Spain
Overview
Spain is Europe’s second-largest country by area and one of its most varied — from the green, rainy northwest (Galicia) to the arid meseta of Castile, the Moorish architecture of Andalusia, the modernist cityscape of Barcelona, and the beach resorts of the Mediterranean coast. For travellers, it divides roughly into: northern Spain (cooler, greener, less touristy — Basque Country, Navarre, Galicia), central Spain (Madrid and the historic cities of Castile), eastern Spain (Barcelona, Valencia, the Balearics), and southern Spain (Andalusia — Seville, Granada, Córdoba, the Costa del Sol including Málaga). Andalusia in particular offers one of Europe’s densest concentrations of historical, architectural, and culinary interest.
Visa & Entry
Spain is a Schengen member. UK passport holders may visit for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period without a visa. The EU ETIAS pre-travel authorisation is expected to launch — check current status. EU/EEA nationals have free movement. US citizens: 90-day visa-free under Schengen. Note that the Canary Islands and Balearics are EU territory (unlike Gibraltar, which is UK) — Schengen rules apply throughout.
Currency & Money
Euro (EUR). Spain is mid-to-low cost by Western European standards — notably cheaper than France, the UK, or Scandinavia. Andalusia and non-coastal areas are cheaper still. Expect €10–15 for a menu del día (set lunch with wine), €15–25 for dinner mains in a mid-range restaurant. Tapas culture means small plates of food are often free or very cheap with drinks in Andalusia (Granada is famous for free tapas with every drink). Card acceptance is very high. Cash still useful for markets and small bars. Tipping is not compulsory — rounding up or leaving 5–10% is appreciated.
Language
Castilian Spanish nationwide. Catalan is co-official in Catalonia, Valencia (Valencian), and the Balearics. Basque (Euskara) in the Basque Country. Galician in Galicia. In tourist areas and cities, English is widely spoken. Andalusia has lower English prevalence outside tourist zones — basic Spanish is very useful. Latin script.
Getting There
Major international hubs: Madrid Barajas (MAD), Barcelona El Prat (BCN), Málaga Costa del Sol (AGP — a major international hub serving southern Spain and popular with UK travellers), Seville (SVQ), Alicante (ALC), Palma de Mallorca (PMI). Málaga is one of the busiest airports for UK–Spain routes, served by all major UK carriers and budget airlines. Spain is also reachable by Eurostar + TGV via Paris and Barcelona (~10 hours from London to Barcelona by rail — increasingly popular).
Getting Around
Spain has an excellent high-speed rail network (AVE operated by Renfe). Key journey times from Madrid: Seville ~2h30, Barcelona ~2h30, Málaga ~2h30, Valencia ~1h45, Granada ~3h. Regional trains and buses fill the gaps. Renfe tickets are cheaper booked in advance; last-minute fares are expensive. Flixbus and ALSA coaches are good value for routes trains don’t cover well. Driving is practical outside cities and necessary for rural Andalusia, the Pyrenees, and rural Galicia — roads are well-maintained. City driving is fine outside rush hours; parking in city centres is expensive.
Health & Safety
No vaccinations required. Tap water is safe in most of Spain (some areas have heavily chlorinated or mineral-tasting water — locals often drink bottled). Spain is generally very safe. Pickpocketing is a known issue in Barcelona (particularly Las Ramblas and the Metro) and tourist areas of Madrid and Seville. Costa del Sol has some petty crime in tourist-heavy beach areas — standard vigilance. Healthcare is high quality; GHIC card provides access to state healthcare. Travel insurance recommended.
Best Time to Visit
March–May: ideal — comfortable temperatures, spring flowers, Semana Santa (Easter Holy Week) is spectacular in Andalusia though very busy. September–October: excellent shoulder season; sea still warm, crowds thinner, temperatures manageable. June–August: very hot in Andalusia (Seville regularly exceeds 40°C); coastal resorts packed; Balearics and Costa del Sol peak season. Evenings are lively and the culture is at its most vibrant — just be prepared for heat and crowds. November–February: off-season; Andalusia has mild winters (15–18°C) and is largely uncrowded — a very underrated time to visit. Mountain areas get snow.
Cities
- Málaga — Andalusian port city; birthplace of Picasso; gateway to Costa del Sol; excellent food scene
- Ronda — dramatic clifftop town split by the El Tajo gorge; Puente Nuevo; one of Spain’s oldest bullrings
- Córdoba — former caliphate capital; UNESCO historic centre with the Mezquita-Catedral; hottest city in Europe in summer
Cultural Norms
Meal times are very late by northern European standards: lunch 2–4pm (the main meal), dinner rarely before 9pm, often 10–11pm. Attempting to eat dinner at 7pm will find you alone in empty restaurants. Siesta hours (roughly 2–5pm) mean some smaller shops close. Dress is generally relaxed; modest dress required for churches. Spaniards are gregarious and tactile — cheek kisses on greeting are standard. Sunday trading laws vary by region.