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Packing List For Spain 2024

Enjoy your Spanish holiday to the full with our comprehensive packing list for Spain, which will help you ensure you remember all the essentials.

MadridMadrid © Nicolas Vigier

Spain has a history and culture to rival anywhere in the world yet, from food to football, the country puts its own unique stamp on everything it does. Economic troubles have not dented the Spanish lust for life – its incredible nightlife and festivals or the generosity of its people. And visitors are treated to almost year-round sunny beaches, centuries of art and architecture, and the unique personality of each city and region. Spain is a country with character.

Preparing For Your Trip To Spain

Some of the most important things you’ll need for Spain aren’t in your luggage at all. Be sure to sort these fundamentals well before you plan to leave.

  • Flight Ticket ? Book with an airline well in advance, as costs increase nearer to departure date. The best time to book a flight is three months ahead, using a comparison site like Skyscanner. Keep a print out of all tickets within easy reach, as you may be asked to show a return flight on arrival.
  • Bus and Train Tickets – You can also save cash by planning other transport in advance, especially if you plan to see a lot of Spain. The Spanish train system is now one of the best in Europe and speeding from city to city is a joy.
  • Accommodation – The availability and cost of accommodation is also more favourable around three months in advance. Use a comparison site like Booking.com to shop for the best deals.
  • Passport – Your passport should have at least six months before expiry and plenty of blank pages – especially if you’re coming from outside the EU. Damage can cause serious problems for you at the airport, so get a strong passport cover to protect it. It’s also a convenient place to gather tickets and other travel documents.
  • Do I Need A Visa For Spain? – As part of the Schengen Area, EU citizens are entitled to free movement into Spain. Americans, Australians, Canadians, and others do NOT need a visa for less than 90 days. Full details and other nationalities are available from the Consulate of Spain website.
  • Face mask – COVID is still very active in many countries and you may be required to wear an SFP2 facemask on the plane and in some indoor spaces. It’s also a good idea to carry a small bottle of hand sanitiser when you travel.

Travel Insurance For Spain

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What Do You Need To Pack For Spain?

The shops in Spain are very good, and the cost of living is cheaper than most of the bigger European countries, so it probably pays to buy any holiday shopping once you’ve arrived. You’ll have no trouble getting what you need. Regardless, the best advice is to usually pack less.

So far, Spain has resisted the move to longer opening hours seen in other European cities, maintaining instead local norms and customs. Although larger supermarkets stay open all day until 10pm, it is still common for other places (even banks) to close for the lunchtime siesta, which varies depending on where you are. Nor should you assume that anywhere will be trading on Sundays, even the biggest stores. The best advice is to plan any shopping for either first thing on a weekday or late afternoon.

  • You Won’t Need Non-Prescription Medication – Spanish chemists are called ‘pharmacías’ and are easily recognised by a green, neon cross familiar to anyone who has been to France. They also offer a similar range of basic medical services to their French equivalents. Check opening hours as most will be closed during lunch and on Sundays, and possibly also Saturday afternoons.
  • You Won’t Need Toiletries – Most of the big supermarket chains like Carrefour and Mercadona, stock reasonably-priced toiletries, so there’s no need to bring tampons, deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo and shower gel, razors, or loo roll. For more upmarket and specialised personal care products, try a ‘perfumería’ like Douglas.

What Clothes To Pack For Spain

Whilst it is generally sunny in Spain, it does get cold, especially in high-altitude regions like Madrid. You can also expect rain in many regions. On the other hand, temperatures can get excessively hot at certain times of year, particularly in the central parts of the country. Unless you’re going in winter, you won’t need a lot of warm clothes. If you find that you do once you’ve arrived, the shops will have everything you need. So, pack to stay cool but include a light sweater or blanket and something to keep you dry if it rains.

Health And Grooming Items To Pack For Spain

  • Sunscreen and Insect Repellent – Cover any exposed skin with sunscreen thoroughly and frequently. Neutrogena SPF 45 Drytouch is water resistant about an hour and is absorbed into skin instantly. Insect repellent is also a worthwhile investment.
  • Refillable Water Bottle – This is important. Spain can be brutally hot and it’s vital to stay hydrated at all times. A full water bottle means you always have refreshment on hand. The Nalgene OTF is durable and easy to use, and was especially designed for travellers.
  • Quick Dry Towel – Even if towels are supplied where you’re staying, it’s still a good idea to bring your own, especially for the beach. Sunland towels are non-bulky and lightweight, so easy to pack and carry around.
  • Tissues – A packet of tissues can be useful for endless little emergencies. Carry a small bottle of hand sanitiser too.
  • Moisturiser – A revitalising face moisturiser is a real pick-me-up for travellers at the end of a demanding day. Perhaps it’s my imagination but brands like CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion and Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream seem to do the job more effectively than generic makes.
  • Antihistamine tablets – In addition to counteracting pollen allergies and ticklish noses, I find that popping an antihistamine before a long flight helps with symptoms brought on by cabin air.
  • Ear Plugs – These are essential for any long journey and will save your sanity when there’s an all-night party in the street outside or you’re sharing your room with a snorer. Moldex ear plugs are cheap but do the job perfectly.

Electronic Devices To Pack For Spain

  • Plug Adaptors – If all you need to charge are USB devices, it might be useful to get a Koppla 3-port USB charger from IKEA. The Swedish company has 11 branches in Spain, so check to see if there’s one near your destination.
    • Spain mainly uses the same 2-pin plug configuration as many other European countries. Known as a ‘Type F’ or ‘Schuko’ plug, it has rounded terminals and grounding pins on the side. The related ‘Type C’ plug will also work in these sockets. It shares the same 230V / 50 Hz power as the UK but if you’re travelling from the US, you might need an adaptor with a build-in voltage converter for things like hairdryers.
    • The safest solution is to get a universal power adaptor. If you’re using expensive items like laptops, check it has surge protection.
  • Cellphone – See our section below on Spanish SIM cards and data. Here are a few other things to pack:
  • Noise-cancelling headphones – There’s nothing like a pair of comfortable noise-cancelling headphones to soundtrack long flights and bus journeys.
  • Camera – A dedicated camera has some advantages over using your phone. You won’t drain your battery for one. The Canon Powershot is compact, straightforward to use, and well priced.
    • GoPro is a great alternative for first-person and action video. They’re waterproof too, so you an take risks with them you wouldn’t with your smartphone.
    • Memory cards are notoriously unreliable, so make sure you pack plenty, check them and swap them out regularly, and backup images as soon as you can.
  • Kindle – There’s nothing better than a Kindle reader for killing dead time in airports or during transit. They hold a complete library yet add minimal weight to your luggage. Don’t forget your charger!

Other Things To Pack For Spain

  • Spanish Phrasebook – English is widely spoken in Spanish resorts, but there are circumstances where you’ll be glad you packed a phrasebook. If it hadn’t been for my ‘Lonely Planet Spanish Phrasebook’, I might still be stuck in Zaragoza. Get familiar with pronunciation before you go and learn the basic greetings.
  • Journal – I have several journals from time spent in Spain, stuffed with maps and drawings and details. Any brand will do but I love Leuchtturm1917’s A5 dotted notebooks. They’re not cheap but I think they’re worth it.

Other Documents To Prepare For A Visit To Spain

  • Document Scans – Keep photos of important documents, such as your passport, credit and debit cards, and insurance, and any other important documents, saved as JPEGs to an online account like Gmail, iCloud, or Dropbox. If anything gets lost, you’ll have what you need on your phone or via an internet connection. Similarly, keep a list of emergency contacts, such as banks and medical numbers.
  • Student Card – If you’re under 30 or a student, get an International Student Identity Card. You’ll get discounts in many galleries and museums, as well as a huge list of other travel savings.
  • Driving Licence – You can use a foreign driving licence in Spain, as long as you are over 18 with insurance, registration, and passport. But, as with other European countries, there are certain vehicle requirements, which are subject to change. Check with the RAC website for full details.

Luggage For A Visit To Spain

  • Backpack or Suitcase – A reliable backpack, such as an Osprey, will hold all your stuff while keeping you comfortable. The harness should give full support on your hips rather than your shoulders. Try to road test in a shop before you buy. Also check Amazon for bargain backpacks.
    • If you prefer a suitcase, go for high-quality luggage that’s fits all your gear with some extra space for any extras you pick up abroad. Take airline restrictions into consideration when you buy.
    • You’ll need a day bag for things like a water bottle, sunscreen, and battery pack.
    • Travel Wallet – A sturdy travel wallet keeps your cash, cards, and other valuables safely hidden. The Lewis N. Clark RFID Security Wallet will hold your passport and other essentials, but still feel comfortably under your clothing.
  • Travel Cubes – Group your luggage into easily-identifiable travel cubes, so you can easily reach what you’re looking for, rather than having to dump everything out of your suitcase. You can use Ziploc or carrier bags, but nice, sturdy cubes will keep your luggage organised and save lots of time.
  • Wash Bag – A waterproof bag for toiletries is a must and a well-designed bag will give you access to exactly what you need. The Magictodoor travel kit is a thoughtfully designed wash bag at a reasonable price. Whatever you use needs to protect the rest of your luggage from messy leaks.
  • Luggage Locks – Some secure luggage locks will keep your bags safe from unwanted meddling. Make sure they are TSA-approved when travelling from the United States.

Preparing Your Cellphone For Spain

By law, EU residents can use their mobile phone contract in Spain at no extra cost. So you should get the same minutes and data use abroad as at home. Call your network before you leave to make sure you are set up and to find out if your contract comes with any limitations.

Non-EU visitors will need an unlocked device and can buy a cheap phone if the device is still in contract. You need to be in Spain to buy a SIM. You’ll see them on offer in many supermarkets, kiosks, and the like, but it’s best to use an official outlet for one of the phone companies. They’ll be able to set things up for you, explain things like costs and how to top up, and are more likely to speak English. All SIM cards need to be registered, so take your passport as a photo ID. You may get charged more at the airport, so visit a shop in town instead.

Spain has four major providers of SIM cards: Movistar, Orange, Vodafone, and Yoigo. Coverage should be pretty good with any of these right across the country, but we recommend Orange as the best all-rounder, with Vodafone coming in second. We find Movistar and Yoigo confusing to use, particularly around pricing for travellers. There are also a number of ‘piggyback’ providers like Lebara and MÁSM?”VIL which are worth checking for special offers.

Vodafone has the most extensive coverage and the best speeds. The Vodafone yu packages come in three sizes – from €10 for 20 minutes of call time and 1.2GB of data to €20 for 100 minutes of calls and 3.5GB of data. However, the Tourist SIM package is on par with local rates and will get you 10GB of 4G data plus unlimited use for maps for €25. The bundle lasts 15 days and includes roaming in other countries. You can find your nearest Vodafone store before you arrive via the website.

For Orange, pick up a Mundo prepaid SIM and add a plan. Orange packages also come in three flavours, from their Go Walk plan – 20 minutes and 1.5GB for €10 – to their Go Fly plan – 80 minutes and 3.5GB for €20. This is more or less equivalent with Vodafone, though Orange’s reputation for customer service is better. There are also Mundo packages, at a similar rate, designed for calling abroad.

At time of writing, the Orange 30-day Holidays SIM was being advertised with double the data – a whopping 12GB plus 30 minutes of calls – for €35. Discuss your specific needs with an advisor, and see what deals are available. You can find a local Orange store through the website, but note that rates quoted here are for English-speaking Spanish residents, rather than tourists.

Though some cities have put in networks of public wifi in Spain, you may find yourself falling back on a 4G data plan in many situations. The wiman site and app lists over 500,000 free hotspots in Spain and our recommendation is to head to McDonald’s or an Apple store for the least complicated experience.

Health Considerations For A Visit To Spain

  • EU citizens should get the free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which gives access to the same state-provided healthcare as any Spanish citizen. The EHIC smartphone app guides you through the whole process and helps navigate any bureaucracy.
  • Dial 112 for the emergency services. You should be connected with somebody who speaks English.
  • Vaccinations – Spain is a safe country and it is generally enough to be up to date with routine vaccinations, although you may want to consider a Tetanus jab and, for high-risk individuals, Hepatitis A and B. Get advice from a doctor or nurse about 6 weeks before you leave.
  • The biggest health risk in Spain is from the heat. Stay alert to the temperature and get out of the sun when it gets too hot. Drink plenty of water and protect skin and eyes at all times. Notice how the Spanish take it easy during the hottest parts of the day.
  • Though there’s less risk than in more moderate climates, be careful to protect against tick-borne diseases if you are planning to hike or camp in the countryside. Cover exposed limbs and use insect repellent. Follow the advice on the CDC website on how to deal with a tick.
  • Consult the FitForTravel website for up-to-date travel advice.
  • Prescription Medicines – If you need any prescription medicines, make sure you have enough to cover your visit. Keep them sealed, if possible, in the original package with the prescription label attached, or carry written documentation.
  • Non-Prescription Medicines – Spanish pharmacías are excellent, on par with their French equivalents. These offer a full range of services and can stand in for a trip to the doctor, as the staff is highly trained (and will often speak English). They are easily identified by the green neon cross outside but, like many shops in Spain, the opening hours of an individual pharmacía will vary. So ask at your accommodation or check Google Maps for what is available locally and when they are open.
  • Allergy Card – Select Wisely sells cards for major allergies in a huge variety of languages, so you can carry a statement in Spanish to warn restaurants of any allergies or food preferences.

Money For Visiting Spain

The best strategy for travel in Spain is to use a combination of debit and credit cards, with hard currency as appropriate. Don’t carry too much cash at any one time. Travellers cheques are best avoided, though pre-paid cards designed for travel are increasingly worth investigation.

Tell your bank before you travel, otherwise you may find your cards won’t work. Make sure you have chip-and-PIN cards with a four-digit code from either the Visa or MasterCard families, as other cards are less common in Spain. Your bank may offer a card designed specifically for travel, so it makes sense to ask. But, just because they worked overseas in the past, don’t assume they still do. The account I opened with Nationwide specifically for travel changed its policy without me realising and nearly ruined a trip. All banks will have a breakdown of transaction fees abroad which is worth clarifying before you leave.

As a member of the European Union, the Spanish currency is the Euro. As a major currencies, you should be able to get a favourable rate of exchange before you leave home. Shop around for the market rate and low commission. Buy about €100 in advance and keep it on you.

Once you’ve arrived, use ATMs instead of changing money, especially at airports and other tourist areas. It will be cheaper to withdraw money with a debit card, especially with a no-fee card. Find out if your bank has branches in Spain or is partnered with a local equivalent. This will almost certainly mean cheaper withdrawals. Or make use of the ATMs in major banks and post offices, which offer to exchange at the market rate. They are easy to understand and will usually ask which language you prefer when you put your card in. When offered, always choose to withdraw funds at the EUR rate rather than your own currency. Same goes for restaurants and shops. If you’re struggling to find an ATM use this location map for Visa and this local ATM finder for MasterCard.

A new crop of online banks and top-up cards are focused on making money cheaper and easier overseas. Revolut, for example, offers zero fees for travel and Western Union’s TravelWise card may have advantages over your existing bank account.

All cards have a contact number on the back. Keep a record of this and other card details, in case it gets lost or stolen. If you have problems, try the card with a few different banks, then call the number to get it unfrozen. Make sure you have full access to online banking. It’s also a good idea to carry a back-up card from a different account.

The Best Time To Visit Spain

Although Spain is renowned for its consistent temperature and climate, the most comfortable times to visit are the spring months of March to May and from September to November when things start to cool down again. Ironically the time to avoid is probably summer when it gets prohibitively hot and accommodation prices start to spike. Also note that accommodation will be more expensive during Easter.

Every year, thousands of holidaymakers pick up a winter bargain between December and February. The south is still warm at this time of year, though you shouldn’t assume it will always remain dry. High-altitude cities like Madrid can be very cold during the winter.

Planning What To Do And Where To Go In Spain

  • Spain Guidebook – Despite the wealth of information online, a guidebook remains an invaluable tool for advanced planning. It can really help to read through thoroughly, marking up everything that interests you. I tend to go for ‘Lonely Planet Spain’ or the equivalent if I’m visiting a specific city or region. I also make notes in the margins of my guidebook as I travel.
  • Spanish Maps – You can usually pick up free maps in places like hotels and tourist information centres. The coverage is often ad-driven, so pick up a few to cross reference. Download a Google Map for offline use when you have access to free wifi, so you don’t waste precious MBs on your data plan.
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