Barcelona’s most famous viewpoint, but visiting it has become highly regulated. You can read about it in this post!
Let’s talk about free walking tours in Barcelona before jumping to our Barcelona packing list:
I cannot recommend free walking tours enough if you are visiting a city for the first time. They are truly the best way to learn about the city’s different areas, the history and culture. The best part about free walking tours is the local guides who do their best to show you the best areas of Barcelona.
How do free walking tours work? Free walking tours do not come with a set price, so they are free. You will spend an afternoon walking around with your local guide exploring Barcelona. At the end of the tour, you can give your local guide a tip. And how much you want to tip is completely up to you. It usually depends on how much you liked the tour and your budget.
The best part is that they offer these tours in different languages. You can find all free walking tours in Barcelona here.
Best places to stay in Barcelona:
Serras Barcelona €€€: This is THE hotel for you if you want to spoil yourself, but you also want to be in the city center of Barcelona, close to all attractions. The location of this boutique hotel is perfect, the rooms are insanely chic, and the rooftop is to die for. The perfect place to stay if you are spending 3 days in Barcelona.
H10 Casa Mimosa €€: This hotel is another amazing choice if you want to stay in Barcelona’s best area. And because the hotel leads to an interior court yard you will avoid the loud streets of Barcelona completely. And it has a rooftop bar with views of La Pedrera. The dream!
Eco Boutique Hostal Grau €: This property is family owned, affordable and is located in a great area if you are visiting Barcelona. All rooms have so much space and lots of natural light. And the reviews are great, too!
Let’s begin with our ultimate “Barcelona packing list”
What to pack for Barcelona: Let’s start with clothes & essentials
The first part of our Barcelona packing list will cover the most important part: What essential clothes to pack. Keep in mind that you will spend a lot of time outside exploring the city. So I really recommend only taking comfortable shoes. Especially the old town of Barcelona is full of stone streets, which means that you will suffer a lot wearing high heels. Please believe me, comfortable footwear, sneakers and boots are the way to go!
If you are wondering what the Barcelona dress code is: People in Barcelona mostly dress more on the casual side. As it often happens in beach cities, the vibe is more relaxed, bohemian, and laid back. But if you want to dress up, of course you can!
Another tip of mine is to not overpack and to really think about whether you need all clothing items. I recommend focusing on versatile pieces, light clothing, and comfortable walking shoes. Worst-case scenario, you can go to one of the many laundry places and quickly wash your clothes.
By the way, if you are planning to visit the Sagrada Familia, I wrote a complete blog post about the Sagrada Familia dress code. Check it out!
- Socks
- Bras
- Pijamas
- Tops / Tank Tops
- Polo Shirt / T-Shirt with short sleeves
- Jeans
- Short Shorts
- Pants
- Dresses
- Skirts
- Swimsuits
- Sun hat
- Evening Outfit
- Pair of white sneakers (Believe me, comfortable shoes are the way to go!)
- Sandals
- Hiking Shoes
- Light Jacket
- Jeans Jacket
- Hoodie
- Casual Shirts
- Formal Shirts
- Blazer
- Suit
- Workout clothes
- Hiking clothes
- Tights
- Laundry Kit
- Belts
- Accessories
- Tote bag
- Backpack (Even better: Anti-theft backpack with zippers)
- Bag
- Crossbody Bag
Barcelona packing list: Winter edition
Let’s talk about visiting Barcelona in winter: Thanks to its Mediterranean climate, winters in Barcelona have very mild temperatures. While temperatures drop to around 10-15 degrees during the day, you will still get a lot of sunshine. I would recommend always checking the weather forecast because the winter months (March and April included) can have some rainy days as well.
If you happen to be in Barcelona on a cold winter day, I really recommend taking a warm jumper, boots, and a scarf. It can get really windy in winter, so you’d better come prepared!
By the way, I wrote a blog post about visiting Barcelona in November. Make sure to check it out!
- Umbrella
- Raincoat / Rain jacket
- Warm jacket
- Hoodie
- Pullover
- Light Cardigan
- Coat
- Jeans jacket
- Boots
- Sneakers
- Scarf
- Hat
- Gloves
- Cozy socks
- Warm tights
- Undershirts
- Long Pants
Barcelona packing list: What to pack for Barcelona in summer
If you are visiting Barcelona in the summer months, you will have such a fun time! And when it comes to packing, think about light materials, linen, and beach outfits. While the temperatures can reach up to 35 degrees Celsius, the humidity is high, and the sun is very strong. Make sure to bring sun protection with you. I usually recommend linen clothes that cover your skin and try to avoid synthetic materials.
That time of the year is also known for its sunny, long days and warm weather. And no, it usually does not cool down much at night! To sum it up: The best way to survive the hot weather in summer in Barcelona is by wearing light clothes, drinking a lot of water, and protecting yourself from the sun. Make sure to bring your own refillable water bottles. And I am repeating myself: Make sure to have a pair of comfortable shoes with you. You will have plenty of walking in Barcelona, and the Gothic Quarter is known to have very old streets. And you need comfortable footwear if you go on day trips.
One small reminder: While temperatures are very high in summer, you will have to cover up your knees and shoulders if you visit any religious sites. Keep that in mind if you are visiting Barcelona in summer.
By the way, in case you are planning to go to the Costa Brava to spend time at Spain’s most beautiful beaches, I got you. I wrote an article with a Costa Brava itinerary you have to read!
- Sun hat
- Cap
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen / Sun Protection
- After Sun Lotion
- Beach Outfit
- Goggles
- Snorkel Gear
- Flip Flops
- Pair of Sandals
- Swimsuit
- Swim Shorts
- Sunglasses
- Beach towel
- Mosquito Spray
- Linen Pants
- (High Heels)
Barcelona packing list: documents, finances & more!
A very important part of our Barcelona packing list! Here is a list of all the documentation and important documents I recommend bringing with you on your Barcelona trip. My personal trip: Leave your passport at your hotel room whenever you can. In most places in Barcelona, you can pay with a credit card, so there is no need to carry a large quantity of cash with you. Why am I saying that? I am sure you have heard about pickpockets in Barcelona, which is why you should always be careful. Personally, I do not even carry credit cards with me because I mostly pay with my phone. Something I do recommend before your Barcelona trip is to check if your travel insurance covers you during your visit. You do not want to have any bad surprises in case something happens.
Be careful of pickpockets when you are walking around Barcelona or visiting famous buildings in Barcelona! Better leave your belongings at your hotel
- Passport
- Copy of your passport
- VISA
- ID Document
- Health insurance card
- Travel Insurance
- Address of Accommodation
- Flight Tickets
- Boarding Pass
- Drivers License
- Emergency Contacts
- Credit Cards
- Debit Cards
- Some Cash
- Big wallet for documents
- Small wallet for on-the-go!
- Money Belt
Barcelona packing list: Appliances & Travel Accessories
Let’s talk about what appliances and travel accessories you should bring to your Barcelona vacation. First of all, if you are coming from the UK or the USA, don’t forget to bring adapters so you can still use your appliances in Barcelona, e.g., charge your phone.
Then, in case you have to catch one of those long-haul flights to Barcelona, think about what you can take with you to make the flight more comfortable for you – a Kindle, iPad, Earplugs, or a travel pillow.
By the way, I wrote a whole blog post full of Spain bucket list destinations which you can find here!
- Laptop
- Travel Adapter
- Phone Charger
- Laptop Charger
- Headphones
- Loudspeaker
- Power Bank / Portable Charger
- Camera
- Memory Card/USB-Stick
- Kindle / Books
- Reusable Water Bottle
- Drone
- Backpack
- Smaller bag
- Earplugs
- Pen
- Travel Pillow
Barcelona packing list: Don’t forget toiletries & personal items
The last part of our Barcelona packing list talks about toiletries, skincare, and hygiene articles. Good news! Even if you forget to pack something, you can always go to Druni, Primor or any supermarket to get whatever you need.
Here, it really depends on what kind of products you use on a daily basis. The general rule of thumb is that you will need sun protection the whole year round if the sun is shining. So I recommend bringing sunscreen (or buying it in Barcelona).
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Conditioner
- Shampoo
- Body Wash
- Deodorant
- Dry Shampoo
- Skin Care
- Face Wash
- Razor
- Makeup
- Makeup Remover
- Hairbrush
- Curling Iron / Hair Straightener
- Perfume
- Tampons & Pads
- Small towel/ Quick Dry Towel
- Paracetamol/Aspirin
- Pills for Diarrhea
- Bandaids
- Sunscreen
- After Sun lotion
- Bodylotion
- Face Masks
- Hairspray
- Hair Ties
- Hair Brush
- Nail Clipper
- Baby Powder
- Chap Stick
- Hand Sanitiser
- Dental Floss
- Medication
- Contact Lenses
Barcelona packing list: PDF download
Below you can find your Barcelona packing list that you can download as a PDF and display on your phone. I made sure to add some of my personal Barcelona travel tips as well. That way this Barcelona trip will become one of a kind!
Before you leave, make sure to check out this blogpost where I talk about souvenirs from Barcelona and where to find the best ones!
