packing for Rick Steve's Barcelona/Madrid tour

Capris and be sure to take good walking sandals and of course a hat.

Spain is much less strict about dress in church. I saw young women in shorts I would not allow my daughter to wear and nobody said a word. Take a scarf to throw over your shoulders if you are worried.

Thank you both so much for your replies! I am really looking forward to this trip!

The Barcelona Cathedral most definitely enforces clothing restrictions; it is normally included on walking tours of the Barri Gotic. I am not sure about La Sagrada Familia. I have a mix of capri-length and full-length pants I use at hot destinations. All are extremely lightweight cotton or rayon (any lighter and they'd be see-through), and I don't feel a difference in comfort level. I wouldn't want shorts because I'd have to plaster on the sunscreen.

Sundresses should be fine is they are close to knee or longer, and you have a shawl to cover shoulders. Summer gives some lieniency to church wear rules of covered shoulders and knees, except Barcelona Cathedral does post this all year around. A friend was refused entry with a tank top and skort (shorts with skirt front) as they were too short. Sagrada Familia has one specific area of worship that also has restrictive dress code...it's on the website...however tourist dress is accepted elsewhere.
From a fashion perspective, they will be moving to Fall wardrobe in September.

we were on that tour June 11-18. The only dress requirement I remember was the Barcelona cathedral. The guard/person stationed at the door. Asked one of our tour mates to see if his shorts would go move down more closer to his knees. They were picky there. capris would be fine on dress code days, other than that I worn shorts and sleeveless tops when possible. It was extremely hot during our week.

Who is your quide? He had Federico and he was awesome!! Barcelona hotel was nice NH Centro but really did not care for Madrid hotel. Dos Castillo.

Just returned from Spain in June and shorts were seen almost everywhere being worn by both men and women. Ones sees more shorts in the beach areas, but I noticed a lot in the larger cities too. That being said, I'd stay away from the short shorts. If going to a cathedral with a dress code, throw a skirt into your handbag along with a scarf to cover those shoulders (if you were going to wear a sleeveless top).

Thank you all so much! This has really helped and eased my mind in terms of packing. I think being comfortable is so important when traveling. I am going in September (I believe it starts on the 3rd) and my tour guide is Javier. I had heard that Federico was excellent so I am sorry to miss him, but I'm sure Javier will be just as great. Any other tips for free time excursions?

Yes...Javier Is awesome too. Our group and his group met up together in Madrid at Dinner. It was a fun night.

Chitra, if it helps... the advice above is spot on :)...
I live in Barcelona.

last year on the heart of Italy i used skirts to the knee or just covering, super cool and comfortable and moved easily from day touring to evening meals, so much cooler than shorts or capris and paired with a few different tops and mix of sleeveless and sleeved and you are set, plus they pack into nothing if you use the right material, planning on packing the same for Spain

I think shorts and sundresses are just fine. I always take capris and a long skirt, and a shawl and I'm ready for times when I am entering a cathedral or something requiring more modest dress. (Not that my shorts and sundresses aren't modest, as they usually hit around the knee.)

Enjoy your trip!

this was my first time ever posting on a Rick Steve's Forum (I have read so many informative posts over the last couple of years). I just want to say that yet again I am touched and amazed by the kinds of people that take Rick Steve's tours. Everyone is so kind, friendly, and helpful and this is why I chose to travel with this company again. The tours are incredible, but the people are so wonderful!
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