Packing for Fall/Winter in Madrid | STUDY ABROAD SPAIN

Before I came to Madrid I made a blog post about what I was packing. Since being here, I've realised that there was a lot of stuff I forget, didn't think about or packed but haven't needed so I've decided to do a revised and updated version! Hopefully, this is helpful and please let me know if there's anything you wish you had packed!

Clothes for Warmer Period (August- October)
I was extremely underprepared for how warm it would be in Madrid at the start to the middle of the semester. Until about late October, the temperature was between 26-33 Degrees Celsius every day with every hot nights and not a lot of air conditioning.

2x Casual T-Shirts/Singlets
3x Nice shirts
1x Shorts
1x Skirt
1x Thin jeans/ pants (such as these)
1x Actives leggings/tights
2x Casual dresses
1x Long dress/skirt
1x Cardigan
1x Demin Jacket
1x Leather Jacket

My 'can't live without' favourites from Transit Clothing!

Clothes for Colder Period (November- January)-
It started to get cold in Madrid from the start of November onwards. If you're not used to the cold, it can be quite a shock to your body and especially your skin!

2x Jeans
5x Knitted jumpers or sweaters
1x Hoodie
5x Long sleeve tops
1-2x Thick winter coat

Underwear-

1x Thermal leggings
1x Thermal top
1x Black stockings
Underwear (up to you how much you bring)
4x Bras
1x Sports bra
6x Long socks
6x Short socks
1x Winter & Summer Pj's
1x Bed socks/slippers
1x Track pants
1x Bathing suit or Bikini

Warm / Protective/ Other Stuff-
I would recommend investing in a good and thick scarf, as you'll be wearing it every day when the temperature drops.

1x Thick large scarf
1-2x Beanie or knitted headband
1x Pair of Gloves
1x Pair of Sunglasses
1x Belt
1x Cap

Shoes-

This was the hardest part of packing and probably the area I made the most mistakes in. You're gonna be walking a lot so I would suggest packing 1-2 pairs of comfortable sneakers. I lived in my Adidas ZX Flux's! For the warmer months, a pair of sandals such a Birkenstocks will be all you need and for winter I would highly recommend getting a pair of winter boots that are water resistant.

1x Thongs/Flip Flops (to wear in the showers)
1x Sandals
1x Winter boots
1x Formal/Nice boots
1-2x Sneakers

Toilettes-
Most every day toilettes you can purchase full sizes of once you arrive in Madrid, however, it's helpful to have travel sizes of the basics for when you do weekend trips- so you're not lugging around full-size bottles. S tick deodorant is extremely hard to find in Spain (random I know) so if that is your preference, bring enough for 6 months from home.

Travel bag with hook
Toothbrush + toothpaste
Floss (optional)
Travel sized shampoo + conditioner
Travel sized moisturizer
Travel sized face wash
Travel sized sunscreen
Deodorant
Mini or solid perfume
Hair lackies
Headband
Hairbrush
Shavers
Sanitary products
Makeup + brushes (bb cream will be your best friend)
Makeup remover & cotton pads

First Aid/ Medicine-
Something I've noticed in Spain is that cold and flu tablets are extremely over the top expensive, so just bring some from home to save you the hassle when you get sick. Vaseline was something I originally forgot to bring and suffered without before finally finding it. My skin was absolutely destroyed by the cold weather- I'm talking dry, flaking eyelids... It was traumatic, painful and annoying to say the least. Vaseline saved my skin. Pack it- you won't regret it.

Vaseline or Fatty Ointment
Cold + flu tablets
Nasal rinse + sachets
Pain Killers
Hydralite tablets
Gaviscon
Cough lollies
Ural
First aid cream
Ear Plugs
Imodium
JellyBeans (I always keep these in my bag just in case)
Vicks (tub and/or inhaler)
Bandaids (larger size for blisters)
No Doz
Birth control & other personal medication

Bags-
Flights around Europe are really cheap if you fly without checked baggage, so having a cabin sized bag will save you a lot of money! I had a lot of friends have their phones and wallets stolen during the semester, especially at nightclubs. Have a cross body bag, with an inner zip and a flap, is your best choice to avoid getting pickpocketed.

Large suitcase
Cabin sized suitcase
Crossbody bag with zip & flap
Small wallet

Electronics-
Bring a powerboard and it will make your life a lot easier.

Camera + cord + charger
SD Card
Phone + cord + charger
Portable power bank + cord
Laptop + charger
Power plug converter
Power board

Study Stuff-
Even if you use your laptop for everything, have a pen and paper is always helpful.

Notebook
Diary and/or Calendar
Pencil case
Pens
Highlighter
USB
Thin Backpack or tote bag

Stuff from Home (Optional)-
At CEU San Pablo, they hold an international fair where you can talk to people about your university and promote your country. Having something from your home country to contribute helps a lot but isn't compulsory!

Flag
Photos
Food to share and/or give as gifts (Tim-Tams, Carmello koalas, Chicken salt Australian Christmas decorations etc)

Other-
All of this stuff doesn't fit into any other category.

Physical copies of all your documents in a file (passport, visa, insurance etc)
Neck pillow
Eye mask
Your own pillow from home
Your own towel from home
Travel sized/ gym towel
Laundry bag or plastic bag
1x Small ziplock bag of laundry powder
Blue Tac
Spare passport photos

I've also done a blog post about what to pack in your carry on luggage for long-haul flights. You can read that here!

p.s the video is still the original video and hasn't been updated!