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!
Practical Info
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
| Barcelona | Gaudi, Gothic Architecture, Catalan Culture |
| Madrid | Royal Palace, Prado Museum |
| Granada | Alhambra, Moorish Quarter, Cathedral |
| Seville | Flamenco, Medieval Quarter, Alcazar Castle |
| Valencia | Coastal City, Medieval Towers, Beaches |
| Ibiza | Balearic Island, Nightlife, EDM, Beaches |
| Malaga | Moorish Citadels, Picasso’s Birthplace, Coastal City |
| Tenerife | Island off Coast of Africa, Carnaval, Beach Resorts |
| San Sebastian | Basque Culture, Pintxos & Foodie Town, Beaches |
| Toledo | Cathedral, Medieval Mosque, El Greco Museum |
| Bilbao | Guggenheim Museum, Old Town, Basque Cuisine |
| Cadiz | Cadiz Cathedral, Watchtowers |
| Salamanca | Baroque Architecture, Sandstone Buildings |
| Jerez | Sherry Wine, Equestrian School, Flamenco |
| Segovia | Hilltop 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
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.
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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