Melanin Family,
Are you ready to move Spain? Do you have a good idea of what you’re going to pack?
This may sound cliche but seriously, keep it simple when it comes to packing for Spain. Reminder: You will be toting this luggage around and you may move multiple times. In all honestly, two suitcases and a carryon would be perfect.
Be mindful that a lot of the clothes that you bring, you probably won’t even wear. When you arrive in Spain this September, it will be H-O-T but only for a while, the weather will get cooler soon (within a month and a half) and you’ll be wearing your Fall/Winter clothing. You will come to find that the clothes are quite affordable, so you’ll probably just end up buying a lot of things in Spain. Here are some of the top things that I packed when I came to Spain (Madrid).
Bras
Ladies, if you have a larger bust, please bring your own bras. Anything over a C cup, please make sure that you come prepared. I recommend bringing 3-4 bras.
Shoes
Self-explanatory right? In Spain, you will do tons of walking. More walking than you’ve probably ever done in your life! You may even run sometime for the metro or bus, therefore, you’ll need sneakers. Bring a great pair for walking/working out. You won’t be sorry. Try to bring them from home, as the athletic shoes in Spain are more expensive.
Minimal High Heels: You will rarely wear high heels but if you do, most people opt for ones with a thicker heel or wedges.
Flats: Flats are good, bring good pairs of flats. If you wear them a lot, they will wear out very quickly, remember, you’ll be walking a lot!
To all my brown-skinned girls (Gabrielle Union, Lupita), with skin just like pearl, the best thing in the worldddd (Beyoncé and Wizkid.) All my brown-skinned girls, there are brands that have darker foundations readily available. Brands like Kiko, Fenty and sometimes Mac but if you have a staple foundation that you use, bring your own foundation at first and then do a search!
Luggage & Backpack
A Backpack is ESSENTIAL! You will carry your backpack everywhere. When you take weekend trips, going to school and sometimes when you’re casually going out. It’s just easier to have one. Luggage, get a simple carry-on or just use your own carryon that you’ve brought with you to Madrid for your trips :). Luggage and Backpack is essential and my favorite backpack is this one here! It’s amazing!
Hair Products
Hair Products. Jesus. I mean there are hair products in Madrid but they will be a little more expensive than usual. For example a $9 Shea Moisture product will probably cost about 15 euros. You can get pretty much anything in Madrid or on your next trip to the UK but maybe bring some stuff to hold you over! Check out our post about our fav beauty supply in Madrid.
Electronics: Check out the list of electronics
Laptop- My laptop was my everything! I used it to blog, I used it to set appointments with the Extranjeria and Netflix & Chill (alone lol).
Unlocked Phone and phone charger with an adapter (if needed)- Essential. As soon as you get to Madrid, you will need to get a Spanish SIM. It’s very easy to get. I recommend a contract but you can get one that you just “top up” every month.
Adapter- Please don’t forget these esp if you’re from the US, pleaseee don’t forget your adapter or converters.
Portable Battery Pack-Very IMPORTANT
Small Bluetooth Speaker (Optional):- I loved having my Bluetooth Speaker when I would go to the Park or the Beach. It was always a party with me!
Vision
Contacts
Glasses
Money
Don’t bring cash, period. Don’t bring cash. Withdraw money from an ATM (cashpoint). Check with your bank to see the ATM fees. If you need to transfer large sums of money, use Transferwise, get a free transfer here with my link!
Deodorant
Madrid gets hot and sometimes the Madrid roll-on deodorant just won’t do. Bring the deodorant that can withstand the test of funk on your worst day! I actually use lemon instead of deodorant and it works wonders.
Seasoning
Spain has some great seasonings for real but…they just don’t get used. Spanish people wince at the smallest taste of spice, even black pepper y’all! I’m serious, black pepper, which is a staple in most meals is thought of as too spicy!
Anyway, bring your fav seasoning from home. I always brought Tony Chacheres Creole Seasoning. I bought a huge bottle and it would last me for the entire 9 mos. Being away from home is hard sometimes and you just want something familiar. The center of Madrid is multicultural, so you will be able to find all of your spices there but whew “Chillay” sometimes we can’t get to the center of Madrid lol. In that case Mercadona (Grocery Store) has great seasonings (the racks stay full)!
Medications
Although getting medicine in Spain is very easy and there’s a chemist (pharmacy) everywhere and medicine is just easily accessible, if you have something that works from home (over the counter) or prescription, there’s a good chance that you will be able to get it in Spain for a heavily discounted price but if you have something that you take for cramps, headaches and it works, just bring it. Maybe Vitamin C, Midol, Tylenol, stay ready so you don’t have to get ready!
Plan B, Condoms, all that is accessible here also btw. Be safe out here!