VISIT SPAIN
Known for its vibrant culture – from lively cities to passionate flamenco – there is always something to enjoy in Spain.
Currency
€ - Euro (1€ ≃ 1,05$ ≃0,86£)
POPULATION
47 millions
MAIN LANGUAGE
Spanish
AREA
505,990 km²
TIME ZONE
UTC+1 / UTC+2
FLAG
🇪🇸
Spain is a popular holiday destination known for its lively atmosphere, pleasant weather, Moorish heritage and dreamy islands. Spain has a total of 17 autonomous communities, each of them having unique landscapes and cultures. Madrid, Spain's central capital, is known for its museums and elegant architecture. Barcelona, Catalonia's major city, is popular for its nightlife and the unique masterpieces of the architect Antoni Gaudí, including the incredible Sagrada Familia cathedral.
There are a couple of things to know before travelling to Spain:
Water: Tap water is considered safe to drink in Spain.
Driving: Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road. The main speed limits are as follows: 50 kph / 30 mph on main roads within built-up areas, 90 kph / 56 mph on main roads outside built-up areas, and 120 kph / 74 mph on dual carriageways and motorways. When driving on Spanish roads, you might come across toll sections on some motorways.
Plugs: Two plug types are used in Spain: C and F, which both have two grounding holes. Spain operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz frequency.
Tipping: As a general rule - although welcome - tipping is not compulsory nor expected in restaurants and cafés in Spain, but it is common to ’round up’ the amount by adding up 5 to 10% if you are happy with the service provided.
Payment: Bank cards - either debit or credit cards - are widely accepted across Spain, the most common ones being Visa and Mastercard. American Express cards can be used in fewer places. The use of cash money is still very common, especially for low-value purchases.
Basic language: Hola = Hello; Buenos días = Good morning; Adiós = Goodbye; Si = Yes; No = No; Gracias = Thank you; Muchas gracias = Thank you very much; Por favor = Please; De nada = You're welcome; Lo siento = Excuse me; Día = Day; Noche = Night; Buenas noches = Good evening / Goodnight; Señor = Mister; Señora = Ma'am; Calle = Street; Carretera = Road
Holidays and closing days: Sunday is a closing day for most stores. There are 12 official national public holidays in Spain: New Year's Day (January 01), Epiphany (January 06), Good Friday, Labour Day (May 01), Assumption Day (August 15), Spain's National Day (October 12), All Saints' Day (November 01), Spanish Constitution Day (December 06), Immaculate Conception (December 08), Christmas (December 25-26). On these days, most businesses and offices will be closed, and many attractions may be shut or have limited opening hours. On top of national holidays, there are also many regional holidays determined by the local administrations.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The information below is provided merely as an indication and applies for short-term tourism visa purposes only. Before your trip to Spain, or if you are planning to come to Spain for another purpose (work, studies, ...), check the official information on the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: https://www.exteriores.gob.es/
No visa is needed if you are a citizen of one of the following countries:
Austria; Belgium; Bulgaria; Croatia; Cyprus; Czechia; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Iceland; Ireland; Italy; Latvia; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Malta; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Slovakia; Slovenia; Sweden; Switzerland
Visa-free but limited to a maximum of 90 days for a period of 180 days if you are a citizen of one of the following countries: Albania; Andorra; Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Australia; Bahamas; Barbados; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Brazil; Brunei; Canada; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Dominica; El Salvador; Georgia; Grenada; Guatemala; Honduras; Hong Kong; Israel; Japan; Kiribati; Macao; Malaysia; Marshall Islands; Mauritius; Mexico; Micronesia; Moldova; Monaco; Montenegro; New-Zealand; Nicaragua; North Macedonia; Palau; Panama; Paraguay; Peru; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; San Marino; Serbia; Seychelles; Singapore; Solomon islands; South Korea; Taiwan; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Trinidad and Tobago; Tuvalu; Ukraine; United Arab Emirates; United Kingdom; United States of America; Uruguay; Vatican; Venezuela
Visa required (Schengen visa) if you are a citizen of one of the following countries: Afghanistan; Algeria; Angola; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Bahrain; Bangladesh; Belarus; Belize; Benin; Bhutan; Bolivia; Botswana; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cambodia; Cameroon; Cape Verde; Central African Republic; Chad; China; Comoros; Congo; Congo (Dem. Rep); Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast); Cuba; Djibouti; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; Egypt; Equatorial Guinea; Eritrea; Eswatini; Ethiopia; Fiji; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Haiti; India; Indonesia; Iran; Iraq; Jamaica; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Kosovo; Kuwait; Kyrgyzstan; Laos; Lebanon; Lesotho; Liberia; Libya; Madagascar; Malawi; Maldives; Mali; Mauritania; Mongolia; Morocco; Mozambique; Myanmar; Namibia; Nauru; Nepal; Niger; Nigeria; North Korea; Oman; Pakistan; Palestinian territories; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Qatar; Russia; Rwanda; Sao Tome and Principe; Saudi Arabia; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Somalia; South Africa; South Sudan; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Suriname; Syria; Tajikistan; Tanzania; Thailand; Togo; Tunisia; Turkey; Turkmenistan; Uganda; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu; Vietnam; Yemen; Zambia; Zimbabwe
❄️ December – February: Spain is a wonderful place to visit in the winter, especially if you are looking for somewhere sunnier and warmer than much of Europe. Despite the lack of snow, the Christmas atmosphere is full-on during December in Spain. Many cities' squares are filled with Christmas markets selling a variety of traditional foods and crafts, fairs, and ice skating rinks. The streets are decorated with Christmas trees and tons of lights. During winter, the temperatures in Madrid usually range from 2°C (36F) to 13°C (55F). Andalusia tends to be warmer; in Sevilla for instance, temperatures are between 6°C (42F) and 19°C (66F) on average.
🌱 March – May: In the spring, the weather warms up, flowers begin to blossom, and people eager to escape the winter and take advantage of the longer days fill up the terraces of bars. It is a time of choice to admire Spain's nature, for example, the spectacular cherry tree blossoms in Jerte Valley.
☀️ June – August: Spain is an incredibly popular summer destination, due to its festive-yet-relaxed atmosphere and numerous sandy beaches. The timing is perfect to enjoy yourself and immerse yourself in Spain's vibrant culture. During summer, the temperatures in Madrid usually range from 16°C (60F) to 33°C (91F); while the temperatures in Sevilla are usually between 18°C (64F) and 36°C (97F).
🍂 September – November: Just like spring, it will probably be a wonderful experience to travel to Spain in autumn. This season is perfect for a Spanish trip without the crowds of visitors because of the lower crowds, more affordable pricing, and milder weather. Take advantage of the sunshine by exploring Spain's iconic cities or hiking in one of Spain's 16 national parks.
Pick a (Spanish) destination
Make your choice from the list below or the map to access all the articles related to specific cities or regions of Spain.
ANDALUSIA
The southernmost autonomous community in Peninsular Spain
CANARY ISLANDS
Spanish archipelago of rugged volcanic islands
BALEARIC ISLANDS
Archipelago of 4 islands - Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera
SPAIN HIGHLIGHT ATTRACTIONS
EXPLORE MADRID
Some highlights of the beautiful capital are the Prado, one of the biggest museums in the world, and the Royal Palace.
ADMIRE GAUDI'S WORK IN BARCELONA
Seven buildings by the architect Antoni Gaudí are spread throughout Barcelona and the neighbouring areas, including the unique Sagrada Família.
VISIT THE PLAZA DE ESPANA
A Sevillian striking semi-circular pavilion flanked by colonnades, constructed to honour the many regions of Spain.
ISLAND-HOP IN CANARY ISLANDS
The 8 'Islas Canarias' are famed for their comfortable temperatures and abundance of breathtaking natural wonders.
SEE GRANADA'S ALHAMBRA
The cultures of North Africa and Europe uniquely converge in the city of Granada. When there, don't miss the Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
ETHICAL WILDLIFE TOURISM IN SPAIN
Did you know?
Spain’s national emblematic animal is the Bull.
ALL SPAIN BLOG ARTICLES
MADRID
Coming soon
BARCELONA
Coming soon
CANARY ISLANDS
Coming soon
