Spain Travel Guide
May–June and September–October are ideal. July–August is very hot inland — Madrid and Seville can top 40°C.
Last reviewed
Spain at a glance
Best time to visit Spain
May–June and September–October are ideal. July–August is very hot inland — Madrid and Seville can top 40°C.
Peak: August on the coast, plus Semana Santa and Las Fallas — book far ahead.
Shoulder season: May and late September: warm sea, lower prices, thinner crowds.
Visa and entry
Schengen visa-free for 90 days in 180 days for many nationalities. ETIAS required from 2025.
Entry rules depend on your nationality and change frequently. Always confirm with an official embassy or consulate source before booking.
Money and tipping
Spain uses the EUR (€).
Not obligatory. Rounding up or leaving 5–10% at restaurants is appreciated. Not expected at bars.
Getting around
A Barcelona single is about €2.65; the T-casual card gives 10 rides for around €12.55 and can be shared between travellers on the same trip. Madrid's metro is €1.50–2 plus a €2.50 reusable card.
When a pass pays off: In Barcelona a shared T-casual works out near €1.25 a ride — cheaper than both singles and the Hola Barcelona tourist pass unless you ride 5+ times a day.
Local etiquette
Do
- Shift your clock — lunch runs 2–4 pm and dinner rarely starts before 9 pm.
- Ask for “la cuenta”; the bill is never brought until you request it.
- Greet with two cheek kisses (right cheek first) in social settings.
Avoid
- Don't expect small-town shops to stay open through the early afternoon.
- Don't tip 20% — rounding up or a couple of euros is normal.
- Don't hang bags on the back of your chair in busy tourist areas.
Common scams and tourist traps
- Las Ramblas and the Barcelona metro are known pickpocket spots — the “spilled drink” and “football shirt hug” distractions are classics.
- Flamenco touts selling overpriced “authentic” shows; book directly with the venue.
- Tourist-strip “menú del día” at a markup — the local version is typically €12–18 including wine.
Health
No special vaccinations beyond routine immunizations are needed for Spain. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
When locals eat
Meal windows shift by country, and eating on the local clock is the difference between a full restaurant and a closed kitchen.
| Meal | Early riser | Typical | Night owl |
|---|---|---|---|
| breakfast | 7:30 AM | 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM |
| lunch | 1:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| dinner | 8:30 PM | 9:30 PM | 10:30 PM |
Useful Spanish (Castilian), with Catalan, Basque and Galician regionally phrases
English is common in tourist Barcelona and Madrid, limited elsewhere.
- Hello
- Hola(OH-la)
- Thank you
- Gracias(GRA-thyas)
- Excuse me
- Perdone(per-DOH-neh)
- How much is this?
- ¿Cuánto cuesta?(KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
Staying connected
eSIM providers that cover Spain: Airalo, Ubigi, Holafly. Buying an eSIM before you fly avoids airport queues and roaming charges.
Spain travel FAQ
- When is the best time to visit Spain?
- May–June and September–October are ideal. July–August is very hot inland — Madrid and Seville can top 40°C.
- Do I need a visa to visit Spain?
- Schengen visa-free for 90 days in 180 days for many nationalities. ETIAS required from 2025. Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — confirm with an official consulate or embassy source before booking.
- Do you tip in Spain?
- Not obligatory. Rounding up or leaving 5–10% at restaurants is appreciated. Not expected at bars.
- What currency is used in Spain?
- Spain uses the EUR (€).
- What power plug and voltage does Spain use?
- Spain uses Type C and Type F sockets at 230V / 50 Hz. Check your device's rated input before travelling; most modern laptop and phone chargers handle both 110V and 220V.
- What is the emergency number in Spain?
- In Spain, call 091 (police) / 112 (EU universal).
- What time zone is Spain in?
- Spain is in the Europe/Madrid time zone (UTC+01:00).
- What language is spoken in Spain?
- The main language is Spanish (Castilian), with Catalan, Basque and Galician regionally. English is common in tourist Barcelona and Madrid, limited elsewhere.
- Is public transport worth buying a pass for in Spain?
- A Barcelona single is about €2.65; the T-casual card gives 10 rides for around €12.55 and can be shared between travellers on the same trip. Madrid's metro is €1.50–2 plus a €2.50 reusable card. In Barcelona a shared T-casual works out near €1.25 a ride — cheaper than both singles and the Hola Barcelona tourist pass unless you ride 5+ times a day.
- What health precautions should I take in Spain?
- No special vaccinations beyond routine immunizations are needed for Spain. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
Ready-made Spain itineraries
Plan a Spain trip around how you actually travel
Travaio builds a day-by-day plan from your travel style, with verified places, real opening hours, and local meal times already accounted for.
Plan my Spain tripThis guide is general travel information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Visa, health, and safety requirements change — verify anything time-sensitive with an official source before you travel.