Spain

Spain Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Spain is one of Europe’s most enjoyable destinations to travel through: historic cities, world-class art museums, tapas bars, Mediterranean beaches, white villages, flamenco, and festivals that run late into the night. You can see Gaudí’s masterpieces in Barcelona, wander Madrid’s boulevards and the Prado, eat pintxos in San Sebastián, explore Moorish palaces in Andalusia, hike in the Pyrenees, or chill on the Balearic Islands—all using a reliable network of high-speed trains and domestic flights. Because Spain is big and the climate varies between north and south, it pays to plan your route and your budget. This guide is written for tourists visiting Spain for the first time, with practical, SEO-friendly information that will help you make smart choices on money, transport, safety, and common scams.

Cities, Towns & Attractions Popular with Tourists

Madrid: Capital city, Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Gran Vía, El Retiro Park, and the “Golden Triangle” of art museums (Prado, Reina Sofía, Thyssen).
Barcelona: Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Batlló, Gothic Quarter, La Rambla, Barceloneta beach—often travelers’ first stop.
Seville: Real Alcázar, Seville Cathedral & Giralda, Santa Cruz quarter, flamenco shows, spring festivals.
Granada: The Alhambra and Generalife gardens—book timed tickets well in advance.
Córdoba: The Mezquita (mosque-cathedral) and old Jewish Quarter.
Valencia: City of Arts and Sciences, beaches, paella birthplace.
Bilbao & San Sebastián (Basque Country): Guggenheim Museum and some of Europe’s best food scenes, with pintxos bars.
Balearic Islands: Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca, Formentera—beaches, nightlife (Ibiza), and chill coves.
Canary Islands: Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura—year-round sunshine, volcanic landscapes.
Toledo, Segovia, Ávila: Excellent day trips from Madrid for medieval/heritage Spain.

Good to Know

Best time to visit: Spring (Apr–Jun) and fall (Sept–Oct) for comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds. July–Aug can be very hot in Madrid/Andalusia; the north is milder.
Siesta & dining hours: Many small shops may close in the afternoon. Dinner is late by North American standards—9 pm is normal, 10 pm is not strange.
Festivals & holidays: Semana Santa (Holy Week), Feria de Abril (Seville), La Tomatina, San Fermín (Pamplona) can make accommodation scarce—book early.
Tap water: Safe to drink in most cities (taste varies).
Regional identities: Spain is diverse—Catalonia, Basque Country, Galicia, Andalusia—be respectful of local language and culture.

Visa & Entry Requirements for Tourists from the U.S., Canada, EU, U.K., and Australia

EU/Schengen citizens: Free movement to Spain with valid ID/passport.
U.K. citizens: Visa-free short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) in Schengen, including Spain. Passport must meet Schengen validity rules.
U.S. citizens: Visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days in any 180-day period in Schengen. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond intended departure and issued within the last 10 years.
Canadian citizens: Visa-free for short tourist stays up to 90/180 in Schengen.
Australian citizens: Also visa-free for short Schengen visits up to 90/180.
Important: Border officials can ask for proof of onward/return travel, accommodation, and sufficient funds. Check the latest guidance before travel, especially for upcoming systems like ETIAS.

Currency & Budget

Currency: Euro (EUR, €).

Exchange rate: In 2025, 1 USD is often around 0.90–0.95 EUR; 1 GBP around 1.15–1.20 EUR—always check a live rate before you go.

Average daily budget (approx.):

Backpacker: 55–90 EUR/day – hostel, menu del día, metro/buses, a couple of paid attractions.
Midrange: 110–190 EUR/day – 2–3 star hotel in central area, AVE train tickets, tapas dinners, day trips.
Luxury: 220–350+ EUR/day – boutique or 4–5 star hotels, fine dining, private tours, internal flights to islands.

Tipping: Not compulsory. Round up or leave 5–10% for good service in restaurants; leave small change at bars/cafés; tip guides and drivers depending on service.

Credit card acceptance: Very good—Visa and Mastercard widely accepted, contactless is common. Some small or very local places may be cash-only.

ATMs: Easy to find in all cities and towns. Some ATMs and POS terminals offer dynamic currency conversion (DCC)—always choose to pay in euros.

Best way to get cash: Withdraw euros from a bank ATM using a low-fee card, then pay by card as much as possible.

Language & Communication

Official language: Spanish (Castellano).
Co-official languages: Catalan (Catalonia/Balearic Islands), Galician (Galicia), Basque/Euskara (Basque Country & parts of Navarre).
English: Widely spoken in major tourist areas (Barcelona, Madrid, Costa del Sol), less so in small towns—learning a few Spanish phrases helps a lot.

SIM cards / eSIM

Main operators: Movistar, Orange, Vodafone, and MásMóvil/Yoigo.
Where to buy: At airports, city-center phone shops, and electronics stores—bring your passport if asked.
Tourist eSIM: Easy and quick—buy online before arrival; many EU eSIMs work across Schengen.
Coverage: Excellent in cities and along the Mediterranean coast; more limited in rural/mountain areas but usually fine along main roads.

Power Plugs & Voltage

Voltage: 230V, 50 Hz.
Plugs: Type C and F (two round pins). Travelers from the U.S./U.K./Australia should bring an adapter and check dual-voltage.

Getting Around

High-speed trains (AVE, AVLO, OUIGO): Fastest way between major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Málaga, Valencia, Alicante, and Córdoba—book ahead for better fares.
Regional trains & buses: Connect smaller towns and are often cheaper than high-speed rail.
Domestic flights: Useful for long distances and island trips (Balearics, Canaries) and sometimes for Barcelona–Andalusia if train tickets are high.
City transport: Metro systems in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville (tram), and good buses everywhere. Transport cards/passes help cut costs.
Car rental: Great for Andalusia, the north (Basque Country, La Rioja, Asturias, Galicia), and rural areas—drive on the right, watch for speed cameras, and check parking rules in historic centers.

Safety

Overall: Spain is very used to tourists and generally safe.
Petty theft: The main issue, especially in Barcelona, Madrid, and crowded tourist zones (Las Ramblas, metro, beaches, trains). Keep bags zipped and in front, and watch phones.
ATMs & valuables: Use ATMs in busy, well-lit areas; keep valuables in your hotel safe.
Heat: In summer, especially in Andalusia and central Spain, stay hydrated and avoid walking long distances in midday sun.

Common Tourist Scams & Annoyances

Pickpocketing: On metros, at major attractions, and in nightlife districts—watch your stuff, especially if distracted.
“Friendship” items / petitions: People offering items or asking you to sign something to distract you—politely refuse.
Fake taxi / unmetered rides: Use official taxis with meters or ride-hailing where available.
Restaurant price confusion in tourist areas: Check the menu and whether bread/snacks are charged; avoid pushy touts on La Rambla.

Give yourself a few days in either Madrid or Barcelona, then add Andalusia (Seville–Córdoba–Granada) or the north (Bilbao–San Sebastián–La Rioja) for food and scenery. Spain rewards slow travel—long lunches, late dinners, and plenty of walks through old towns.