Spain travel guide

Getting there

Major international airports include Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca and those in the Canary Islands. Spain is linked by road and rail to France and Portugal, and ferries connect it with Morocco, the Balearic Islands and other Mediterranean ports.

Best time to visit: Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct – warm weather and fewer crowds than summer.

Tougher months: July and August inland – cities such as Seville, Córdoba and Madrid can be extremely hot and coastal resorts are crowded.

Weather by month in Madrid

• 10°J●
• 12°F●
• 16°M●
• 18°A●
• 22°M●
• 29°J
• 32°J
• 31°A
• 26°S●
• 19°O●
• 13°N●
• 10°D●

Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: Africa/Ceuta, Atlantic/Canary, Europe/Madrid. Compare with your local time.

Visas: in our passport dataset, 93 of 198 other passports can enter Spain without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 0 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 105 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.

Background: Visa policy of the Schengen Area (Wikipedia).

Official advisory: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-08-01). Read the advisory.

Source and more: Spain travel facts on RoamSun

Stay

Our area-by-area hotel guide: where to stay in Barcelona. It compares neighbourhoods so you pick the right base.

Most trips to Spain are based around Madrid, Barcelona or Seville. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$50–80 for a backpacker and US$120–200 mid-range, per person.

Source: Global Hotel Discount stay guide

Connect

Plug types: C, F. Voltage: 230 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +34.

Mobile data: read the eSIM for Europe before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.

Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun

Do

• Madrid (Central Spain · capital & art): A vibrant capital with world-class museums, grand boulevards, leafy parks and legendary nightlife.
• Barcelona (Catalonia · architecture & beaches): Gaudí's city combines Gothic lanes, modernist landmarks, seaside promenades and a buzzing food scene.
• Seville (Andalusia · flamenco & heritage): The heart of Andalusian culture, with a vast cathedral, the Real Alcázar and orange-scented plazas.
• Granada (Andalusia · Moorish palaces): Home to the Alhambra and the hillside Albaicín quarter, with the Sierra Nevada as a backdrop.
• San Sebastián (Basque Country · food & beaches): An elegant seaside city famous for its pintxos bars and its beautiful shell-shaped bay.
• Mallorca (Balearic Islands · coast & mountains): Dramatic mountains, hidden coves and charming stone villages beyond the busy resorts.
• Santiago de Compostela (Galicia · pilgrimage city): The emotional end point of the Camino, with a magnificent cathedral and a lively old town.
• Tenerife (Canary Islands · volcanoes & sun): Year-round warmth, black-sand beaches and Spain's highest peak, Mount Teide.

Things to do

• Explore the Alhambra. Wander through Granada's breathtaking palace of carved stucco, tiled courtyards and fountain-filled gardens.
• Marvel at the Sagrada Família. Stand beneath the forest-like columns and glowing stained glass of Gaudí's extraordinary basilica in Barcelona.
• Go on a tapas crawl. Hop between bustling bars in Seville, San Sebastián or Madrid, sampling small plates late into the night.
• Watch flamenco. Feel the passion of a live flamenco performance in an intimate venue in Seville or Granada.
• Visit the Prado. Lose yourself among masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya and El Greco in one of the world's great art museums.
• Walk the Camino de Santiago. Follow the ancient pilgrim route across northern Spain to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
• Island-hop the Balearics. Swim in turquoise coves in Mallorca and Menorca or enjoy Ibiza's quieter, bohemian side.
• Explore the Canary Islands' volcanoes. Hike lunar landscapes on Tenerife's Mount Teide and Lanzarote's fire mountains.

Source: full Spain guide on RoamSun

Eat and drink

• Paella – saffron rice with seafood or meat, from Valencia
• Tortilla española – thick potato and egg omelette
• Jamón ibérico – rich cured ham, sliced thin
• Churros con chocolate – fried dough dipped in thick hot chocolate

Source: RoamSun Spain guide

Talk

Twenty basic Spanish phrases with a simple sound guide. Say them slowly; a smile does the rest.

Basic phrases: pronunciation is approximate and the list has not yet been reviewed by a native speaker. Capital letters mark the stressed syllable where that applies. Spot a mistake? Tell us.

Money and safety

Currency: Euro (EUR). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: Not expected; round up or leave 5–10% for good service.

Emergency numbers: 112 police, fire & ambulance.

• Spain uses the euro; cards and contactless payments are widely accepted, even for small purchases.
• ATMs are easy to find, but choose to be charged in euros rather than your home currency for better rates.
• Pickpocketing is common in busy tourist areas, especially Barcelona's Las Ramblas and Madrid's metro – keep bags zipped and close.
• Stay hydrated and avoid strenuous sightseeing in the midday heat during summer.

Source: RoamSun Spain facts