Plan the perfect trip to Spain | Spain Holiday Guide

Are you planning to travel to Europe? Do you know what is the best country to visit first? Well, Spain could be your favorite place to go on vacation. With more than 47 million inhabitants and located in the Southwestern of Europe, Spain is one of the most visited places in the continent.

You will find many beautiful places to visit such as museums, theaters, stadiums, popular parks and restaurants where you can enjoy to the fullest your trip. Keep reading and learn more about the Iberian country and its fantastic culture, do not forget to enjoy your trip and “olé”!

How to get there

The main cities in Spain are Madrid, Barcelona, Mallorca, and Valencia. If you want to travel to any of these locations, we will show you which ones are the main airports in the country. If you want to travel later to other cities, these airports can be useful too, or you can get around with the different options available that we will mention later.

The main international airport in Spain is Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport located in the capital (Madrid). It is very close to the city center and you can get from there to any destination by rail or road. The next airport on the list is the Barcelona International Airport, also called El Prat Airport. It is popular for being close to Barcelona and for providing cheap flights to provinces around Spain and cities around Europe. 

The third airport that we want to recommend to you is the Palma de Mallorca Airport. Located in Palma de Mallorca, this is the third-largest airport in the country. This is an excellent option if you want to spend some time on your vacation enjoying the beaches in the Mediterranean.

Finally, the Valencia Airport (or Manises Airport), is an excellent option to arrive in Spain. It is accessible by rail and road, which is connected with Madrid and Barcelona. 

Visa Information

Spain, as part of the Schengen Area, permits residents from certain nations around the globe to enter without a visa. They only need a passport, valid for a minimum of three months after finishing the trip. In any case, those residents from nations that are not on that list must obtain a Spain visa in a Spanish government office or consulate. We suggest you do some research on this topic, so you can know if you have to get a Spain visa or not.

Best time to visit the country

At the point when you arrange to form a trip, it is entirely expected to ask yourself what will be the best season to head out to that nation. The best ideal opportunity to visit Spain is from April to May (spring season) or from September to October (fall season). However, you will be able to discover something to appreciate whenever you go.

During spring, the temperatures are between 26°C and 28°C. There are several holidays during spring in Spain (e.g. Semana Santa), and it has the perfect weather to enjoy them. Between September and October, the temperatures are around 25°C. This season is perfect if you prefer smaller crowds to do outdoor activities and explore the country.

Safety

If you want to travel to Spain, you can be sure that it is a safe country for tourists. However, let’s see some tips that you may follow to avoid having a bad experience. To begin with, remember to keep your handbag or wallet close to your body in crowded places. You do not want to lose your things in the middle of the trip!

If you are going to walk around at night, go out with a group of people and not alone and try to avoid areas that may seem deserted. Remember that the people that know better a place are the locals. So it is a good idea to travel with a local guide that will show you the best and safest places to go to Spain.  

Budget

Probably you are wondering how much money you will spend on your trip to Spain. Per day you could spend around €118 ($135), including standard accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment.

If you are traveling for a week your budget should be around €829 ($948) and for two weeks €1,658 ($1,895). If you want to do extra activities in Spain, for example, visit museums and parks, it is possible to search on the internet the prices of the tickets and flights. 

With the average of €118 ($135) per day, this is what you would spend divided into categories: 

• Hotel or Hostel: €58 ($66)
• Food: €28 ($32)
• Local transportation (taxis, buses, subway): €12 ($14)
• Entertainment (shows, movie tickets): €25 ($29)

Let’s break down some more specific food and drinks prices:

• Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: €3.1 ($3.6) – A sandwich in a Turkish grill cafe
• Mid-range restaurant: €15 ($17.65) – Paella, salad, sausages, and a drink
• Soft Drink: €1.74 ($2.05) – 0.33-liter bottle
• Beer: €2.50 ($2.94) – 0.5-liter draught

No matter how much your budget is, being in Spain will allow you to see everything you can enjoy.

Currency

The official currency of Spain is the Euro. There are eight different coins and seven notes. It is the only currency accepted in the country, so if you travel with USD, you can exchange cash at the airport, but the rates may be too low. The best way to get cash is by using ATMs, which are usually in shopping centers. Visa and MasterCard cards are widely accepted in almost all the stores around Spain, however, be sure to tell your bank that you will be using your card in a foreign country, and ask them about the charges for using it. 

Interesting facts about the culture

Spain is a country located in Southwestern Europe, with fascinating traditions, culture, gastronomy, and architecture that will astound you and make you want to learn more about this country. If you are currently learning Spanish, it is a great destination to improve your language skills.

If you do not know Spanish, these are some essential phrases to know:

1. ¿Habla inglés? (Do you speak English?)
2. Hola (Hello)
3. ¿Cómo está? (How are you?)
4. Mucho gusto (Nice to meet you)

However, there are three more official languages in Spain: Catalan, Galician, and Basque, which are spoken in specific locations in the country. 

If we talk about traditions, we can mention the Tapas, which are a famous style of dining. It consists of a small portion of something, similar to a snack. Some examples of Tapas are Tortilla Española (Spanish omelet), Croquetas de Jamón (Ham Croquettes), and Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp). The most famous dish from Spain is called Paella, which is rice with seafood. 

Another tradition is the Flamenco, which is a musical style, popular from the south of Spain that is usually accompanied by a dance.  

Unlike American culture, you are not expected to leave a tip at a bar or restaurant, because service is generally included on the bill, and restaurants employees’ salaries and benefits are usually fair. 

Finally, talking about sports, we have to say that soccer is the most popular sport in Spain. The country has the two most successful and popular teams in Europe: Real Madrid and Barcelona. When these two teams face each other, the match is called El clásico de España. The Spain national soccer team won the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 2010. 

Spain is the fourth most visited country in the world, and we are sure that you will enjoy traveling there and discovering all the beautiful and historical places that it has to offer. 

What to do in Spain

Spain has 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities, which means that there are many places to see, but here we will show you the most popular places for tourists. One of the places you must visit is Barcelona, the capital of the state of Catalonia. Barcelona will blow your mind with its incredible architecture of Antoni Gaudi, whose buildings are like nothing you will see anywhere else. You can enjoy the gastronomic variety of restaurants, its clean urban beaches, nightlife to have a very good time, and much more.

Places to visit in Barcelona

• Las Ramblas, in Catalonia Plaza: Fantastic Ride from Catalonia plaza to the Old Port.
• Sagrada Familia’s Basilica, in Carrer de Mallorca: Roman Catholic minor basilica, designed by Antoni Gaudí.
• Camp Nou, in d’Arístides Maillol St: Great sports stadium, home from the soccer team F.C Barcelona.
• Park Güell, in Gracia district: Public park with architect elements and beautiful gardens.
• Barceloneta Beach, in La Barceloneta district: One of the most popular beaches in Ciutat Vella.

The capital of Spain, a city full of life and culture, is Madrid. This city has the best culture and art museums in the whole country, with fantastic sculptures and masterworks that are waiting for you. The gardens and parks hold their own against the other cities, with beautiful views to enjoy, animals and green zones. Do not forget about the food, because this city has an excellent culinary culture with delightful plates.

Places to visit in Madrid

• Prado Museum, in Ruiz de Alarcón St.: The most popular museum in the city with sculpture and painting masterpieces.
• Retiro Park, in Plaza de la Independencia: Elegant park and green zones, excellent to visit with the little ones.
• Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, in Concha Espina Av.: Great sports stadium, home from the soccer team Real Madrid C.F with guided tours and photos.
• The Royal Botanical Garden, in Plaza de Murillo: Beautiful gardens with more than 90,000 plants and flowers.

Now, for the last but not least, one of the most amusing cities of Spain. Ibiza, located in the Mediterranean Sea, is an island from the Balearic Islands. Ibiza is known for its wild and amazing nightlife in the nightclubs and discos, but it also has peaceful places to relax and enjoy the sun and the wind on therapeutic beaches. 

 Places to visit in Ibiza

• Dalt Vila: Upper part of the historic core of the city.
• Ibiza Cathedral, in Plaça de la Catedral: It is a cathedral built in the XIII century of the Catalan-Gothic, although the nave is in Baroque style.
• Platja d’en Bossa, in Sant Josep de Sa Talaia Town: A popular beach.
• Aguamar Water Park, in Sant Josep de Sa Talaia Town: Fantastic aqua park with slides and fun attractions. 

How to get around in Spain

With much to see in Spain, it is important to think about how we are going to move around the country, from big cities to small towns. If you are traveling long distances, you have two main options: travel by plane or train. There are low-cost airlines in many airports that could take you almost everywhere, and if you prefer to travel by train, the best way is to buy tickets in advance.

Nowadays the train network in Spain is efficient, modern and reliable. For short distances, it is better to travel by bus. It is the cheapest way to get to rural areas. Other options are renting a car, motorbike or bicycle, to go on your own and plan your route.

How to stay connected in Spain

To stay connected in this country, you have four main options: Orange, Movistar, Vodafone, and Yoigo. These mobile operators will provide you a prepaid SIM card to use in Spain, which can be full of the services you need to use your phone (data to navigate, text messages, and minutes for calls). You can add a prepaid package to your SIM card or choose the Pay-as-you-go option, with which only the services you use will be deducted from your balance. Below we have other recommended SIM Cards that may interest you for your trip to Spain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I rent a car?

It is a good idea if you can afford it, however, you can move by train or bus without a problem. 

Which airports can I fly to?

The best airports are the Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, the Barcelona International Airport, the Palma de Mallorca Airport, and the Valencia Airport.

What are the most popular types of hotels?

The most popular and common forms of hotels in Spain are Mid-Priced Hotels and Hostels.

How much does a holiday cost?

You can spend around €118 ($135) daily, including accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment (without luxury).

What are the best things to do?

If you travel to Spain, you need to visit the Prado Museum in Madrid (the capital) and the Sagrada Familia’s Basilica in Barcelona.

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