Spain Travel Guide

This travel guide is full of tips how how to plan your perfect holidays in Spain. This country is known for having friendly citizens, relaxed pace of life, most delicious food, vibrant nightlife, beautiful architecture, Flamenco music, bullfighting and being the most exotic place in Europe. Spanish can be proud of amazing beaches and islands, tasty Sangria and having the most skilled football players in the world.

What to Visit in Spain

Spain is the country in Southern Europe and it’s located on the Iberian Peninsula which is the westernmost part of Europe. It covers a massive 505,990 square km with the population reaching 46,7 million people and the capital in Madrid.

Other Things to See in Spain

When going on holidays to Spain, it’s worth exploring the thriving capital of Madrid. That’s where you find many museums, monuments and the oldest restaurant in the world. If you choose to visit Barcelona, you’ll be amazed by the Gaudi architecture and the vibrant coastal life.

The cities most influenced by the Islamic architecture are Seville, Granada and Cordoba. When visiting all, you will be able to smell the shisha, couscous and incense wherever you go.

If you want see ‘The Running of the Bull’, you should visit Pamplona in July. To join the biggest tomato fight in Spain, head to the city of Bunol in August. Those looking to learn the Flamenco must visit Seville, the place where the Gypsy body language dance originates from. And lastly, the paella lovers can’t miss the coastal town of Valencia, where this delicious Spanish meal was invented.

The sun seekers will find the lovely beaches in Costa Brava (Catalonia), Costa Blanca (Valencia), Costa de Sol (Andalusia), Galicia or San Sebastian located in the region of Basque. If, however, you wish to go off the mainland, the most beautiful Spanish islands to visit are Ibiza and Majorca (best for partying) or Canary islands (perfect for relaxing).

The wine lovers must visit the La Rioja region to taste the local produce. If trekking is what you’re after, you should climb the Sierra Nevada, which is the highest mountain on the Iberian Peninsula. The Pyrenees is another place to hike, plus it’s where the Camino Walk starts from. This 800 km route known as the El Camino de Santiago, or The Way of Saint James, is the pilgrimage trail from the French side of the mountains to the Spanish town of Santiago de Compostela.

One of the most iconic places in Spain is Gibraltar, which is owned by the UK. That’s where the cultures of English, Spanish and North Africans mix and influence each other. Additionally, the city full of students can be found in Salamanca and Bilbao is home to the most modern art museum in the whole of Spain.

Don’t leave Spain without seeing:

• Madrid – capital of museums
• Barcelona – Gaudi architecture
• Seville, Granada – Islamic mix
• Pamplona – bull fighting event
• Bunol – tomato fight festival
• Seville – Flamenco music
• Valencia – birthplace of paella
• Costa Brava – rugged coastline
• Costa Blanca – white coast beaches
• Costa de Sol – the sunny coast
• Ibiza, Majorca, Canary Islands
• La Rioja – wine tasting
• Sierra Nevada – trekking
• Pyrenees – hiking trails
• Gibraltar – cultural mix
• Salamanca – universities
• Bilbao – modern art museum

Hiking in Spain

The highest mountain in Spain is the Mount Teide (3,715 m) which is also an active volcano, located on Tenerife in Canary Island. The highest mountain on the Spanish mainland is the Mulhacén (3,479 m), which belongs to the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Cordillera Penibética. There are many mountains in Spain and the major ones include:

Hiking Trails in Spain

Best hiking trails in Spain include Ruta del Cares in Picos de Europa, Peñalara win the Sierra de Guadarrama (province of Guadalajara, near Madrid), Camino de Santiago (The Way of St. James) from French border to Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Cumbre Vieja on La Palma island, Caminito del Rey in Malaga, Pico Sobarcal in Pyrenees, GR92 at Costa Brava, Vías Verdes all over Spain, Las Cañadas in Tenerife, The Mulhacén in Sierra Nevada, The Divine Gorge from Poncebos to Cain, Montserrat in Catalonia, from Beas to Granada, Mount Teide in Tenerife.

Beaches in Spain

Spain is surrounded by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It has the most beautiful coastline of 4,964 km and around 60 islands. The most famous islands in Spain are the Balearic Islands (Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera) and the Canary Islands (La Gomera, Tenerife, Grand Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, La Palma).

Read more: The Most Beautiful Islands in Spain

Where to Stay in Spain

If you want to your holidays in Spain, it’s good to know it has 17 autonomous regions which often speak a different language, plus two independent cities. Generally, Spain is divided into the following regions: the North – western (Green Spain), Northern, Eastern, Central, Andalusia, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands and autonomous cities on the coast of the North Africa (Morocco).

Most recommended hotels in Spain:

• Hotel Maya in Alicante
• Hotel Fornos in Barcelona

What to Eat in Spain

There’s no doubt that Spain is full of flavour. Wherever region you travel you’re amazed at how good the food is. From the delicious tapas, cured meat, tortillas to the most famous Paella, the country offers dining like no other.

The popular dishes to try in Spain:

• Olives – green Gordal and dark brown Arbequina olives.
• Jamón Iberico – cured meat, dried for at least 36 months.
• Chorizo – cured and smoked sausage, gives a strong flavour and the colour.
• Manchego Cheese – hard and aged, made of sheep’s milk.
• Pan con Tomate – bread with tomatoes, sprinkled with sea salt, served grilled.
• Tortilla de Patatas – Spanish omelette with potatoes, onions and aioli sauce.
• Patatas Bravas – crispy fried potato wedges served with spicy or garlic sauce.
• Croquetas – oval shape, filled with cheese, mushrooms, ham or chicken.
• Albondigas – meatballs in a tomato sauce, served as tapas.
• Russian Salad – tuna, egg, potatoes, vegetables and mayo.
• Pisto – stewed tomatoes, onions, eggplant or courgettes, peppers and olive oil, served hot.
• Gazpacho – soup made of raw blended veggies, served cold.
• Paella – rice dish with seafood and veggies, flavoured with saffron.
• Fideuà – similar to Paella with noodles instead of rice.
• Fabada Asturiana – white faba bean and meat stew.
• Bacalao – salted cod, often served with pil – pil sauce and different ingrediencies.
• Gambas al Ajillo – prawns fried with a garlic and green chilli, garnished with parsley.
• Churros – fried dough pastry, coated in sugar and dipped in hot chocolate when eaten.
• Leche Frita – sweet dessert made by cooking a flour, milk and and sugar, coated in sugar and cinnamon.
• Turron – dessert type of nougat with almonds and honey.
• Rioja – typical wine served in Spain, red or white.
• Sangria – alcoholic drink made of red wine and chopped fruit.
• Estrella Damm – traditional Spanish beer.

How to Get Around Spain

If you want to travel around Spain, book the domestic flights or use the buses. Those are the most reliable ways of commuting. When you reach the Spanish islands, it’s best to rent a scooter or a car.

Spain Travel Guide – Cost and Budget

Spain is an affordable destination in Europe. If you’re backpacking the typical day costs you from £50 to £60. That’s assuming you stay in a hostel (hostal), eat Spanish street food, use public transport and see the basic tourist attractions.

If you travel Spain on the mid – range budget, you’re likely to spend between £95 to £125 a day. This allows you to stay in the nice hotel, dine in the local restaurants with a plenty of wine to go, use taxis more often and visit the paid attractions.

If you want luxury in Spain, your daily budget should be between £160 to £210. You will be able to stay at the top end hotel, dine at finest restaurants, use cabs a lot and book guided tours.

Spain Travel Guide – Best Time to Visit

Generally, the best time to go to Spain is summer between June and August. Those months bring the sunniest weather, almost no rain and pleasant temperatures.

Spring and Autumn in Spain

The best time for the cheap sightseeing in Spain is either spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November). Those months bring mild temperatures between 17°C and 26°C and light showers (except for October when heavy rain is expected).

TIP: Spring festivals in Spain: the Carnival and Easter holidays (March or April), Fallas de Valencia (15th March, burning the Fallas) and Fiesta de San Isidro (15th May, Madrid’s patron day). Autumn in Spain is all about the San Sebastian International Film Festival (the end of September) and the National Day of Spain (The Independence Day, 12th October).

Summer in Spain

If you want a beach holiday in Spain, you should travel in summer (June to August). Those months bring the most perfect weather to stay on the beach, air temperatures between 25°C and 29°C and the sea as warm as 18°C.

TIP: Summer festivals in Spain: Malaga’s August Fair (flamenco, sherry drinking and bullfighting), La Tomatina Festival (26th August, tomato fight in Bunol).

Winter in Spain

If you want to go skiing in Spain, you should travel to the Sierra Nevada between December and March. Those months bring mild temperatures during the day and the perfect conditions to go skiing or snowboarding around the Spanish mountains.

TIP: Christmas is celebrated in December.

Spain Travel Guide – Average Monthly Temperatures

Spain is the hottest in summer from June to August. Those months bring hot temperatures between 25°C and 29°C with August being the hottest. Spain is the coldest in winter from December to February. Those months experience mild temperatures between 14°C to 15°C with January being the coldest.

Spain Travel Guide – Average Monthly Precipitation

Spain sees a lot of rain and snow during winter from November to February. The rainy weather can be felt around the major cities and the snow is seen around the Spanish mountains (Sierra Nevada and the Pyrenees). Basically, you will be able to enjoy the snow in Spain if you travel anyplace that is located 1,5 km above sea level. In winter, you could be skiing in the morning and enjoying the beach in the afternoon. In fact, December is the months when it rains and snows the most with the average 70 mm and 10 days of rain/snowfall. On the contrary, Spain is the driest in summer from June to August with roughly 14 mm to 18 mm of rainfall. August is the month when it rains the least with only two days of showers.

Spain Travel Guide – Practical Information

This part of my travel guide is full of tips on what to expect during your travels to Spain. For more information on language and local time, religion, electricity plug, internet, currency, visa, safety and health matters in Spain, just follow my guidance below.

Population and Language – Around 46,7 million people live in Spain. The official language is Spanish and the capital is Madrid. Most Spanish speak English pretty well.

Religion – 71.1% Christians, 25.4% Unaffiliated, 3.5% Other.

Local Time – There is 1 time zone in Spain, UTC+1 hour.

Electricity – Spain runs on 230V voltage. There is 50Hz and the plug type C and F. Basically, the two pin plug is used all over Spain except for Gibraltar where both, two and three square pin plugs are common. Getting an adapter is recommended.

Internet – The internet in Spain is available all over the country. The free Wi-Fi is offered by most hotels and restaurants with many hotspots around the Spanish cities. It’s recommended to buy a cheap sim card and mobile internet on arrival. Best prepaid sim cards in Spain are: Orange, Movistar, Vodafone and Lycamobile.

Money and Currency in Spain

Money – In Spain the ATMs (cajeros automaticos) are widely available. Withdrawing your money from the bank AMTs around big cities will charge you a standard fee. Visa, MasterCard, Eurocard, Cirrus Debit and Credit Cards are accepted. Having some cash is always advisable.

Currency – The official currency in Spain is Euro (€) (EUR).

Visa Requirements for Spain

Visa – EU citizens don’t need a visa to travel to Spain thanks to the Schengen Zone Area that allows you free travel with no passport or border control. The UK left the EU on 31st of January 2020 meaning the UK citizens can spend up to 90 days within the Schengen Area (during any 180 day period). Valid ID document is required. Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders and Americans don’t need a visa to Spain if their trips are less than 90 days. Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months before your travels.

Safety in Spain

Safety Travelling in Spain doesn’t pose too much risk. The country has a political stability and the crime is low. The biggest problem tourists face are the thieves and the worst reputation for theft have the big cities like Madrid, Barcelona and Seville. In case of trouble, you should always report it to the Spanish national police by visiting the police stations (comisarias) or calling the police or visiting www.policia.es

Emergency Numbers – In Spain the universal emergency number to dial is 112. The numbers for the particular emergency services in Spain are: Police – 091, Fire – 085, Ambulance – 061, Maritime Rescue – 902 202 202.

Health and Travel Vaccinations in Spain

Health – Traveling to Spain requires doesn’t require any additional vaccinations. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that everyone is covered for the diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and polio, hepatitis A, hepatitis B regardless of their destination.