Spain
Barcelona's Sagrada Família has been under construction since 1882 and is astonishing regardless, while Granada's Alhambra is among the finest surviving Moorish palaces anywhere. Between them lie whitewashed Andalusian villages, Basque pintxo bars, the green north and long Mediterranean coasts. Regional identity runs deep, and each area feels genuinely distinct.
Overview
Spain rewards choosing a region rather than racing around. A classic first trip pairs Madrid's art museums with a high-speed train to Barcelona, or loops through Andalucía: Seville, Córdoba's Mezquita and Granada's Alhambra, with the white villages and the Costa del Sol close by. The north feels like a different country – green, rainy and food-obsessed – with San Sebastián, Bilbao's Guggenheim, the Picos de Europa and Santiago de Compostela at the end of the Camino. The Balearic and Canary Islands add beaches, the Canaries year-round.
Spain runs late: lunch at 2pm, dinner at 9.30 or 10, and evening strolls that fill squares with families. It is still good value by western European standards, especially for food – a weekday menú del día buys three courses with a drink at a modest fixed price. July and August bring fierce inland heat and packed coasts; spring and autumn are better for cities and walking. Visitors are often surprised by how strongly Catalans, Basques and Galicians assert their own languages and identities.
Map of Spain
Top 5 highlights
- 1Architecture
Alhambra, Granada
The Nasrid palaces' carved stucco, tiled courtyards and reflecting pools, set against the Sierra Nevada, are the high point of Moorish Spain. Tickets with timed palace entry sell out weeks ahead in season.
- 2Architecture
Sagrada Família, Barcelona
Gaudí's basilica, begun in 1882 and still rising, has forest-like columns and stained glass that floods the nave with colour. Book a timed ticket and visit in the afternoon for the warm western light.
- 3History
Real Alcázar, Seville
A royal palace still used by the Spanish monarchy, mixing Mudéjar courtyards, Gothic halls and sprawling gardens. Pair it with the vast cathedral next door and a climb up the Giralda bell tower.
- 4Nature
Picos de Europa
Jagged limestone peaks straddling Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla y León, close to the coast. Ride the Fuente Dé cable car, walk the Cares Gorge trail, and see the glacial lakes of Covadonga.
- 5Food
San Sebastián's Parte Vieja
The Basque city's old quarter packs dozens of bars with pintxos laid out along their counters. Hop between them with a glass of txakoli, then walk it off along the curve of La Concha beach.
Biggest cities
Madrid
Come for the Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen museums, the Retiro park, tapas crawls around La Latina and a late-night energy that rarely lets up.
Barcelona
Gaudí's buildings, the Gothic Quarter, the Boqueria market and city beaches make it irresistible, but book major sights ahead and watch for pickpockets on La Rambla and the metro.
Valencia
Spain's third city mixes a handsome old town and central market with the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, the Turia gardens and the home of paella.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
Holiday regions in Spain
These areas have their own season and weather — see their guides for sea temperatures, resorts and flights.
When to go to Spain
Best time: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct.
Average climate in Madrid
Festivals & events
- MarLas Fallas
From 15 to 19 March, Valencia fills with giant satirical sculptures, daily firecracker barrages and fireworks, ending when almost all of them are burnt on the final night.
- Mar–AprSemana Santa
Holy Week brings hooded brotherhoods carrying elaborate religious floats through the streets, most famously in Seville, Málaga and Valladolid; book accommodation well in advance.
- JulSan Fermín
Pamplona's fiesta, from 6 to 14 July, is famed for its morning bull runs, but round-the-clock street parties, parades and music are the real draw for most visitors.
How much does Spain cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Paella
Valencia's rice dish, cooked in a wide, shallow pan; the original uses chicken, rabbit and green beans, and the crisp socarrat on the bottom is prized.
Jamón ibérico
Cured ham from black Iberian pigs, the finest fattened on acorns in the dehesa oak pastures, sliced paper-thin by hand and served at room temperature.
Tortilla de patatas
A thick omelette of potatoes and egg, with or without onion – a heated national debate – served by the slice in bars everywhere.
Getting around
High-speed trains are the star: Renfe's AVE and low-cost rivals Ouigo and Iryo link Madrid with Barcelona, Seville, Valencia and Málaga in under three hours. ALSA buses reach smaller towns cheaply. Domestic flights and ferries serve the Balearic and Canary Islands. Hire a car for Andalucía's white villages and the north. Cities have good metro systems, and Cabify and Uber operate in Madrid, Barcelona and other large cities.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CF230V — bring a UK-to-C/F adapter
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +34
- Time zones
- UTC+1, UTC+0 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Not obligatory. Leave small change in bars and around 5–10 per cent in restaurants for good service; locals tip modestly.
- Etiquette
- Greet shopkeepers with 'hola' or 'buenos días', and friends with two kisses. Eat on Spanish time, cover up away from the beach, and try a word of Catalan or Basque where they are spoken.
- Main airports
- Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD), Madrid; Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN), Barcelona; Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport (AGP), Málaga
Visas & entry for Spain
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Spain, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel: as a tourist; to visit family or friends; to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events; for short-term studies or training.
The requirements for working in Spain are different.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Rabies
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Spain
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Tue 8 Dec 2026 | Immaculate Conception |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Wed 6 Jan 2027 | Epiphany |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Tue 12 Oct 2027 | National Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Spanish
| English | Spanish | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hola | OH-lah |
| Thank you | Gracias | GRAH-thee-ahs |
| Please | Por favor | por fah-BOR |
| Excuse me | Disculpe | dees-KOOL-peh |
| How much is this? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? | KWAN-toh KWES-tah |
Know before you go
- Book Alhambra and Sagrada Família tickets through the official websites, weeks ahead in spring and summer; resellers charge more and some sell invalid tickets.
- Look for the menú del día at weekday lunchtimes: three courses with bread and a drink for a fixed price, often the best-value meal in Spain.
- Many small shops close from about 2pm to 5pm, and many museums shut on Mondays; plan summer sightseeing for mornings and early evenings.
Spain travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Spain?
The best time to visit Spain is generally Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Peak months are April, May, June, September and October. Average highs in Madrid range from 10°C to 32°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Spain cost per day?
Roughly £55 a day on a tight budget, £115 mid-range and £250+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Spain?
Euro (EUR).
What plug type does Spain use?
Type C and F sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Spain?
Traffic drives on the right in Spain, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Spain?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for Spain?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Spain, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Spain before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Spain?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Rabies sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
