• A printed copy of arrival instructions

• Passport (with visa if needed)

• Your printed insurance card and any important documents - remember to back up copies of all important docs in your email or cloud!

• 100€ in cash to get you through the first days (more info on this here).

• Medications - prescription medications may need to be accompanied by a note from your doctor (more info on this here). 

• A change of clothes (incase your checked bag is delayed in arriving)

• Basic toiletries - make sure they're travel size! You can buy bigger bottles of toiletries once in Spain.

• Electronics - Phone, Camera, Laptop, Kindle, Chargers (and don't forget adaptors!)

We recommend you bring an anti-theft purse or backpack. 

Barcelona (and most of Europe) is home to many crafty pickpockets looking for a chance to dip their hand into your bag. In addition to our tips on how to avoid being pickpocketed, we recommend that you bring a backpack or purse that will keep your things safe. You can buy a specially designed backpack/bag (see the links below), find a small lock for your backpack to keep unwanted hands out, or AT LEAST be sure that any backpacks/purses you're bringing to Barcelona have zippers that close all the way rather than just open pockets.

• Anti-theft backpacks

• Anti-theft purses

Barcelona is more casual than southern Spain, and certainly more than some other European cities, but the locals still put considerable effort into their personal appearance. In other words, they make an effort when they go out in public, even the students that are just going to class. You won't see a local in pijamas, sweatpants, or workout clothing in the street (and especially not in class, where it can be considered rude).

Here are some top tips for how to dress like a local in Barcelona:

• Are you doing an internship? Read our section on how to dress when working in Barcelona!

• If you are attending a social event such as a concert or play, be sure to dress up a bit. Avoid wearing jeans, sneakers, or hats to these events. 

• Leave your sporty clothes and sneakers for the gym! Locals change at the gym and are never caught outside in their gym clothes, especially at the office, in class, or shopping.  

• Hats are not worn indoors, and it can be considered disrespectful.  

• When visiting religious sites, wearing shorts, short skirts or tank tops will not be appreciated. Very often you will not be allowed into these places unless you are dressed modestly and respectfully.

• If you are visiting in the fall or spring, it's important to keep in mind that although you may view the temperatures as warm (if you're used to cold winters), the locals don't. It's commonly said that Spanish people don't dress for the weather, but rather, they dress for the month. For example, while it can still be quite warm in the fall and spring in Barcelona, you will only ever see locals wearing flip flops or sandals in July and August. If you want to blend in, keep an eye on what locals are wearing. 

• In Barcelona people wear a lot of dark colors and layers in winter. Grey or black with a small pop of color seems to be the look lately. In the summer you see more color, and it's very common to wear all white in the summer, as it helps to keep cool! 

• Barça Jerseys are only worn by locals on the day of a game. It's an easy way to spot tourists when you see someone wearing a jersey and there isn't a match scheduled. 

• There is so much to see in Barcelona, and while it's a city that can be explored on foot, there are some long walking distances between the major sites. Make sure you bring comfortable footwear for daytime. Locals love Converse, New Balance, and other "fashionable" sneakers but don't often wear "athletic" sneakers unless they're actually exercising.

• Nightclubs normally won't allow anyone in wearing sneakers, t-shirts, or other casual clothing. Men typically need a button up shirt and dress shoes to get into a club. 

• To get an idea of what locals are wearing, a good tip is to visit the websites of popular clothing stores like Zara, Bershka, Mango, and Stradivarius.   

The weather in Barcelona is normally very hot in summer but can actually get quite chilly in the winter. If you come during Fall or Spring be prepared for a bit of rain and to dress in layers!

• Summer (June, July, August) - The sun is fierce, so wear sunglasses, a sunhat, and plenty of sunscreen. Drink lots of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.

• Spring (March, April, May) and Fall (September, October, November) - It's relatively chilly but changes throughout the day, so dressing in light layers will help you cope with the temperature changes. The locals opt for warm clothes, even if you find the temperature to be quite warm for the time of year.

• Winter (December, January, February) - The weather can be cold and windy, so opt for warmer layers. It's not uncommon to wear a winter jacket, scarf, and thinner gloves while you're out and about.

Barcelona is blessed with lots of sunshine, but be prepared for the occasional rainy day. You may want to bring an umbrella, but you can also buy one here! Rain showers are most likely to occur in Spring and Winter, and in the Winter expect a few cold, rainy weeks where layers are a must.