One pair too few is a classic holiday packing mistake. Half a bag of shorts you never wear is the other extreme. The calculation is straightforward once you know what you're dealing with.
Mediterranean summer
In Spain, Italy or Greece from June to September, shorts are the default. Daytime temperatures of 28–38°C, evenings rarely below 22°C. You need little else. One pair per two days is a reasonable baseline, plus one extra for accidents.
The one exception: religious sites and some upscale restaurants require covered legs. One pair of lightweight long trousers or a long skirt covers this without much extra weight.
Northern Europe and mountain holidays
In Norway or the Scottish Highlands, shorts are the exception. On a summer holiday there, you might have two to four days warm enough for shorts. Pack one pair as an option, not as core kit.
The Alps follow similar logic but with altitude. Temperature drops 0.6°C per 100 metres of elevation. At 2000m, it's 12°C cooler than in the valley. Shorts for the terrace lunch in the valley — not for the hike up.
City breaks
City trips depend on season and destination. Paris in July: fine. Amsterdam in April: maybe one afternoon. Istanbul in May: roughly 50/50. Check average temperatures for the specific month rather than general reputation.
| Destination | Period | Expected shorts days |
|---|---|---|
| Costa del Sol | July–August | Nearly every day |
| Tuscany | June | 4–5 days per week |
| Barcelona | May | 2–4 days per week |
| Paris | July | 3–5 days per week |
| Amsterdam | August | 1–3 days per week |
| Norway | July | 0–2 days per week |
Can you wear shorts today?
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How many to pack
Count the expected shorts days and divide by two, then add one. For a week in Tuscany in June (five shorts days), that means three pairs.
Quick-dry fabric simplifies the whole problem. A pair washed in the evening and dry by morning effectively doubles your options without extra bulk.
Learn more
Read next
Shorts in overcast weather: when is it still OK?
Cloud cover removes the warmth you normally get from the sun. We explain how much impact cloud cover has and when shorts are still realistic in overcast conditions.
Shorts in September: when does it get too cold?
September starts as summer but ends as autumn. We explain when to put the shorts away and what to watch for in this transitional month.
At what temperature can you wear shorts?
Above a feels-like of 15°C (59°F), unless rain is almost certain. A degree-by-degree guide from 12 to 25°C, plus when that happens in the Netherlands.
Can I wear shorts at 12 degrees? Usually too cold
12°C (54°F) is too cold for shorts for most people. In full sun with no wind it can feel like 17°C, and then it's just about doable.
Why 20 degrees is not always shorts weather
20°C sounds like it should be comfortable. And often it is. But add enough wind or cloud cover and it stops feeling that way fairly quickly.