Spain Travel Guide

Discover the best of Spain with curated guides, insider tips, and honest stories.

Spain Travel photo - sunset over the rooftops of Valencia
Steep rocky Montserrat mountains with a cable car and buildings perched along the cliffside.
Sunny hillside village with white stone houses and red-tiled roofs along a cobblestone street under a bright blue sky with clouds.
Ruined stone walls and red-tiled roofs of a hillside village with a bell tower under a blue, cloudy sky.

Spain is one of my favorite countries to travel in Europe. I love that it’s such a diverse and culturally rich country, with vibrant cities, beautiful coastlines, and breathtaking landscapes. Even after traveling around Spain on countless trips, I feel like I barely scratched the surface of all it has to offer. Whether you’re planning a city break, a road trip, or a long-distance walk, Spain is a wonderful destination. This page brings together everything you need to plan your trip, as well as all the Spain travel guides I’ve written so far.

Quick Facts About Spain

Geography: located in southwestern Europe, bordered by Portugal, France, and the Mediterranean Sea
Capital city: Madrid, in the autonomous Community of Madrid, central Spain
Regions: Spain has 17 autonomous communities, each with its own culture, cuisine, and landscapes
Popular cities: Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Sevilla, Malaga, and Granada
Climate: Warm/hot summers across the country, mild winters in the south and east, cold winters inland and north
Best time to visit: Spring (March-May) and autumn (October-November)
Languages: Spanish (Castilian) is the official language; Catalan, Basque, and Galician are co‑official in their regions
Currency: Euro (€)

Transportation

Spain has one of the best transportation networks in Europe, making it easy to explore both major cities and remote regions. Also, fun fact, it has the world’s second-largest high-speed rail network after China. Moreover, it boasts over 40 international airports.

Major airports: Madrid (MAD), Barcelona (BCN), Málaga (AGP), Valencia (VLC), Seville (SVQ)
Trains: Renfe connects major cities with regional and high-speed trains; Iryo and Ouigo have a few routes
Buses: Alsa covers regional and long‑distance routes; Flixbus has routes within Spain and to nearby countries
Driving: Ideal for rural regions and the islands. An IDP is needed for travelers from outside the EU/EEA
Public transport: Major cities have efficient metro, tram, and bus services; small towns have limited services

Tip: Base yourself in a major city and explore the surrounding area on day trips. Alternatively, your best option is to rent a car and do a road trip around Spain.

Other Useful Information

Here are a few more facts to help you make the most of your trip to Spain.

Safety: Spain is generally safe for solo travelers; watch out for pickpocketing in busy areas in major cities
Costs: Mid-range. Your budget will vary depending on the season, with major cities being more expensive overall
Tipping: Not mandatory; you can round up your bill or leave 5-10% for good service
Cultural notes: Locals have late lunches (2-3 PM) and dinners (9-11 PM); siesta is a thing in smaller towns
Plugs: Type C & F, 230V

Tip: Holidays are sacred in Spain. Most grocery stores are closed on Sundays and public holidays, and various communities have their own holidays, which are also strictly enforced. Do your shopping between Monday and Saturday. Museums, on the other hand, are often closed on Mondays and a few holidays.

My Experience Traveling in Spain

I’ve lost count of how much time I’ve spent in Spain. I lived in Barcelona for six months when I was 22, then returned several times, spending roughly three more months in the city over the past two years alone. But my experience goes far beyond Barcelona. I’ve traveled across almost the entire country, from major cities like Madrid, Valencia, and Sevilla to the remote villages I discovered while walking three different Caminos de Santiago. I also spent four months exploring the Canary Islands across three separate trips. If there’s one destination I feel truly confident writing about, it’s Spain. I hope my guides inspire you to explore this stunning Mediterranean country!

Pictured: Montserrat, Barcelona, 2024

Visiting Montserrat, Spain

Spain Travel Resources

  • Official tourism website: Spain.info
  • Flights: Trip.com or Kiwi.com to find affordable flights to and from Spain
  • Accommodation: Booking.com is my go-to, but Agoda is a good alternative
  • Transportation: Check Omio for all means of transportation; Renfe for trains, and Alsa or Flixbus for buses
  • Ridesharing apps: Uber is available in major cities. Cabify is a good alternative, also available in big cities
  • Navigation: Google Maps for daily navigation and Maps.me for hiking
  • Car rental: DiscoverCars allows you to browse countless options all over Spain
  • Activities: GetYourGuide and Viator have tons of choices; Manawa is great for outdoor adventures
  • Travel insurance: I personally use and recommend SafetyWing. VisitorsCoverage is a good alternative
  • Sightseeing and attractions: The official websites are my go-to; alternatively, check Klook and Tiqets
  • Walking tours: Book a free walking tour on GuruWalk and just tip your guide
  • eSIM: I use either Airalo or Saily, depending on the destination and length of the trip
  • VPN: I tried different ones, but my favorite is by far NordVPN
  • Currency converter: Download the Xe app for up-to-date rates

Tip: Depending on when you visit Spain, you may want to book accommodation, tours, and attractions well ahead of time. The summer, mainly June to early September, is the peak tourist season, so everything will get more expensive and sell out. If you visit during this time, plan well ahead of your trip.

FAQ

Browse All Spain Travel Guides

Santiago de Compostela - Via de la Plata

Via de la Plata: From Ourense to Santiago de Compostela

Are you planning to walk Via de la Plata? I hope my experience walking this challenging but rewarding Camino de Santiago can offer some insight into what you can expect. This is the fourth and last part of this series. This personal reflection on the last part of my Camino…

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The Canary Islands Travel Guides

I have a dedicated page coming soon with all the info you need about the Canary Islands. Meanwhile, you can browse existing posts here.

Barcelona Google Maps Locations

If you plan to visit Barcelona, I created a Google Maps list with 55 locations to check out in the city!

Grab your Barcelona Google Maps List

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