Barcelona Travel Forum

We are Americans and will be visting June through July. Is it ok for guys to wear shorts while sightseeing in Spain? I've heard the locals frown on it and that men should stick to long pants. Seems rather hot for my poor fella!
What about women? Ok for shorts or are skirts better to beat the heat? Is it the same for Madrid and Andelucia area?

Thanks for your candid response!

"Dress code" is certainly too strong a word, but it's true that (most) locals stick to long pants. I for one never wear shorts (safe beaches and balconies), but you or your husband won't be the only one wearing them in Barcelona.
So, wear shorts if you like, just don't enter a church then.

According to local regulations in Barcelona, it would also be OK if you were naked on the street.

Where did you read the locals frown on shorts? On a guide dated 40 years ago? Even if it might be different in Barcelona from a small village in Andalusia.


You can dress like you want to, only we laugh at tourists wearing sandals with socks or with skirts and tennis shoes but it is a question of taste.

Of course it is not the same being dressed with shorts if you are sight-seeing or if you go to the opera theatre. Just common sense regarding the situation.

Yes I'm totally agree with xinoxano. I'm spanish and here everybody wear shorts in summer, if not it is impossible to go out because of the hot! The same about women or girls, girls in all over spain do wear skirts, dresses, mini-skirts, shorts, super shorts, tops etc etc. I've never heard about that here is not proper to wear shorts or skirts in the streets since of course everybody does, this is not morocco where u can't wear some type of clothes, even for churchs it is ok to wear shorts or skirts, nobody is going to say you anything,this is europe so dress as you want or as u do un your own country.

As much as I love Spain, my first concern with respect to travel clothing (pants, shorts, bags) is security. This includes inner zipper pockets, pickets with buttons or in some cases I have added grommets to where I can secure a pocket with a locking device. Bags with a strong over the shoulder strap. That said, I wear shorts in Spain in the summer as it is hot. But I also have llight travel pants when I go to churches just as a matter of respect. The Columbia brand has nice options which are loose fitting, easy to pack and come out of the suitcase in reasonable shape. If you are active, and are climbing some of the towers at say Familia Sagrada, you may opt for shorts rather than a skirt unless you want to provide a show for those climbing up behind you. Also consider a hiking belt that has provision for a bottle of water. Karl

A some said above, I'd think it's more a matter of taste/fashion

In fact, even no one will "frown on", most of us locals do not wear shorts, even in the hotter days of summer (if not going to the beach or doing sport/leisure activities). Most of us will wear capris or long cotton pants, or skirts (of any lengt) for women. But you will be just 2 of the zillions of tourists around, so wear what you want, you will not be the only ones.

I personally prefer cotton or other natural fibres' skirts on summer to beat the heat, but this is a personal taste.

xinoxano is not joking when he says that according local regulations, you can even be naked in Barcelona's public spaces. Even is not "usual" there are a few guys I've see a couple of times in the city center who use to wear only shoes :) In an area where topless or nudity is normal even on city beaches, it will be quite strange than anyone will frown on shorts

A different thing are private places (bar, museum, restaurant...) Some bars/restaurants have minimal "dress code" so you can't enter on swimsuit or without shirt/t-shirt.

Churches... it depends. I would dress more conservative as matter of respect in any case. I remember seeing signals on the cathedral and other churches frequented by tourist about not allowing to wear tank tops, shorts, etc

Barcelona is quite a lot more liberal than Madrid regarding nudity/dress. I've lived in both so I can say it first hand. Better not attempt to walk naked in Madrid, LOL. Andalucia is even more conservative, as well as small towns in any region. But no one will be surprised to see tourists wearing shorts, anywhere in Spain

well to endorse previous responses. I prefer not to wear short shorts. cropped/capri pants are comfy and dont show (in my case) the ravages of time apparent on certain body parts ha ha!
Also, this choice of clothing is appropriate for any sightseeing/restaurant-going. When discovering this 'amazing city' (alter ego's words) you can expect to visit a diversity of places. Churches/cathedrals/museums restaurants etc all in a day, so its best to encompass it all.

Someone sent me this link, I guess you might like. There is a video about "etiquette", read the written comments too
http://theopenmic.org/category/barcelona/

Now I was just thinking that most tourists choose to wear shorts and tank-tops to "beat the heat" on sunny summer days.... just to end "red as a shrimp" LOL. Covering your skin with loose clothes is more effective to beat the heat and avoid sunburns

fully endorse the loose clothing thingy Isa. Lets the air get in and around. If you are comfy, then you will be/and look more relaxed

Thank you everyone for your responses. I can see the warning I had is totally unwarrented!

We will wear long shorts and loose fitting clothes - or nothing if we choose!

Thank you to all!

Countindown (grandma)

Very dangerous to wear nothing. You should at least wear some suntan lotion.