Spain

Spain Travel Guide
At A Glance

With 49 sites inscribed on the World Heritage Sites list (the same number as the number of World Heritage Sites France has), Spain has the fourth largest number of sites per country.

I have visited the Historic Centre of Córdoba, Alhambra Palace in Granada, Antonio Gaudi’s works in Barcelona, Santiago de Compostela, the Old Town of Avila, the Old City of Salamanca, the Alcazar Palace and Cathedral in Seville, the white towns in Andalucia (pueblos blancos), San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander, Cadiz, etc.
But hiking Camino de Santiago and Ruta Teresiana (Camino Teresiana) are my top experiences in Spain.

Spain Travel Guide to Seville

Language:

Spanish

Currency:

Euro (€)

Best Time to Visit:

spring and early summer (April-June) and autumn (September-October

Famous Landmarks:

Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Alhambra Palace in Granada, Mezquita-Cathedral in Cordoba, Walls of Avila, Segovia Acqueduct, Escorial Monastery, etc.

Spain Travel Guide –
Spain City Guides

Seville is one of the best places to visit in Southern Spain

Seville

Visiting La Mezquita is one of the best things to do in Cordoba Spain

Cordoba

Salamanca should be visited if planning to travel a week in Spain

Salamanca
Avila is one of the best cities in Spain for visiting

Avila
Where to stay in Malaga Spain? the best area to stay in Malaga for sightseeing is Malaga downtown

Malaga

Spain Travel Guide

useful Spanish Phrases

  • Hello – Hola
  • Goodbye – Adiós
  • Good morning. – Buenos días
  • Good afternoon – Buenas tardes
  • Good night – Buenas noches 
  • Thank you – Gracias
  • Please – por favor
  • You’re welcome – de nada
  • Excuse me –  disculpe
  • I’m sorry – lo siento
  • I understand –  entiendo 
  • I don’t understand – no entiendo
  • One ticket, please – Un boleto por favor
  • Where is…? – dónde es …?
  • Where is the bathroom? –  ¿Dónde está el baño?
  • How much does it cost? – ¿Cuánto cuesta?
  • Is it open? – ¿Está abierto?
  • Do you speak English? – ¿Hablas inglés?
  • I don’t speak Spanish – No hable español 
  • The bill, please – La factura, por favor
  • Cheers! – Salud!

Eating in Spain

  • National dish: Paella (Read more: Guide to Traditional Spanish Food)
  • Breakfast in Spain: 7 am – 9 am
  • Lunchtime in Spain: 2 pm – 3.30 pm
    (Restaurants close their kitchens for lunch at 4 pm )
  • Dinner time in Spain: 8.30 pm and 10.30 pm
  • Tipping in Spain: not mandatory in restaurants and bars, but around 10% tip is welcome)

Traveling in Spain:

  • Traveling in Italy by train:
    Traveling by train is the fastest way to travel around Spain. Spain has a well-developed railway network. High-speed AVE and Alvia trains connect big cities in Spain. AVE trains connect Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville. Regional and local trains connect smaller towns and villages.
    Renfe is the main Spanish railway company. Tickets are available for purchase on Renfe website and app, and at railway station ticket offices and self-service machines. Trains in Spain run on time.
  • Traveling in Spain by car:
    Renting a car in Spain will give you maximum freedom. Spain is a member of the EU. European driving licenses are valid for driving in Spain. Visitors to Spain must have an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive there.
    Ther are ZTLs zones (limited traffic zones) in some towns in Spain, but not as abundant as in Italy.
  • Traveling in Spain by bus:
    Buses in Spain run to all destinations, including remote villages.Buses are the chapest, but the longest way to go around Spain.
    Alsa is the main bus company in Spain. Tickets for buses are available for purchase at bus operators websites, at the bus stations and on the bus.
  • City metros:
    Metros are available in the Spanish cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Valencia and Palma de Mallorca.

Average Travel costs in Spain:

  • Accommodation costs in Italy: average 90 €/day ($95/day)
    hostel bed: 15-55 €/day
    budget hotels: 80-100 €/day
    mid-range hotels: 100 -150 €/day
    luxury hotels: 300-1000+ €/day
  • Food & drinks: average 60 €/day ($62 /day)
  • Transportation:
    train: 10 – 60 € (one-way);
    train tickets in Spain get cheaper when booking in advance
    city bus: 1.30- 2.40 € (one-way)

Tips for Traveling in Spain:

  • Phone chargers: 230 volts and the Type C (Europlug) socket or the Type F (Schuko) socket; consider getting an universal adaptor 
  • Emergency number (medical, public safety, accidents, etc): 112
  • Tap water: safe for drinking
  • Visa requirements: depends on your nationality (check here); not required under 90 days for US tourists
  • Vaccination: none
  • Safety: crime is moderate, and using common sense in tourist areas is required
  • Book big attractions, like the Alhambra, in advance
  • Dress comfortably and take good walking shoes
  • Most museums are closed on Mondays. Museums in Spain are usually free on the first Sunday of each month.

Most Popular Tourist Activities in Spain:

Most Iconic Hotels in Spain:

Spain Travel Guide – Posts