Spain is a country of colorful people, over-the-top festivals, mouthwatering food, ornate architecture and gorgeous coastline. Below you’ll find all you need to know before planning your trip, from ways to save money and when to visit to which cities are best depending on your interests. Ole!

Gorgeous architecture of Seville, Spain.

Practical Info

Spain Travel Guide

Getting to Spain

Spain has a number of international airports, but by far the largest and busiest is Barcelona (BCN). From the East Coast of the USA, flights to Barcelona can be super-cheap and frequent. Coming from within Europe, trains are available, and routes from Paris or London are quite popular. Alternatively, you can reach Spain by ferry or cruise as well!

When to go

I personally think the best time to visit Spain is late spring or early fall, when the prices are a bit lower and the crowds a bit fewer. That being said, if you’re going to a major city such as Barcelona or Madrid, the prices and crowds are always a bit high.

Spain is really hot during the summer months, and due to its beautiful coastline, prices spike during this time as well.

If you’d like to escape the cold during winter, Spain offers mild temperatures relative to many other places in the USA and northern Europe.

what to see

BarcelonaGaudi, Gothic Architecture, Catalan Culture
MadridRoyal Palace, Prado Museum
GranadaAlhambra, Moorish Quarter, Cathedral
SevilleFlamenco, Medieval Quarter, Alcazar Castle
ValenciaCoastal City, Medieval Towers, Beaches
IbizaBalearic Island, Nightlife, EDM, Beaches
MalagaMoorish Citadels, Picasso’s Birthplace, Coastal City
TenerifeIsland off Coast of Africa, Carnaval, Beach Resorts
San SebastianBasque Culture, Pintxos & Foodie Town, Beaches
ToledoCathedral, Medieval Mosque, El Greco Museum
BilbaoGuggenheim Museum, Old Town, Basque Cuisine
CadizCadiz Cathedral, Watchtowers
SalamancaBaroque Architecture, Sandstone Buildings
JerezSherry Wine, Equestrian School, Flamenco
SegoviaHilltop Castle, Roman Aqueduct, Gothic Cathedral

 

Traveling within Spain

Madrid is very well-connected with other cities throughout the country by rail. Barcelona, which is a more popular first-stop, is somewhat less so.

Flixbus is a great bus company within Europe, but it’s worth noting that they are not pet-friendly.

On the other hand, if you want to road trip (or if you’re traveling with a furry friend or lots of luggage), renting a car is also an option. This will definitely allow you more independence and freedom of schedule. Be sure to get an International Driving Permit in your home country, they are required to rent a car!

Detailed Spain Articles

7 Best Seaside Day Trips from Barcelona

6 Best Day Trips from Barcelona for Nature Lovers

12 Amazing Things to Do in Barcelona with Kids

Free Things to do in Barcelona, Spain

Gothic Quarter in Barcelona, Spain

Best Places to Stay in Spain When Traveling with Kids

7 Days in Lanzarote, Spain with the Kids

How to Take a Day Trip from Malaga to Seville

18 Best Museums in Malaga

20 Top Malaga Attractions

How to Take a Day Trip from Malaga to Granada

 

Flight resources

Skyscanner is the website I use for all of my flights. Other travelers also like Momondo.

Money-saving tip: Don’t input any dates to scan the best available times to go OR simply input ‘Spain’ instead of a specific airport – you may get a much cheaper flight!

Accommodation resources

When I travel, I personally prefer to use VRBO. I book an entire apartment, giving me my privacy and the comfort of home amenities, such as a kitchen and washing machine. Since my dog(s) travel with me, it also allows me to filter based on pet-friendliness without the stress of disturbing hotel guests.

If you’re traveling long-term, VRBO usually offers discounts for stays of a month or more – the discounts are significant, sometimes 50-60%! It winds up being cheaper than what I would have paid for my apartment rent back in the USA.

If you’ve never used Airbnb before, you can get a discount by using my link below.

If you’re a budget-conscious traveler and not traveling long-term, hostels are a great option and are abundant in Italy.

For standard hotel stays, Hotels.com usually offers the best deals.

Safety tips

While Spain is a relatively safe country, petty crimes like theft and pickpocketing are all-too-common, particularly in cities such as Barcelona and Madrid. Barcelona was by far the worst by-far I’ve seen in all my years of travel in terms of scams and pick-pocketers. Definitely acquaint yourself with the most common scams in Spain before you travel.

Do your best to blend in and not appear to be a tourist. Don’t accept unsolicited help, and try to appear confident.

Mark your cash bills with a pencil or some other identifying mark so that you don’t fall for the counterfeit money scam, where a cashier or vendor will return with the cash you’ve paid and tell you it’s counterfeit, making you pay again (aka paying double!).

Trust your judgement and always remove yourself from any situations that feel less than safe.

Red trolley on the streets of Mallorca, Spain.

Money saving tips

One of the best ways to save money while traveling Spain is to keep your eyes peeled for the menu del dia – menu of the day. This is usually a three-course prix-fixe lunch menu for around 10 EUR. Eat big for lunch and enjoy a tapas bar for dinner.

Purchase city passes if you plan on hitting a lot of tourist sites.

Search on Pinterest: ‘Free Things To Do In….’ There are a ton of great resources out there from travel bloggers, and Pinterest is where you want to search.

Take a free walking tour or self-guided walking tour.

If you plan on visiting many tourist sites, particularly in Barcelona or Madrid, be sure to pick up a city pass. These generally give hefty discounts, free admission to certain places, free public transportation among others. They’re usually available in one- or three-day increments.

Covid resources for Spain

Before making any travel reservations, be sure to check the COVID restrictions currently implemented in Spain. Be aware that things are subject to change with no notice and that most travel insurance companies do not cover COVID-19 for cancellations or treatment. Travel safely, wear a mask, socially distance, and follow all local regulations.

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Top Travel Resources for Spain