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 (€)

Minimalist travel illustration: a dotted flight path from a map pin on the left to an airplane on the right, looping midway.

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.

Arrivals sign hanging from two cords with an airplane icon on the left and the word ARRIVALS on a beige background.

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

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, especially in the past two years. 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

Woman sits on a stone railing along a sunny mountain path with jagged rock formations and buildings in the background.

Illustration of a pale cone with three chocolate-dipped churros standing upright on a light beige background, centered in the image

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.

When is the best time to visit Spain?

Any time is good to visit Spain, although I would argue it would be best to avoid the peak season between June and August. If you do visit during this time, it’s best to stay out of the major cities of Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, and Valencia and explore smaller towns and the northern regions instead. The Canary Islands are a great destination for the winter if you want to escape the cold of mainland Spain and enjoy spring-like temperatures.

How many days do I need in Spain?

You would need a couple of months of constant traveling to truly explore the country, but here are some more realistic timelines depending on the kind of trip you plan:
City break: 3-5 days for each major city (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla, Granada, Malaga)
Two‑city combo: 7-10 days (You can easily pair Barcelona & Valencia, Madrid & Valencia, Sevilla & Granada/Malaga, etc.
Regional trip: 10-14 days to thoroughly explore a region like Andalusia, Catalonia, or the Canary Islands.
Spain road trip: 2-3 weeks to touch on the main cities.

Is Spain expensive to visit?

Compared to most Western European countries, Spain is a mid-range destination, with major cities being more expensive and rural areas or small towns being relatively affordable. You can expect to pay between €20 and €40 on a hostel bed in a dorm, upwards of €60 on a single or double room, and between €12 and €30 on a meal, unless you opt for high-end restaurants. High-speed trains can be quite expensive, while regional trains are more affordable. High-speed trains can be expensive if booked at the last minute, while regional trains are usually affordable.

Is Spain safe for solo travelers?

As a solo traveler myself, I find Spain to be one of the safest countries in Europe for solo travelers, including solo traveling women. The main thing to look for is pickpockets in crowded areas like metro stations and tourist hotspots in Madrid or Barcelona.

What should I eat in Spain?

If you travel to Spain and want to experience the local cuisine, you should try paella (ideally in Valencia), tapas (small plates, throughout Spain), tortilla de patatas (my favorite), and jamón ibérico. While I love the traditional dishes, I must admit that Spanish cuisine is my least favorite in the Mediterranean area.

Do I need to speak Spanish to travel around Spain?

Spanish is not necessarily required to travel around Spain, especially when visiting the major cities. You can easily get around just speaking English, although learning a few basic phrases goes a long way. However, if you plan to visit small towns and villages in rural Spain, a basic knowledge of Spanish becomes necessary.

Do I need travel health insurance for Spain?

If you come from another EU country, you likely have a European Health Insurance Card, which gives you access to free public healthcare. For other visa-exempt travelers, while travel health insurance is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended. I would advise getting travel health insurance regardless of your destination, particularly one that covers travel disruptions and issues like lost baggage. I use and highly recommend SafetyWing.