Barcelona holiday - what to wear??

[yazzy85]

Going on holiday in July to Barcelona, it will be quite hot, have never been before and am not sure what clothes to pack. I don't wear shorts/skirts and running around with two toddlers in a maxi dress may not be the best idea. Would jeans be too warm? Or should I try harem type trousers? What do you wear on flights??

Jeans definitely too warm! I generally travel in my jeans but then wonder why I did as they don't see outside the wardrobe while I am there!
Vest tops or light cotton or linen tops and, whether you like your legs or not, I am willing to bet you'll want to be in shorts or at least linen trousers or something. I've never tried harems so cannot say if they would be too hot or not.
Anyway have fun, it's a great place!

I imagine your harems would be nice and comfy for flying in.

Linen trousers and vest tops.
Jeans definitely too hot.
Would you wear linen shorts - the longer style?
They would be your best bet.
Barcelona is my favourite place - enjoy!

Have you tried Dorothy Perkins? They've got loads of gorgeous patterned light cotton trousers-they'd be perfect. You'll need comfortable shoes too for all the walking.

I always wear shift dresses and sandals in Spain, especially for a city break, but would that be out as it would show your legs?
I would suggest cotton trousers then. Jeans will definitely be too hot.

You'll need to have your shoulders covered if you want to visit some of the churches. A lightweight shawl is good as it always doubled as a blanket for DS.

I love Catalonia and would live there if there was suitable work. There isn't.
Spain generally is also very child friendly. Your toddlers will get their hair ruffled a lot!

Aww thank you guys so much for the suggestions I will invest in some linen trousers and leave the jeans at home. Vest tops and tshirts are what I was thinking as well and sandals because trainers with socks would be very hot on the feet.

For those that have been, what are the best places to see in 5 days with a 3 & 4 year old?? This is our first holiday out of the uk with the kids and we're very excited

Parc Guell is lovely - full of Gaudi stuff and nice for the little ones. It's either cheap or free too.

Thanks ZaZathecat

Second Parc Guell. Also the Fundation Miro is great. The Barca football tour. The marina, the cable car ... Lots of parks

oh and the dancing fountains at Plaza de Espana after dark!

I would choose knee length skirts and dresses. Nice and cool, yet easy to move in. I don't like shorts for city breaks personally - too casual.

i think jeans would be too hot - perhaps a pair for evenings. Harem type trousers seem popular for holidays now - they don't suit my shape, but if they do you then get some. Very easy to match up with plain vest tops or tshirts. Plus if they are patterned then won't show any spills/stains :)

Comfortable shoes and sandals as you are likely to be doing lots of walking. I favour Birkenstocks, but if doing a long day of walking will wear Supergas instead.

And the beach of course at Barceloneta - you'll need some relaxation time! The zoo is good too. I heart Barcelona (can you tell?)

Thanks again, it's helpful knowing what is good to see from people who have been there. I think I will take a few linen trousers a printed harem jersey type one for the flight and one jean just incase for evenings. Matching tees and vests, plus a jersery cardigan incase its chilly in the evenings and a shawl for the church/catherdral. Looking forward it!!

Betcha you don't wear those jeans!

haha ZaZathecat I think you're right and may have to leave them behind anyways with all the stuff going in one big suitcase I won't have room.

We always do the hop on and hop off bus tours.
They take you to everything and you just get off where you want then back on again after.
Some of the Gaudi buildings are just stunning (although toddlers won't appreciate them)
There are 3 bus routes and it's cheap as chips.
And you get headsets that talk you through everything.
Market at the Ramblas is great.
There is also an aquarium.
The marina is gorgeous.
This is my fave building.

Gaudi's Casa Batllo - mental and stunning.

Excellent. Thank you, never heard of the Casa Batllo and the hop on off bus sounds perfect!

I thought the bus tour at 27 euros each was actually pretty expensive! Cheaper for children perhaps. I've heard it's good though.

Wear the loosest cotton or linen clothes you can find, and sandals. It will be HOT.

The cable car to Montjuic was a hit with my children, and then we walked down through some lovely shady parks and stopped for ice cream halfway down.

Well that's gone up a lot - we paid 15 Euros for the days were there.
Worked out about 5 Euros a day and covered all the routes.
That was 2 years ago though so things have no doubt changed.

"Some of the Gaudi buildings are just stunning (although toddlers won't appreciate them)"

Heh, my then 18 month old had great fun stumping around the roof of La Pedrera shouting "Gaudi HOUSE! Gaudi HOUSE!".

Do remember if you want to visit a lot of the Gaudi buildings in high season they have timed-admission tickets.

Don't let people help you with your bags getting on or off public transport - they're pickpockets.

I did read online that pickpocketing is very high, thanks for the heads up about the luggage. Are timed tickets booked online before going?

"Are timed tickets booked online before going?"

You can if you want - I did it online on my phone when I was there. You can also book tickets for the aquarium online which is handy for avoiding big queues at the ticket desk.

I've been there a few times and never been pickpocketed (though I was once in Madrid), you should be grand if you take a few sensible precautions, eg cross-body bag that fastens securely at the top.

Oh, and there is a TOTALLY AWESOME secret garden paddling pool urban beach courtyard thing in L'Eixample (right in the middle of town) which is brilliant for kids when it's hot. We went there a few times and the smalls had a ball. It's the Torre de les Aïgues place on this page: www.kidsinbarcelona.com/barcelona-swimming-pools