In Spain, you’ll find never-ending beaches, sunshine all year, towering Gothic cathedrals, and charming white villages on hillsides.

As a holidaymaker, Spain gives you lots of choices—from mountains to coasts, big lively cities to cute traditional villages.

The Ultimate Spain Travel Guide

Welcome! You must be planning a trip to Spain! Allow me to help you. This guide is filled with all the information you’ll ever need to know from the basics to my top places to visit, tips, and recommendations.

Or, if you’re excited, just jump into my Spain Travel Blog by using the Table of Contents to go directly to what you want to read.

Travel Guide to Spain: The Basics

Capital City: Madrid
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Language: Spanish, although in the larger cities and tourist hotspots, English is spoken to some degree
Population: 47 million
Size: 505,370 km2 (195,365 sq mi) (Source: Wikipedia)
Average Daily Cost: 60 to 150 EUR per person

Getting there: Most travellers will fly into either of these three major gateways including Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez (MAD) Airport, Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) Airport, and Málaga-Costa del Sol (AGP) Airport.

Getting around: High-speed trains link major cities, and rental cars are only needed to reach charming villages and the picturesque countryside.

Tipping: tipping is generally a common practice, and around 10% is customary in restaurants.

Weather:

  • Spring (March to May): temperatures ranging from 10 to 20°C (50 to 68°F)
  • Summer (June to August): temperatures ranging from 25 to 35°C (77 to 95°F)
  • Autumn (September to November): temperatures ranging from 15 to 25°C (59 to 77°F)
  • Winter (December to February): temperatures ranging from 0 to 10°C (32 to 50°F)

Travel Guide for Spain: By the Regions

Regions in Southern Spain

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  • Andalucía, a hot spot for tourists, boasts renowned cities like Seville, Granada, Malaga, and Cordoba, along with its warm weather, golden beaches, and charming whitewashed villages. Divided into four areas—Cadiz, Tarifa, Marbella, Fuengirola, Nerja, and Mojacar—this region offers both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines.
  • The Balearic Islands, situated off Spain’s east coast, include famous destinations like Ibiza, Menorca, Mallorca, and Formentera, making them ideal for beach holidays.
  • Canary Islands is a collection of islands further south of mainland Spain that is located in the Atlantic Ocean just west of Africa.
  • Murcia, renowned for its stunning white sand beaches and pleasant climate, is a hidden gem.
  • Valenciana beckons as a perfect beach holiday destination, boasting one of Europe’s largest ports for exports.

Regions in the Middle of Spain

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  • Castilla la Mancha is home to the city of Toledo, a favoured tourist spot conveniently close to Madrid.
  • Catalunya is famous for its stunning beaches, pleasant Mediterranean climate, and the vibrant city of Barcelona.
  • Extremadura is located in the west, bordering Portugal, showcasing beautifully restored Roman buildings—perfect for photography enthusiasts.
  • Madrid is the capital and a bustling metropolis, situated right in the heart of Spain.

Regions in Northern Spain

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  • Aragon borders France and encompasses the highest part of the Pyrenees and Spain’s largest river, the Ebro.
  • Asturias is a non-touristy rural and mountainous region that has vast stretches of green fields and unspoiled beaches along the coastline.
  • Basque country was given its own nationality and local language (known as Euskera). It’s home to two big cities, Bilbao and San Sebastian. Bilbao is home to the Guggenheim Museum where you will find architect Frank Gehry’s designs.
  • Cantabria is a mountainous region famous for its cave paintings and national parks.
  • Castilla y León is the Camino de Santiago path that runs through this region, so it does get quite busy with travellers passing through on their pilgrimage and it holds much of Spain’s heritage and historical sites.
  • Galicia is home to the famous Cathedral in its main city Santiago de Compostela, as it holds the shrine of Saint James, the final destination for all those who are walking the path of the Camino de Santiago
  • La Rioja is Spain’s famous wine country where most of the country’s red wine comes from.
  • Navarra is dominated by the Pyrenees mountains and is famous for being home to the Pamplona Bull race.

Travel Guide Spain Tips

  • In Spain, mealtime rhythms are different. Enjoy a simple breakfast from 9-11 am, lunch between 2-4 pm, a snack (Merienda or Pintxos) from 4-8 pm, and dinner between 9-11:30 pm.
  • When dining out, don’t rush – service is much more relaxed. Enjoy your food, drinks, and socializing; signal when you’re ready to leave.
  • Sundays are a day of rest. Families gather, and shops, even in big cities, may close.
  • Dress respectfully when visiting religious sites.
  • Experience the realness of siestas from 1-4 pm; small shops and restaurants close for a little afternoon break. Embrace the slower pace in southern Spain, reminding yourself you’re on vacation—relax and enjoy!
  • Watch out for pickpockets, especially in crowded spots in the bigger cities. Be extra cautious at crowded beaches; don’t leave valuables on your towel if you go into the water. Keep an eye on your belongings!

Spain Travel Blog: My Articles

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