What to wear in Spain in winter (Packing list included!)
Winter is a fantastic time to visit Spain. Fewer tourists, mild temperatures, unique events, and plenty of activities to do, especially if you love sightseeing and hiking.
You may be asking yourself questions like “What do people wear in Spain in December?”, “Will it rain?”, “What’s the temperature like in Spain in winter?”
It’s difficult to know what to pack for Spain because of the different types of climate in the south, the north and the islands.
Having lived in different parts of Spain, I know the weather does vary from region to region. However, I can tell you that the key to dressing appropriately in Spain in winter is layers.
In this blog, I’m going to tell you what to wear in Spain in winter, so you don’t need to rush to buy something during your trip, and can enjoy visiting the main attractions or lesser-known spots in your destination.
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Winter in Spain
Overall, Spain enjoys a mild winter in comparison to other European destinations. It doesn’t rain much, the temperatures during the day are pleasant, and there are many sunny days.
However, if you head inland, you can experience colder temperatures and even snow. For example, Sierra Nevada in Granada and Baqueira/Beret are the best places to enjoy the snow in Spain.
Apart from the mountainside towns and national parks, the chances of experiencing extreme cold temperatures are very rare.
Here is a table with some Spanish destinations and their average temperatures, so you can have an idea of what the weather is like in different parts of the country.
| Madrid | Barcelona | Seville | Bilbao | Canary Islands | |
| Average maximum temperature | 11ºC (51ºF) | 15ºC (59ºF) | 17ºC (62ºF) | 14ºC (57ºF) | 22ºC (71ºF) |
| Average minimum temperature | 3ºC (37ºF) | 8ºC (46ºF) | 7ºC (44ºF) | 6ºC (42ºF) | 16ºC (60ºF) |
| Rainy days | 7 | 5 | 7 | 13 | 3 |
Packing list for Spain in winter
Are you in a rush? Here is a short winter packing list for Spain
- Tops and jumpers
- Jacket or coat (depending on the location)
- Jeans or leggings
- Long-sleeve dresses or long skirts
- Winter accessories (scarves and gloves)
- Boots or comfortable trainers
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, hand sanitiser, make-up)
- Sun cream
- Reusable water bottle (optional)
- Travel adaptor
- Umbrella
- Portable charger
- Camera (optional)
- Passport or identity card
- Travel insurance
- Cash
What to wear in Spain in winter
Jacket
Many first-time travellers don’t know that it can be cold and rainy in Spain, especially in the north of Spain. However, even if you head to the south, you’ll need a jacket because of the temperature difference between day and night.
During the day, the temperature is often mild and sunny so you can sometimes make it without a jacket, but the temperature drastically changes in the evening.
For example, if you visit Seville, it may be 20 celsius degrees (68ºF) in the afternoon but 9 degrees (48.2ºF) in the evening and early morning.
Coat
Heading to the north or Spain inland? Don’t forget to carry a good coat with you.
I highly recommend getting a coat that is warm inside. Materials like wool are perfect for keeping you warm.
For cities, you won’t often need a big and heavy coat, but a lightweight and stylish coat like this one. For hiking and doing winter activities, take a waterproof and warm jacket to keep you warm from the rain, wind or snow.
Light jumpers and tops
You don’t need a fluffy wool jumper if you take a good jacket or coat. Instead, pack light jumpers, blouses and long-sleeve tops with a neck.
They go with skirts, formal trousers and jeans, so you can mix and match clothes. In terms of colours, most locals use neutral colours (black, white, beige) during this time of the year.
You’ll barely see them wearing something bright or colourful unless it’s a special occasion like Christmas.
Jeans
Jeans are a very used clothing item in Spain during winter. Men and women often opt for wearing jeans all the time.
Depending on the length of your trip, I recommend taking a pair or two of trousers/jeans. They are very easy to combine with all sorts of tops and jumpers.
If you don’t feel comfortable travelling in jeans, you can pack a few leggings instead.
Wearing sports clothes isn’t the norm in Spain. Most people like dressing in a relaxed but stylish way, as is the case in other European countries like Italy. The exception is when you are actually going to practice any sport, go for a run or hike.
Long sleeve dress
If you’re all about dressing fashionably while travelling, long sleeve dresses are perfect to wear during winter in Spain.
They look more stylish than a pair of jeans, and you can wear them for sightseeing or a romantic dinner with your partner.
Combine it with a nice pair of boots and tights, and you have the perfect outfit for the day.
Winter accessories
The truth is that you won’t need many winter accessories in Spain, especially if you head to the south or islands.
Most times, a light scarf and coat are enough to beat the cold in winter. However, you’ll have to pack a scarf, a hat and gloves if you plan to do activities like going to the mountainside, going on a hike or ski resort.
Boots
If you take a look at what many women wear in Spain, you’ll realise that they wear boots with almost anything – jeans, dresses, etc. They’re the most common type of shoes during the time of this year.
I personally use high and flat boots in winter all the time. They’re comfortable and certainly keep you warm and dry from the rain.
An alternative to boots is to wear comfortable trainers that you can easily match with clothes. For example, I always wear my white trainers with me because white is a colour you can match most colours.
Packing list essentials for Spain
Reusable water bottle
Tap water is safe to drink in Spain, and you’ll come across many fountains in parks and streets where you can refill your water bottle.
You’ll save money on buying water bottles and be a more sustainable traveller by using a reusable water bottle. It’s all wins.
Since you’re travelling you want a durable and high-quality reusable water bottle that won’t leak. There are plenty of reusable water bottles out there, but my favourite is Chilly.
Not only can you use it to pour your water but also for tea or coffee since it keeps the temperature of your drink really good.
Check out Chilly’s water bottle here.
Sun cream
Summer, winter, autumn or spring, sun cream is a must. No matter what the weather is like, you need to protect your skin from the sun rays and other elements like wind and pollution, and sun cream is the answer.
La Roche-Posay is my go-to sun cream because it’s lightweight and suitable for sensitive skin. When you apply this sun cream, it feels like you aren’t wearing any. It doesn’t feel greasy, and you can apply it after your make-up without making your skin feel heavy.
It’s a bit expensive in comparison to other sun creams, but the quality of this sun cream is worth the money.
Travel adapter
If you’re travelling to Spain from countries like the United Kingdom, you’ll definitely need a travel adapter to connect your devices.
Spain has a type C plug, which is also called the “Euro-plug” because it’s the type of plug you’ll find in most European countries.
This travel adapter is ideal because it accepts the standard UK plug and has a dual USB to charge your phone or tablet.
Umbrella
The rainfall in Spain varies from city to city. There are more rainy days in the north of Spain than in the south and in other parts.
However, although it doesn’t rain as much as in other countries, the rainiest months in Spain are November and December, so it’s good to pack a small umbrella just in case.
When travelling is essential to take a lightweight umbrella but sturdy so it doesn’t break if the rain or wind is stronger than usual.
I love this umbrella because it ticks all the boxes. It’s compact and lightweight, wind-resistant, and very easy to use.
Camera
Who doesn’t like capturing memories while travelling? Whether you’re a professional photographer or an amateur, you’ll love taking photos during your trip to Spain.
Spain is full of beautiful historic buildings like castles and churches and impressive landscapes like golden sand beaches, high mountains and lakes to take pictures of.
Of course, you can use your phone to take photos. However, if you want high-quality photos to print, edit or sell, you’ll certainly need a camera.
Here are my favourite lightweight cameras perfect for travel:
- Instax mini 11 instant film camera. Ideal for selfies and fun photos with friends. Check the price here.
- Sony Vlog camera ZV-1. Perfect for vlogging and videos. Check the price here.
- Sony Alpha 6400. Professional mirrorless camera. This is the camera I use for my photos, and I absolutely love the quality of the images, and how compact and light it is too. Check the price here.
Portable charger
Do you know that feeling of worrying too much because you’re running out of battery? You’ve probably experienced it more than once, like me.
There’s nothing worse than running out of battery when you need to rely on Google Maps to get to a certain place or go back to your hotel. Or maybe just the fact of being able to communicate with someone if something goes wrong.
For this reason, I always make sure to take a portable charger with me. This portable charger is thin and lightweight, can be used to charge phones as well as iPods and smart watches and charges your device quickly.
One of the things that I love the most about this portable charger is its cool paw indicator that shows you the percentage of battery it has. It’s super useful to know when you need to charge it as many portable chargers don’t tell you this.
Travel insurance
Whether you travel to Spain for a weekend or two weeks, buying travel insurance is essential.
Although it’s good to think positively, and hopefully, you don’t have any problems during your trip, you can prevent unforeseen or difficult scenarios abroad by getting travel insurance.
You may be sick, your luggage may get lost, or some of your belongings may be stolen while sightseeing. Good travel insurance covers you for many of these scenarios.
SafetyWing offers simple and very flexible travel insurance that you can use anywhere in the world. You don’t necessarily need to buy it before your trip, but as you travel too.
Some of the things that are covered in their insurance are trip cancellation, emergency medical insurance, and transport, and it also covers lost or stolen gear.
Money
The euro is the current currency in Spain, just like many European countries. Although you can pay by card in many supermarkets, restaurants and cafes across Spain, there are places where they’ll only accept cash. For example, this is the case with some public transport.
This is why I highly recommend taking some euros with you for your trip to Spain. If the euro isn’t your country’s currency, change some money before heading to Spain.
Don’t change money at the airport because they charge more money to make the change. Instead, have a look at websites like xe.com and check the currency exchange and where you can find a holiday money exchange shop in your city with a good rate.
📌 In addition to these travel essentials, remember to pack your passport and any medicines or tablets. Many general medicines, like Paracetamol, can be obtained without a prescription in the pharmacy in Spain; however, if you have a specific treatment, make sure to pack your medicines.
Tips for planning what to pack for Spain in winter
- Check out the weather forecast. You can do this by looking at websites like Accuweather that show the forecast for the next 30 days. The weather can always change if you look so much in advance, so have a look a few days before heading to your Spanish destination.
- Choose your suitcase wisely. You can travel to Spain with a backpack during the summer because clothes are lighter, however, it’s likely you need a carry-on for winter as winter clothes are bulkier. Also, there are many cobblestone streets in Spain, so it’s wise to have a good quality carry-on with resistant wheels like this one.
- Pack according to your destination. If you’ve read below, you already know that travelling to Bilbao (the north of Spain) isn’t the same as travelling to the Canary Islands. Do a bit of research before packing your suitcase.
- It’s likely you won’t need to pack many toiletries. Most hotels include complimentary shower gel and shampoos, so you can save space and add make-up or your favourite perfume instead. Similarly, check out if your hotel room has a hairdryer, so you don’t need to take yours with you.
- Mix and match clothes. This is very important when it comes to packing. It’s extremely easy to overpack and end up with clothes you won’t even use during your trip. If you’re taking small luggage, mixing and matching clothes will help you maximise your suitcase space.
Frequently asked questions about what to wear in Spain in winter
How cold is Spain in winter?
Most parts of Spain enjoy mild temperatures in winter and the average minimum temperature is 9ºC (42ºF) degrees.
However, towns located near the mountainside can be quite cold in winter. For example, it’s normal to see temperatures below 0 (32ºF) in Segovia or Teruel in the winter months.
What do people wear in Spain in December?
Locals usually dress in a relaxed but stylish way. Men and women often wear jumpers, jeans, coats and boots. Scarves are common winter accessories among women too.
What do men normally wear in Spain in winter?
Long sleeve shirts, smart jumpers, jeans or trousers, and leather shoes. However, formal trainers and boots are worn too.
Conclusion of what to wear in Spain in winter
The key to dressing like a local in Spain in winter is wearing light layers. You don’t need to wear fluffy and super warm clothes as long as you wear a good jacket or coat. This is different if you choose a mountain destination.
Also, don’t forget to check the weather forecast before your trip, so you have an idea of what to take with you.
If you have any questions about visiting Spain, you can always leave them in the comments.
Safe adventures!
Cristina
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Top things to do before travelling to Spain
- Check out cheap flights to Spain with Skyscanner.
- Are you looking for the best accommodation for you? Book your accommodation with Booking.com
- Discover all the amazing activities and tours you can do in Spain with Get Your Guide.
- Book a free walking tour with GuruWalk.
- Are you travelling around Spain? Hire a car with Discover Cars.
- Book travel insurance for your trip. This is a must for any trip!
Other Spain travel guides
If this is going to be your first time in Spain, check out the following articles:
