Spain Travel Guide

• Spain is bursting at the seams with culture and history
• It has some of the most modern, unique cities in Europe including Madrid and Barcelona
• It boasts beautiful beaches and year-round warm weather
• You can island hop around idyllic islands such as Ibiza
• It’s foodie heaven where you can tuck into delicious tapas and tasty Spanish cuisine
• It’s the perfect place to take off on a wider tour of Europe
• You can easily hop across the water into North Africa

The capital city of Spain is Madrid, a lively city bursting with great bars, restaurants and nightlife and famous for its art galleries, which house masterpieces by artists such as Picasso and Salvador Dali. 

• Hang out in the buzz of the capital, Madrid and see famous artworks
• Be blown away by Gaudi’s unusual architecture in beautiful Barcelona
• Island hop around Ibiza and hit the beaches and nightspots
• Relax on the beaches in the sunny coastal Costas
• Seek out tasty tapas in the gorgeous coastal city of San Sebastian
• See Spain’s oldest university in Salamanca
• Hike in the breathtaking Pyrenees
• Visit the Alhambra Palace in Moorish-influenced Granada
• Join in with a Spanish ‘fiesta’ or try some flamenco dancing!

Spain is known for its delicious cuisine, with an amazing choice of restaurants on offer. Tapas dishes (sometimes known as pintxos) are a popular choice, which provide small tasting dishes of meat, seafood, stews and vegetables. Paella is also a Spanish classic, with its saffron-flavoured rice combined with meat, seafood and vegetables.

Serrano ham and chorizo are popular meat products; tortilla (a potato omelette) also features regularly on menus, while olive oil and garlic are used for flavour in many dishes. Well-known drinks include local Spanish wines and sangria. 

Spain has a varied climate. The Southern and Eastern coastal regions are known for their year-round warmth and Mediterranean climate. In Northern Spain, temperatures can be colder, while the Central region remains largely warm and dry.

Visa

Visas may be required in order to enter or transit through certain countries depending on your passport nationality, your reason for travel and how long you intend to stay.

Visa, passport and entry rules are subject to change and you should check the most up-to-date information from the relevant embassy or visa specialist.

To make things easier we have teamed up with The Travel Visa Company who are one of the UK’s leading travel visa specialists. You can use their website, alongside embassy websites,  to find out the specific entry requirements for the countries you intend to travel to.

For a fee, their dedicated team of experts can also apply for visas on your behalf, taking away the hassle and streamlining the process for you if you wish. For more details on the services they provide please click here – The Travel Visa Company

Passport

Passports must be kept in good condition. Travellers with damaged passports may be refused entry at immigration. It is the responsibility of the traveller to ensure that all travel documents are in good condition before they travel. Most countries will also require at least 6 months of validity on your passport from the time you finish your trip. 

Further Entry Requirements

Some countries will require proof of certain vaccines, such as yellow fever or covid, in order to gain entry. Please check with the relevant embassy or a visa specialist before travelling.

The language in Spain is Spanish. 

Electrical sockets in Spain are for two-pin Type F plugs, so if using UK appliances you will need to have a universal adaptor. 

If a police officer asks you for ID then you must show them your passport. Spain has strict anti-drug laws and possession of even a small quantity of drugs can result in arrest. Some regions of Spain (including Madrid and Barcelona) have banned drinking alcohol in the street and if you are caught doing so you may face a hefty fine. In some areas of Spain, it’s against the law to wear swimwear or to go bare-chested in the street.

Lunches in Spain are often long, relaxed affairs which happen around 3 pm and dinner is often not eaten until 9 pm or even later. The Spanish love their nightlife and will often stay out until the early hours. The traditional Spanish ‘siesta’ (an afternoon nap) is no longer so common but some shops, bars and businesses do still sometimes close for periods during the afternoon. 

Health

British travellers should get a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) before leaving the UK. 

Safety

Spain is generally a safe European destination, but there is some street crime, with thieves often working in teams of two or more and using distraction techniques to obtain passports and money. Don’t keep your valuables all in one place and keep a copy of your passport somewhere safe.

Be extra vigilant at airports and in city centres. Occasionally, thieves may pose as police officers and ask to see a wallet as identification, so be wary if this occurs. Always buy your own drinks and keep them in sight at all times, to avoid the risk of spiking. Only use officially registered or licensed taxis.

We do not recommend hiring motorbikes, scooters, ATV vehicles, quad bikes or other types of motorised vehicles whilst abroad. Safety and quality of vehicles vary considerably and the traffic conditions can be much more dangerous than what UK travellers are used to. Should you wish to go against this advice, you should ensure you are hiring from a reputable company and that your travel insurance covers you for such activities.