What to Wear in Spain in the Summer: The Essential Spanish Girl Packing List
After living in Spain, I learned that Spanish women have mastered the art of looking effortlessly chic in 40°C heat (100°+ F) . Here’s your guide to blending in with Spanish girl style, complete with the essentials you need to pack.
What is the weather like in Spain during summer?
Summer in Spain is HOT—we’re talking 35-45°C (95-113°F) depending on where you are. Coastal cities like Barcelona and Valencia get humid Mediterranean heat, while inland cities like Madrid and Seville experience dry, scorching temperatures.
But despite the extreme heat, Spanish women still somehow manage to look polished.
City inspiration
Where to go in Spain in the summer
Summer is peak season for Spain’s coasts: Costa Brava, Costa del Sol, and the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca) are perfect for beach days and coastal dinners. Cities like Seville host festivals like Feria de Abril, while Barcelona’s beach clubs come alive.
Many Spaniards escape the August heat by heading to the north (San Sebastian, Bilbao) or the mountains. If you’re visiting Madrid or Seville in August, expect many locals to be gone.
A word to the wise: Air conditioning is not widespread in Spain. While the hotel or Airbnb may have it, a lot of restaurants, cafes, etc. will not. You probably are not going to need to carry a jacket everywhere you go and it will get HOT in certain parts of Spain.
Beach Destination Inspiration
What to wear in Spain in the summer
Spanish summer style is completely different from American casual wear. While Americans default to athleisure and athletic shorts, Spanish women build their summer wardrobe around breathable fabrics, neutral bases, and strategic pops of color, all designed to look polished while staying cool.
After living in Spain, seeing the locals and the type of trends in all the shops, I started noticing a pattern. Here’s what you need to nail Spanish girl summer style.
Essential Summer Packing List for Spain
Accessories
Scarves — A lightweight silk or cotton scarf is so versatile for summer. You can wear it in your hair, tie it over a bag, even use it as a shawl if it’s big enough. This can be the pop of color in an otherwise neutral outfit.
Jewelry — I tend to see a lot of dainty gold hoops, layered necklaces, and anklets everywhere. In coastal cities, you’ll also see a lot with straw/beachy elements.
Sunglasses — Always a must for that bright Spanish sun! Choose whichever frame fits your face, but I’d just avoid any of the overly sporty looking ones.
Straw bags — Woven straw totes or crossbody bags for daytime. Bonus if they have leather details or colorful accents.
Hair accessories — Claw clips and other accessories can dress up an item. Scrunchies tend to be more of a Northern European thing, but can still be pretty widespread in Spain.
Tops
Linen button-downs — The most versatile piece in a Spanish summer wardrobe. Wear oversized and tucked, or tied at the waist. Neutral colors (white, tan, beige) are the standard.
Basic tops — Whether they’re tanks or plain t shirts, get some great tops that you can mismatch with a lot of different outfits.
Blouses — Flowy, breathable tops in neutrals or warm colors. These work for both day exploring and evening dinners.
Dresses
You can never go wrong with a nice sundress that can be dressed up or down. Definitely the easiest option when you’re trying to keep cool in the summer!
Bottoms
Linen wide-leg trousers — THE signature Spanish summer piece. White, beige, or tan linen pants that are loose enough for airflow but tailored enough to look polished. You’ll see these everywhere from Madrid to Barcelona.
Flowy skirts — Midi or maxi length in neutral tones or warm colors. Spanish women love a wrap skirt or A-line cut that moves with them.
Shorts — I wear linen shorts, cotton, even sometimes denim but NOT athletic shorts. Still polished, just shorter.
Shoes
Espadrilles — Espadrille in tan, white, or neutral tones. They’re the stereotypical Spanish shoe and for good reason! They’re comfortable for walking but still give you height.
Platform sandals — Strappy leather sandals with chunky platforms. Spanish women just really seem to love really chunky platforms, and you’ll see that in sandals and in sneakers.
Plain, white sneakers — Chunky, thick-soled white sneakers (think Fila style or similar) paired with linen trousers or dresses. This is the casual daytime look.
Leather slides — Simple, minimalist leather slides in tan or white for quick errands or beach days.
Swimsuits
Swimsuits – So heads up: In Spain, it is common for women to go topless at the beach. There are many who don’t, and it’s fine if you don’t, but because of this cultural openness, they are really relaxed when it comes to swimsuits and bikinis. Find a cute one that you love and feel free to look as sexy as you want!
Cover-ups – Find a crochet dress, cute set, or a sarong to be stylish as you beach hop!
Where to Shop for Spanish Summer Style
Spanish Brands:
- Mango — Spanish brand with endless linen options and the exact aesthetic you’re looking for
- Zara — Affordable, trend-driven, great for basics and trendy pieces
- Stradivarius — Younger, more casual vibe but still on-trend
- Bershka — Similar price point to Stradivarius with trendier cuts
- Pull&Bear — Relaxed, coastal Spanish style
- Bimba y Lola — For colorful accessories, bags, and jewelry
Before Your Trip:
- Cider — Affordable linen pieces and trendy summer styles
- & Other Stories — Higher quality, Scandinavian-meets-Mediterranean aesthetic
- H&M — Minimalist, elevated basics.
Final Thoughts
Spanish summer style is less about following exact trends and more about understanding the cultural approach to dressing in extreme heat. Americans tend to prioritize comfort through athletic wear; Spanish women prioritize looking polished through strategic fabric choices and elevated basics.
The result? They stay just as cool, but look infinitely more put-together. Keep your base neutral, add warm color accents, layer on the gold jewelry, and for the love of all that is holy—get yourself some platform espadrilles.
