Packing List for Spain: Carry On Tips

Are you looking for the perfect packing list for Spain for carry on travelers? Spain is one of my favorite countries, and I’ve been there many times. When Andy and I need some sunshine during the winter, Spain is usually our top choice. But I’ve also been to Spain in summer, fall, and spring, so I have lots of packing tips for Spain. I also love to travel carry on only, so my Spain packing list is geared towards carry on travelers.

Spain is a big enough country that there can be big differences in the weather from one region to another. For example, southern Spain is quite mild in the winter, but northern Spain can be rather cold. You’ll definitely want to tweak your Spain packing list depending on what part of the country you’re traveling to and what time of year. Let’s take a look at what to pack and what to wear in Spain, especially for carry on travelers.

Spain Packing List: Essentials for Carry-On

I took my first trip to Spain when I was 15 years old, and I’ve been in love with the country ever since. My study abroad trip to Spain in college only solidified for me that this was a country I’d go back to again and again. Andy and I have spent several winters in Malaga, Seville, and other cities in southern Spain, and we’ve been to Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and so many other amazing cities. All of these trips have given me a good sense of what to pack for Spain, and I share my tips in this article.

Please note that some posts contain links that earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Clothing

Plan your clothing choices for Spain so that your pieces are practical and coordinate, which also helps you pack for a week in a carry on. Comfort is key when you’re walking around sightseeing all day. If you do like to dress a little nicer to go out for dinner in the evening, you don’t need anything too fancy. Although Spain is definitely a place where it’s reasonable to dress up a little, especially in the evening.

I’m very open to re-wearing shirts, leggings, and jeans. In general, I don’t think one day is enough to get something so dirty that I can’t wear it another day. This is one easy way to travel carry on only. Of course if you plan on doing some serious hiking in Spain, you’ll want to stick to wearing something just once. And if you’re packing for Spain in summer, you might not want to wear sweaty things more than the one day.

Short sleeved shirts: Pack 4-7 shirts for a one week in Spain, plus or minus, depending on how open you are to re-wearing a shirt. If you’re traveling in winter, use these as a base layer. Try these from Bluffworks: women’s crew neck | men’s crew neck | For something a little cuter: women’s cowl neck

Long sleeved shirt or hoodie: In the summer, buses and trains can get a little chilly, so it’s good to have one long sleeved shirt, hoodie, or light jacket to wear over a short sleeved shirt. For a winter trip to Spain, or early spring or late autumn, pack a few more long sleeve shirts.

Pants: 2-3 pairs of leggings or jeans. In the summer, lightweight pants are especially important.

Shorts: Summer in Spain can get very hot, or even late spring and early autumn, so pack a few pairs of shorts if this is when you’re going.

Dresses or skirts: I’m not a dress person, but if you are, you can easily wear them in Spain. Add a couple of light weight options to your Spain packing list, especially if you plan on eating at a fancy restaurant or going to a show, like flamenco.

Bathing suit: For a trip to Spain in summer, you might want a bathing suit or two for beach time.

Light waterproof jacket: It’s good to have a jacket in case it rains or if you’re in a windy location.

Underwear: Pack one pair of underwear and one pair of socks for each day of your trip. Ladies, pack 2 or 3 bras for a one week trip. I love ExOfficio because they’re quick dry, which is great for travel.

Sleepwear: Pajamas, t-shirt and shorts, leggings…you know what you’re comfortable sleeping in.

Shoes: Pack a pair of comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots, plus one other pair of shoes depending on your itinerary. Sandals or other shoes that can be worn with a casual outfit and with a nicer evening outfit are ideal. Leave the high heels at home because they will not be good for walking on cobblestones.

What to wear in Spain in winter

As I mentioned earlier, the weather in one region of Spain can be vastly different from another region. If you’re traveling to northern Spain in winter, you will need warmer clothes than if you’re traveling to southern Spain. When we have been in Andalusia in December, January, and February, it’s often cool enough for a light jacket, though not every day. But some areas in central and northern Spain might even see a little snow in the winter.

Also keep in mind the terrain of where you’re going. Granada is in the south but it’s also in a mountainous area. We spent a weekend in Granada during a longer winter stay in Seville, and it was much colder in Granada than in Seville.

Toiletries

Everyone has specific toiletries they like to use, but here’s my toiletries list that helps me pack carry on only.

Shampoo and conditioner: I love using solid shampoo and solid conditioner for travel and at home. But if you’re not ready to ditch your liquid versions, stay under the liquids limit by using these GoToob refillable bottles. | Read my reviews of Ethique solid shampoo for travel and Ethique solid conditioner for travel.

Shower gel or bar soap: Bar soap won’t count against the liquids limit.

Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss: Keep those teeth clean! Did you know you can get solid toothpaste tabs like these to save even more space in your liquids bag? | Read my review of Hello Solid Toothpaste Tabs for Travel.

Contact solution and case: If you wear contacts, I also recommend bringing glasses as a backup.

Lotion: Always good to have to prevent dry skin, especially in dry regions of Spain or coastal areas that can be windy.

Deodorant: Especially important in the summer. I love this deodorant from Ethique. | Read my review of Ethique solid deodorant for travel.

Razor: If you have shaving needs, add a razor to your Spain travel packing list. | Read: Can you take a razor on a plane?

Nail clippers and nail file: Leave the nail scissors at home since some security agents might confiscate them.

Brush and hair elastics: Really whatever your normal hair routine requires.

Makeup: Pack your must-have makeup items, but you don’t need much. | Read: Can you take makeup on a plane?

Sunscreen: Important if you’re spending lots of time outside sightseeing or hiking, or if you’re spending some time at the beach while in Spain. Did you know you can get solid sunscreen? I love this one.

Laundry soap: If you plan on packing carry on only for Spain, you might need to wash a few things along the way. I travel with this laundry soap, or if my liquids bag is really tight on space, I’ll use these laundry detergent sheets.

First aid items

Of course Spain has pharmacies and other stores where you can buy basic first aid items. But it’s always easier if you have a few things with you, plus if you’re out sightseeing, you might need something right away.

• Headache/Pain meds
• Bandaids and wound cream
• Immodium (hopefully you won’t need this)
• Allergy meds
• Prescription medications (always worth packing a few days extra)
• Bug repellent for Spain in summer (try this solid one)

Electronics

Hopefully you can leave your laptop off your packing list for Spain so you can relax and enjoy your trip. But here are some other electronics you won’t want to forget to pack.

Camera and accessories: These days I mostly use my iPhone to take pictures, especially for city trips, but sometimes I travel with my Canon Rebel DSLR and zoom lens. If you’re really into photography, a DSLR is a good choice.

Kindle: Great for bringing as many books as you want to read on the flight to the Spain or while on trains or buses from one city to another.

Smart phone: This works well for photos if you don’t want to bring a camera.

European SIM card: Rather than deal with the hassles of trying to buy a local sim card when you arrive, get one ahead of time. Orange SIM cards work throughout the EU, including Spain. Choose between a normal SIM or an eSIM.

Chargers, cords, batteries: Make sure you pack any chargers, cords, and batteries you need for your electronics.

Plug adapters: Most of mainland Europe, including Spain, uses a two pronged electrical outlet. You’ll need a plug adapter like this one to make your devices fit.

Most electronics do not need a voltage converter unless you’re traveling to Spain with a hair dryer, curling iron, or hair straightener. Even then, I highly recommend buying a dual voltage hair appliance before your trip because it’ll work better.

Documents

Passport: US citizens do not need a tourist visa to visit Spain, but if you carry a passport from somewhere else, please check the embassy website for requirements.

It’s also good practice to scan a copy of your passport and email it to yourself and to your emergency contact at home. Print a copy to have with you in case there’s an internet issue and you can’t access your scanned copy. Hopefully you’ll never need these backups, but you’ll be grateful to have them if your passport gets lots or stolen. It’s also worth getting a passport holder to protect your passport from bending, water damage, etc.

Credit and debit cards: Many places in Spain will accept credit cards but it’s worth taking out a little cash for small purchases or the occasional place that only takes cash. If a credit card machine or ATM asks if you want to use their exchange rate or let your bank choose it, or if it asks if you want to be charged in euros or your home currency, ALWAYS let your bank choose the exchange rate, and ALWAYS choose to pay in euros.

Driver’s license: I haven’t driven in Spain yet, but one of these days I will probably rent a car for one of our trips there. If you’re interested in doing a road trip in Spain, get a quote for a rental car here. Otherwise you can get around Spain in most places by train or bus pretty easily.

Other essential items to add to your packing list for Spain

Umbrella: In case it rains while you’re in Spain, packing a light weight travel umbrella is a good idea. But if it’s windy, a rain jacket will be even more useful.

Sunglasses: Definitely include sunglasses on your packing list for Spain, even in the winter.

Water bottle: The tap water in Spain is safe to drink, so bring your own water bottle to refill to save money and be kind to the environment. Get a collapsible one like this that will take up less space in your bag.

Tissues: I always travel with a few packs of tissues.

Sleep mask and ear plugs: If you’re a light sleeper or you’re staying in hostels, a sleep mask and ear plugs will come in handy.

Snacks: I always have a handful of granola bars with me to snack on while sightseeing or for long trains or buses. I’m a bit of an anxious person, so knowing I have a snack helps if lunch ends up being later than I’d like.

Hopefully my packing list for Spain is helpful for your trip to this gorgeous country, especially if you’re interested in traveling carry on only.

You might also enjoy:

• Is There a Weight Limit for Carry On Bags?
• How to Pack for 2 Weeks in a Carry On
• Solid Toiletries for Travel: Best Options for Carry-On
• Best Travel Packing Cubes