Spain Travel Guide

Spain is a country of contrasts, from the lush green landscape of the northern provinces and their wild Atlantic coast to the desert of Almeria and the gentle coves of the Mediterranean. With a balmy year-round climate, Spain is a popular destination in summer and winter alike.

Find out everything you need to know before you visit Spain, including trip highlights, travel tips, road trip guides and city itineraries, with our Spain visitor’s guide.

Intro to Spain

Spain is a cosmopolitan and forward-thinking country, and full of modern and ancient treasures. The Moorish architecture of Andalucia is breathtaking and some of the best preserved in the world.

The Gaudi legacy in Barcelona is fantastical and a perfect reflection of one of Europe’s most lively and vibrant cities. And in Madrid, the Prado is a stunning testimony to Spanish art and culture. Alongside these treasures, you’ll also find world-class gastronomy and wine to rival France, without the snobbery or price tag!

Much of Spain lives on the coast, with huge swathes of inland Spain un-populated. It is the second most mountainous country in Europe, with the Spanish Pyrenees, Picos de Europe in ‘Green Spain’, and the Sierre Nevada offering the biggest mountains, with numerous smaller ranges around the country. The opportunities for activities like hiking, cycling, and water sports are immense.

Spain has a well-deserved reputation as a country larger than life and Spain’s people live it to the max. Every town and village has its own official fiesta (party) when the wine flows and the tapas are plentiful.

Two of the most famous fiestas in Spain involve being chased by a bull (San Fermin), or throwing tomatoes at strangers (La Tomatina) – but this is Spain, in all its loud and colorful glory.

Best Time to Visit Spain

Spain is warmer than the UK all year round, but inland and in the mountains in winter nights can be chilly and in the north, you may well see snow. In the summer it can be blisteringly hot, especially in the cities.

Spring and autumn are wonderful times to visit – from April until June you’ll enjoy near perfect temperatures, with only a light top needed in the evenings, but remember that Semana Santa (Easter week) will be incredibly busy with costs rising accordingly. September and October offer warm sunshine, with the earth and sea still warm from the heat of August.

Winter in the Andalucian and east coast cities is generally mild (other than in mountainous Granada) and in Barcelona and Seville you’ll find fantastic Christmas markets.

Spain Travel Tips

Spain has a number of different languages. Castilian (or Spanish) is the main language, with Catalan being spoken in Catalonia, Valenciano being spoken in Valencia (both being more like the French language), Galician belonging to the northern region, and Basque If you want to learn a few words, Castilian is the one to pick as it is the most widely spoken.
CEST – Central European Summer Time.
To enter Spain, a valid passport with at least three months remaining is required. You may also need a visa to visit Spain, and non-EU nationals will require a return ticket and proof of funds for the stay.
Spanish state hospitals are required to provide vital primary healthcare to any patient who is admitted to the hospital with life-threatening injuries or illness, regardless of their ability to pay so you’ll be looked after in the event of an accident or sudden onset of illness. However, ongoing medical costs and repatriation are not covered even if you are an EU traveler with a valid EHIC card. We recommend taking out travel and medical insurance for your trip.
The currency in Spain is the Euro € and cents.
ATMs which accept foreign cards are widely available in all cities and towns. If you decide to travel rurally, you will find ATMs are less common.
Credit cards are widely accepted, with Visa and Mastercard being the most common.
Plugs in Italy are type C and F. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz. We recommend using a universal adapter with surge protection like this one.
Some city municipalities provide free wifi zones which you have to register to use. Most hotels now provide free wifi. All of Spain’s cities enjoy 4g coverage and most of Spain’s large cities have rolled out 5g. Find the best EU SIM card for your trip here.
Tipping is not expected in Spain but is welcomed if offered. It’s unusual to tip in informal cafes, restaurants, and bars, but if you go out for a more formal dinner, then 5-10% would be the usual tip.
Spain is known for being a safe destination for travelers as long as you are mindful of the risks in big tourist destinations like Madrid where the Metro is notorious for pickpockets, and Barcelona. In an emergency, the number for police, fire, and ambulance is 112. There is also a tourist helpline in Spain to assist you with non-emergency issues, the number is 902 102 112.

Spain Packing Tips

Pack layers for shoulder season trips and loose cotton or linen for summer.

Include one longer dress or linen trousers/pants or longer shorts, and something to cover your shoulders, if you want to enter religious buildings.

Sun protection, sunglasses and a cap or hat are a must in summer.

Winter visitors should bring a waterproof or showerproof jacket and a few warm layers for colder days, especially if visiting mountainous areas or northern Spain.

Bring at least one warm top for summer visits, and a couple for autumn and winter visits, plus thermals if you’re planning to visit the mountains.

Make sure to bring a waterproof jacket, or showerproof top, even in summer.

If you’re visiting Spain’s historic towns and cities, make sure to pack trainers or comfy walking shoes. Cobbles can be tough on the feet!

Technical gear that washes easily and dries quickly is a great option if you’re road tripping or moving about a lot.

Don’t forget an easy-to-manage day bag, such as a rucksack or day sack.

Spain Highlights

Spain Road Trips

Spain City Itineraries

Spain Motorhome Resources

Things to Know About Visiting Spain

Many businesses close for siesta between 12.30 or 1pm until 5pm and then open again until 8pm. This can vary a little from town to town but fundamentally the afternoon is for relaxing and spending time together as a family.

Spain celebrates fourteen public holidays a year, many religious in origin, and a whopping 32 regional holidays. You can check out the dates here, and plan in advance to ensure the attractions you want to visit will be open.

Sundays are truly sacred days in Spain. Many people will go to church but it is the extended family lunch, hosted by the matriarch, which is the most important part of the day. Very few, if any, shops are open on Sundays and many museums will also be closed.

Spain is not a pet-loving country like the US or UK and you’ll see more strays than you’re used to, and a bit of dog poo on the pavements too, although in recent years this has improved.

Spanish people talk LOUDLY and over each other constantly. It is not a fight breaking out or a lover’s tiff, it’s just everyday conversation. How four people together all talking at the same time can ever take in what the other is saying is a mystery, but they seem to manage it!

Spain is not as ‘finished’ as you might be used to. There are lots of failed projects around and many, many half-built houses and buildings. This is because of the financial crash in 2008 and the subsequent bursting of Spain’s property bubble.

Whether you like it or not, bullfighting is a huge part of Spanish life and culture. Bullfighting is seen as heroic, a test of wills involving courage, intelligence, and elegance; matadors are national heroes. The bullfighting season runs from March to October with fights usually taking place on Sunday afternoons.