What to wear day to day so you don't stand out

Key rules

• Everyday dress: Neat casual clothes are the norm, and shorts are fine in summer.
• Swimwear: Keep swimwear and bare chests to the beach, because many towns fine you elsewhere.
• Local rules: Fines and rules are set by each town council, so ask your town hall.
• Churches: Cover your shoulders and usually your knees, and remove your hat.

The short answer

Dress neat and casual. Spaniards tend to dress a little smarter than people do in many countries, especially in cities. You don't need to dress up, but you should look put together.

Errands and town

Jeans or trousers, a shirt or top, a light jacket and clean trainers or shoes work almost everywhere. Shorts are normal in summer.

These stand out:

• Beachwear, swimwear or a bare chest away from the beach.
• Very worn gym clothes.
• Sports kit when you aren't exercising.

Coastal resort towns are more relaxed, but the same limits apply once you leave the beach area.

Swimwear away from the beach

No national law bans swimwear in town, and toplessness on beaches is generally tolerated. But many town councils have their own local rules (ordenanzas cívicas) that ban walking in swimwear or bare-chested away from the beach. Barcelona, Palma and some Andalusian and Valencian towns are examples. Fines are usually around 100 to 500 euros, and some are higher. Rules differ from town to town, so ask your town hall what applies where you live or are staying.

Churches

Dress modestly. Cover your shoulders and, usually, your knees, and take your hat off inside. Many cathedrals and monasteries ask for this and may refuse entry if you wear very short or sleeveless clothing, though enforcement varies. Mosques and some other sites can be stricter.

During a service, dress even more modestly, stay quiet and don't take photos. Tourist visiting hours are often separate from worship times.

The checklist below turns this into a packing list.

Checklist

• Ask your town hall whether a local ordinance bans swimwear or bare chests away from the beach.

• Put a shirt and shoes or clean trainers on before leaving a beach area for shops or cafés.

• Pack a scarf or light jacket to cover your shoulders when visiting a church.

• Wear trousers or a skirt that covers your knees for church visits.

• Take your hat off when you step inside a church.

• Check the visiting hours before you go, since tourist hours are often separate from worship times.

• Stay quiet and skip photos if a service is going on.

What to watch out for

• Refused entry to churches: Many cathedrals and monasteries may turn you away if your clothes are very short or sleeveless.

• Disturbing a service: Visiting during worship in revealing clothes, talking or taking photos is seen as disrespectful. Dress more modestly during services, stay quiet and avoid photography, or come back during tourist hours.

Frequently asked questions

Can I be fined for walking around town in swimwear?

Yes, you can be fined in many towns, because local ordinances ban swimwear or going bare-chested away from the beach. There is no national ban, but fines are usually around 100 to 500 euros, with some higher. Ask your town hall's consumer or civic-rules office what applies where you live.

Is it fine to wear shorts in town in summer?

Yes, shorts are normal in summer for errands and town, as long as they look neat. Coastal resort towns are more relaxed than cities. Save beachwear and sports kit for the beach or the gym.

Can I be refused entry to a church if I dress too casually?

Yes, many cathedrals and monasteries may refuse entry if your clothes are very short or sleeveless, though enforcement varies. Cover your shoulders and usually your knees. Mosques and other sites may have stricter rules.